Im starting a new venture, Ive built Hot Rods, Harleys and even Drag Boats so now its time for a Custom. I picked up a 1950 Fleetline from a friend of mine for a steal. I like the car for one real reason, my papaw drove me all over Texas in one as a kid. I have a 1996 c1500 as a doner for the drive train, I know that this will require alot of modifying but thats the chalenge. So what Im looking for is pics of Fleetline Custom's just to see what has already been done. Im thinking of a chop top , 4-link , 5-speed car with 400+ hp , power disc brakes. Im using the 17x10 and 17x 9 Eagles that are on the truck now. It also has 2" drop spindles on the front w/disc. So some of this will be modified to keep the 5on5 bolt pattern. In the end I hope to be able to pull into the parts store and ask for parts for a 1996 chevy c1500 and be done with it. I guess what I havent decided is chop and shave or save the trim and just add muscle. Ive added stuff I like with what I have now. Tan project car on top is what Im working with. Any pics and or comments will help. Thanks Roy
Hey dude looking for cool ideas. 1 automatic hide away mirrors that tuck in when parked. 2. A classic muscle machine, say 40-or 50's style stretch limo. 3. A street machine that has exhaust stacks coming out the top or trunk of a car, eg. El Camino/Ranchero like small rig. Other cars would have to chop and drill to put stacks through the top.
I could be wrong, but i think the c1500 chassis is going to be WAY too wide. I would do some measuring before I got to wound about going through with that idea.
Hi I think if you found a Camaro or Firebird and sub frame your chassis. It be faster and give you disc brakes with five lugs. Along with a cross member to bolt up your engine to!
That first car pictured is spot on beautiful. The 17 inch wheels I'm not really feeling but it's your ride. That just takes away from the traditional old school look. Although EXK (Erickson Extreme Kustoms) makes a 17' wheel with a Cadillac Sombrero cap that looks pretty bad ass. Just my .02. And why go through all that work to keep a 5 x 5 pattern?
Why not sell the truck and use the money for parts for the '50? Using the truck parts on the car is stupid. Maybe use the engine/trans out of the truck if you're broke, but that's it. It would be 10 times as much work to shorten/narrow the truck frame and suspension and rear end to make it work, when you can do simple, proven methods and make it look right. The stock front end on the Fleetline is fine. People seem to think that you have to swap frames or clip everything these days. Some mild and common modifications to the front suspension will get it down low, and it will handle better than a Chevy truck anyday. Disc brakes are an easy bolt on conversion to the stock '50 front end. An S-10 or Camaro rear end can easily be swapped out back using the stock '50 springs or custom rear suspension. It's the right width, and cheaper and easier to find parts for than a fullsize GM truck rear. The truck rear is WAY too wide for the Fleetline. The Camaro/S-10 10-bolt rear end also has the same bolt pattern as the stock '50. If you put any more thought into swapping the truck frame under the fleetline, do yourself a favor and join another forum and just forget about this one.
I agree with some of the other members, sell the truck and get a camaro or s10 and modify that if you want an updated frame. the full size truck is way to wide for a proper fit.
"C1500 for drivetrain" I read that as he was just using the motor and trans for the project? What's wrong with that, it's probably a 350 (hopefully?) and a 5 spd (maybe?)!
This site is for traditional hot rods so may I suggest you check out http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/. Rik has a bountiful selection of photo's of 1949-50 Chevy Fleetline's. p.s. lose the truck frame cuz it just ain't traditional.
The Jalopy Journal
