TOP SWAP '57 CHRYSLER

[customline]

The inspiration for this build is the Cliff Inman kustom-inspired custom WIP displayed here on the forum. I really like the look of the swept back roof and the high fins together.  The '57 Chrysler is a really big car and finding a suitable roof had me opening several kits to find one wide enough. I found what I needed in the AMT '65 Bonneville kit, another Ollie's $13 bargain purchase (actually a pretty cool kit if you like weird customs.)  Around 1 AM the squirrels got their way. This is the result. 👇

 

This roof job is quite different from the one that inspired it. I figured I could use the whole roof so I proceeded to remove the Pontiac roof including the cowl. This eliminates glass problems although .  I removed the 300's cowl detail with my Dremel and reshaped it a bit to accept the new roof.  It's going to take some finesse to make it work but it's looking pretty good at this point. The rear will be a little tricky but the squirrel I spoke with assured me it will be just fine. The trunk panel lines line up perfectly but I will need to cut new ones after the body work back there is done.  The roof-to-body fit is really quite good but there's a slight angle thing Ive got to address.  Also, the vent wings are may be eliminated.  I think their removal will help to give the roof a bit more length since there is no chop but that's still undecided and is up for debate. 🤔

Using the whole roof will present some interior issues, mainly at the dash-to-glass interface.  Unlike the build that inspired this one, the oft-maligned nose stays. I like it.  The kit provides a custom grille that is a big improvement over the stock egg-crate.  Decisions will be made on bumpers or rolled pans but so far that's unexplored. As I get further in, the squirrels will be consulting with me on that.  As always, your insights and opinions are welcome and just be advised that Winter is here and paint spraying opportunities are limited so this one will be a slow mover like the other ones I'm working 😪. Thanks for your interest. 🤓

 

 

[dino246gt]

Looks very cool, I love this kind of project.

Just like you'll have to "finesse" the cowl, try using the front of the Pontiac dashboard (up against the windshield) with the Chrysler dash, IF you want to keep the Chrysler interior somewhat Chrysler.

 

[bamadon]

Nice. I like the flowing lines of the roof that go well with the body. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

I dunno....I kinda like the vent windows. Where will Chief Big Nut flip his ashes out with the a/c on?????

[Ace-Garageguy]

Pretty cool, and it has the potential to be a real beauty.  

Back in around 2011 IIRC, somebody in the American Southwest had started a full-scale build of a '50s Caddy with a '65 Chevy roof graft.

I saw the car in bare metal at a showroom in Kingman AZ.

The proportions were spot on, and it was striking.

Last I heard, again IIRC, it had moved to Oz.

[LennyB]

Good looking marriage between the two Jim, I think it works quite nicely.

And just so you know I saw Rocky flying past the Chrysler building about an hour ago, I think he picked up a few more ideas for you.

[Kanada Kustoms]

Cool mash up... Looks really good!

[Glassparman]

I LOVE IT! Can't wait to see the final build.

[customline]

3 hours ago, Glassparman said:

I LOVE IT! Can't wait to see the final build.

ME TOO!  Can you wait till July? 🤣

4 hours ago, Kanada Kustoms said:

Cool mash up... Looks really good!

Oh I knew you'd like it, Jon.  Thanks!

4 hours ago, LennyB said:

Good looking marriage between the two Jim, I think it works quite nicely.

And just so you know I saw Rocky flying past the Chrysler building about an hour ago, I think he picked up a few more ideas for you.

As long as Boris and Natasha don't show up we should be okay 😏.  That other Chrysler got me thinking.   I just couldn't stop myself, Len. 😔   It's not fair to just blame Rocky for this one. I needed the work. 

8 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Pretty cool, and it has the potential to be a real beauty.  

Back in around 2011 IIRC, somebody in the American Southwest had started a full-scale build of a '50s Caddy with a '65 Chevy roof graft.

I saw the car in bare metal at a showroom in Kingman AZ.

The proportions were spot on, and it was striking.

Last I heard, again IIRC, it had moved to Oz.

