Chevy 1953 - 1954 custom & mild custom galerie

Quelle honte ce volant ! Ca gâche tout !

Ce genre de déco c'est mon truc je vois bien l'Ariane dans ce style

Ouais, ils sont terribles les scalops !!

The Moonglow Story

Bellflower, California, 1955-1962


Duane Steck's 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe, better known as the Moonglow, was built by Duane himself in his own front yard in Lakewood, California. The car that was a low budget build, was classified as a radical kustom due to its chop. But the truth is that the car featured many subtle modifications that enhanced the already good looking lines of the car. The appearance of the car changed several times during the years, but most people favor the first version that was shown on the cover of Car Craft January 1957. Duane Steck was a member of the Renegades Car Club out of Long Beach, California.


In 1954 a young commercial Artist, Dwayne Steck, dreamed of building a 1954 Chevy Bel Air 2 door Hardtop into a radical custom ca. Dwayne purchased a 54 Chev and began to build his dream, first by chopping the top 3 ½ inches, shaving the entire body of all chrome ornaments, making the 2 piece grill into one piece, nosing the hood and designing a Kustom grill.


Dwayne frenched the headlights and installed 56 Chrysler inverted taillights using a shark’s mouth design as a housing. He then rolled the gravel pan and lowered the car 10.5 inches and added custom made fender skirts creating a famous fade away look.


Moonglow made it’s debut on the cover of CUSTOM CARS Jan 1957. After many many car shows and first placed trophies, the car re-appeared on the cover of CUSTOM CARS March 1960.



The moonglow was to become one of the most famous custom cars ever built in America. ROD ANS CUSTOM MAGAZINE listed it in it’s top 20 pick. George Barriss stated it was the best role model he had ever seen for all Chevs, and he particularly liked the car from all angles for it’s clean lines. Then it was traded in 1962 and sadly crushed.


The original Moonglow


Credits: Choosen consistently to be one of the most famous custom cars built in the 50’s.


Builder/ Owner: Bellflower California



From ever angle it looks right with a chopped top, skirts, frenched headlights, and custom grille. The Moonglow was one of the dshow favourites, and written in Barriss Kustoms as one of George Barris’ favorite picks.


• Car Craft- jan 1957


• Custom Cars- March 1960


• Rod & Custom- June 1991


• Custom Cars of the 1950’s by Andy Southard and Tony Thacker- 1993


• The rodder’s Journal- 1994


• Barris Kustom- 1996


• Rod & Custom Top 50- November 2003


•


Most famous pick of 50’s rods and customs. Moonglow was right up there with the Bob Hirohata 51’ Merc, Nick Matrana 40’ Merc, and Larry Watson “Grapevine” 50’Chevy.



The Moonclow was admired by the following experts:


• Geeorge and Sam Barris


• Larry Watson


• Eddie Rhodes


• Bill De Carr


• Dean Jeffries


• Junior Conway


• Von Dutch


• Ed “Big Daddy” Roth

1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe owned and restyled by Long Beach Renegades member Duane Steck of Lakewood, California. The car is also known as the Moonglow. The Moonglow was a low budget build, but was classified as a radical kustom due to its top chop. The truth is that the car featured many subtle modifications that enhanced the already good looking lines of the car. The appearance of the car changed several times during the years, but most people favor the first version that was shown on the cover of Car Craft January 1957

First Version
In late 1955, while the car was still under construction, Duane drove it around in light blue with primer spots. By then the car had been shaved, nosed and decked. The upper part of the grill had been molded, the taillights were frenched. Duane had also modified the car with hooded headlights similar to 1955 Chevrolets. The 55 Chevy style hooded headlights were later replaced by frenched 1952 Ford headlight rims, new taillights were also created from sheet metal and round rods. For the homemade taillight housings, Duane had fit a pair of frenched 1956 Chrysler lenses upside down. Small backup lights from a 1956 Chevrolet were placed in the bumper guards.


