rhendryx Dusk Pearl BelAir

[rhendryx]

Slowly but surely we continue to make progress on the BelAir.

This is our 53rd week working on this car. We started May 11, 2007. We have not yet finished buffing and polishing the paint, we still have to do the bottom few inches of the body. Rocker panel stainless and all the stainless around the windows has yet to be installed.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/May20008017.jpg

You can see that the rear seat is in. We hope to finish the interior tomorrow...but, that may be wishful thinking. :)

We still have to install the a/c, so we have removed the right fender to give us a little more working room...and to make sure we dont scratch the new paint with our belt buckles dragging under our fat bellies. :D


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/May20008016.jpg



I love the rear quarter panel inserts on the 57. These brushed aluminum panels were the creation of Harley Earl, who was the longtime design chief at GM. The Daytona 500 trophy is named the Harley Earl trophy after him. Harley Earl was a friend of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/May20008018.jpg

More on Harley Earl: http://www.carofthecentury.com/

Yesterday, we started assembling the rear bumper/continental kit.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/May20008019.jpg

A gentleman in Oregon is fabricating a special a/c bracket for us. In 1957 you could not get a car with both fuel injection and factory air. GM did not make a bracket that would mount the a/c compressor and bolt up to the fuel injection intake manifold. The FI manifold is different than the 2 or 4 barrel intake manifolds. There are only 2 known 57's that already have improved on GM's original design and have both factory fuel injection and factory air. This will be the 3rd. Of course, there could be more we haven't found out about yet.

This is what the car looked like in January:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/036.jpg

And, this is what it looked like last fall:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/rhendryx/57Chev7.jpg

We've come a long way.

[chevman57]

Looking good. Looks like you didn`t install the upper windshield stainless before installing the glass. That stainless should be installed in the rubber before installing the windshield.
Terry

[V8PunkRocket]

Looks great! If you find yourself bored after your 57 is done, come to Orlando and work on my 56 with me. ;)

[1957chevy]

That's a lot of progress since January! Way to go!

[56-210sedan]

We've come a long way.

Yes you have and your work shows quality efforts:cool::tu you are getting closer all the time and each report gets to looking better and better, Good job:cool::tu

[rhendryx]

Looks like you didn`t install the upper windshield stainless before installing the glass. That stainless should be installed in the rubber before installing the windshield.
Terry

Now you tell me. :D

This has been quite a learning experience....and we are still learning! Thanks, Terry!

V8, when you get a chance come over to Lakeland and check out the car. Unless you are in the disassembly stage on your car, you don't want my help. :p

bob

[V8PunkRocket]

Bob,

I'll see if I can free a weekend up and come out there. I wouldn't be able to do it during the week because I'm a 9-5er. Your car looks amazing though!

[carls 56]

your doing an amazing job :tu you can be (& i'm sure you are ) so proud of yourself :D beautifulllllllllllllll:)

[mickeywestsr]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[millwright71]

What a beauty!!!!!! :tu, She looks great!

[55 smoke'm]

looks pretty sweet, i see you got a couple of other nice projects as well. is that a 46 next to the 57?