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FINISHED PICS!!!--56 Bel Aire 210 w/ Vette engine

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  • Member since
    January 2007
FINISHED PICS!!!--56 Bel Aire 210 w/ Vette engine
Posted by the doog on Thursday, October 30, 2008 6:35 PM

Hi Guys!

Well, here's one of my current "Christmas projects". It's a model of my girlfriend's Mom's car--restored from the frame up by her late husband who died about 9 years ago, I'm building it as a surprise present for her. First, here's the real car...the engine in it is from a Corvette--maybe a '62? He also owned a 62 Vette at one point...









You can see that the engine is nothing like the kit's engine--I'm building the Revell '56 Chevy Del Ray, which, for some reason, has the kind of side molding correct for this car, even though it is a "Bel Aire"--weird?! (I'm sure that "Squeakie" willl straighten me out as to why this is? Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]) SO here's the engine that I cobbled together from various spare parts--the extra carbs from an extra Charger kit, and the little silver thingys on top are actually ESCI 1/72 tank wheels! The ditributor is a pre-wired part from Detail Master. The other hoses are wire...

And the interior was difficult to do--he had had the upholstery redone with a non-standard pattern, and so I just decided to mask it and spray it to look like the seats...the floor has been flocked, and fine sandpaper for the matts....

The body...BMF'ed with Bare Metal Foil. NOT the yucky Model Master stuff! Yuck [yuck]

and what I got so far! 

Questions, comments and corrections, welcomed!

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wherever the hunt takes me
Posted by Boba Fett on Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:39 PM
Love it! I'm not a car expert but it looks great so far!

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Inland Northwest
Posted by Summit on Thursday, October 30, 2008 11:52 PM

Doog - Fantastic , I like what I see so far..I think the Tri -power Air cleaner domes made out of 1/72 tank wheels is Thumbs Up [tup]. Thats what modeling is about, hunting through the spares and parts boxes for stuff to utilize insted of shelling out the green for resin parts.Bow [bow]

One question - Is your distributer Spark plug wires in correct firing order ? 

Sean "I've reached nearly fifty years of age with my system." Weekend GB 2008
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Friday, October 31, 2008 12:04 AM
 Summit wrote:

Doog - Fantastic , I like what I see so far..I think the Tri -power Air cleaner domes made out of 1/72 tank wheels is Thumbs Up [tup]. Thats what modeling is about, hunting through the spares and parts boxes for stuff to utilize insted of shelling out the green for resin parts.Bow [bow]

One question - Is your distributer Spark plug wires in correct firing order ? 

Thanks, Sean! And Boba Fett too!

"Correct firing order"?! Confused [%-)] NO WAY, MAN! LOL! I don't worry about stuff like that on cars--as long as the wires are there, I could be powering a microwave in the dash for all I know? LOL! Laugh [(-D]

I didn't even know what those 'Tir-Power" domes were--and neither will her Mom; she'll probably not even notice the engine anyway! Actually when you put the hood on it, it doesn't even open very far to see much of the detail. It only opens like, maybe and inch and a quarter? 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Friday, October 31, 2008 8:11 AM

The tri-power set up is not stock Chevrolet, Corvette or otherwise.  You can probably find one in older kits. 

 

Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Friday, October 31, 2008 9:56 AM

 She's looking great doog. I had a "56" 2dr. post Bel-Aire for years, took the 265 & powerslide tranny out and rebuilt a "327" bored .60 over w/350 Turbo. She was two toned also but black lower and yellow upper. Your build reminds me of her. Looking forward to the completion of your "56".Thumbs Up [tup]

 By the way, your correct about her being a "210", but the Bel-Air had the double trim running down the side. The "210" and the "Bel-Aire" are two different models.

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Nashville, TN area
Posted by bobbaily on Friday, October 31, 2008 12:49 PM

Ya know what Doog....if this music thing doesn't work out for you, you can always pursue a career in modeling Wink [;)].

Seriously, very nice work.  And a very nice tribute.

Well done.

Bob

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Friday, October 31, 2008 4:17 PM
 EasyMike wrote:

The tri-power set up is not stock Chevrolet, Corvette or otherwise.  You can probably find one in older kits. 

 

Smile [:)]

Hmmm...well then I don't know what the heck is in it! Confused [%-)]...Laugh [(-D] I'm about as knowledgeable about car engines as I am about ejection seats! Any idea what kind of motor this might be? I'm stumped! Check this out though----look at the valve covers. It says "Corvette"--is this some kind of hybrid motor?! Could he have used only the valve covers from the Vette? 

 

Thanks, too, doc; I'm also confused about the eact make of this car--it certainlylooks like the "Del Ray" model base kit--is the 210 a derivative of the Del Ray then? The interior, by the way, is not stock on the real car here.

