Projects First project! '53 Bel Air

So I picked this car up a little over a year ago, and realized ive made some progress, so i figured id start a build thread. Been having a lot of fun, and the heat is on to make some choices. Got a small block to go in, but haven't decided if i want to take the 235 out of it and run it. Probably will if it blows up. Stripped the car to bare metal, metal treated it, and DP'd it. Cut out the rotted quarters, and patched em up. Took 2 1/2 inches outta the roof. Cut out the drip rail, and put in round rod. Frenched headlights were next. I never did anything with the tail lights other than lenses, now that the body work is done, gotta do something. Kindof an afterthought, but gonna at least french em in clean. Got rid of the door handles. Peaking the hood now. Still lots left to do, but im happy with the mellow/subtle chop and overall look of the car.

 

Looks Good. I would build up the six, split exhaust,multi carbs,headers,gl*** packs. sbc's are kinda over used. My 2 cents

 

That chop looks real nice. Changes the whole look of the car.

 

Nice chop. Ditto for the 235.

 

Great chop. Love the car.

Keep the 235 they are great.

 

Nice chop!

 

The chop looks good.

I'd stay with the 235! But thats just me talkin!

 

Thanks Guys...i was a bit nervous on doing the chop. I figured, what the hell. Everyone kept tellin me...."its just metal." If it were wood, it'd be different!
Leaning towards building the 235, got a couple of rochesters hangin out that i can throw on there. Been kinda pokin around keeping my eyes open for a manifold.

 

it looks good to me.

oh and yeah what they said about the 235. i just bought a 54 and thats whats in it. it has a split manifold and the duals with little 12" gl*** packs and it will stay.

 

Very nice!! I have a '53 myself and I am still working all the little gremilins out of it, but next step is the stance and then maybe a chop once the mechanical things are in order. I also say keep the 235. I LOVE my 235, and it is a good conversation starter at shows. You can dress them up and really make them look and sound sweet!

BTW, If I am not mistaken those are '54 lights in the rear. Did you do that or the previous owner? I love the lights on the '54 and would change mine to match as well. Do they fit right into the older '53 light housing, or do you really have to do some body work to get them in?

 

damnit, everyone is finding a '53-54 except me!!!

 

My 235 runs well. Originally, when i brought it home it had a miss. I pulled the plugs out, 2 had no gap. Gaped 'em, and threw em back in. Cleaned right up, and still runnin good.

They are 54 lights back there. The only thing different is the bezel and the lenses. They mount right up. Picked up some mooneyes lenses while at the hot rod reunion last year. They fit right in. The only other thing you need is the gasket to go between the body and the lens.

 

you wouldn't happen to have a link to the part would you?

 

here ya go!

http://www.mooneyesusa.com/54-chevy-p-454.html

 

Your car is really nice, good job. Regarding the 235, I've had two of them and liked them both. By now you know how to drive it in spite of the lack of performance so I say if you're happy with that keep it. You can do a lot to make them look great and like Knucklehead said they can really sound sweet.

 

good work so far keep us updated on the car

 

nice work..... my 2 cent's i have a 51 hard top with a later 235 and you couldn't give me a sbc i have split fenton's getting ready to get the exaust done this weekend by a buddy of mine before it sounded great can't wait to hear true dual's

 

knucklehead -

heres a link for nightprowlers too. you can get the lenses and bezels with gaskets from them.

http://www.thenightprowlers.com/NP-taillights & stuff.htm

 

That split exhaust sound is what would make me keep that 235. Seems like everyone is leaning towards that...probably gonna be lookin to off that sbc!

 

I'm pretty sure you need to get '54 backing plates for your '54 bezels and lenses to work.
A '53 backing plate will not work with a '54 light bezel. The holes on the backing plates do not line up with the bezels.

I found this out the hard way...

 

Looks good, nice job on the chop.

 

I kinda wish I would have kept the 235 and 5 speed. t5 makes it all better, I got over 20 mpg with a holley 2 barrell.

 

Looking good, mine has the 235, and although I'd like to replace it - I won't 'till it dies

 

Looks good..the mild chop looks rite with the slanted Bs too! Keep up with the pics for all of us.

 

This weekend was a busy one! The car came back friday from my body guy, and i started blocking the polyester primer on it. Worked on that for a while then decided to take the front suspension apart and replace my shocks. While i was there, i figured id cut out a coil and a half out of the spring. Stance turned out real nice, and it seems to ride better! kinda funny how that works. Kept blockin' on sat, finished that minus some small tight spots that i needed to get a new block for. Sunday we did a 12v conversion. Everything turned out great, except the starter drags now. Do you guys think putting a 12v solenoid on it would help? How about a voltage reducer? It was fine with 6v going to it.
Here are some pics after i rinsed the primer dust off of it. Looking pretty good.

 

You got a hell of a lot do for one weekend. Looks great. How soon do you plan on shooting the paint?

 

I plan to put the car in final primer this Saturday, then block again in 320, then wet sand in 800 then paint the following weekend. Still have more to do, but it will all come together soon. I hope.

 

what color is it going to be when the paint is done?

the work so far looks real nice.

 

Ive made up a black metallic base, with a burgundy mid coat to go over it. So a very dark burgundy i guess id call it. Getting close!

 

Looks great, 53's are my favorite year. I love the grill especially! Not trying to steal a thread but here are a couple of 53' pencil renderings I've done.