Thought id share some photos made a little progress on the firewall today!
The firewall will be completely smooth the master cylinder is down on the frame!
You can also see the radiator mounts in the front i made awhile back to mount the rad. on!
My Radiator has to be mounted to the frame and there is no room in there with a tilting front end so i had too fab up some unique mounts never a dull moment i think im going to loose more hair scrathing my head designing all these damn custom peices! lol

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Firewall013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Firewall033.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Firewall041.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Firewall003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Block035.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Block048.jpg

Looks like you are having fun and some nice work while your doing it.Do you have before pics of the fire wall.I cant wait to see the final product this is going to be bad a$$

Thanks and yes heres a pic of it right after i bought it! the previous owner thank god didnt finsih painting the whole car this color! but in his words "The firewall has nicer paint on it than most cars bodys do" un quote lol
It was ok but i new i wanted a completely smooth engine compartment!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/stripped015.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/stripped018.jpg

Much nicer worth the extra effort.Have you decided on a color yet....

What do you guys think of these Budniks?
Im leaning towards these wheels, I talked to a Budnik rep at the Columbus Good Guys event he said they could get them in 15x15's but i have to check if they can make the 15x4's!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Spark.jpg

I am old school and I am having a hard time with new wheels.just me I guess my wife always complains that I like everything so plain.My Harley never got past stock just to name one.This is my opinion no harm....

Great job on the firewall. I have to do some work on mine too (1970 Nova) previous owner decided to clearance it with a hammer to fit the HEI. I was debating on smoothing it out or covering the whole thing.

On the wheels, Budniks are top notch and that picture doesn't do them justice they are like jewels. I had a set on my 61 Skylark project but, had to make a change because I couldn't get the right offset up front to clear my fenders. Make sure you know exactly what you need because they can only give you certain offsets on narrow wheels. I tried to get them to modify my wheels or make me a new set for the front. They coundn't make what I needed.

Have you looked at the new line Centerline has out? They are pretty nice and fresh designs. I am looking at them for the Nova as well and the price is decent.

Dude that is sooo funny because one! The wheels i have had in mind are the new centerlines orginally and they do make them in the size i like plus there cheaper but i really like the Budniks too so we'll see i vowed i would not buy wheels till the car is in full primer ready for paint in final mock up! so will be a little why'll.
And twooo i have a 72 nova aswell and i did my firewall aswell as a good bit of other subtle mods aswell heres a few pics of it !

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/FestivalShow2024.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/FestivalShow2026.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Festivalshow07018.jpg

Hey also if you are interested ina new Goodmark cowl hood i have one thats for sale was going to put it on mine but changed my mind! make you a good deal on it! Heres a pic of it on the car!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LOGO035.jpg





Have you looked at the new line Centerline has out?

Heres the Wheels i have been drooling over for some time and i seen them at summit in person they are nice and better yet there really pretty light aswell,
Also Im proud to say i have finally have decided on color some have already seen some of these photos but its a Green Tea met. off a new Honda CRV i just fell in love with this color and it still has that vintage feel and look to it! Thinking of two toning the car with an almond off white or a sand drift pearl but the body aswell as the motor color is the green tea,
Thanks for the input later George

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/20080612235150_crs1.jpg
Smoothed the block
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Block1002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/primetime029.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/GreenTeaMet036.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/GreenTeaMet2034.jpg
Motor in mock up!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/mounts051.jpg

Fire wall turned out gerat!

I think green would fit this well,two tone what would you do the feners in off white.I quess my question is how would the scheme be.The wheel last posted is this a Center Line if so I like it...

Yeh Dave i really like those centerlines and they have the vintage feel and look to them aswel to, id like to keep with a feel when you walk up to the car that it feels like a classic but in pro street form that will haul ass! like no modern auto meters or sparco seats etc.
Heres how the two tone looks and id like to keep the two tone in the same place as the factory did, It really swoops back the body nicely and compliments the body lines, it goes around the front window and back the sides. like in these pics!
This also gives you an idea of just how much chrome and weight front to back i took off the car lol.

A few pics:
http://www.lowridermagazine.com/features/0804_lrmp_root_beer_float_1948_chevrolet_fleetline/photo_06.html

http://www.lowridermagazine.com/features/0804_lrmp_root_beer_float_1948_chevrolet_fleetline/photo_01.html

NOT TO HI JACK UR THREAD BUT HERE IS WHAT I DID TO MINE.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/Matts01ES/firewall001.jpg

Pics like that highjack away lol wow amazing stuff looks awesome whats specs on car and running gear!

Pics like that highjack away lol wow amazing stuff looks awesome whats specs on car and running gear!

lol thanks

431 big block
400 trans
ford 9 inch 390 gears 28 spline axles

George the firewall is looking great.