Thanks, Bill. I kinda hated to wreck the Bonneville. It's a beautiful car.  I feel bad about it. Oh...wait....okay, I'm over it. 😄

9 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

I dunno....I kinda like the vent windows. Where will Chief Big Nut flip his ashes out with the a/c on?????

Actually, the removal of the vents makes the body work at those areas a bit easier. The Chief is not allowed to smoke in my car any more, Topher. He dropped a roach and it burned my seat. 😣

 

9 hours ago, bamadon said:

Nice. I like the flowing lines of the roof that go well with the body. 

Yup. Looks like it's doin' a buck-ten sittin' still.

10 hours ago, dino246gt said:

Looks very cool, I love this kind of project.

Just like you'll have to "finesse" the cowl, try using the front of the Pontiac dashboard (up against the windshield) with the Chrysler dash, IF you want to keep the Chrysler interior somewhat Chrysler.

 

The dash to glass was a problem the first time I built this kit so I'm on that case with extreme prejudice. I have kicked around the idea of using the Pontiac dash and I think it's doable. I'm okay with either one. It's a custom 🥴. Thanks, Dennis.

[Spex84]

Cool idea! The overall vibe is kinda like the Chrysler Norseman concept car...but with A pillars.

[NOBLNG]

I like the look of it Jim!😎

[Bullybeef]

Im intrigued by this as well, the roofline almost looks like the 68 through 70 dodge charger from the side profile. Might be a good time to review your meds if the squirrels are speaking to you though😜!

[Jim Dodson]

11 minutes ago, Bullybeef said:

Might be a good time to review your meds if the squirrels are speaking to you though😜!

It only becomes a problem when you begin to understand what they are shouting at you! Our local gang of bushy tailed tree rats are foul mouthed little hoodlums! LOL

 

Jim, in all seriousness, really liking where this one is going!

[NOBLNG]

Nooo…the squirrels are only trying to help!😜

[customline]

2 hours ago, Jim Dodson said:

It only becomes a problem when you begin to understand what they are shouting at you! Our local gang of bushy tailed tree rats are foul mouthed little hoodlums! LOL

 

Jim, in all seriousness, really liking where this one is going!

Well now....that explains "the voices" 🙉   

Thanks, Jim, I hope its going where I  think it's going. 🥴

[customline]

2 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Nooo…the squirrels are only trying to help!😜

When you were a kid, did you ever taste a nice fresh green acorn? 🤮  I'll pass on the snack, Greg.

[customline]

3 hours ago, Bullybeef said:

Im intrigued by this as well, the roofline almost looks like the 68 through 70 dodge charger from the side profile. Might be a good time to review your meds if the squirrels are speaking to you though😜!

When the idea to do this was fresh, I thought I could use the roof from a Daytona that I'm bashing for another future project. It was too narrow. I wanted to keep the backlight unmodified and it would be way more work than the present situation. None of the Charger roofs are wide enough so I had to find another roof.  

My meds....hmmmm......I actually concentrate quite well while under the influence. Before I know it, it's 3 AM and I've cut the roof off two cars....uh oh, too late 😂

[customline]

14 hours ago, Spex84 said:

Cool idea! The overall vibe is kinda like the Chrysler Norseman concept car...but with A pillars.

The overall concept was not my idea, Chris.  Using an entire greenhouse from a '65 Pontiac may have been, I dunno. But it's working so far.

I looked at the Norseman. Pretty weird, Chris. 🥴.  It gave me that sinking feeling. 😉

[Mark W]

Very good choice of roof for the car. The lines look good and it makes the fins look taller. (a goo thing I think)

[customline]

4 hours ago, Mark W said:

Very good choice of roof for the car. The lines look good and it makes the fins look taller. (a goo thing I think)

The Bonneville kit was an Ollie's buy last year. If I see them again this year, I will grab a couple more. I might want to do this again 🙂. (Or build that gorgeous Bonneville straight up)

I like the fins on these '57 Chryslers and DeSotos better than some others of the era. They are unapologetic, in-your-face tail fins. Gotta love that.

[BK9300]

No shortage of ambition, or ideas, at your bench!  Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.