57 Chevy Wagon - Californa Dreamin'

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Oops, always gotta be a hic up or you get worried.

True, but I really hate the hiccups.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I saw the pics on FB, I'm so glad you're seein' progress! Vic's gonna have a busy winter!

Me too, Chip. I stopped in this morning and Sean had just finished the basecoat and was going over it with his day light looking for any streaks or mottling. No problems so he was fixing to lay down the clear. Below are a few photos he sent after it was done. Out in the prep area, they were in the process of buffing the doors and other parts as well. Everything looked great!

[sduckworth13]

That really looks nice Vic!

[Ol Blue K20]

It looks sweet!!

[mongocanfly]

Really nice..!!...

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

That really looks nice Vic!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

It looks sweet!!

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Really nice..!!...

Thanks, guys! It's been a long time coming but this is a major milestone. Looking forward to having it back home and doing some final assembly of all the parts I have laying around.

[mongocanfly]

Seeing it all in silver , i can really see how your 2 tone would have looked...sorry that didnt work out for you.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Seeing it all in silver , i can really see how your 2 tone would have looked...sorry that didnt work out for you.

Me too, Greg, but it would have added extra time and expense and at this point I was just ready for it to be back home. My wife has never been a fan of two tone paint jobs and couldn't visualize what I had in mind, so she was relieved when I altered course.

[mongocanfly]

Are you doing anything color wise between the trim on the rear quarters?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Are you doing anything color wise between the trim on the rear quarters?

I have the aluminum Bel Air inserts for those areas. It was born a 210, but I sourced the correct Bel Air / Nomad crown moldings as well as the side pieces, so the net effect will be a cloned Bel Air. I also decided to dress up the front fenders with the fuelie flags and script. I need to do some research on the forum for the correct placement since my fenders aren't drilled for them.

One other thing I haven't worked out yet is the Bel Air script that came attached to the side panels. It's gold, while most of the rest of my emblems are chrome. Not sure if it will stick out like a sore thumb or not.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I have the aluminum Bel Air inserts for those areas. It was born a 210, but I sourced the correct Bel Air / Nomad crown moldings as well as the side pieces, so the net effect will be a cloned Bel Air. I also decided to dress up the front fenders with the fuelie flags and script. I need to do some research on the forum for the correct placement since my fenders aren't drilled for them.

One other thing I haven't worked out yet is the Bel Air script that came attached to the side panels. It's gold, while most of the rest of my emblems are chrome. Not sure if it will stick out like a sore thumb or not.

I think the gold will be fine. They were mixed chrome and gold new..No matter what, it's gonna look cool as ####.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I think the gold will be fine. They were mixed chrome and gold new..No matter what, it's gonna look cool as ####.

Thanks, Dale, sure hope so.

They moved the body outside this morning to cure out some more in the sun. I plan to go down there this afternoon for a look see and to take them the door hinges. I rebuilt them with new bushings and replaced some of the springs that help hold the door open that were broken. Couldn't find reproduction pieces but I was able to source some used ones.

Went out to get the newspaper this morning and the radiator was sitting on the front porch. No heads up that it was on its way, but was a nice surprise. It looks great and should fit the space in front of the original radiator opening. Will require a bit of modification to the core support but that's okay.

[knomadd]

Yep, Dale's right. I believe all Bel Air emblems, the Chevrolet script, the "v" and the front grille were gold on the Bel Air. Everything else was chrome or polished stainless. The lower models didn't have any gold emblems. The mix of gold and chrome will be fine.

Paint looks great by the way!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by knomadd

Yep, Dale's right. I believe all Bel Air emblems, the Chevrolet script, the "v" and the front grille were gold on the Bel Air. Everything else was chrome or polished stainless. The lower models didn't have any gold emblems. The mix of gold and chrome will be fine.

Paint looks great by the way!

Thanks, Duane! I mainly got chrome emblems, but there were a few where gold was the only option. I didn't really want any more gold on it than absolutely necessary. I'd rather it be presented as a 210 with some Bel Air touches.

Some more photos I took this afternoon. They said it took two guys about three hours to get the roof the way they wanted. But it came out great from what I can tell out in the sun. For me, it's easier to see problematic areas inside under the lights. Or outside during the "magic hour" right after the sun goes down.

[mongocanfly]

It's a beaut Vic...you should be proud...

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

it's a beaut vic...you should be proud...

x2

[Scott2]

That is gorgeous!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

It's a beaut Vic...you should be proud...

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

x2

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I saw the Rub out pics on FB, looks fantastic! I might have to sneak by there on the way home and take a peek. Are you gonna be in their lineup at World of Wheels? We're gonna be in it this year, you should be Too, we'll have some drinks! If they have World of Wheels, of course...

Originally Posted by Scott2

That is gorgeous!

Thanks, guys! Starting to get pumped up about having my stuff back home. They still have to install the windshield and the back glass, hang the doors and rear hatch, then set the body back on the chassis. Maybe by next week it will be resting comfortably in my shop.

I do plan to have it at World of Wheels, Chip, one way or the other. Haven't talked to Rick about whether he would like it in his display. He does a lot of cars and they're all pretty nice. I just got a flyer from Mecum saying they're going to have an auction at the KC convention center toward the end of November. So I'm guessing unless things take a giant step backwards that come February, the show will go on. Fingers crossed.

Here's a few shots I downloaded off HRE's FB page...

[Low Elco]

I saw the Rub out pics on FB, looks fantastic! I might have to sneak by there on the way home and take a peek. Are you gonna be in their lineup at World of Wheels? We're gonna be in it this year, you should be Too, we'll have some drinks! If they have World of Wheels, of course...

[swamp rat]

Lookin great Vic!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Lookin great Vic!

Thanks, Mike!

Took the rear hatch weatherstrip down to HRE this afternoon. They said it would be a lot easier to install now rather than after the hatch was in place. The windshield and back glass were in and look real nice. Got a chance to visit with the installer, Darrell, and he offered me some tips for installing the side glass and said if I needed any help to just let him know. At the rate they're going, they should be ready to set the body on the chassis next week.

[mongocanfly]

Nice Vic...the glass gives it a finished look..

[Ol Blue K20]

Looming more like car. Very Nice!!!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Nice Vic...the glass gives it a finished look..

I agree, Greg.

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Looking more like car. Very Nice!!!

Won't be long until it looks even more like a car, Dale. All the doors and the hatch are on, so basically, it's ready to set on the chassis. Will have to wait a little longer since this is Labor Day weekend, though.

.

[lolife99]

Beautiful.

[Ol Blue K20]

Very nice!