1958 Chevy Bel Air

[de31168]

Well I've started taking this thing apart finally, and it's pretty rough. What do you guys think? Have you restored cars in worse shape? I'm thinking the frame is pretty rough. It's either find a new frame or send her to the crusher.

Got the "dog house" off the car..

Yanked most of the front steering and suspension. Those lower control arm bolts just won't budge .

 

[LMBRJQ 60]

My 56 4 door belair was in just about the same shape, used 3 different bodies and two frames to rebuild it.
I would have it in my shed but then im on the other side of the planet, not sure what you can get for what price over there?
Steve

 

[oldskydog]

Definitely restorable. Too bad it's not a hardtop. That's my favorite.
I still have a few misc. 58 parts left over (no sheetmetal) and can keep an eye out locally for anything you might need but shipping the big stuff would probably be an issue.

 

[Simps37]

I say build it....your starting with a whole lot more than I did.......but then agian I am on year #9.

 

[64ss409]

A friend of mine had one years ago. I thought it was a hardtop

 

[de31168]

Hardtop = Coupe = Open door frames? Sedan = Post = Frames around the windows? Mine has the frames around the windows.

 

[Don Jacks]

Far be it from me to argue with Cecil,[thats Phil's job],but the picture of that car is a hardtop.If it were a post car,youd see sheetmetal between the door and rear quarter glass,not just 2 chrome strips as pictured.

 

[de31168]

There certainly is sheetmetal there when the door is open. The chrome is the same as around my Biscayne windows. It makes it look like a coupe, but it is not. You can tell from the interior picture looking back at the fat sheetmetal strip between front and rear windows.

 

[oldskydog]

I have most of the parts if you want to convert it.

 

[de31168]

I went out to take some pictures to help clarify.

 

[Don Jacks]

=OOPS,My apologsies to Cecil,I was wrong,it is a post car.

 

[Last 60]

If it was the Biscayne I believe it would not have the chrome at the post or the C pillar. JMO

Lonnie

 

[de31168]

If it was the Biscayne I believe it would not have the chrome at the post or the C pillar. JMO

Lonnie

The Biscayne does have chrome around the windows, just not the large C pillar chrome.

 

[Last 60]

My mistake!! Thanks!

Lonnie

 

[61BUBBLE348]

There's a 58 Bel Air Tudor here in Adelaide 283 car, not a bad looking thing.

A bit of inspiration for you.

 

[jparello]

That thing ain't too bad looking at all. Is the rear of the frame rotten?? You said the frame looks "rough"--just looks dirty from the pictures..

 

[62impala409]

Go for it. I have always liked the 58's best. You are either a very young feller or have a lot of free time on your hands to restore cars. I have gotten to the point where I will only restore a car that is still drivable. Leo

 

[de31168]

I have most of the parts if you want to convert it.

Thank you, I certainly appreciate it, but I enjoy the post look of it.

 

[de31168]

There's a 58 Bel Air Tudor here in Adelaide 283 car, not a bad looking thing.

A bit of inspiration for you.

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[de31168]

That thing ain't too bad looking at all. Is the rear of the frame rotten?? You said the frame looks "rough"--just looks dirty from the pictures..

Well the front doesn't look too bad, but if you look at the pictures under the car, or the lower control arms, it's really thick scale rust. I haven't taken a grinder to it yet, but I don't think that'll smooth out.