In 1956 the first final version of the car debuted. With good help from Duane's friend Ben Cook, owner of a local welding shop, the build took 12 months to complete. Duane and Ben chopped the top of the Chevy 4 1/2 inches. The rear window was made from Plexiglas that Duane and his brother heated in their mothers oven. Duane kept the stock grille, but added extra teeth to it, 15 teeth were used in total. The trim of the car was frenched into the body side and the interior featured plain powder blue panels with white rolls that actually followed the stock Bel Air pattern. The upholstery was stitched by Delbert Crocker of Del's Trim Shop.[1] The first version of the Moonglow was painted in a simple icebox white enamel with powder blue inserts. Earl Schieb laid the white paint on the car. Duane had heard about this kid Larry Watson in Bellflower that pinstriped cars out of his parents driveway. One day he pulled into Larry's driveway, introduced himself and asked if Larry could incorporate these nude ladies into the striping. Duane had brought his own sketches, and wondered if Larry could copy these. Larry didn't know if he could do it, but he took a chance and said yes. He outlined the tracings , and striped around them so that they were less obvious. According to Larry he pinstriped the Moonglow in the first part of 1956.[2] The engine in the Moonglow was a 235. This version of Duane Steck's Chevrolet appeared on the cover of Car Craft January 1957.




Second Version
By mid 1957 Duane was already busy restyling the Moonglow again. For the second version of the car, a new grille opening was made. The rear bumper was lowered, and the exhaust tips were routed through it. Duane also lowered the car, and extended and molded the rear pan in order to make it fit the rear bumper. In the same operation, Duane also removed the bumper guards and moved the license plate away from the bumper. The car was also painted in a white enamel again, before Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style striped it. The second version of the car has according to Rod & Custom magazine never been seen in print.




Third Version
Later on in 1957, not long after the second version of the Moonglow was finished, Duane and Darol Jorgenson stripped the car down and painted it in a silver metallic nitro lacquer. Larry Watson did the scallops in white pearl tipped in candy blue and pinstriped in blue.[3] The car also got "Moonglow" lettered on the rear fenders. For the third version of the car, the driveline was removed, in order to fully paint the car under the hood. The engine was aslo fully chromed by now. This version of the car is seen in Andy Southard's book Custom Cars of the 1950s. The photo is taken at the first annual Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama in 1958.[1] The third version of the Moonglow was also shown at the 9th annual National Roadster Show held February 15-23, 1958. The car was entered in the Full Custom Sedan class, and won the award for best car in its class.[4]




Fourth Version
By early 1959, Duane had removed the exhaust from the bumpers, and Buick Portholes were added to the rear fenders and hood. At that time, the wheel covers were changed and Duane removed the front license plate. The engine sported dual carbs on a Sharp manifold, split exhaust and plenty of chrome.




Fifth Version
In 1959, Duane brought the Moonglow over to Watson's House of Style for a new paint job. Larry painted it candy blue over silver pearl. According to Larry, it was his best candy blue paint-job ever.[3] This version featured small scallops on the spotlights, dashboard and on the new Dodge Lancer wheel covers. Duane had also modified the car with peaked hoods over the headlights. This version of the car was featured on the cover of Custom Cars March 1960.





Where Is It Now?
In the early 60's Duane traded the Moonglow away for a sports car. After that, the Moonglow was last seen by Duane's brother Steve as the car was on its way into a crusher near the L.A. Harbor.


article original:
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Articles de référence:
http://carnut.biz/g/index.html
http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/customcars_i_like/chevy_custom_cars/53-54_chevy_custom_cars/50s_built_53-54/moonglow/

Sometimes, the world is fortunate to have iconic creations preserved and restored for all to draw inspiration from, while at other times many creations are either lost or destroyed. Such is the case of Duane Steck's '54 Chevy Bel Air hardtop, known as Moonglow.


Here was a car that wasn't created at a notable California custom shop in the 1950s; instead, it came together in the driveway of the owner who had an incredible vision for the transformation of his car to a truly historical level with its style and form. Gracing the cover of Car Craft magazine in January 1957, the car would continue to earn its share of countless trophies and expanded magazine coverage. Appearing on numerous covers, it continually evolved over a few years while still owned by Duane, who updated its appearance and colors along the way.

Sadly, as time passed, the car changed hands and was eventually crushed. Inspiration is the true motivator to keep life in something that was influential, which was Charlie Gish's main thought as he set out on a 15-year pilgrimage to recreate the Moonglow to the best of his abilities.


