Register now to get rid of these ads!

Just bought my first HAMB friendly car! 1958 Chevy Bel Air!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by chstitans42, Mar 2, 2013.

  1. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    Today was a big day for me, because I bought my first HAMB friendly car. I had been a lurker on here for what seemed years, and finally bought my first one! It is a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan with a 283 V8 and power glide auto trans. Yes I realize that it is a four door BUT what lead me to it is the fact that the car has 1. A/C 2. The interior is 100% original BUT also 100% in amazing condition and 3. All chrome is in good shape, accounted for, and what is missing or pitted there is a new one in the trunk. The car has not run in a long long time, but we hopefully can get it running. Anyways, enough of me talking, here are some pics. A few questions first:

    1. Anyone have a check list to go down in order to get the motor running?
    2. Any good vendors of used or new parts for these cars?
    3. Any good step by step instructions on getting the brakes done?
    Thanks!
    Ben
    <font size="7">VIDEO LINK BELOW!!!!!!!</font>
    http://youtu.be/sGAq4kkmSRo
    <br>
    <br>
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2013
  2. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Cool. One of a few cars that can look cool, as a four door or a two door.
     
  3. Yes it's a four door, but it is a four door hardtop, and a BelAir, which I would think is fairly rare these days. It would be a nice car for a restorer but would also make an unusual custom. Good Luck with your project.
     
  4. 53fordcustom
    Joined: Jan 3, 2011
    Posts: 412

    53fordcustom
    Member

    Definitely cool I like it
     

  5. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Plus it's a 4 door hardtop!!!! Much better then a 4 door sedan. My dad had a 58 BelAire 4dr sedan with a 348. On the glove compartment door it said "Positraction". I see yours has holes in the glove compartment door where the emblem was on my dads car.
     
  6. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    Nice man! Don't forget to shave the door handles. Here's a couple of vendors
    http://www.impalas.com/
    http://www.truckandcarshop.com/5872.html
    If I was to try and start the motor, I would flush out the fluids (oil, water) and put in fresh fluids. Check the trans oil (change it later, after the motor is running good. Rear axle oil also) I would remove and check the spark plugs, check all the wires and points. I would squirt some oil in the cylinders while the spark plugs are out. Disconnect the gas line and see how the motor turns with spark plugs out and get the oil to circulate. Pop the plugs back in, connect the carb line to a small gas tank and see if she starts.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2013
  7. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Minty interior. Lower it and some Supremes for near instant mild custom. Brakes: Completely rebuild/replace all parts, lines, ect. Radiator checked/pressure/boiled or replaced. Motor, see if it turns over at all. Then go about the battery/ignition/fire-up stage. Gas tank: Drop and inspect inside for cleanliness, likely replace it. Either put a filter before carb or run a separate line into a fuel can for fresh, good source during fire up.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2013
  8. oldwood
    Joined: Mar 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,056

    oldwood
    Member
    from arkansas

    I know you told a LITTLE FIB when you rented that U-Haul trailer to carry that size car on it. Ok, I've told the same FIB!!! Great looking car.
     
  9. 76ironhead
    Joined: Mar 12, 2009
    Posts: 504

    76ironhead
    Member

    2 door or 4 door it's still cool car that looks like a good purchaes.
     
  10. raidmagic
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,440

    raidmagic
    Member

    Congrats. It's always a great day to bring something like that home.
     
  11. hotrodhoodlum
    Joined: Oct 25, 2009
    Posts: 8,045

    hotrodhoodlum
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    4-doors can be cool
    it is all about attitude
    good luck
    great beginning
     
  12. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    Also, how much would you have paid for this car? (Fair prices please, we all know everyone of us would pay $500):)
     
  13. 1946chevytruck
    Joined: Feb 9, 2008
    Posts: 717

    1946chevytruck
    BANNED
    from london ,ky

    if you got that for 500 you got a steal around here it would be around 7500
     
  14. 3wLarry
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 12,804

    3wLarry
    Member Emeritus
    from Owasso, Ok

    I don't care what you paid for it...show us the motor...


    oh, ok...purdy please
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  15. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 11,946

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

    I like it! Nice two tone colors.
     
  16. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    No it was much more than $500, but i did get it at a good price I believe
     
  17. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    I sure will once I get the monster home. Ill take lots of pics and also videos
     
  18. slddnmatt
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,685

    slddnmatt
    Member

    thats a pretty cool 58, im not a chevy guy but I'd take that hardtop any day of the week. Id say you did all right on your purchase, cars like that are the ones to find, unmolested and ready to be tinkered with..Altitude adjustment and some whites and a little elbow grease and call it good!
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2013
  19. black 62
    Joined: Jul 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,895

    black 62
    Member
    from arkansas

    looks like a good one---really like 58's...
     
  20. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    That was my favorite part about it, I didnt have to drag it out of a field! The plan will be to get it running driving and stopping and then drive the crap out of it. I prob will re-do the weatherstripping, just so no chance of water getting in the car
     
  21. hard top.....ohhh.....rare....
     
  22. mrbuck
    Joined: Nov 27, 2012
    Posts: 51

    mrbuck
    Member
    from nor cal

    looking good man, i got a 58 biscayne im doingright now. and have had really great sevice from a company in minasota www.autocityclassic.net all 58 parts at better prices than the big boys
     
  23. nuthin' wrong with a 4 dr hardtop!
     
  24. Tnomoldw
    Joined: Dec 5, 2012
    Posts: 1,563

    Tnomoldw
    Member

    Hello again,Congrats on your first 50s project.I subscribed.This is your build thread,I think. Bill aka Tnomoldw.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2013
  25. KenCrete
    Joined: Jun 1, 2012
    Posts: 157

    KenCrete
    Member
    from Milwaukee

    Congrats! I know 4 doors usually get a bad rap, but there is something sooooo cool about a 4dr hardtop. Have fun!!
     
  26. Bart78
    Joined: May 11, 2011
    Posts: 717

    Bart78
    Member

    I think the 58 is one of Chevys best cars. I had a 58 impala convertible. I sold it for just about nothing when I was younger. That's the only chevy I wish I had back.
     
  27. KustomCars
    Joined: Jul 31, 2011
    Posts: 3,465

    KustomCars
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Love it! Congrats man!
     
  28. Chrisbcritter
    Joined: Sep 11, 2011
    Posts: 1,970

    Chrisbcritter
    Member

    Congrats on a great find! We had one when I was little (summer 1963 with my busted leg):
    [​IMG]
    Some guy backed a new '63 Olds into it at a gas station and crunched the grille; I got so mad I was crying and started hitting the guy when he was giving my dad the insurance info - my dad had to drag me off him...
     
  29. EXracer64
    Joined: Dec 7, 2011
    Posts: 228

    EXracer64
    Member
    from nj

    Awesome car. I could see that in white with chrome reverses!
     
  30. Bruce A Lyke
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,523

    Bruce A Lyke
    Member

    nice find, keep us posted on the progress
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.