My in-laws said it was 10 degrees a couple days ago and -17 chill factor. It is in the high 60's in Texas today.

George pics would not load may be just my computer.

george pics would not load may be just my computer.dang me too!!

Sorry guys was trying to post them from my laptop!
The green will be the lower body color and the light color be it off white or almond or maybe a sand drift top! Car will have a light tan interior so the top ties in with the interior!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/0804_lrmp_01_z1948_chevrolet_fleetl.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/0804_lrmp_03_z1948_chevrolet_fleetl.jpg

Nice progress George:yes::beers:.

David F.

Nice Nova George. What did you do to the firewall? Did you just smooth out the original one or did you cut it out and install your own? Looks real nice almost like a cover. I see you did some work on the frame as well. I just finished up my sub frame, I didn't go for the smooth look but, I couldn't live with the factory welds and spatter so, I ground all the welds down and re-welded everthing.

Matt,
Nice job on the firewall as well. Did you patch it up or cover the whole thing?

Matt,
Nice job on the firewall as well. Did you patch it up or cover the whole thing?

Thanks.

The firewall was covered by a line peice of metal and cut to where i didnt want covered.

Thanks Royce Its actually a sheet of metal i covered the entire firewall! and smoothed the complete frame and the triangles under the hood and trunk, I molded them into the bottom of the trunk and hood!
I remember The first Super Chevy Show i took the Nova too the Judges were all over that hood trying to see if it was glass or steel with out touching it till they finally ask me what i had done to it. lol

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/FestivalShow2029.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/FestivalShow2026.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Festivalshow07038.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LOGO058.jpg

The firewall is lookin good man!

That Nova is bad ass :thumbsup:

By the way where do you live in Ohio?

I was born in Galion and my Dad Still live there. I get up there now and then to visit but only when its warm. :D

Live in Eastern Ohio near ST.Clairsville 30 minutes west of wheeling wv.
Brian checked out your shop wow you have done some really bad ass stuff congrats!
Heres my business web site here in ohio!
http://www.gpgraphicdesigns.com/

George,
Thanks for the compliment.
I checked out you site and you do some nice work man. :thumbsup:

The car seen is pretty happening up there isn't it. I went to visit my uncle in Canton a few years ago and the local cruises were filled with bad ass cars.

Lots of time to build in the Winters huh.

Yeh the wheather is does suck! but ive learned if you just keep clicking away you can make soem progress even if its a few hours a night!
And thanks for the props! whats your plans fo ra color on your car any ideas yet?

I have changed my mind many times on color.
At this point I am thinking black with blue ghost flames.

I have always loved black and blue together. Although I said I would never own another black car.

I have three now.

Color choices are tough i know!

Well here I go i went in and cleaned up the outside rocker panel under the door held my breath i noticed when i got the car it had a lil more mud in it than i expected when they fixed it and fortunatley that was the only place on the car that i wasnt happy with so i held my breath and ripped off the old paint and putty was pretty surprised it wasnt a diaster under ther i just need to make some new panels that suit me and im going too wrap them under to the lip under the car for a smooth transition!
Like they say if your going to do DO IT right! im here might aswell make the lil adjustments. I'll keep you posted i also spent some time smoothed up the area on the firewall around my streering column with a smooth panel so there will be no bolt holes visible from the firewall area around the column like there was. I'll get some pics of it when its completey grinded and smoothed aswell!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Sydneys2ndBD054.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Sydneys2ndBD051.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Sydneys2ndBD050.jpg

Is that the factory rocker or something hand made its a little different then I have seen but I haven't paid much attention to Fleet Lines till now.Your getting closer each time you post keep it up it should be in paint soon.

I actually capped the top of the lip where it exenteds out. The out side rocker is original you can see where they covered the holes for the chrome molding, and as for the door rocker panel they built it out of a lil heavier metal this is where they all go bad on these chevys that was done when i got it. so overall pretty happy so far i dont think the body work will take long with the actual blocking etc its just building all he lil custom things that set apart a show car from a cruiser, but right now id settle for a cruiser cant wait to drive the damn thing lol, but i know it will be worth the effort.

Yes I do think it will be worth it and I dont think you will see to many riding next to you.This will be something to say I have one of a kind.How many PS 48 Fleet Lines have you seen.I think I have only seen one other PS 69 Camaro out there...lol...I still like my car though....

:D LOL my good friend is buidling a PS 69 camero whats not to like about a 69 camero,
There perfect style wise and performance in every way its not your falt everyone else has good taste and has one too lol

George I sent you a PM with a few questions about your Nova firewall. Wasn't sure if I should have just poset the questions here but, didn't want to hijack your thread.

Got the Driveshaft tunnel tacked in the other night still needs finished tacked and smoothed up but its in! going to try and work on smoothing the rest of my door jambs i started on here pretty soon!