Under the hood of Charlie's... read full captionUnder the hood of Charlie's '54 lurks one of the most detailed six-bangers we have seen in recent memory. Built by Nelson Kiss, its block has been massaged to 273 ci while being filled with plenty of vintage speed goodies, including Badger slugs, a Howard stick, and an Offy three-pot intake.Searching for a suitable base to start with, and knowing that the chances of finding one in the rust belt where he lived was going to be slim to none, Charlie came across an ultra-clean, bone-stock '54 Bel Air hardtop from California that definitely fits the bill. The complete car had one-piece bumpers and tinted glass. Having completed his research on the original Moonglow, as well as having spoken at length with Moonglow expert Tony Feil of Raritan, New Jersey, Charlie had amassed a complex grouping of information about the car and many of its fine details, which would help him out greatly once the build got started. His goal was to get the car as close to the original as possible, along with a number of personal revisions he wanted to incorporate into the project.

To get the project started, Charlie contacted the legendary Kelsey Martin to take on the daunting task of chopping the top. The chop had to be absolutely perfect, and Charlie knew Kelsey was just the right person to take it on. Kelsey gave the car its signature look by removing 3 1/2 inches from the lid of the Bel Air, but there was far more involved than just the roof cut. He took on the painstaking responsibilities of making all of the trim fit, as well as ensuring all of the windows worked, even the side vents.


Another extremely involved portion of the build was getting a rear window made that would fit perfectly; for this, Charlie worked with Thunder Road Specialty Auto, where the team was able to make a one-piece Lexan unit that not only fit right the first time but also looked great once installed. From that point, it was up to Mike Johnson of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, to take on the balance of the body modifications that included filling and peaking the hood, frenching the headlights, shaving the body, and infusing loads of seductiveness into the car's final form.

Everyone knows the next key to a wicked custom is dialing in the stance, and Charlie took some liberties by installing more modern components, including a Fatman IFS along with Air Ride Technologies 'bags and dropped spindles, combined with a C'd chassis and an updated driveshaft tunnel and trunk floor, thanks to Dave Joyce of Derry, New Hampshire. The binders are vintage Chevy drums, while rollers are Wheel Vintiques chrome steelies topped with chrome nipple caps, ensuring that plenty of classic feel keeps the car in check. Remember, this is a car that Charlie has plenty of sweat-equity in, having personally worked tirelessly on it while he drove it every season as it continued to evolve, amassing more than 20,000 miles in the process!

When it came time for the engine build, Charlie had a '61 Chevy six that was just aching for attention, so he contacted Nelson Kiss of Vassalboro, Maine, to work his magic on it. After punching out the block to 273 ci, Nelson worked it to perfection, while dropping in a set of new Badger slugs urged by a Howard cam. An Offenhauser three-pot topped with a set of Rochester single-throats ride shotgun wearing helmet-style air cleaners that suck plenty of air. A Mallory Unilite was selected to light the fire, while spent gases are dumped thanks to a Fenton header.

Add in plenty of dazzling detail and this is one six-banger that garners many accolades once the hood is opened. Shifted through a warmed-over Chevrolet TH350 linked to 3.55:1 gears out back, this car is set up for the long haul. It was time to add some excitement to the mix with all of the body and mechanical updates out of the way, and Charlie contacted Ken Boisclair at Classic Chassis Auto Body to lay down a vibrant coat of Pure White glaze to bring the car to life. The final icing on the cake came when Charlie got together with the team at Columbia Auto Seat Covers to lay out the interior, as well as fill it with sound and loads of final detail, including a '61 Chevy steering wheel, a Moon tach, and a skull-topped shifter.


The car in its completed form is nothing short of breathtaking and calls to memory the fine lines of the original Moonglow. While it is not meant to be an exact recreation of Duane Steck's masterpiece, it's one Charlie has wanted all of his life. The fact that it pays homage to one of the great customs of all time is enough for any true custom fan to appreciate.



Article original: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/0811sr_1954_chevy_bel_air_hardtop/viewall.html#ixzz2U99uSLsA

Graeme Tait's amazing recreation of one of the most famous
50's Kustoms...
The Moonglow!!!



