Projects 54 Chevy 210 custom "THE ORPHAN"

And using highly specialized mockup tools I'm able to get an idea of the look lol. Thinking I'm going to move it rearward an inch or so and use a very narrow splash pan. Also thinking I'll extend the quarters to better match the shape. It'll keep 54 tail light bezels though. Overall I'm happy

 

Was planning on chrome pulleys like on my 53. But I am trying to cut costs where I can. I happen to have a water pump pulley from both a 55 and 57 bel air. And a crank pulley from a 66 c10. 57 water pump pulley happened to be handy so I hit it with a wire wheel and fogged it silver to see if I'd like it enough. I think it'll do. Save me $50 lol

 

And to piggyback off my latest post on my 53. I'm wondering how different a 53 and 54 splash pan actually are. I'm not likely to luck out on a near mint splash pan for this car like I did on my 53. And the mounting on the original pan on my 53 is rough enough I wouldn't feel bad butchering it. If I can get it to cleanly bolt to the 54 I can build the sections to meet up with the humps in the 54 bumper

 

I've got this splash in SW Pa.

 

Ah so there is a good bit of difference. I'd be interested if I wasn't currently broke lol

 

Just a temporary wheel. Was given it a couple weeks ago. I actually still have the complete original wheel from my 53 but that's been permanent wall hanger inventory lol. This car will get a smaller aftermarket wheel at some point but at least for now I can steer it

 

One thing that will likely irritate some when I start painting them is the actual wheels I'm going to run. I don't see a point in hunting down era style wheels just to cover them with hubcaps. Already have two 15" S10 rally wheels and one classic style 15" Chevy rally wheel. Going to paint them because with the caps on the lips will still show. Steel wheels and caps will get black wall tires. Eventual plan is a set of 15" radir mags. Those will get whitewalls

 

Make sure the caps will actually pop onto the wheels before you bother painting them. Not all of them will take a full cap

 

On one of the S10 wheels I previously stuck a 53 bel air hubcap on it

 

Sitting in my back yard smoking looking at my 53 I got to thinking about my plans on the 54. One thing I've always thought on 53/54 Chevy cars is they have a bit of a stubby butt. Lol. I've seen guys overcome that look by chopping the top.....but that's not something I want to do
even though the 55 rear bumper will actually fit a bit closer overall it should help with that. What should Really help is my plan to extend the quarters to better fit the 55 rear bumper humps while still retaining 54 tail lights. The added length on top of the fact due to the shape of the quarters to tail lights will be lowered a half inch to an inch should do a lot towards evening out the 54s tushie lol

 

That is an interesting idea. Could be of those things that makes the car look better but only the keenest can figure out why. I have otherwise seen taillights such as 55/56 Buick, 56 olds, or 57 packard installed that kind of gives the illusion of more ass. In my view it can either make it a top 10 dream car or goofy as hell depending on execution, so I would really have to have nothing to lose in order to try it myself.

 

And I'm only going to extend the quarters about an inch.... maybe two. I've honestly just never seen a tail light swap on these cars I liked well enough to actually do the metal work lol. And I love 54 tail lights with Lee lenses

 

Did some more thinking on how I'm going to do the 55/56 Chevy dash in this. I really wanted it in there where every bit of 55/56 dash trim and parts would fit without modification if I so chose. Problem is a 55/56 Chevy has a wrap-around windshield and a 54 doesn't lol. So the corners of the dash would stick out a 5-6 inches or so. Thing with my people is most that would ride with me are getting up in years, overweight, physical issues, or simply not used to getting in and out of a low vehicle. Thinking I'll let the dash extend past the a pillar. Then fill the back where it is exposed with plate and put a recess in it for a handhold. That way the previously mentioned people could brace against the seat with their right arm and grab the dash with their left and pull themselves out

 

Humm... 55 to 56 dash in a 54 ,I feel like I have seen this done before .Wish I could remember were,I would share the info.

 

I've seen it in vintage rod magazines. Can't give a specific example though

 

As I am finally working my way away from my crap job I decided to start assembling the 54 to make it easier to move. Got four perfectly mismatched aired up maypops on it to ease rolling. Went ahead and bolted the hood on and ratchet strapped the front of it. I already had the steering back in it. Ill get the fenders on next and pull it forward to get the junk shackles of my 53 on it to at least hold the springs to the car. Then position rear end better and get center section and rear brakes in place. I'll put my cylinder heads in trash bags and put them in the trunk. Pop the rear seat in too. Needs foam and upholstery anyway. Also throw the 283 rods and pistons in a bag in the trunk. Should have my own garage to work from near my house soon enough

 

I should mention the one visible wheel is definitely hamb friendly lol. It's an original wheel off my buddy's 57 Chevy Bel Air lol

 

lol just like the 50’s bro

 

That wheel is like a butt pimple to me lol. When I bought the 53 buddy gave it to me to use to roll the 53 on the trailer etc. Didn't think to check the size. Assumed 15". So I found three more 15" wheels. Even had a set of 56 Chevy dog dish caps on the car. Went to start putting tires on when I installed the engine and found out it was a 14". Which meant more wheel hunting lol. Anyway I realized it was the same odd yellow as his 57 bel air

 

57 in question was another funny one. They couldn't keep fuel in the filter. And claimed the entire fuel system was new. Did have new tank, lines, pump, and line from pump to new carb. Got under the car and saw the rustiest sending unit I ever saw bolted into a super shiny gas tank. Like why would you go to the effort to install a brand new tank just to put that crap in it? Anyway $90 at O'Reilly's for a new sending unit(yes they sell them for 57 Chevy), blow out the lines, and bam the guy was actually able to finally drive the thing. And his fuel gauge worked lol