# Big\_Reds '54 Chevy: The Stealth Bomber **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [November 20, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482 "2011-11-20T21:57:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/181 "2013-12-12T04:26:20Z")
> [@KrazyKid"](#): > > on the contrary. It would be SWEET if a glass company made different shapes and sizes of popular glass. Especially curved stuff that’s hard to find, get and/or cut. Any good metal shaper can make a window frame to fit a piece of glass, and then they can also make the sheet metal around it to place it how they see fit. It’s just taking the exact opposite approach and thought process as the “no 2 chops are identical.” It’s just metal, absolutely nothing is holding anyone back from duplicating a chop. > > Say they sold a 50 merc less 3” rear glass and maybe even a preformed (pressed out) frame. You could start out with that and place it however you wanted, and in any car for that matter that you wanted. Especially when years go by and the original glass is harder and subsequently more expensive to find I think that would be a great solution and kind of a niche market if you will. > > Kevin and I have plans to build a body from scratch as a huge accomplishment to put us on the map if you will. An offering like that would be ideal for something like that type of project. Its really just two ways of going about the same process, giving the builder more options. Great idea but I really dont think there would be a big enough market for it at least not to reasonably price the stuff to where your average Joe can afford it. Theres not too many people these days building chopped cars. Its kind of a lost art. ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/182 "2013-12-12T07:43:38Z")
i think the opposite way. The ones doing it that require a higher end product are paying for quality. This isnt a solution geared towards $2500 rat rods. Finding original glass is like a $350-1K+ treasure hunt for a single piece at times. + trying to cut it and paying that price… and god forbit it gets wrecked in that process. If I’m building a $50-100k+ custom $800-$1200 piece of glass and matching frame is a simple one stop shop that fits the bill nicely. ---
**Author:** ![Sully93vr4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sully93vr4/32/6278_2.png) [@Sully93vr4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sully93vr4)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/183 "2013-12-12T07:45:49Z")
> [@FS: 1992 Mitsu Galant VR4 \*$4500\*](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-1992-mitsu-galant-vr4-4500/33909/24): > > i think the opposite way. The ones doing it that require a higher end product are paying for quality. This isnt a solution geared towards $2500 rat rods. Finding original glass is like a $350-1K+ treasure hunt for a single piece at times. + trying to cut it and paying that price… and god forbit it gets wrecked in that process. > > If I’m building a $50-100k+ custom $800-$1200 piece of glass and matching frame is a simple one stop shop that fits the bill nicely. If I just spear headed a new glass industry, I want a cut… :lol ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/184 "2013-12-12T07:47:48Z")
> [@2 del sol's racing both dead?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2-del-sols-racing-both-dead/53699/150): > > If I just spear headed a new glass industry, I want a **cut** … :lol ZING. I see what you did there! lol Patriot glass building is still for sale, im sure if we mention Shift518 we could get a good deal. lol ---
**Author:** ![Sully93vr4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sully93vr4/32/6278_2.png) [@Sully93vr4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sully93vr4)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/185 "2013-12-12T08:41:19Z")
> [@Milf inside.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/milf-inside/53711/10): > > ZING. I see what you did there! lol > > Patriot glass building is still for sale, im sure if we mention Shift518 we could get a good deal. lol Lol, was that Howards? ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/186 "2013-12-12T08:48:51Z")
yeah thats the one. the blue tinted glass building on 158 headed towards sch from my old shop on rt 20. Its a PIMP looking building. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/187 "2014-01-02T17:44:13Z")
not a huge update but I ordered this for christmas, Underdash power booster from scotts hot rods, ![http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2884/au72.jpg](http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2884/au72.jpg) and mocked it up as well as started fabbing up a trans tunnel. The section above the trans thats open right now will be removable for adjustments ext ext. ![http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2508/21lb.jpg](http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2508/21lb.jpg) ![http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8334/afpk.jpg](http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8334/afpk.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![10secondC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/10secondc/32/6715_2.png) [@10secondC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/10secondC)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/188 "2014-01-03T19:03:22Z")
> [@You can be fast and furious too...](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/you-can-be-fast-and-furious-too/53639/4): > > computer is still broken but some updates, > > old front end out and the new one tacked in place. > > motor and trans mocked up, > > underside shot of the kooks longtubes. Looks great so far! From someone that has built more than a couple street rods, if you can lower the motor down another inch or two it will improve the handling tenfold. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/189 "2014-01-03T19:19:59Z")
> [@New possible rig, suggestions?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-possible-rig-suggestions/53747/10): > > Looks great so far! From someone that has built more than a couple street rods, if you can lower the motor down another inch or two it will improve the handling tenfold. It cant go down anymore, luckily the top end of the motor is very light Plastic intake mani/ alum heads. this is how tight it is, ---