Thanks too, Bob! I may go there yet! It depends on what happens with this damned economy! 

Thanks guys, and for anyone who can help with the questions I have! Smile [:)]

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Friday, October 31, 2008 5:17 PM

doog, as far as I can remember, the bodies differed in that any of the four styles be it 4dr., 2dr post, hardtop (w/o posts)or convertible. The trim package was the easiest way to denote weather it was a 210 with the combining single trim piece running down the sides of the body or the Bel-Aire with the double trim piece running down the sides of the body coming to a point, plus there were a few other trim pieces here and there. But at the back of the body on the rear fender on each side there was also a trim piece that said Bel-Aire. I know that there was more than that to show the differences but these are the things that really stood out visually.

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Friday, October 31, 2008 5:47 PM
 doc-hm3 wrote:

doog, as far as I can remember, the bodies differed in that any of the four styles be it 4dr., 2dr post, hardtop (w/o posts)or convertible. The trim package was the easiest way to denote weather it was a 210 with the combining single trim piece running down the sides of the body or the Bel-Air with the double trim piece running down the sides of the body coming to a point, plus there were a few other trim pieces here and there. But at the back of the body on the rear fender on each side there was also a trim piece that said Bel-Air. I know that there was more than that to show the differences but these are the things that really stood out visually.

Hmmm...ok, gotch--then this is definitely NOT a Bel Aire. It doesn't actually say anything but "Cheverolet" on the rear quarter panel. Thanks for the info, doc! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Inland Northwest
Posted by Summit on Friday, October 31, 2008 5:49 PM
 the doog wrote:

I'm stumped! Check this out though----look at the valve covers. It says "Corvette"--is this some kind of hybrid motor?! Could he have used only the valve covers from the Vette? 


Thanks guys, and for anyone who can help with the questions I have! Smile [:)]

 

Doog I think the Corvettes had the 7 fin style valve covers  from 1959 - 1967 .  Lots of us Chevy guys hunt high and low for the originals to use on our muscle cars. I have a set in my Garage to usefor my 68 Camaro as I am not into the Polished Aluminum or Carbon Fiber look Dead [xx(]

That could be a Vette block, the only way to find out would be to chase the numbers. The Intake is most likely an Edelbrock or Weiand aftermarket from the late 60's t0 mid 70's. Which none of that really matters as the real car is awesome Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] And Jen's Dad did a Fabulous job rebuilding it. 

Sean "I've reached nearly fifty years of age with my system." Weekend GB 2008
  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Friday, October 31, 2008 6:18 PM
 doog, also as for the heads, Chevrolet made them fairly easy to decipher. There are at the front of the heads at the base where they sit on the block some molded in humps, bumps, points etc. that denote what heads they are, I think that I remember that the double humps stood for fuel injection heads. If you can find a copy of the "Chevy Bible" it will tell you most anything that you want to know concerning the "smallblock" Chevy engines. I had one in the past when I worked on the "TRIPLE FIVES" but that has been years ago. And as for the valve covers, any Chevy smallblock heads and valve covers were interchangeable, although the block and heads had to match do to the piston dome and size.

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Friday, October 31, 2008 7:31 PM

Sean  and doc , thanks for that slew of great information; at least it gives me some idea of what I'm looking at! I wish the man was still around to get the story! Sad [:(]

Glad you like the car! It;s actually Jennn's now; she's "inherited" it with her brother. I'm making the model for her mom though, for the nostalgia of it.

I'll have another updaet tomorrow; it's almost finished! Big Smile [:D]

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Monday, November 3, 2008 12:07 PM

 the doog wrote:
 

 

You've got a small block Chevrolet for sure, but they're more or less generic.  Corvette valve covers are also the real thing -- any of the Monogram 57-62 Corvette kits should have the valve covers.  The tri-carb set up is (would have been) aftermarket, but was popular on small blocks.  You can probably find the tri-power in an old AMT kit.

Whether the valve covers are nine fin or seven is something of a moot point.  In scale, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between the two.

Most Corvette engines can be identified by the number codes stamped on the pad on the block at the front of the right (passenger's side) head.  You may have to clean off the pad to see the numbers, but there should be two stampings there.  One stamping (larger characters) identifies the engine; the second stamping (smaller characters) is a VIN derivative of the car the engine was originally installed in.

 

VIN derivative on the left; engine code on the right.

 Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, November 3, 2008 3:30 PM

Thanks for that info, Mike!

I should have an update here soon! It's finished; I just have to put two decals on it and photograph it!

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, November 3, 2008 10:41 PM

And here she is! All finished! This one came together pretty quick, thanks to the simple paint scheme and Tamiya acrylics.

Here's the real car again...