Winner of the "Coolest Custom", "Street Rod Award" and the "Best of a hundred" at the 2008 Good Guys Puyallip car show. Moonglow was also shown at Billet Proof, Chehalis and won "Best Custom", Winner of "Ladies Choice" and "Outstanding Custom" at the Abbotsford World of Wheels and numerous other awards. This outstanding custom is now offered for sale. This car has been driven and trailered to shows (depending on distance) and it's road manners are impeccable...this is a trailer queen that loves to be driven.
Dubbed “the Moonglow” Graeme Tait has spent 12 years and 6,000 hours to create an incredible 53 Chev that has been modified with every trick in the book. This is a fitting tribute to the original “Moonglow”, one of most famous show cars of the fifties. The new “Moonglow” is so seamless that you would swear it was turned out by GM themselves…maybe GM from another planet!! Extensively modifying a car takes the skills of a welder, fabricator and the direction of an artist to get the “Look” just right. Although the roof was chopped 3.5 inches, the seamless craftsmanship and correct proportions make it look just right. That just right look cost a bit of money as well because the chopped compound curved rear window does not come off a parts shelve anywhere on this planet.


Starting with an impeccable accident free Southern California body with no rust ever, a full body off restoration was completed with every bit of the car modified. The skills of a professional coach builder from England used an English wheel and power hammer to create this masterpiece out of steel. The hood was nosed and decked and finished off underneath to show quality. The upper grill bar was frenched into the body and comprises of 15 teeth. Door handles shaved, Gas gate eliminated and 1953 Ford headlights frenched and peaked to match the fender line. The taillights are 1956 Chrysler inverted and placed into custom one piece handcrafted housings.



The rear deck was extended forward and widened to move the rear window forward for a correct Stock appearing Roof line. The front bumper is frenched and bolt holes front and rear are filled. The rear bumper has 1956 Chev Bumperettes with a 1957 Caddy over rider Bridge and is extended 3” on either side of the body with port holes for exhaust, all is frenched in, seamlessly.



Trimmed in snow white naughahide with 1.5 inch full roll and pleated and this continues to the backs of the seats and the package tray and carpeted in Bright royal blue carpet for a striking contrast.



Built as a tribute to the famous 50's Show car, the "Moonglow" with all thee classic customising techniques used in the new version along with all the modern amenities. Powered by a well documented professionally rebuilt 261 cu. in. 6 cylinder Chevy breathing through dual Holley Weber 2 barrels on an Offenhauser manifold with a Fenton split exhaust manifold. Balanced and Blueprinted with a High Compression GM Factory head and a “Torquey” cam designed to run with a 700R Transmission. All period correct high performance and dress up pieces were used to make a one of a kind engine.



For smooth cruising a new overdrive 700R Transmission and Mustang II front end with Camaro Disc brakes. A 57 Chev rear end with 3:70 gears offers the best for city and highway driving. Firestone Air Bag suspension on all four corners, allows for correct cruising height and wicked dropped showing height. Vintage air conditioning and a great stereo compatible with i-pods completes the driving experience.

Body Modifications:
• Roof Chop 3.5 inches
• All window frames and windwings chopped and fitted with precision
• Hood is made into one piece with the tip removed on the underside for show like the top
• Hood is nosed and decked
• Headlights are 1953 Ford frenched in with a peak to match the fender line.
• Upper grille bar is frenched into body
• Trunk is blanked out
• Door Handles are shaved
• Rock guards eliminated
• Gas gate was eliminated
• Totally custom made skirts
• Taillights are custom made housingswith 1956 Chrysler inverted lenses
• Grille is a total of 125 teeth
• Front bumper – One piece California filled and shaved, with bumper bolts eliminated
• Rear bumper – One piece California extended 3 inches on each side with two port holes for exhaust frenched in.
• ’56 Chev front bumper-ettes using ’57 Cadillac bridge and frenched in to create a spectator looking bumper.
• Rear deck at rear window was widened and cribbed to stock to move the window forward for a correct roof line like stock.



Paint Preparation

• Body Step #1 Etched Primer
• Body Step #2 Epoxy primered and blocked
• Body Step #3 Build primered and blocked between various coats for a perfectly straight body.
• Paint: Bright blue pearl, base clear
• Finish was then sanded and polished to show quality.


Glass

• All installed glass is factory tinted, not a film and is custom fitted by the best in the business


Rear Window

• A real challenge. First a custom mold was created that looked like cribbing for the Brooklyn Bridge. Then came the metal refinishing to complete the contour for the mold.
• The rear glass was molded and then sent to the US for lamination. No Expense was spared and was well worth it as the rear window is perfect to the line of the body.


