finishing up the metal work on the chop on my 54' belair and i was just wondering if anyone has seen a 54' belair (chopped or stock) with a 58' impala roof vent grafted into the rear of the roof...possibly as a 3rd brake light?? if anyone has any pics, i would really appreciate it thanks, caleb
That Impala faux roof vent has been stuck on more cars of any kind than you can shake a stick at, especially in the 3-5 years after 1958.
I think it would look great. I know that's been done a lot, but so have wide white walls. Some things are done a lot because they're just plain cool. The third brake light may not be "traditional" but it may keep the ass end of your car in one piece. Too many soccer moms are out there that don't pay enough attention as it is. A car with a smashed ass isn't very traditional either.
yeahh, thats what i was thinkin about...seen too many of my buddies gettin rear ended by people and it scares the hell outa me. still gotta make up my mind for sure on what i wanna do there because im really goin for a late 50's look.. anybody have any other ideas???
Yeah, but make the third stop light read across using leds: STOP U STUPID SOCCER MOM DRIVING FRICKIN MINIVAN! Put a big truck air horn in the back and hit that if you think that idiot is too close or going to collide.
Here are couple of pictures I scanned a while back. (I keep a file of 53-54 custom modifications) They come from the late 80s early 90s R&C mags when Pat Ganahl brought it back. The Chevy has the appearance of the Impala rear scoop but I don't see any chrome. The picture is poor quality but you get the idea. The second one is of a 52 - 53 Olds with similar body style and the Impala scoop intact.
Other '58 GM cars had the roof vent as well. So did '59 Impalas (all bodystyles), but the bodywork was flat with the scoop stuck on. '58 Pontiac: http://image06.webshots.com/6/4/56/87/92245687tKgGaQ_ph.jpg '59 Chevy: http://www.plan59.com/images/JPGs/chevrolet_1959_green_00.jpg
Here's one as a third brake light on a custom '50 Shoebox: I'm not too into them on chopped cars because I think they take away from the lines of the chop.
thanks for the pictures! i finally have the metal work in the chop to where i want it, might actually be lookin at primer and then some body work soon....but since i have the flow where it needs to be now, i think im gonna drop the roof vent idea... i really appreciate the help with the idea though guys! caleb
very cool!!!! im pretty sure i havnt seen one done that way before, what are those off of??? and thank you for posting the picture
Look like maybe hood scoops from another car. Which is another option to look at. it wouldn't be a big deal to just cut the top skin, add some wedge shaped pieces and finish it with just the chrome for whatever scoop you wanted.
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