Projects 1946 Chevy: In Early California Custom Styling

^^^ditto.

 

Hey rat thats a beautiful coupe! Thanks for sharing.

So I have some small updates.
I took out the dash to re-wire the whole thing easily and nicely..




and I think I found what might have been a small problem before.. its only the main battery wire



Have gotten most of the wiring done, just need to tie up a few loose ends. Brant was kind enough to help me over the phone and draw me up a great wiring diagram that helped a lot. Thanks man!

 

I just threw up in my mouth!

The fuse box has a problem. It's upside down.....or maybe you did that on purpose so when you are under dash it's right side up.

Either way, I'm so glad you are doing what I should have done long ago. From the looks of the that bad crimp job, that connection was causing some arcing which made heat and melted that there wire.

Thanks for letting me participate.

 

I know wiring is boring, so here's some cosmetic updates as well.

I put a 47 dash in that's nearly perfect and I got for next to nothing.

Quick paint,





Also got a fancier rear view mirror..


Also started a quick upholstery job to hold me over until I get it professionally done in the future.. more pics later.

Here's a picture of the 46 and the 51

 

Hah I know its upside down, its the only way I could get it to fit far enough up and still access the bolt tabs to put screws through. It gets pretty crowded up there with all the supports and braces.

 

I hope the electricity doesn't fall out since the fuse box is upside down.

 

Look at that dash.......WOW!

My wife squealed with delight! "Ooooooooh, Pretty!"

 

I feel exactly the same as this .What is the steering column ?

Dash looks great !

 

looking good, keep those photo up to date as I will be following this thread with great interest.

 

Jeff, its a PIECE OF S%*# GM tilt column that came in the car. Ugly as hell and going to the local dump ASAP.

Im replacing it with an old styled column as soon as it comes in the mail, also have a 51 buick steering wheel to better fit the era of the build.

 

Thanks man, I will keep posting pictures regularly, I will be making a lot of progress on it, transforming it into the car I've always dreamed of. Its got a ways to go, but I have tons of motivation.

Heres some of my inspiration

 

Jeff, its a PIECE OF S%*# GM tilt column that came in the car. Ugly as hell and going to the local dump ASAP.

Dude dont trash it...sell it to some street rodder for coin that you can throw on the Chevy !!

Nice work brother...keep em comin...

Rat

 

sweet ride

 

I really liked the chop on that car, I've kept pictures so that if I ever start working on my 46 again, and get it to a point of decision time to chop or not. That the one I"ll copy. Roger

 

Hello 51,
you haven't mentioned or posted anything about the motor. I hope it's not a V8, that would kill the whole stylin' of the car. A 216 is period correct but a newer 235 disguise as a 216 will work ok.

 

How exactly?

Remember you are risking insulting the guy who built it and the new owner who is finishing it HIS way.....

 

I understand what jcmarz is saying, an old motor is cool to see in an old custom, but I plan on driving this thing cross country, rain or shine, day and night, and every day.
Nothing beats the reliability of the v8 thats in it. Nor the power for the price.

I hope you still have some interest, I'm really going to be finishing this car in a way that looks straight out of 1951, but no, under the hood will be a different story.

 

DISCLAIMER! I'm not saying vintage engines can't be reliable either! But for my budget, intentions, and the fact that its all set up already, it will keep its V8.

Hey, at least it has 3 pedals

 

I understand, but I don't see why Jaws thought it was insulting when it was a logical question with no ill intent. And thank you for being cool about it. It shows you have integrity. I will continue to follow your thread and hope to see some photos of the motor. Thanks again

 

Forgot to take a bunch of pictures today, but got a couple.
Got the door panels put in...


And then this little beauty came in the mail... its an Appleton, but doesn't have any markings on the bucket?



I also changed out the starter, and it runs!!! Damn this thing hauls!


Will post better pictures tomorrow, I LOVE THIS CAR!! Progress is coming..

 

I am putting a 292 in my '41......How many folks can tell a 235 from a 250/292.

But with more mains and full oil pressure,.....reliable like a SBC.
Sounds like a old six too.....have you heard BobK's.
Sweet Music!

 

Kickass! Can't wait to see it out and about!

 

I want this car. Now gimmie.

 

Hey 51, it looks good and you have done well getting it.
Don't let the 6 vs V8 thing distract you - stick with what you got and spend your time and money on stuff you want to, not what others want - it's your car now.
I'm looking forward to regular updates as you progress to turn this into a jewel.
Thanks for starting the thread.
Cheers.

 

The reason that car never had a six from incarnation was for the simple fact that I NEEDED to rely on that car as my daily. With almost 150K miles later in 7 years, there is no way the old 216, 235, or any vintage engine trans or diff was ever gonna meet those needs without constant supervision. This car has put 1 sbc and two th350s in that time. The current drive train was not the intended either. Keeping with the tradition of better, faster, stronger, I actually was going to run an LQ9, but that was when I relied on it as my only car. How many of you have your car as your only car?

 

me with 150,000 on all original drivetrain with no reuilds. drive it every day 365 days a year for the last 5 years. the car looks great you have a good eye with where you want to take the look

 

beautiful car!!!!
im kinda jealous

 

sweet ride!!!!

 

Alright everybody, lets stop the discussion about the straight 6's. This car will never have one, its keeping the Chevy V8 that it has. That's that. I know it would be cool to have a Cadillac 331 or and Olds Rocket, but it doesn't. Plain and simple.

This thread is about me RESTYLING this coupe to look straight out of the early 50s.
I will never open my hood at shows, nor bring up how 'bad ass' my small block is to anybody. The mechanical part of this build and the chop has basically already been done by JAWS. I'm the one who will finish it. That includes paint, interior, stance, tires etc.

Like I said, I'm not doubting the reliability of old engines, I drove my 51 Pontiac with its straight 8 for two years every single day, and it did alright. All I'm saying is this car has the V8, and its keeping the V8, if it bothers you, just put on your blinders and try to pay attention to the cosmetic improvements I'm doing.. with the hood shut, you will never know that it had a newer drivetrain. If you can't get past it, then find another thread. There's a reason I didn't bring up the drivetrain, cause I knew it would start this discussion. Thanks a lot jcmarz!!!

Now PLEASE let's get on with the project. I will update tonight.

 

streamliner; this has never been one of my favorite bodystyles, but, damn. thats a good looking car. i really like the skirts that are on it. why change those? for a more period look maybe? when you get done with the stance and filling the holes it's going to be awsome. any plans for paint? please tell me what that steering wheel is off of because i love it.