BABA YAGA! 1974 Bel Air Concept...

[andrewmp6]

Only things im not sure on is how to do the front and rear so the truck looks older.Or you could so more of a 50s hot rod and go nuts with it.

[tucsonjwt]

The short box looks to truncated. The visual effect of the 56 was the long "tail" with the white insert. The short box makes for a short tail. Dropping the body puts the tires up in the wheel well, which I think detracts from the 56ish look.
But, each to his or her own. It is your project. You got me seriously thinking on doing one of these conversions on a 1/2 ton lwb. Lots of rust free trucks out here to choose from, but it would be nice if you went first.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

The short box looks to truncated. The visual effect of the 56 was the long "tail" with the white insert. The short box makes for a short tail.

The more I look at the SWB I tend to agree... it looks too truncated. The design on the '56 was to make a boxier car look more streamlined and I think the longer LWB will do the same for what I am trying to achieve.

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Dropping the body puts the tires up in the wheel well, which I think detracts from the 56ish look. But, each to his or her own. It is your project.

I agree that the truck shouldn't be lowered too much in order to pull off the more vintage look, especially with the WW tires. Some of the less subtle color combinations would look better lowered and using some custom wheels.

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

You got me seriously thinking on doing one of these conversions on a 1/2 ton lwb. Lots of rust free trucks out here to choose from, but it would be nice if you went first.

Well, thanks for the consideration. We all know how these projects start off then seem to either die or take a completely different course. I won't start the serious stages of the project without having the finds in hand to complete it. I have a lot of parts in hand already; some on the truck some not. I need a solid passengers inner fender and a core support due to the typical rust issues below the battery.

After that, the real money goes into bodywork (complete front clip removal and detail engine compartment and engine) then paint and upholstery.

I agree with moving the molding back further on the bed, so I compromised between the original design and the Golden Ratio placement, which looked too far back for my taste. I think I have a good platform now.

[tucsonjwt]

It is looking not too bad with the stock wrap around square tail lights - keeping the square look with the 56 accents. Nice.

I would add a bit more white on the forward end between the trim lines. Either narrow the width of the trim lines or space them out farther to show more white on the fender and doors. The 56 effect would be narrower trim.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

It is looking not too bad with the stock wrap around square tail lights - keeping the square look with the 56 accents. Nice.

I would add a bit more white on the forward end between the trim lines. Either narrow the width of the trim lines or space them out farther to show more white on the fender and doors. The 56 effect would be narrower trim.

I have had similar thoughts about the trim width, so I took another run at it. making the trim narrower. I think it looks better now.

[tucsonjwt]

Looking better - I would still go with more white showing on the front fender and door (see your 56 pic). Also, the front fender and door don't need any slope on the trim- the 56 does not slope until after the door.

[Warrens69GMC]

Why not a straight trim? Works much better with the square bodies. IMO

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Looking better - I would still go with more white showing on the front fender and door (see your 56 pic). Also, the front fender and door don't need any slope on the trim- the 56 does not slope until after the door.

tucsonjwt, Thanks for the input. The top of the front trim is straight as the red line shows. I think it's an optical illusion. The bottom of the front trim does slope down slightly. You can see in photos that the white is slightly wider at the '56 door break than at the front point, so there is a bit of an arc on the bottom.

I spread the front trim some but don't think I want to go any wider, as I am trying to maintain a bit of a sleek look.

Since I am after a representation of the '56 Bel Air, I think we are close enough for the rendering stage. Once we tape it off for paint, we will have a better idea if it needs to be changed more and can do that on the fly.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Why not a straight trim? Works much better with the square bodies. IMO

Warrens69GMC, Thanks for the input.

The 55-57 Chevy's were referred to as "Shoe Box Chevy's" because of their boxy look. The '55-'56 had rounded edges and the '57 started to introduce more abrupt angles. With the rounded contours of the 'Square Bodies' I felt that the '56 Bel Air trim would work best, lending a sleeker look against the rounded square body... much similar to the 'shoe box' Chevy's.

[tucsonjwt]

Concur. Proceed as planned.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Concur. Proceed as planned.

Appreciate the input.

Now I have to focus on what else to consider that will reinforce the perception without losing the fact that it's a '74 Square Body. Ultimately, I would like it to look like it actually came that way and cause some 'confusion' in peoples minds. Subtle in some areas and maybe no so much in others.

Really need to think through the idea of the dash. If there was a way to 'borrow' part(s) of the '56 without a full on replacement, that would be ideal.

[Super_Dave]

This '56 Dash is what I am thinking about. 'Borrow' the eyebrow and shave the rest. Not a full blown '56 dash. Maybe keep the right side original glove box location for a '74 touch. The door transitions don't look too difficult to blend. I suspect the biggest issue is the windshield transition, so to ease that, I would graft the front of the donor dash onto the back half of the '74, or graft just the top half of the donor from door-to-door, as well as the full section with the eye brow. Will have to find a '56 locally and do some measuring.

