Projects Project '55 - new guts, etc...

I got this '55 BelAir in a trade back at the end of the summer, been meaning to get a thread started on my 'updates'.

Here's how I got it, typical 350/350 combo, still has the 4:11 gear so it pulls HARD... up to about 60 mph .



Overall it's pretty solid, and I got a ton of NEW parts with it, all new rubber, trim, etc. The only things I really disliked about it were the 17" wheel tire combo, and the look and smell of the interior...







I started off by ripping out what little interior there was, blowing out about 50 pounds of pine needles, mouse turds, nests, and acorn stockpiles, etc out of it - then a fresh coat of POR-15 thru-out, and as with all my projects I insulated the whole thing with EZcool insulation from Hamber Lobucrod...

I also went ahead and ripped out the ****py half-*** wiring and replaced it with a Summit harness I had stashed. It's a nice harness but all black... but I got it CHEAP so.. I also installed a brand new swap meet score B&M shifter.









So now I had a fresh start...

 

I wanted a clean, simple 60's 'Hot Rod' look to the interior, so I decided to go with black pleats. I ordered a set of seat covers for a reasonable price off Ebay...

Here's the back seat, and my helper Rascal the wonder dog..







And the front. Wish I could have taken more 'in progress' pics, but I only got two hands and Rascal can't hold my Iphone steady.






Next for some door / trim panels... I'm not overly proud of these, my sewing machine doesn't have a 'walking foot' so I have to kinda 'pull' the material through, and sometimes the material 'bunches' up a bit. They look better in the car though...





Door panels:





Still need some armrests... anybody?

 

Actually I skipped a step - I put the headliner in before the seats so I'd have more room to work. Once again this is an Ebay special, and worth the money. I initially wanted white (ala "American Graffiti") but I imagined my greasy paw prints all over it and opted for black. Maybe next go-round.

Here you can see I removed and cleaned up these teeth, the headliner tucks in underneath the teeth here. The hardest part doing a headliner is keeping everything stretched nice and tight to (try and) keep wrinkles out. A heat gun or the old lady's hair dryer will help... I still got a couple minor spots to work out. I also stripped and painted the door trim here.









I got a brand-new set of charcoal gray cut pile carpet with the car. I would have preferred black loop but I used what I had. I ordered a new 15" Vinyl wheel from Mooneyes and also fitted up a matching tach. Final touch was a white cue ball to top off the shifter.





Not perfect by any means, but it's a driver, I did it all myself, and it was relatively cheap.

 

looking good, I am working on a 55 post now also.

 

looking good Gator!

 

Looking good! Reminds me of one my old 55s from a few years ago but yours is alot nicer.

 

Thanks guys, added a few pics above.

I also had to do something about those wheels. I'd love a set of new 'chrome reverse' (chrome OEM type) wheels with blackwalls. No money for new ones right now, nor any luck trading just yet. So....

I swapped the Cragar Eliminators of my daily driver '55 Chevy pickup. I'm blowing it apart for the winter for a subframe upgrade and hopefully paint, and the big wheels look a little less obnoxious on the truck.

MUCH better, I thinks...

 

very nice,does that insulation self stick? what you going to do for wheels?

 

never mind I see now looks good

 

those wheels look much better!, but i agree would look ***s with a set of O.E. chrome reverse!

 

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

Very nice !!!!!

 

i think you did a great job on the interior. those wheels are perfect on that car. i've been wanting another 55 for awhile, this thread sure isn't helping that.

 

Looking good...it ain't no Cadillac (and I liked the one you had better than the Chevy), but it is what it is...and I like the interior you sewed up...

I'm trying some of Lubucrod's EZcool isulation in the '60 Chevy two door wagon we are building right now...hope it's as good as he says as we're using it on the roof...

Now I read why you wanted a new third member...4:11's ain't very fuel friendly...

Layta,

R-

 

Thanks Roger... I liked the Caddy, the cost and availability of parts was a big part of my decision to get the Chevy... I gotta admit the 4:11 gears are a blast but several of the shows we go to during the year are a couple hundred miles each way... Still looking for a 3:36 pig...

This is the third car I've used Lobucrod's stuff on, seems to work good and I like the fact that I'm helping out another HAMBer. And like you, he's a stand-up guy to deal with.

 

nice work on the interior

 

Wow! great start, looking good!

 

gater wow just WOW that is nice work you got going on and a nice car tooo.

 

Sweet 55, can you tell I'm partial to them? Good job on the interior, old school rules. There's a guy on my 67-72 Chevy truck forum from White House.

 

The interior looks good..just what I expect/remember from my youth, very appropriate.
I'm probably one of the minorities on here, but I have always prefered the post vs the hardtop, on the Tri-fives.
Nice car.

 

Great job on the interior! Elegant in it's simplicity.

 

Thanks guys!

Is his name Bryan? If so I know him, talk to him quite often actually.

 

Keep an eye on youre VIN Plate ... Thats a hi dollar item now days ... Ive had my 55 for 33 years and its part of the family ...