Luis Ayala Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Hope everyone had a great Holiday and best wishes on 2009. I have been away for a while, as many of you may know, after having to sell most of my collection after loosing my job about a year ago. Sometimes is better to set things aside for a while before you end up messing it up. I still have unfinished projects from 2008, but those will remain on the back shelf for a while. My workbench hasn’t seen much action lately, so I decided to clean it up and start from scratch on 2009. This kit is one of my favorites, the 1955 Bel Air Convertible. I started it last week and this is what I have done so far. 1- Sealed hinge openings on firewall 2- Installed front and rear disk brake suspension. 3- Finished Chassis assembly 4- All parts received primer and are ready to paint Here are a couple of progress pics so hope you like it and thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Luis!! Glad to have you back buddy! 2008 was not a very productive year for my either............hopefully this year will be better. Nice job on the '55 so far! I've had this kit for years (both versions) but for some reason never built it. Yours I'm sure will be sharp when done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Good to see you back my friend, I will be following this one closely, it's one of my favorite kits also!! Just call me if you need any paints or whatever ok!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Ayala Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Thanks for your comments guys!!!! Hi Bill, I am glad you like it!!! Thanks Marcos, I will drop you a line if anything comes up. The weather was very good today so I managed to paint the body. The color is a mix of “Testors Dark Blue & Testors Yellowâ€. Here are a couple of pics. Hope you like it and thanks for looking!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Ayala Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 I just finished polishing the body and the interior is almost done. The hood will get an extra coat of paint tomorrow and will start to work on the engine tonight. So far I am very happy with the results. Hope you like it and thanks for looking!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTH KUSTOMS Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Way sweet man! looks great, and glad to have you back in the hobby, welcome back.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilsdropshop1 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 clean 55 love the color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 That thing looks awesome already man, nice progress!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Ayala Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thank you all for your comments !!!! Here are a couple of pics of the engine progress. I will take a few pics with better light later today. Hope you like it and again, thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvette.Jeff Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 man that thing is awesome! this one is turning out great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Ahhh.....the old original Chevy small block! Plain, simple, and reliable! Nice detailing on that one Luis! I wish they were that way today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Ayala Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 (edited) Here are a couple of pics I took this morning while test fitting the engine & bumpers. Nothing is glued yet, just wanted to see how it will look when done. I am thinking on replacing the rear bumper, but suggestions are welcome !!! Hope you like it and again thanks for looking !!! Edited January 9, 2009 by Papin67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 That type of style you're doing Luis I like better without the continental kit. But then I'm kinda biased against Connie kits! That's just me though..........You build it the way you see fit! It looks great just mocked up as it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lombardo Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I have two points on this build one up and one down. First, when I first saw the color you chose, in the first picture of just the body painted, I though I was getting a little sea sick, but after seeing the car assembled and buffed, I changed my mind and actually like the color. The interior and engine bay look great with the detailed body, that was the up...now to the down, I have to agree with Bill about the Continental kit. If the car was lowered in the rear, with skirts and no mags, then yeah, but as a street machine with a stand up stance and mag wheels, I just don't see it, But you gotta' build them for your taste and if you like that combo, then great, go for it. Either way, you are doing a great job on the build, so there is no complaint about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Ayala Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 Thank you all for your comments, I really appreciate that you are taking time to follow up this one. Bill - Peter, I totally agree with the rear bumper replacement, I am just waiting for a friend who will dig one out of his parts box for me. So far everything is in place and the only things left to do are: 1- Repaint the hood, polish it and install the ornaments. (Next Saturday) 2- Install Rear bumper & license plate. I am very happy with the results and it feels great to be back again... Here are a couple of pics with better light, hope you like them and again THANKS very much for looking !!!! Next week I will post the final pics on the "Under Glass" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Wow, beautiful and clean job. I love the color too . . . wonderful build! Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Beautiful job on this one Luis, like I said before, I think a lot of the guys would build it w/o the continental kit. If it was more of a stock '55 then the continental kit would have been more correct but other than that, I love it and always thought the green color was perfect for it, then again, you know how much I love green!!! Congratulations and good to have you back!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3men2s Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Hola PAPIN The concept is unique.. stock, with custom rims and a radical color not to flashy but a head turner That's what make you a great builder, not only it is clean, but your creative talent is seen in all your builds, PA ALANTE COMPAI 2009 IS YOUR YEAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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