I have updated my build web page. http://www.fenske.net/53chevy The truck is now at the painter and I hope to have it back in a week or so. He's had it for about 2 months. I shipped it over there before I found the article on the $50 paint job There will still be a lot of work left to do but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed working on this project. But after 3 and a half years, I am really looking forward to getting it on the road. The attached picture is from when my girls and I backed it out of the garage to load it up on the trailer. Happy New Year everyone, Mike
Mike, Great looking pit crew-- enjoy every minute that you have with them! Oh, Nice truck also. Glenn
Looking Good, Mike! Great work and awesome documentation on the build! Hmmm, I feel a road trip coming on! Catch the Express at the Dell Diamond and come check out your truck! Details to follow!
Good job! You are to be commended on a great build....that goes without saying, but you're documentation and photo log of the process are professional quality too. All too often, we see the results of someones efforts and never get to be a part of the process. I'm sure that your picture trail will serve as an inspiration for those who have the urge to build. Keep up the great work and we'll stick around to see the finished product!!! Dave
Heck yes! Great hot rod build! The AD Gods didn't hold your first attempt against you, huh? All I can say is, "Zoom-zoom" baby!
Orange Letter Day! My truck is back from paint and looks awesome. It was quite a rush today seeing all those hours of cutting, welding, grinding, pounding, sanding, etc pay off. There is still a lot of work to finish before it is back on the road but now it feels like I am on the home stretch. The color was a risk. There are a lot of shades of orange out there and even in my orange tinted world I'll admit there are some that don't belong on a truck. I am thrilled with the color I ended up with. It should be very popular here in Longhorn country.
Gig 'em that burnin orange AD will look mighty fine sitting next to Kens50 Maroon truck in that parade next year. Nice job, nice rod. Spindletop Rod Run, in Port Arthur, last weekend in March, drive that orange blossom on down here. Jim
It's Always Nice.... ...To see 'em with fresh paint . I used to buy and sell , ex Ca. State Highway Dep't. trucks ( CalTrans.) and they were painted this awful shade of bright orange , after I'd hand rubbed a few back to better than new luster , the color began to grow on me ~ at first I thought it was fungus but no , it was that wierd shade of orange and I still like it , there's plenty of ways to break up a yukky monchromatic paint job , paint the roof white , or the body below the lower reveal line , etc.
Jim - late March will be difficult to be ready by. Quite a bit of work yet to do and that pesky day job keeps getting in the way. But for sure I'll make it down there the next year.
Nate - I am hoping that adding all the stainless/chrome trim and some pin striping will help break up the monotony. That is one of the reasons I did not shave the outside door handles. The lettering on the tailgate could have some further possibilities. Maybe beige? Hope to find a happy medium between yucky and a full two tone
Just So And , you've still got the running boads and splash aprons etc. you can fool with color wise . My '49 was originally Alaska Yellow and I looked at one so painted , I thought it looked wretched (althogh I personally LIKE Alaska and Yukon yellow) , then I looked at another Alaska Yellow AD , it had brown fenders (another color I hate) and it looked pretty darned good plus , contrasting fenders was a standard period paint break when our trucks were new so have fun and freak out , trim it so it makes YOU smile when you grasp that big , fat steering wheel.....
Mike, Just keep on puttering along. These are desperate times, think how long you've wanted this truck? Well it won't be long now, even if it's another year or so. Just stay with it. I was almost a full year out of the paint shop before I was finished, but I got finished, or did I? There's always something else that wants atention, or changing, or improving. Enjoy. I kinda like it, "orange blossum"! Jim
Front fenders Great job Mike! Love that web site!!! I'd like to know more about where you got the patch panels for the rear section of the front fenders. I have the same problem. Again, GREAT JOB!!! Rick
As far as I know, no ready made patch panels are available for that. I made my own by cutting and forming some sheet metal. I am sure with the right metal working tools it would have been easier but I don't have any of that. Just hammers, clamps, and a big metal pipe that was useful making curves. One trick is to make the patch in pieces. The fender roll bead is especially tough so I also made that as a separate piece that I welded to the rest of the patch once I had it right. An angle grinder and some body filler completed the job. I wish I had some pictures to show you but I didn't do a very good job documenting that part of my project. It must be a common place to rust out. The section that I cut out and repaired was already previously patched on my truck (both sides).
Patch Panel Sorry, I tought your site mentioned you were fortunate enough to buy them for the front fender. I haven't found them either. I did find them for the rear so maybe soon they'll be out for the front? Rick
mike, i'd love to see more pictures and maybe some diagrams explaining how you did the bear claw latch conversion. i've got a 53 also, so it'd be really helpful for me in the future. thanks!! nice work!! jon
Will do. It ended up being quite the engineering feat to get the outside and inside handles to work and still clear the window track. When I get the truck back (hopefully in a few weeks), I'll take some pictures and document how I did it. It would be good to contribute something to this forum for a change. The second door probably took me 1/10 as much time as the first one. Stay tuned...
Rick, We'll be making a patch panel for the rear of the front fender at the truck build this week end and documenting that over on MetalMeet.com. If you are interested you can follow along. Here is what we are starting with.
Fender patch Yes, I'd like to see what you do with the fenders. Being a newbe and not exactly a "tin smith", I figured to take my time and do several prototypes before cutting and welding. I have much worse areas to contend with before I need them and maybe by then I'll have some clue as to what I'm doing. Rick