Interior

• Snow white naughahide
Design is 1 ¼” full roll and pleated with a deep smooth bolster.
Rear of seats also rolled and pleated to match, including package tray.
Bright royal blue carpet was used for floor to create a striking contrast.


Chassis


• 1954 Chevy Frame media blasted and gloss black powder coated.

Components

• Air Ride Technologies / Firestone
• Front air spring brackets / shock system and rear four link system by complete Cool ride by Air Ride Technologies
• Air Bagged with on board compressor and gauges


Front Suspension

• Mustang II power steering rack with 11” Camaro disc brakes All Brake lines are braided stainless steel

Rear Suspension

• ’57 Chevy Drum Brakes
• ’57 Chevy rear end with 3:60 Highway gears for overdrive
• Suspension air bagged
• Steering: 69-72 Tilt with polished stainless Borgeson joints and shaft
With the top being chopped and air bagged, the lowering works out to 10 ½” in total.


Drive Train

1959 – 261 cu. in. Chevy inline 6 cylinder (new Rebuild)

Internal Specs
• Balanced and Blueprinted
• Jans Aluminum pistons
• Torquey cam by Shadbolt – the best in the business
• Stainless steel pushrods
• N.O.S. GM hydraulic lifters
• Factory GM high compression 868 head


Exterior of Mill

• 2 Rochester cards with 1950’s real Hellings and Stellings Card air cleaners (chrome) over brass
• Extreme attention to detail was considered to the custom brackets for mounting the alternator, compressor and power steering pump.
• All accessories are chrome to the highest show quality by Performance Chroming
• Offenhauser valve cover
• Rare Offenhauser side cover
• Offenhauser manifold
• Beehive oil filter (finned)
• Power steering reservoir finned to match oil filter
• Chrome bellhousing
• Chrome coil, chrome alternator, chrome compressor, chrome pulley
• Chrome Fenton headers
• All braided stainless hoses were used on the motor
• Polished stainless hoodsprings
• All custom dual exhaust by Muffler Tech
• Ceramic coated


Transmission

• Automatic 700 r-4 (overdrive with shift kit)
• Aluminum housing was sanded and polished to show quality
• The transmission was pro-built with all new parts
• The tranny pan is finned aluminum 61/60 aircraft
• All oil lines are braided stainless.


Electrical System

• Halogen Headlights
• Heavy duty harness by Clearhead Enterprises Inc
• State of the art fuse box


Air Conditioning

• Gen II by Vintage Air complete components
• Custom made condenser and brackets


Wheels and Tires

• 52 spoke 1954 Buick Skylark wire wheels
• BF Goodrich wide white wall radials
• P225 / 7R / 15

1954 Chevrolet Bel Air owned and built by Graeme Tait of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The car was built as a tribute to Duane Steck's 1954 Chevrolet The Moonglow. Graeme started the build with an impeccable accident free Southern California body without any traces of rust. A full body off restoration was completed with every bit of the car modified. The hood was shaved, and fully finished off underneath to show quality. The upper grille bar was frenched into the body and fit with 15 chromed teeth. Inverted 1956 Chrysler taillights were placed inside custom one piece handcrafted housings, just like Duane Steck did on his Chevrolet. Graeme's Chevrolet was upholstered in snow white Naugahyde with 1.5 inch rolls and pleats. Rolls and pleats were also used in the trunk. Bright royal blue carpets were used inside the car and in the trunk for a striking contrast.[1] furter

The car was powered by a rebuilt 216 cid Chevrolet inline six engine fit with dual Holley Weber 2 barrels carbs on an Offenhauser manifold and a Fenton split exhaust manifold. For smooth cruising, Graeme hooked the engine up with a new overdrive 700R transmission. The car was also fit with a Mustang II front end with Camaro disc brakes. A 1957 Chevrolet rear end with 3:70 gears were used in order to provide the best for both city and highway driving. Firestone Air Bag suspension were installed on all four corners, allowing correct cruising height and wicked dropped showing height. Vintage air conditioning and a stereo compatible with ipod's further modernize the driving experience.[1]


April 2010 Graeme's Chevrolet was advertised for sale on Hemmings, the asking price was $250,000 USD.[2]


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