1953 Chevy Bel Air Restomod

[Zippi]

Just got this one up on the bench the other day and I'm still scratching my head on trying to find chrome trim.  I printed out a set of 6 lug American Torque Thrust Wheels & tires as I like to be a little different.   If anyone has a link to the parts shown in the pic I'd be much obliged.  I'm pretty sure I'm going with black on this one.  

[rickcaps55]

I love the 53/54 Chevys this looks like it's going to be a nice build i will be following it. I have that kit i keep the box covered the photo on the cover was taken at a Super Dog that place is about a mile from me and is still going strong i go there a lot it's one of Chicago's top Dog place.

[Zippi]

2 hours ago, rickcaps55 said:

I love the 53/54 Chevys this looks like it's going to be a nice build i will be following it. I have that kit i keep the box covered the photo on the cover was taken at a Super Dog that place is about a mile from me and is still going strong i go there a lot it's one of Chicago's top Dog place.

Yeah, I'm still gathering my thoughts and some parts for this build.  Still unsure of the final look I'm going for.  I never noticed the Super Dog in the background. 

[espo]

The front fender and rocker panel chrome trim were an extra cost trim option and often an aftermarket type of accessory. You could reproduce the trim with different sized Plastruct  or Evergreen styrene strips. 

[Zippi]

3 hours ago, espo said:

The front fender and rocker panel chrome trim were an extra cost trim option and often an aftermarket type of accessory. You could reproduce the trim with different sized Plastruct  or Evergreen styrene strips. 

I appreciate the tip man.  Thanks.

[Zippi]

I don't like the ride height I'm getting with the kit chassis without a lot of mods so I'm currently printing out a Pro Touring chassis that's for a 55 Chevy but I'm going to see if I can modify the front wheel track to fit up under the 53 body.

Edited July 13 by Zippi

[Zippi]

That lowering chassis was going to require more mods than the kit chassis so I started modifying the kit chassis and I think I'm looking pretty good.  I had to cut the rear axle off the leaf springs and add 1/8" lowering blocks.  I also had to cut out the center section of the rear inner fenders.  Now on to the front suspension.     

[dino246gt]

I like what you've done to that rear suspension and you've got that ride height just perfect................at the rear!

You might need smaller and not quite as wide front wheels and tires, you could narrow the rims but find narrower tires, or print some?

I'm diggin' it so far though, cool!

[Cool Hand]

Can be fun and games when changing wheels and adjusting the stance.

Sometimes sacrificing under carriage detail is the only way to achieve the desired look.

I do it all the time with my builds. Can have a super low stance and the engine, but dont worry about whats under neath and is never seen 😉

Edited July 14 by Cool Hand

[stitchdup]

theres a 3d front suspesion that should fit these. the designer is goldenbed i think. its a mustang ii type

[Zippi]

1 hour ago, stitchdup said:

theres a 3d front suspesion that should fit these. the designer is goldenbed i think. its a mustang ii type

Thanks Les.  Is this the one your referring to?

 

[Zippi]

5 hours ago, dino246gt said:

I like what you've done to that rear suspension and you've got that ride height just perfect................at the rear!

You might need smaller and not quite as wide front wheels and tires, you could narrow the rims but find narrower tires, or print some?

I'm diggin' it so far though, cool!

I sure do appreciate it man.  Thanks for the tip.

[Zippi]

3 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Can be fun and games when changing wheels and adjusting the stance.

Sometimes sacrificing under carriage detail is the only way to achieve the desired look.

I do it all the time with my builds. Can have a super low stance and the engine, but dont worry about whats under neath and is never seen 😉

I hear ya Buddy.  I always try to do my best with the undercarriage but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do right.  

[redscampi]

Bob, I always love following your builds. I like the measured, practical approach you take, and the neatness of your work and work area. Frankly, I'm a mess when I get started. 

I love the 53 - great to see it being built by a pro!

[stitchdup]

1 hour ago, Zippi said:

Thanks Les.  Is this the one your referring to?

 

yes, it prints nice

[NOBLNG]

This is shaping up nicely Bob. I’m not usually a fan of large rims and rubber band tires, but those do look good and fill out the wheel wells nicely. Stance looks killer!😎

[Zippi]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

This is shaping up nicely Bob. I’m not usually a fan of large rims and rubber band tires, but those do look good and fill out the wheel wells nicely. Stance looks killer!😎

Thanks Greg.  Yup, I like how they fill up the wheel well.

[Zippi]

I got a little work done on the front end this morning.  I glued in a set of blocks then cut the spindles off and reattached them in the new location.  Just need to clean them up a little but I hope I got it right.  The last pic show the ride height after all the mods. 

Edited Tuesday at 03:33 PM by Zippi

[ksnow]

That stance looks really nice.

[Zippi]

I think the hard part is over (yeah right) so my next order of business is to try and shoehorn that 572 BBC Chevy with the Cross Air Intake into the business end.

[Zippi]

4 minutes ago, ksnow said:

That stance looks really nice.

Thanks man.  Boy did it take a lot to get it there.

[Chuckyg1]

Hey Zip, this is coming along nicely so far. Nice work on gettin' the stance right. There's similar chrome fender spears in Revell's '58 Impala kit that might work for ya.

[Zippi]

37 minutes ago, Chuckyg1 said:

Hey Zip, this is coming along nicely so far. Nice work on gettin' the stance right. There's similar chrome fender spears in Revell's '58 Impala kit that might work for ya.

Thanks man.  I have a 58 kit somewhere.  I'll take a look.

[bamadon]

Looks good. I really like 53/54 Chevys,

[bluestringer]

Looks sweet Bob. Nice work.