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Customs Donn Lowes 50 Bel Aire

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by NONAME, Jul 13, 2012.

  1. Donn is a neighbor and friend but I seldom stop by his place because it takes weeks before I can go back to working on my crap.

    I stopped by yesterday and during the BS session I asked about his Chev. he said it was finished and he took it to the Santa Maria show. when he opened the garage door my jaw dropped a foot. it is without doubt the nicest I've ever seen. He said it woulld be the cover of an up coming Rod & Custom.

    Donn is a master of refined details but this one is just over the top. the biggest problem with Donn is everytime he builds one for himself someone pops up with an offer he can't refuse. so I'm fairly sure it wil be gone before the Magazine comes out. I guess that is OK as he just picked up a 40 Ford convert and parts of a 29 A pick up
    My phone camera suck but I'm going to post anyways
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 13, 2012
  2. the chop is 1 1/2 inches. the rear bumper is 50 Olds. the front bumper is 50 chev with with 50 Olds wingtips. Frazer tail lights.
     
  3. froghawk
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 857

    froghawk
    Member

    Beautiful car tastefully done! Those taillights are perfect!
     
  4. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don is a master at making a custom look so right that a pristine restored original sitting next to it would look like it had something wrong with it.

    That is one beautiful car.
     

  5. hotrd32
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,560

    hotrd32
    Member
    from WA

    Donn is a hell of a nice guy and one of the best builders around...period! I really like what he did with the bumpers...turning the reveals up side down!
     
  6. nowaxn5
    Joined: Apr 15, 2007
    Posts: 818

    nowaxn5
    Member

    That is a beauty. You gotta go get some good pics...
     
  7. Donn said it was shot for 3 magazines at S.M. two domestic and one foreign I'll wait for the pro's photos. I'm trying to get my shop (Rat Rod by comparison) truck on the road......Jim
     
  8. Leebo!
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 800

    Leebo!
    Member
    from Yale OK

    That is classy. The pics I have seen have blown me away!
     
  9. Church
    Joined: Nov 15, 2002
    Posts: 2,839

    Church
    Member
    from South Bay

    My favorite car from Santa Maria this year. Hands down.
     
  10. ToddJ
    Joined: Jul 11, 2008
    Posts: 1,408

    ToddJ
    Member
    from Marion, IA

    Fast becoming an all time favorite. This car is pure class all the way. So many beautifully executed custom details. I love the subtle scallops. This car is perfect!
     
  11. hotrd32
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,560

    hotrd32
    Member
    from WA

    Here a some better pics that "glendale" here on the HAMB shot at Santa Maria...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014
  12. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    very nice. what is the grill made from?
     
  13. butcherted
    Joined: Oct 17, 2006
    Posts: 761

    butcherted
    Member
    from hagerstown

    Very Very nice, Great job.
     
  14. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

  15. you won't find it at U-Pull it
    Donn made it. He did tell me, but I was to busy drooling. The lights were some early bullet tail lights reversed with the tips cut off. then bezels were lazer cut welded in. then 53 chev lenses installed from the back.

    one thing that I learned from watching Donn years ago making some 1 piece form fitting bumpers. after welding alll the pieces together he used lead to finish them. then takes them to a plater and has them copper plated. then he hand sands them and then back for more copper, he does that several times till they are perfect then has them add the jewel like chrome. just like block sanding primer /filller til perfect. Donn is a true master and enjoys telling how things are done.
     
  16. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    What a stellar ride, details and styling to perfection. Looking forward to a R.&C. article. Lots of awesome custom Chevy's here of late, another uber cool taillight treatment seen is on xderelicts in progress 54 Chevy Bel Air, Very unique and original treatment. Some much to see, so little time.~sololobo~
     
  17. 55chrysler
    Joined: Jan 25, 2010
    Posts: 175

    55chrysler
    Member
    from kelso wa

    I have got to know Don over the last several years and he in one of the coolest people you will ever meet. The first time I met Don he came to one of our club BBQ's he was driving his chopped and primered 41 Ford. It had no headliner in it so you could see where he made all the cuts. He just met me that day but he took the time to explain to me why he made each cut and how it affected the chop. A few months later I was in his area and it was the day before Thanksgiving so I gave him a call to see if I could stop by and see his shop. He said come on over he didn't have a lot of time to spare but would give me a quick tour. I figured I would stay a few minutes and go. Well almost an hour and a half later after he walked me through every detail of every car they were working on I went my way. he truly is a great guy. His head isn't in the clouds because he is one of the best craftsman in the world. I don't feel he gets enough recognition for his work.
     
  18. Chevguy37
    Joined: Oct 9, 2007
    Posts: 172

    Chevguy37
    Member

    I agree, Donn does not get enough recognition for the countless great rides he has built. I have known him since the early 70's when he lived in CT. Great guy who loves to chat with fellow enthuisists. YOu will never get the cold shoulder from Don. Congrats on another trend setting ride!!!
     
  19. droplord49
    Joined: Jan 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,690

    droplord49
    Member
    from Bryan, Tx

    I wondered when someone would start a thread on this car. From the pics I've seen(and the reputation of the builder), it's by far one of the classiest Kustoms ever built(IMHO).
     
  20. Mpls 40
    Joined: Mar 18, 2005
    Posts: 173

    Mpls 40
    Member

    I dig everything I've ever seen that he's been involved with ... an amazing artist and craftsman. Thanks for posting the pics of his most recent work.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2012
  21. funny about his reputation, when we were walking from the shop to his house. he was teling me about the R & C cover. Not having seen the finished car yet. I told him
    "No offence to your car. But with with your reputation, if you had shown up in Santa Maria driving a tractor you would have landed a cover shot!"
    with no hesitation and a big grin he replyed "It would depend on what color the tractor was":cool:
     
  22. Thanks for posting the pics Jim, beautiful car. Donn is a true Master for sure.
    Do you know where the side trim came from? Or is that something he fabbed up as well?
     

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