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AL HOFFMAN
47 articles

1962 Chevrolet Bel Air

May 2, 2014 · in Automotive · · 20 · 1.8K

This is my latest completion done as a mild custom/street machine.

All the emblems have been removed.
It has been lowered using blocks in the rear & modified spindles in front.
Engine is a 409 from the kit with modified air cleaners & wired.
Exhaust is scratched built from the muffler back.
Wheels & tires are from another kit with the center sections of the wheels hand painted
dark gray.
Converted to disc brakes with rotors, calipers & new master cylinder.
Exterior paint is Testors "One Coat" fiery orange shot from the rattle can & clear coated with
two brush coats of Future.
Interior is Tamiya semi-gloss black.
Body chrome is Bare Metal foil.

Thanks for looking & I hope you enjoy it. now it is time to get back on my D-Day build.

Reader reactions:
3  Awesome

9 additional images. Click to enlarge.


20 responses

  1. Nice job, Al...brings back memories of when you could actually WORK on your car out in the driveway. Change your own oil/filter(s), spark plugs, points, rotor & cap (remember those?), wires, all the fluids... on and on and on...we could do it all - or most of it. NOW...ya lift the hood (if you ever actually find that necessary) and you can identify maybe a half-dozen things you recognize! Ah...those were the days, awright.

    • remember the pickup trucks...you could sit on the wheel well and straddle the engine in comfort...and so simplistic...today mechanics hate working on them...you seldom see an old mechanic anymore...they leave the trade after 10 or 15 years

  2. said on May 2, 2014

    Love it! When I was growing up we had a '62 And a '63! Very nicely done!

  3. Sweet build Al, as Craig said, from the era when you could work on your car or bike with out the use of a laptop etc.

  4. Looks great Al. All you need now is a car club plaque hanging from the rear bumper.

  5. Looks like a winner Al.

  6. Al, it's gorgeous, really cool, I can almost hear the rumble of that V8 coming down the street. Now, is there any chance you can do a 'coffee coloured Cadillac', as in Chuck Berry's 'Nadine'?

  7. Beautiful job, Al.

  8. i Love the old American cars from the 50's n 60's and some from the 70's
    every year we visit the States and every year we see some beautiful cars still cruisin along, Fantastic Build AL

  9. another winner al and i love those cragers

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    Walt said on May 4, 2014

    Great build...love the color. The metallic shows up great in one of the pictures. Very nice work.

  11. Thanks for all of your kind comments.

  12. All I can say is you should see it in person, that feller can build a model folks

  13. Nice build of a sweet ride, "See the USA in your Chevrolet"...

  14. Al,
    Beautiful job.brings back a lot o fond memories.

  15. Excellent job..I have one of these on my shelf only its not the bubble top..I really like this custom style..I have air brushed future as clear coat which works great but have not brushed it on yet. What kind of brush did you use?

    • My luck has been just the opposite of yours. I can't seem to get a slick finish when I air brush Future.
      I usually use one of the Testors wide brushes, 1/2 in. maybe. The key to brushing is do it panel by panel & don't go back over it if it's been on more than about 5 seconds.
      Thanks for the compliment on my '62.

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