I am also thinking about a custom grill with small Chevy Bow Ties... there is a similar '56 Chevy dash trim that could tie them together, although I am not sold on cluttering a nice shaved dash...

The '56 deck lid had a smaller badge that was flat, unlike the one on the hood that followed the v-contour of the hood. I can see the smaller badge possibly working on the center of grill and do away with the flying V.

I am starting to think that this blending of '56, '74, and modern shaving techniques will create a unique blend of Old, Contemporary and Modern styles. I see people approaching what looks like an OEM Chevy Pickup, but with Bel Air trim, paint, wheel covers and wide whites. Looking inside they see a shaved '56 dash blended into the doors and seats sewn in leather and tweed following a modified '56 pattern. Circling around the front they see a '74 Chevy Pickup but with a custom grill and counter sunk '56 Emblem. Finishing up at the rear they find a tailgate with embossed or machined raised "BelAir" letters.

Hummmmm.....

[tucsonjwt]

I like the ideas, but I think this puts you many $$$ into the super custom rod look.

While the dash is the weakest point of the squares, it is functional and more modern than the 56. Just getting a 56 dash (if you can find one) plus the aftermarket replica gauges and chrome would easily be in the $2-$3K range.
I got a used black instrument bezel for my Silverado and I think it does clean up the dash a lot and make it less 80s ish looking.

I would do the paint and keep the interior OEM for openers. After you drive the truck for a while you could consider an interior mod. I really don't think the 56 interior adds much to a square truck. If you had an old round body, then that would look better.

My ideal dash for a square would be made of metal, and fiberglass would be a second choice. Fiberglass would allow you to approximate a 56 shape and install an aftermarket 56 instrument cluster ($600?) and get the effect you want. Paint it to match the exterior and you have a subtle 56 interior. I would stay away from the Dakota Digital instrumentation because I don't like the way the digital gauges "wash out" in the sunlight - same thing on my new vehicles. A/C would have to be custom fabricated into the dash.

I have seen some custom fiberglass dash pads on this forum but they all had issues. I think fiberglass work is a special skill and good materials are not cheap, so it is a steep and expensive learning curve. It depends on how much time and $$$ you want to invest in it.

One thing for sure, don't get the grampa style giant stock steering wheel of the original 56.

I like the emblem and "V" chrome for the hood, but now I think it would look "tacked on" when used on the front of a square hood. Same thing for the big chrome airplane grab hook on the top of the hood. I would be more inclined to experiment with 56 taillights to compliment the long side cove - but that would also look like an obvious add on - if not integrated properly into the body side. I would recess the 56 tail lights into a custom fitted opening, so the interior side of the opening is solid steel body and you see the tail light only from the back and the side.

[UKNOWME]

Maybe this?

[UKNOWME]

Or this?

[davischevy]

Update?

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Update?

No progress. I do have a shop lined up but I have been waiting for cash flow to actually start doing anything.

Don't now if I should be inspired or not... http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Archi...ERTIBLE-132686

Trim was actually air brushed, but if the person is good, you can pull it off tastefully for a price.

[davischevy]

I have heard of cash flow, but in my case it actually is more like cash surges, with blackouts in between.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by davischevy

I have heard of cash flow, but in my case it actually is more like cash surges, with blackouts in between.

I hear ya... for the past year+ it's been more like "back flow" with my business. Fortunately, I just completed a job that will give me a sorely needed infusion; some of which will be used for BABA YAGA! either as originally planned or as the '74 BelAir...

[Fhunter1]

I love this idea. Especially since I also own a '56 210 sedan

You might take a look at using the 210 trim instead of the Belair. It might provide a nice look and still give the paint break you have in mind.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by Fhunter1

I love this idea. Especially since I also own a '56 210 sedan.

I use to own a BelAir and might be getting another this week. That was the impetus behind the design concept... If I succeed in getting the BelAir, I will have to decide if I want to continue this design concept or revert to the original BABA YAGA! design in my other thread... tough call.

[Super_Dave]

Well, the BelAir deal fell through when the seller went off the reservation at the last minute over providing the necessary documentation so I could license and title the car in Oregon. I tried several other deals and all, for one reason or another, died on the vine.

I have come to the conclusion that I need to focus on completing BABA YAGA! with the funds that were going to purchase a BelAir. That being said, the only thing stopping me at the moment, is finding an affordable shop truck to take the place of the C20 while it's under the knife. I really need to get started if I plan on debuting the '74 BelAir at the June Cruisin' Sherwood... at least far enough to not embarrass my self

I was going to meet with the body shop this week but medical issues with my older daughter has me putting that off until next week... time really flies when you finally have plans and money to work on a project.

[Bigghitt]

I was browsing for some C-10 ideas when I found your thread. Figured I should share my "Bella".