53 Cranbrook

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Well here we go again going to try and document this one, as I seem to be slacking in that department lately.
So I picked up a 53 Cranbrook from a buddy that he had done a bunch of work with and now it's my turn.

This is what I started with.

She is in definite need of a hair cut

The old motor went south and they got this one in but haven't finished buttoning it up, but I think I'm going to take the easy route and small block this one as I want to road trip her this year.

She's actually got a pretty rock'n interior so not gonna change anything on that front really might redo the door panels but that's about it.

Man my camera sucks but you get the idea going to change out the tank and rebag the back. I did this for him last year but it's not low enough for me and going to go with a notch.

Started stripping the interior in preps for a haircut.

Snip Snip...

 

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BOM much better.

Still working on figuring out a rear window as the original no workie no more.

Start sticking stuff back together.

Still needs a little work but will be fine for now.

B pillars now, going with the leaned posts. Now if there is one thing I've learned is you always start with the passenger side lol lots of trial and error here but happy with the outcome.

On to the door frame.

Tacked in for now still have to finish er up as it was getting late.

 

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Little parting shot.

 

[animal]

When you say "small block", I hope you mean Mopar....

 

[Torchie]

Looks great.
Nice to see another Custom on here.
Dig the interior. The 60 Chevy that my daughter and I did a few
years ago had Zebra striped seats. She was gong to change over to Lepard spots but never did.
Torchie.

 

[Bamamav]

Why not attach the rear window to the top, and fill below it? [S

 

[Snake Farm]

Why not attach the rear window to the top, and fill below it? [S

That's where I thought you were headed in the first snip pic. [S
Have you tried turning it upside down??

I'm with Torchie, good to see a custom build.

[P[P[P

 

[Dirtyrat]

Definitely cool build!

 

[Torchie]

Here's a little inspiration for you.

Ed Sloans 1953 2 dr hardtop customized by the Barris Brothers.
The rear glass on this one was plexiglas.
You don't see many of these cars customized.
Keep at it.
Torchie.

 

[falconvan]

Nice! I love any and all old Mopars; I've had a bunch of them over the past few years. Great job on the chop.

 

[Old Iron]

Good job so far on the top
I know there has to be a zombie cat in there somewhere

 

[bob w]

You guys that chop late model cars amaze me. Must have a special kind of vision.

 

[Bamamav]

http://halfasskustoms.com/pics/cranbrook/7.jpg[/IMG]

Is that tank held in with nylon ratchet straps? [S No way I'd run it like that if it is....

 

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Is that tank held in with nylon ratchet straps? [S No way I'd run it like that if it is....

Yeah, it will have a different fuel tank when I'm done re-bagging the back of the car. I've never actually drove the car with that setup.

 

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Alright so over the holidays I got a little bit done. Got the roof all welded up and motor pulled along with mocking up the smallblock.

Anyway away with the pictures.

Finishing up with the B pillars

Drivers side

 

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Now the back window was having problems finding something that fit. The original just looked broken with the new profile. Tried a 49 Chrysler I had and a Chevy one all looked broken or to big. I did have a 41 Ford though an it looked ok, so I went with it.

 

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Figuring out the new profile

Getting there

 

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Vent window old vs new

Still have to do a "little" adjusting of the garnish moldings haha

Motor mocked in, steering is an issue and I couldn't find a manifold that works.

 

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So I made up some headers. There not pretty got a little lazy with these, but they should work.

 

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Splash some paint on stuff to make it presentable even though I only open the hood to check oil or work on it haha.