David G. Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 I like where you're going with this. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted September 25, 2021 Author Share Posted September 25, 2021 Sorry it’s been quite a while since I last updated anything, but I’ve been rather busy on other projects and other things. Here is the update: I took a good look at the front fenders of the 55 Bel Air after sanding off the chrome trim and I decided to put in the stock fender brow (or whatever it’s called). So I got out my smallest styrene rod and glued on a piece on both sides. Now the fun part, to sand it down and shape it properly. No I’m not putting on the chrome trim again. But I’m putting the body line characteristic back in that the chrome trim hid. Isn’t customizing fun especially building mild customs. Cheers and keep smiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Sometimes it's the subtle changes that make all the difference. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted September 26, 2021 Share Posted September 26, 2021 Nice project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted September 26, 2021 Share Posted September 26, 2021 Just my thought…you could shorten the original raised fender detail so it ends over the front wheel like in Keith’s illustration. Then it will not conflict with the new side trim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted September 27, 2021 Author Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) This is looking a whole lot better now. The front fender is looking closer to stock. All I need to do now is apply a very thin coat of 3M Glazing Putty and sanded out and I should be good. The other photos I’m sharing is Henry Hodson’s custom 55 Bel Air built in the late 1950’s - early 1960’s, shown is the earlier versions. In 1960 he had the car chopped at Barris’s shop and repainted. There is also a photo I’m sharing of a stock 55 Chevrolet Bel Air replacement panel. I like Keith Wessner’s illustration but I’m only using it as inspiration. My intention is to remove the stock trim and hopefully restore the stock body lines. This was pretty typical of the late 50’s early 60’s custom time period that I noticed in old photos as I did my research. I did sand everything off but it just didn’t look right. Which is why you guys didn’t see any progress for a couple of weeks. I had to get a look at this and reconsider. Thanks for the comments, they are always welcome. Now onto the right side. Cheers. Edited September 27, 2021 by carnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muncie Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 Looking good Mike!, it's not an easy modification to make look that good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted October 2, 2021 Author Share Posted October 2, 2021 (edited) Pardon the poor photography, getting both fenders to match. Time to re-scribe the door lines and shoot a bit of primer but it’s getting there. Edited October 2, 2021 by carnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 Greetings all, I decided to turn my attention to the rear of the 55 Bel Air. I decided to use the custom taillights out of the AMT 55 Nomad kit. I cleaned up the bits of flash on the taillights and I did a little bit of re-shaping them. I now had to re-work and extend slightly the rear taillight housings in the fenders. So I glued on some Evergreen flat stock on the stock fender openings and using an emery board, I molded and re-shaped the Evergreen to the fenders and fitted the taillights. Then it was another bit of glazing putty and sanded the fenders smooth and a bit of primer. Not too bad. Thanks for looking, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Nice work on the tail lights! David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I like the tail lights. Sort of the same general overall look of the OEM's but larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Nice taillights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Great looking project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heeter_33 Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 Phenomenal work! I have to ask, what kind of superglue are you using to attach the tubing to the body? I struggle to get a good bond and whenever I try to do body work around it I usually just end up breaking it off with my shrek hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted October 11, 2021 Author Share Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, heeter_33 said: Phenomenal work! I have to ask, what kind of superglue are you using to attach the tubing to the body? I struggle to get a good bond and whenever I try to do body work around it I usually just end up breaking it off with my shrek hands. Like a lot of hobby shops at least in my area, they sell a generic brand with their name on it. I usually get the GAP FILING super glue. When you described what happens to you when you glue stuff, always almost happens to me too. When I do glue on trim I have to glue it a bit at a time. Starting at one end and slowly working my way to the other end. Hope this helps. Edited October 11, 2021 by carnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heeter_33 Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 9 hours ago, carnut said: Like a lot of hobby shops at least in my area, they sell a generic brand with their name on it. I usually get the GAP FILING super glue. When you described what happens to you when you glue stuff, always almost happens to me too. When I do glue on trim I have to glue it a bit at a time. Starting at one end and slowly working my way to the other end. Hope this helps. Thank you, definitely helps! Best part of following along on great build threads like yours, always learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) On 10/11/2021 at 8:19 AM, heeter_33 said: Thank you, definitely helps! Best part of following along on great build threads like yours, always learning. Thank you for the compliment, I feel like I’m still going to School and learning things myself. Edited October 13, 2021 by carnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Yoder Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 Like the looks of this! I guess chopping it would move away from ‘mild’ customization. Keep up the good work! Later, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 Update -Interior: i just can’t seam to know when to leave things alone. I decided to do something extra to the interior. The door panels have a good pattern so I’m leaving that alone, but I decided to change the seat pattern. I just drew out what I wanted and measured everything to straighten it all out. Evergreen V Grove siding was used for the pleated inserts and I just built up the edges around the inserts with more Evergreen 1/4” strips. I cut the shapes to fit. Then filled the edges and sanded all smooth carefully. The separation line of the inserts looked terrible so I glued on some small half round to cover and straighten things out. What do y’all think?? thanks for looking and keep smiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beamerman Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Great job...i need to copy that style for my next custom interieur...😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Like the interior. Did much the same thing on an old custom a couple of years ago and it worked out fine. A little extra effort but the results is well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Yoder Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Interior looks great! Can’t wait to see it painted. Later, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Looks great. The half-round looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Nice work on the seats! David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnut Posted February 12, 2022 Author Share Posted February 12, 2022 Apologies for not keeping this updated, I’ve been rather busy on other things and the weather has been lousy here in the Pacific Northwest. Today the weather was good so I finally got some primer shot, the front fenders came out pretty good. Soon it will be time to paint color. Thanks for looking and the comments. Cheers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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