And the finished model:

That's a wrap! Thanks for looking in, and comments are always appreciated and welcomed! Big Smile [:D]

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Inland Northwest
Posted by Summit on Monday, November 3, 2008 10:54 PM

Doog - Your skills make you a True Master Bow [bow]  What's that I see ? Brake lines coming off the Master Cylinder ? You are really starting get into this Auto thing huh !  Wink [;)]  Well I can Hardly wait to see your Next Project Tongue [:P]

 

 

Sean "I've reached nearly fifty years of age with my system." Weekend GB 2008
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 6:31 AM
You are multi talented no doubt about that doog.  She's a beauty.  Just needs a little zim onthe sides and she'll be perfectWhistling [:-^]

Marc  

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wherever the hunt takes me
Posted by Boba Fett on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 7:01 PM
You are awesome Bow [bow]! Keep it up and you'll be editor of FSM someday! Laugh [(-D]

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: In transit to new location.
Posted by Puma_Adder on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 2:41 AM
Great work doog! I love this car, it just screams fast. Make a Toast [#toast]
Some people spend their whole lives wondering if they made a difference. Gundams don't have that problem.
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 8:33 AM

 Boba Fett wrote:
You are awesome Bow [bow]! Keep it up and you'll be editor of FSM someday! Laugh [(-D]
HA HA! (Hey, they were looking for a new editor of some sort a few months ago?)

Thanks, again, Graham, Jason, Marc, and Sean! I appreciate the Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]'s!!

Sean, those are ome rudimentary brake lines! It's funny--Jenn's mother wouldn't even care about the engine details, but I just couldn't let them off.

Ironically, I've never ridden in this car yet. Jenn wants to take me to a car show in it, but this year was just so busy. Plus, when we went to them this year, we were on our bikes...

Thanks again for the kind words, guys! Big Smile [:D]

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 9:17 PM

Hey doog when I go out to my shop tommorow morning I'll grab my Chevy interchange manual it has all the numbers if you want to find out excatly what size and year the block and heads are post the numbers

 

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Thursday, November 6, 2008 12:31 AM
 the doog wrote:

 Boba Fett wrote:
You are awesome Bow [bow]! Keep it up and you'll be editor of FSM someday! Laugh [(-D]
HA HA! (Hey, they were looking for a new editor of some sort a few months ago?)

Thanks, again, Graham, Jason, Marc, and Sean! I appreciate the Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]'s!!

Sean, those are ome rudimentary brake lines! It's funny--Jenn's mother wouldn't even care about the engine details, but I just couldn't let them off.

Ironically, I've never ridden in this car yet. Jenn wants to take me to a car show in it, but this year was just so busy. Plus, when we went to them this year, we were on our bikes...

Thanks again for the kind words, guys! Big Smile [:D]

Very nice indeed, but one question- when are you going to put on the tracks?
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: In transit to new location.
Posted by Puma_Adder on Thursday, November 6, 2008 12:39 AM

LoL, tracks..

you dont put tracks on a classic chevy! crazy pirate man. lol. Laugh [(-D]

(besides, I am more of a LAV guy myself. tracks can eat my dust. Big Smile [:D] )

Some people spend their whole lives wondering if they made a difference. Gundams don't have that problem.
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Thursday, November 6, 2008 9:58 AM
 jtrace214 wrote:

Hey doog when I go out to my shop tommorow morning I'll grab my Chevy interchange manual it has all the numbers if you want to find out excatly what size and year the block and heads are post the numbers

 

John

Thanks, John, but I'm not really needing to know that; I was just mildly curious, because I though it was a curious pairing of engine parts from what soe of theguys said here. Thanks sincerely for the offer, though! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Hey, I could bolt my Pz IV track that I picked up on eBay here recently to the real car? Kinda like a new hood ornament? LOL! Might devalue the car a bit though, huh? 

Or INCREASE it! Tongue [:P]........Laugh [(-D]

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Thursday, November 6, 2008 12:05 PM

doog,that would be a interesting hood ornament better the bull horns lol,Thats the good thing about a small block chevy almost everything is interchangeablefrom intake to oil pans ...

 

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Jax, FL.
Posted by Jantrix on Saturday, November 8, 2008 4:16 AM
That looks great. Very authentic.
Rob http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/Jantrix/
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Dublin Rep Of Ireland
Posted by terry35 on Saturday, November 8, 2008 7:44 PM

Man thats looking well, should be an excellent present, very thoughtful.

Terry.

  • Member since
    November 2008
Posted by *Hella-Fresh* on Sunday, November 9, 2008 1:53 PM
Both the Car and the Kit are beautiful! Great work!
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, November 9, 2008 10:43 PM

Thanks guys! Dog 18

Your comments make my tail wag! Dog 5

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