I am giving my '54 Bel-Air a winter makeover. I have pulled all the chrome and sanded of most of the gray, doing body work as I go. And as is always the case, making little changes along the way. I have welded up the hood, got rid of the door poppers, and re-installed the handles. I got rid of the lowering blocks and cut springs and raised the car back up 3 inches. But now as I get closer to spraying the first coat of primer, and I thinking colors and having a hell of a time at it. I have poured over my rags, gone through every Gazette, and spent hour after hour on the web. I think I've found something I like but then within a day or so ask myself what I was thinking and go back to square one. So I set down and started a list of my favorite cars. I may have hit on the problem. I don't like shiny cars! My favorite movie cars are the primered Willys in HOT ROD, and the black-top 55. And I always rooted for the raggy Vette in King of the mountain. My taste are at the track, and I don't do customs. My hero's I watched cruizing way back when seemed to have all their money under the hood while the bodies remained in a permeant state of flux. I find myself drawn to the unfinished rod at the shows, perhaps because there is still something left to the imagination, not a finished product that you are forced to accept. I admire the gorgeous, but for only a moment. Before I move on only to discover myself spending hours going over a car wearing a coat of primer and blankets for seat covers. Picking out each little detail of the build and how that person is making it his own. I spot a car that has some chips maybe a spot of rust or two, and My mind starts wondering over where it has been and what stories it has. Then I walk up to a polished, plated, upholstered car, nod my head and say something like, yeah thats nice.... moving on now. Maybe it's because I dig the build, Being out in the shop is my therapy, I tend to lose interest when it's finished. Of course that brings me back to my problem. What am I going to do about painting my car! Flat Black seems done, it's been gray primer for a while now..... Maybe it will be blue, or red?? Or perhaps..... AAAARRRGGH
Fog it with a cheap light blue, semi gloss alkyd. People will not know what the hell to think of it and it will give you that unfinished feeling that you like. Will also pick up character at an astounding rate. Bill
The main reason for the re-do is a bit of rust showing up under the belt line, and a few dings that bugged me when under the right light. I guess you could say I like my cars rough.... I don't know. I don't like Moonglow very much. Don't like 53 - 54 Chevys chopped, don't care for white, that many teeth in the grill looks silly, and the back window looks outa whack. Here are 5 I absolutely love. I know they are all shoeboxes but it's the look and at***ude I love. And it's the look, feel, and at***ude that I want to capture. The SO-LO is my Favorite.
I dig the street fighter version in your gallery, but to me the rally wheels don't fit the car. Just to Camaroesque (Yes, that's a word I use it all the time ) The moon tank works, the scoop I can live with. I'd say a flattened gray, kinda like on my T. Tinted gray primer with a clear sealer over it. Has really held up well. The wheels need some help. Maybe some ET's, chrome reverse or even white painted steelies would put it back into the 60's.
Street fighter- black. With white upper 2 tone if you wanna dress it up. Showstopper/jaw dropper- Red with white upper 2 tone. Not dark red, not redish, not some fancy color shifting pearl or other fancification. Just bright friggin red. Hard to beat a 50s chevy in that combo for curb appeal. good luck!
It will come to you ,Throw the charts away ,Go to a car show and then pull out the charts. Personally I think every car should be painted black Gloss .People will know what kind of bodyman you are.
Stop now, back away from your rat and culture with a "K" rags. Save the pic Gotgas posted above as your screen saver and gaze at it until you start thinking straight again.
The Jalopy Journal