Also went to see my engine the other day the short block is done and yummmy its looking good had to do a good bit of clarancing to the block for these longer 6" rods but cant wait to get it back!
I'll get some pics of it as soon as its back!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ShirtDesigns006.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ShirtDesigns015.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Firewall017.jpg

More progress:hurray:. I like what I'm seeing George:cool::thumbsup:.


David F.

Did a little metal work tonight and fabbed up a cover for the protruding steering column in a V shape to match the theme of the car i have going on! also finished tacking in my tunnel tonight and the lil cover matches the interior steering mount i made awhile back that has no visible mounting holes to it!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Column024.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Column017.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Column025.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Column005.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Column051.jpg

Cool, looking good.

Just a quick update made a trip to summit today to pick up some peices too button up my bottom end!
Motor should be back here pretty soon! And i can finish my mock up for my custom built alternator mount "secret loction" lol I'll keep you updated and a few other things. Heres a few things i snagged including some SFI peices!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts029.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts005.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts011.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts028.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/NewParts019.jpg

Was hoping to bring home my short block and realized the one lil thing i forgot was a timing pointer so i bought one to get the engine all set timing wise and up on TDC so i gave it a lil detail work before i dropped it off,
painted it to match the engine block.
Working on my door jambs now smoothing them up and have a lil rocker work to do nothing major and then fit all my body panel and body will soon be off the frame,

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/TT017.jpg

That looks great!

Short block is finally buttoned up!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/BigLILSmallBlock013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/BigLILSmallBlock022.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/BigLILSmallBlock008.jpg

George you are the man when it comes to detail looks good.Only one thing if you keep going the way your going your going to be afraid or scurd to drive this thing.I cant wait to see it finished....

LOL Thanks wait till you see the frame lol
Its just been a blast to work on and wish i could work faster
but tough working on the car alllll by myself and chasing 4 kids 2 dogs 2 cats, running a business and building everything under the sun that the wife can think of for me to build for the house lol i'll hop out side to the garge in the evenings and work from around 9 till 1am or so.

So little by little shes comming and yeh im kinda crazy about details but all those years of showing at super chevy and indoor shows with my other cars, ive learned alot about what they look for and at super chevy they say if you can touch it, it should be clean lol

George,
I think your choice of Green Tea Metallic as the color for the car is perfect:yes:.

David F.

Thanks Dave Heres a few pics i threw the motor in tonight and also put on a set of old junk heads on for mock up! have to make a custom alternator mount on the pass. side down low my power steering is going on the driver side down low and being im running solid mounts im going to mount my alternator off the frame. and try and keep it as low as possible, just really wanna keep as much stuff off the front of the motor visually to make it look like it shouldn't run lol hidden wires etc! Also running a csr pump should help clean it up and i measured i have 1/2 clearance from the pump to the fan. should fit quite nicely but we all know nothing ever goes smoothly so thats why im pre fitting as much as possible now lol.
Heres a few pics i'll keep you updated later George

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Mockuppart2045.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Mockuppart2049.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Mockuppart2010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Mockuppart2013.jpg

Well i built my Alternator support last night With wanting to keep everything clean and simple i fabbed one up for the lower passenger side witch no one makes by the way lol, Im running my power steering pump on the left side of the motor and also being im using solid motr mounts i could mount it off the frame and have a little fexabilty but not much because there isnt a whole lot of room lol! Used a used alt. for mock, new one will be a polished powermaster.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount033.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount031.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount038.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Tailgate004.jpg

I looked before I read what you have.My first thoughts were flex but yeah I guess with solid motor mounts should be ok.Looks good George keep it up.What are your plans with the frame are you powder coating is it detachable.

Mounts really solid for the alternator and the front bracket is bolt on and the rear is welded the sleeve between alt. and bracket comes off just looks welded and welded it to a washer and the vertical mount is all thats left to the frame, works pretty slick plus its really light and from the top of the car looking down the front mounts is thin and you cant hardly see it!
Its comming:D

Well i built my Alternator support last night With wanting to keep everything clean and simple i fabbed one up for the lower passenger side witch no one makes by the way lol, Im running my power steering pump on the left side of the motor and also being im using solid motr mounts i could mount it off the frame and have a little fexabilty but not much because there isnt a whole lot of room lol! Used a used alt. for mock, new one will be a polished powermaster.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount033.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount031.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/LowMount038.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Tailgate004.jpg

Slick & Trick:yes::thumbsup::thumbsup:.

David F.

A few progress Photos!
I worked on my new valance panel tonight and got it mocked up I incorporated a triangle shape air grabber tucked up behind the bumper and built into the bottom of the valance to feed some cool air to the rad.!

