Slightly altered '51 Chevy Fleetline.

Here's my latest project, opened '57 'Vette and '51 Chevy Fleetline kits then just started cutting.

So here is what a '51 Fleetline body looks like after an afternoon of cutting, super-gluing and filling. Of course there's a whole lot more filling and sanding to go before it's ready for paint.



Grille opening is from the '57 'vette as will be the grille. I'm thinking it needs something done with the headlamps just not sure yet. Also I'm thinking to cut the roll pan off and bring it up closer to the grille opening, so there's not so much surface area below the grille. Maybe even taper the fenders in towards the bottom, which does away with my other idea for vertical quad headlamps. The bonnet will be reworked some more to fit the grille opening, maybe louvred too.



Rear quarters are extended, again using '57 'vette parts, the roll pan was trimmed from the kit piece and will end up with a recessed license plate mounting. Tailammps will be the 'vette parts.



I'm thinking maybe lose the stock side trim and ad a lip to reshaped front fender openings. Perhaps even use the 'Vette side coves? The rear fenders will run skirts, and if I lip the fronts I'll add a lip to the skirts too.

Lokking good mate, I'm liken your style. I agree on the front pan definitly needs to come up. What about extending the headlights out and frenching them like you would a Merc. Love the rear quarters, just seem to fit. I think the corvette side treatment would look pretty cool too. Looking forward to more on this.

Awesome chop there, what size wheels are you going to use?

looking good carps

M

old school custom work Ya french the headlights,spinner hubcaps or early caddy ones,candy red on this wicked custom

Well I was playin around today with a Chrysler 300 and got to thinkin that the wheelarches might just work on this ol Chubby.

Still not 100% sure so I'll make some more cuts up front and then make the decision on using the 'Vette side coves in the front fenders or the Chrysler wheelarches all round.

Also got the bonnet marked for some cutting in order to get rid of the hair lip appearance it has now.

Been trying to save the chrome trim around woindows and the rain gutters, but that could change in the next day or so, we'll see what happens.

Wheels will be a last minute thing and I have some ideas for a custom paintjob, that involve lace, gladwrap and sea-sponge.

I like the sound of the 57 side coves. Using the entire cove and chrome trim. So it would take in most of the door too.Just like the Vette. You're just a model building machine Carps. Look forward to the next update.

Thanx Anthony, dunno about machine, but I did get some chassis work done this arvo and established final ride height. Rear is as low as it'll go without removing the tops of the wheel-houses and front is the low set-up from the kit.



Since all that 'metal beneath the headlamps was bugging me, I decided to get rid of some at the same time as I reduced the bulk of the roll pan. I think it looks much beter now and the headlamps may not require a big extension, just to be frenched.



Having fixed that, I still didn't like the way the bonnet fitted above the grille opening, so after a little cutting and welding............



Much better!

I did originally consider adding the entire side cove, but now I'm in two minds about adding just a section as indicated by the black line on the front fenders. likewise the bonnet louvres, seem like a good idea but I'm not sure yet.

Adding the coves will mean the stock side trim has to go, but I think I can live with that. It may help me decide to lose the side window trim too. I was trying to save the rain gutters and door frame/wodow mouldings, but it may be easier to lose it and go for the smooth look.

I'm also not sure about the grille with chrome surround, especally if the headlamps are frenced, so I may have to make a change there too. I do have another 'vette grill without the surround, which I think should work.



Around back, I've added the license plate receptacle and done some filling and sanding to move it closer to being ready for colour.

...............

I like were this is going

Looking good Carps - the chop is perfect! I like the grill better without the surround and probably recessed a bit more too.

Great minds obviously think alike - I have one of these on the bench at the moment too. I chopped it several weeks ago but have been procrastinating about the clean up...mine also has some vette DNA, albeit from an earlier model.

So post up the pics!

That's looking excellent,Carps. All first rate planning. Do you eat a lot of fish or have you got a secret brain food?? I could use some. I'm waiting for more progress. Best to you.Bill

Thanx, I do eat a lot of fish Bill, but only because my cardiologist and my organ specialist say I must.

Are you suggesting i should eat more in order to get the really crazy ideas to flow? I haven't done a Kenworth kustom yet.

Carps wrote:Thanx, I do eat a lot of fish Bill, but only because my cardiologist and my organ specialist say I must.

Are you suggesting i should eat more in order to get the really crazy ideas to flow? I haven't done a Kenworth kustom yet.

french the grill to make it look like its floating in the open space,looking great so far.

I think on such a big car the small cove won't have the right "effect."Maybe draw in the entire cove and see.Loose the orig side trim and use the Vette cove surround(chrome trim) Could even look factory.....Would be nice to keep gutter trim.Louvered bonnet-Yes. Keep at it Pete.

I keep googling 57 Vette then coming back to this.lol. Maybe move the cove up a little.From the very top of the wheelarch to just above the bottom of the door.If its a little "fat" just section the cove.lol.Not trying to create too much work for ya. On the 57 the cove seems to go from the very top of wheelarch down to centre of wheel(know what i meen)....i'll go now.

I like where you're going with this.

Carps wrote:So post up the pics!

Not quite ready yet - need to do a lot more clean up and shoot some primer.

Anthony, the long cove works on the 'vette because it doesn't have so much bulk in the, fender and door and of course is considerably shorter than the fleetline.

I cut it out and laid it against the body and it just looks wrong, so if I go ahead it'll be with the short version.

Just a cupla pic's to describe what i'm trying to say,Pete.