I've gotten a request to post a thread for my car so here it is. This is Irene (named after my great granny). Cute I know. I bought it for around 2k. Runs and drives (sometimes not at the same time). She is mostly original other than the few items I have put on to make it reliable. Quarters need replaced. I have a few plans for it. First I want to lower it a little, then paint, wide whites, white and blue interior, some go fast goodies under the hood. I will leave the Blue Flame in it. Probably wind up shaving some trim off. Don't really know yet. I am more worried right now about getting it drivable. show does not equal go. I have just a couple pictures right now will post more tomorrow. If anyone has a center tooth for the grille, let's talk.
What are your plans? I'd love to see this one from the beginning to the proverbial end.........Thanks for posting the photos....Centurion9
well right now this is the beginning. probably wind up with skirts, might ditch the caps and run spiders, some chrome and go fast goodies under the hood. basically i want it to look like a car someone bought used when it was a couple years old and dropped off at the local speed shop. not going to chop but will lower it, change the interior to a white and blue combo. maybe use a darker blue. just want to do some subtle changes.
Nice canvas to start with. The nieghbor down the street had one the same color when I lived in Westlink in the 60s and 70s. Have fun with it.
Up until a few years ago 49-54 cars had no appeal to me. I always favored the 55-57's. Now I like them better than the tri-fives. Looks like you got a pretty good one to start with. I like the blue & white, looks cl***y. Is it an automatic trans or 3 speed?
Some guy on here a while back had a satin two tone green 4 door belair that had been lowered etc that looked killer. He was a new guy and was thinking of going flat black. I searched everything I could think of and couldnt find it but it was cool. The colors were similar to this if I remember correctly.
looks like a cool project. I used to have an extra center grill tooth, until my good one fell off and someone ran over it before I could get it off the road.
I actually kind of dig the grille without the teeth, maybe weld up the holes and have the grille re-chromed. That would give a nice clean/custom look to it without much effort. Maybe one-piece the hood and round off the corners and remove some (not all) chrome. *****in' car and I like the soft blue. Look forward to seeing your progress.
Sweet ride, I'm kind of fond of the baby blue color too. I like the grill without the teeth, subtle but still custom.
well that settles it. i will leave the teeth off. i like it to but was on the fence. these are all really great ideas and easy to do as well.
ok, so i have taken the hood ornament and the strips that join the sides of the hood together off. i like it! i will post pics of it tonight if i can get my camera to fire up. hopefully will join the two sides and fill in the holes for the chevy emblem soon. i guess posting this thread is what really made me get off my **** and do so work on it.
just a little update here. i've started taking care of the quarters but nothing special that no one on here hasn't seen before. also started doing some sanding and getting things ready for paint. i think i will be doing some white scallops under the stainless, on top of the fenders and the hood. i am having a real hard time not taking the rest of the trim off and just leaving the bel air stuff around the windows.
Before you start getting all crazy on paint and trim ideas try getting a new set of 6.70 firestones (or your preferred choice) on there and take in what you see. Personally I think that the car could lose the trim and fill the holes while your repairing the quarters. But the color with the baby blue on the bottom and the white on top is definitely doing it for me. Can I mentally build this car for you real quick??? Cut a coil from the front and use 3-4" lowering block out back. Chrome Steel wheels mounted on 6.70 Wide White wall tires De-trim everything from the belt line down Weld the rear tail lights to give the frenched in look 55 Chevy eye-brow headlights nosed with a peak and decked Extra teeth in the 54 grille remove bumpterettes front and back Repaint car same baby blue and white with perhaps some pearl to both Pearl white interior with blue inserts that have a silvery thread to them Chrome dash and steering column Chevy 150 steering wheel without trim ring
Nice car! Like the colors and almost got one like it but it was sold before I could deal with him on it! Enjoy it, they are fun to drive and im sure you always get alot of heads turning when they see you.
Oh man! That does sound ***y. Thats what I think i will do. I will need to get some experience cutting and welding before i tackle the 55 headlights though.
Yeah me too. I have had my '54 Chevy for 3 years now and I have done nothing.....I mean nothing besides dis***emble it and collect a few things for it like a 365 Cadillac Eldo engine, Weiand 2 x 4 intake, Early Caddy Sombrero caps, '53 Olds Rear, Dropped uprights, 53 Desoto gauges and a few other things. I think I'm just overwhelmed with the idea of really having a go at it. Should start slowly this winter though so I'll feed off your progress to get my *** in gear. I would start with taking the trim off and welding up the holes. You can drive it while doing that just making sure that the metal is protected everytime you weld up a hole. Then do the rear tails in a weekend.......then drive a lot more........save up and get the tires.......drive some more.........lower it.........drive some more.....then when you are ready take the car of the road for two weeks while you chip away at the 55 head lights. I should take my own advice.
Here, I stumbled across it. after looking at some other pics of it,It could use a paint job but still pretty cool.
Gee mister.....that car sure is swell! I think as far as removing the trim below the belt line goes.....i am going to leave the rock guard on the doors and the chrome along the rockers and probably move the Bel-Air scripts back to the quarters. Also I was looking at the caddys we have at work and I am getting the small GM logos they are putting on cars these days to put on the lower fenders.
Man!!! I just turned 40 an hour ago,(today is my b-day) and someone has already called me mister.........I already feel like Ward Cleaver
Well happy b-day to ya. hope you have many more.....coming from a funeral director that should mean something.
Ok....it's been a little while since I've updated this deal. I have gotten the hood shaved, smoothed, and got some primer were the seam used to be. I've pulled the reveal moldings from around the windows and started working on painting them white. Other than that, I am doing what I can with no garage.
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