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What started as a cosmetically nice driver turned out to be a real project as the skin was peeled off. Remember, beauty is only skin deep, until this shop finishes with it, then the beauty goes all the way to the bone!
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| The big bolt-on parts were removed first, then the problems starting attacking.
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| The more parts that were removed the worse this project began to look.
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| Not much to work with here, let's just keep cutting.
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| WOW! Didn't know we had to cut THAT far!! The frame will not be repaired, a new custom built one will replace the old rusted steel one.
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This looks much better. All new steel floor pans are aligned and tack welded into place before all the final beads will be run and then ground and finished.
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| There was enough plastic and bondo in the quarters to build another car, so off they went to be replaced with all new steel ones.
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| Both sides were pretty bad and in need of replacement, so that's what happened.
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| Starting to "mold" the bumper into the body. The original bumper was narrowed to fit tight against the body and welded into a single component.
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| After narrowing and welding to the fenders.......
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.......this is what it looks like after the finish work and a couple coats of primer.
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| This was the dash we started with which wouldn't cut it. Major changes were in store in order to keep with the smooth theme of the outside body panels.
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| With the no longer needed holes welded in and finished, this is the new smoother dash.
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| After painting we have an appearance in keeping with the theme and color of the outer shell.
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| Now that the inner floor pans are finished it's time to complete the side that most folks will never see (but we will, so it must be as perfect as the top sides).
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Now completed and primed, the underside is ready for final paint....or is it. A later discovery was that the spare tire well could be seen below the rear bumper when viewed from the rear. It was removed and a flat steel panel replaced it before the final paint work. You can see the all flat trunk floor in a following photo.
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| After a test fit of the engine/trans assembly and all the suspension components, the new custom frame will be disassembled and painted to match the body.
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| After painting and reassembly the frame is now ready to receive the body.
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| Extreme care and caution must be exercised at this point. Even a scratch could be devastating and set the project back several weeks.
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| With the cut-in body now properly attached to the frame it's finally time to go to the paint shop.
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Everything that is not external body has already been finished and will be protected from any overspray as the final top coats are applied to the body.
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| The gas fill pipe was relocated to the inside of the trunk and a custom made door with push-lock release was installed.
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| Now it's just a matter of bolting on all the final trim, lights, etc. and this project is done!
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| Finally! A beautiful '55 Chevy that gets more attention than a blonde in a bar. (continue to page 2)
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| This is a major change from the red bondo-bomb in the first pics.
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Does it have a bumper or not? The same proceedure was used on the rear as was used on the front in the previous pictures.
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| A luxurious custom leather interior was installed to give all the comforts of home.
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| The steering wheel was also custom leather wrapped to match the interior. Note the custom gauge package.
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| A new MPI LT-1 provides ample power and dependability to drive this little gem where you want, when you want.*
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| A very spacious flat floor trunk area is a nice addition after removing the space robbing spare tire and tire well. Using run-flat shoes, the spare was not needed anyway.
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Album: 
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