Thread: new projects, 53 & 54 Chevy...parts questions

Tweet

Hi everyone, Im new here. My name is Ryan. I just picked up two projects. A 54 210 sedan, and a 53 Bel Air sedan. The main project is the 53. Somebody was converting it to a drag car years ago, but got lazy and never finished the job. So the rear of the frame is narrowed and it has huge tubs.

I got a few ideas bangin' around in my head. Camaro/Nova front clip, lowered or slammed with air bags, 350/350, chop top.
Just to give you a mental image, I think most people use the term, lead sled, but Im not going for that typical style, Im just building the car my way. This is in no way gonna be a 'show' car, this will be my daily driver.

Ok, here comes the questions...
How difficult is the front clip swap, and whats all involved?
Is there a place that sells new/reproduction parts for these cars?
What is the best or way to chop the top on these rounded cars?

I have more questions but cant think right now. If you got any answers to these questions...or if you just have any cool ideas for my cars, please let me know!!

the 53...




54...

www.chevsofthe40s.com has most anything your going to need, even a MII setup which may be easier/ better than a Camero/ Nova clip. I know that '53-'54 Chevy's are chop'd a lot, but the chop is very involved and complicated.

also http://www.nationalchevyassoc.com/home.html this place has a lot of '53-'54 Chevy stuff.

Biggest problem with a chop on a car like this, aside from the obvious metal work, is the glass. Side glass isn't so hard, it is the windshield and rear window that is the problem. To have custom glass made, or a stock windshield cut down is sometimes very expensive. Finding shops capable of doing it can be a challenge also.

Before I would start cutting I would research who will do this for you, and how much it will cost.

Don

yeah, the glass is the other thing, '53/'54 Chevy car rear glass is irraplaceable, nobody makes reproduction that I know of. most people do the chop so the rear glass lays forward more, rather than have it cut.

thanks guys. those sites are great, kinda pricey though. still no bumpers, complete grilles, or seats.. are these just parts im going to have to hunt down or try ebay to get??

Here are some pictures of my son-in-law Jeremy's chopped '53 to give you some ideas. The front glass was cut down and the rear glass is from a Cadillac, but I am not sure what year. The chop was done by Dave Polney here in Marysville, he is a local old school customizer that does some pretty interesting work. The car also has a '73 Camaro front clip that Jeremy did himself. I'm not sure what all was involved with that but I can say the car does drive nice. It has a 350/350 combo in it. He has had the car for 16-17 years and some mods were done to it before he got it. It needs to have the bumpers redone also. Hope that helps a little. Looks like you have a couple of great cars to work with.

Pat