I flipped my bumpers and moved them closer to the body, Therefore i had to build a new valance panel and bumper brackets etc. all of witch are lighter, and alot cleaner looking the bumper was moved back 3"s and fits alot tighter.
Also smoothed the door jambs and heres a shot of the new rockers that i rolled under the car to the body lip under the car also much smoother transition under the body. i'll post more of it as it gets a lil closer,

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel082.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel073.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel019.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel069.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel067.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/ValancePanel070.jpg

Looking good George

Well i guess the firewall isnt completely smooth anymore lol!
Make room for the new Billet hinges, There built by Sasche Rod Shop in Iowa, and there pretty small and veryy light weight i received them raw alumin. And hit them with a scothbrite on the angle air tool after i took them apart, They should really polish up nice will keep them like this for now and do final polishing on them when there ready to be bolted on for good no need to scrath the shiny stuff lol

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Hinges014.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Hinges016.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Hinges004.jpg

I think you ruined the hinges, there all scratched now. LOL

Hey I will be in Bowling Green for the NHRA notogilista races and then to Hamilton in June. I see the Hot Rod power tour is coming to Dayton but I will be there the week after. I will have my Camaro with me for vacation.

Very nice work George. I like the look of the "flipped & tucked" bumpers:yes::thumbsup::thumbsup:.

David F.

Looking good George what are your plans with the chrome paint,or rechrome.Will the front end flip and the hood open at the same time.

The chrome will be plated grille, bumpers, handles etc im removing the door locks and the front will tilt,
I just received my hinges and tried mocking them up tonight there universal mounts and pretty hard with just one person so will try a few different ways like to mount them off the firewall, thats were i put them tonight but may even lean towards doing a side mount and open to the side well see.
Really love to get my front clip all aligned and fitted nice aswell as my hood just takes time doing everything yourself but the good side is its exactly the way i want it and dont have to explain to someone what i want and for them to build it that way.

Heres a few shots of the car with the hinges mocked in! will most likely need moved but will get an extra hand hard to balance hood hinges and everything at once lol,
Still have to get my inner fenders in and make some lower fender braces behind front wheels but i did get the jambs all smoothed looking alot better, I'll keep you posted!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G013.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G022.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G032-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G027.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G035.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/21G040.jpg

Keep it up George you will have it ready for paint before you know it....

A few pics of the car on the ground and off the stands i forgot how low this thing actually sits!
Also i i have built one inner fender well fits real nice clears headers pretty nicely and will have no bolts visible so should look pretty smooth it will be welded and smoothed to the inner fender braces and with front clip tilting will make it easy to get too and yet look pretty clean under the hood still have a front pan to build for the front above rad i have some pretty cool i ideas im drawing up for that i'll keep you posted !


http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Show040-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Show041-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Show046-1.jpg

Looks good sittin' in the weeds George:thumbsup::thumbsup:.What are your thoughts on a paint scheme?? Green Tea Metallic only or maybe 2 tone with the break point being the body line below the windows????

David F.

Yep Tea Green the color of the block for the body and the top in a lil darker green not quite a hunter green but something about 4 shades darker. and it will be in the orginal two tone location to keep a lil 40's feel to it. The line is under the window and goes back the sides and follows the trunk line and by the door goes up over the cowl by the wipers.
frame will be the tea green aswell as the belly pan.

Yep Tea Green the color of the block for the body and the top in a lil darker green not quite a hunter green but something about 4 shades darker. and it will be in the orginal two tone location to keep a lil 40's feel to it. The line is under the window and goes back the sides and follows the trunk line and by the door goes up over the cowl by the wipers.
frame will be the tea green as well as the belly pan.


:thumbsup::thumbsup:

David F.

Dave all your post inspired me to keep my ass in the garage! lol
I did some fab work tonight felt like i was back in Art School i got my front hood area mocked in I built a Belair bird like cover that will double as an actual air duct the orginal 48's rad support had a big round cover in the support i took it out the other day and it shoots down infront of the rad where all the fresh air comes into the grille area and im going to duct it to under the bird i made its like a 4" hole should shoot alot of fresh air in the engine compartment an i built it to shoot straight to the air cleaner, should be functional aswell as cool.
Also polished my liscene plate dont laugh! these babys are all aluminum and are as light as a peice of paper chevy made them out of aluminum for a year and a half all of 48 and half of 47 imagine aluminum at that time thought that was pretty cool plus they'll never rust so i got out the sand paper and started stepping it and a good polishing walllaaaa, not sure if it will be legel i'll paint the numbers etc. But we'll see lol
Heres a few pics

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab006.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab008.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab019.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab016.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab024.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/Fleetline48/Fab037.jpg

George,
Great idea on the airflow diversion fabrication. Your '48 Fleetline is going to be incredible when finished:yes::thumbsup::thumbsup:.

David F.

Looks great :thumbsup: