Krazybones
Club Member
Maybe my buddy Johnny Deep Pockets will make me a cool one! I am not a fan of it either
'55 Chevy Bel Air Build Thread
- Thread starter jsxtreme
- Start date
Krazybones
Club Member
That is not cool enough for DRAG-ULA! Show them what you mean John!
mustangmike6996
Club Member
I used copper pipe for my 51 Ford upper and lower hoses. You just end up with twice as many hose clamps.
DRAG-ULA
Club Member
Sunday I ordered the starter, water pump, fuel filler neck, battery, rear brake union, read brake drums, pads, kit, brake cylinders, and package shelf tray. All I have left to order is floor pans and wheels and tires now. In the last week I've ripped out all the carpet and padding in the trunk and interior, and deep cleaned both. The interior is going to be pretty decent once I get new carpet in it, the body really took the majority of the shit.
Trying hard to get it running and driving by Woodward. I'll probably just screw in the new pans over the rotted out pans so I can at least drive it, and then come winter pull it apart and cut out the rot.
I honestly might go with bigger wheels instead of putting another set of 15's on it. The long term goal is lowering it and making the chassis nice (or nicer than it is now), so while it might look silly with more modern wheels on it for the time being, I might be better off in the long run.
Trying hard to get it running and driving by Woodward. I'll probably just screw in the new pans over the rotted out pans so I can at least drive it, and then come winter pull it apart and cut out the rot.
I honestly might go with bigger wheels instead of putting another set of 15's on it. The long term goal is lowering it and making the chassis nice (or nicer than it is now), so while it might look silly with more modern wheels on it for the time being, I might be better off in the long run.
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There's patina, and then there's whatever this is. lol
The paint has shrank, and is checking from sitting in the weather. I look at my options and there are really only two to me: 1. Full restore 2. Crusty and rusty. I don't have full restore money, so crusty and rusty it is.
Yeah, I could spend 150-200 hours sanding, patching, mudding, and paint it flat black like a lot of folks. Its not going to be good enough, and I'm not going to be happy with it.
Which leaves me to embrace the natural patina. Making the chassis nice, making the interior nice, and driving the hell out of it.
The paint has shrank, and is checking from sitting in the weather. I look at my options and there are really only two to me: 1. Full restore 2. Crusty and rusty. I don't have full restore money, so crusty and rusty it is.
Yeah, I could spend 150-200 hours sanding, patching, mudding, and paint it flat black like a lot of folks. Its not going to be good enough, and I'm not going to be happy with it.
Which leaves me to embrace the natural patina. Making the chassis nice, making the interior nice, and driving the hell out of it.
mustangmike6996
Club Member
You can never get that patina back once its sanded away. Id keep the body as-is, make the car as driveable as possible and maybe do the body down the road if you change your mind.
The passenger side is perfect, I'm leaving it. The issue is the driver side. There's all this wonderful patina and then the pinkish primer over it. So that's what Im trying to get off.
But, yeah. I agree.
mustangmike6996
Club Member
It looks like it might be faded red oxide primer. Maybe try wiping it off with laquer thinner in a test spot.
I'll try that, thanks. The problem is the paint under it is checked and falling off. Im afraid thats what's going to come with it. It is what it is.
Ive found some really great videos on how to accelerate patina. Good chance I strip it, paint it, and then re-patina is this winter.
Trying to make a complete list of new parts I have in it:
'55 Chevy disc brake conversion Kit
New Aluminum Radiator
New Gas Tank
New Gas Tank Straps
Intake Gaskets
Holley Renew kit for the carb
Moroso Advance Curve Kit
Starter
Water pump
Fuel filler neck
Battery
Rear brake union
Rear brake drums kit, pads, brake cylinders
Package shelf tray
Hoses
Belt
Floor Pans
Sending unit
Hood latch repair kit
Factory Battery Hold Down
Rear leaf spring bushings
2" drop coil springs
Wheels / tires
'55 Chevy disc brake conversion Kit
New Aluminum Radiator
New Gas Tank
New Gas Tank Straps
Intake Gaskets
Holley Renew kit for the carb
Moroso Advance Curve Kit
Starter
Water pump
Fuel filler neck
Battery
Rear brake union
Rear brake drums kit, pads, brake cylinders
Package shelf tray
Hoses
Belt
Floor Pans
Sending unit
Hood latch repair kit
Factory Battery Hold Down
Rear leaf spring bushings
2" drop coil springs
Wheels / tires
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Ordered a glove box lock retainer, push button lock for the glove box, trunk lock kit, amber front parking lamp lenses , LED bulbs for the tail lights and front parking lights.
Working on sorting out some low RPM drivability stuff (carb issues mostly) and cleaning up the loose ends on the wiring. (there are many, and I hate wiring so a buddy is helping) I don't know if I'll scrap all the wiring and start over during the winter, it seems like if we clean it up and repair the bad stuff it should be solid. So thats the plan for now.
Working on sorting out some low RPM drivability stuff (carb issues mostly) and cleaning up the loose ends on the wiring. (there are many, and I hate wiring so a buddy is helping) I don't know if I'll scrap all the wiring and start over during the winter, it seems like if we clean it up and repair the bad stuff it should be solid. So thats the plan for now.