**Author:** ![10secondC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/10secondc/32/6715_2.png) [@10secondC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/10secondC)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/190 "2014-01-03T19:21:02Z")
Get sway bars. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/191 "2014-01-12T14:40:54Z")
anyway, been an a stressful week, ended up getting T-Boned in my daily driver this Tuesday on my way to work .so Ive been dealing with that and insurance companies and all that stuff. However did get some time to escape and work on the car a bit. ![http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/706/7kg9.jpg](http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/706/7kg9.jpg) Used the english wheel to form a piece for the transmission tunnel that will be removable. ![http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2769/em5r.jpg](http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2769/em5r.jpg) ![http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/584/i4h8.JPG](http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/584/i4h8.JPG) ![http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5927/ghsq.jpg](http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5927/ghsq.jpg) ![http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9317/9dhe.jpg](http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9317/9dhe.jpg) and I cut out part of the firewall to make a new/ cleaner piece, ![http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5140/ga0x.jpg](http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5140/ga0x.jpg) ![http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9454/zw5z.JPG](http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9454/zw5z.JPG) however I messed up the beadroll, its tough doing all of this by yourself sometimes, So ill have to make another piece and try again, ![http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5943/6fw7.jpg](http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5943/6fw7.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/192 "2014-01-19T15:04:52Z")
decided I wanted to do something different on the firewall. So I made a new piece that has the same contour as the passenger side. I will be shaving the blower motor and the fresh air vent. I will be running an aftermarket heater/AC box so I am going to set it up to come out the side rather than the front like stock. ![http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2506/q4p1.jpg](http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2506/q4p1.jpg) ![http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6334/fz86.jpg](http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6334/fz86.jpg) ![http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/781/nchx.jpg](http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/781/nchx.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DRock518](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drock518/32/6363_2.png) [@DRock518](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DRock518)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/193 "2014-01-21T16:00:42Z")
Was it a PITA shaping that part in the middle? Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![DragnDoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DragnDoor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DragnDoor)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/194 "2014-01-21T19:18:50Z")
Bead rolling is fun. Can be as hard or simple as you want. Unless he hand dollied it. Then its tough to get right. ![https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1511181_266945913462442_2077749860_n.jpg](https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1511181_266945913462442_2077749860_n.jpg) ![https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/73292_265297100293990_991592166_n.jpg](https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/73292_265297100293990_991592166_n.jpg) Can really do a lot with a rolling machine. I just built mine over to electric driven and it’s starting to get easier. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/195 "2014-01-22T03:32:55Z")
> [@On another topic](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/53752/16): > > Was it a PITA shaping that part in the middle? > > Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk yup, It took me a couple hours. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/196 "2014-01-26T15:05:19Z")
Got some work done today despite the single digit temps, so no air tools. cut the pedal face off the original 54 pedal and welded it to my new booster arm ![http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/729/t7ri.jpg](http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/729/t7ri.jpg) also fabbed up a brace/mount for the pedal cluster. ![http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2970/wll3.jpg](http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2970/wll3.jpg) lines up nice and will clear the column, I have to find a way to use the original floor mounted pedal with the new GM drive by wire pedal. ![http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6012/qfn7.jpg](http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6012/qfn7.jpg) nice look up at the cluster, ignore the backside of the welds on the firewall, I will clean it up once I get the airtools again. ![http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7429/br91.jpg](http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7429/br91.jpg) and I cleared off the junk on the otherside of the car so i snapped a few random shots. ![http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8507/3a7o.jpg](http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8507/3a7o.jpg) ![http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2342/iq5e.jpg](http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2342/iq5e.jpg) im super happy with the lines of the car. ![http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7141/wt1w.JPG](http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7141/wt1w.JPG) ![http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5151/nnu8.jpg](http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5151/nnu8.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/197 "2014-01-27T07:54:10Z")
I love the tapered look on the body as it dives down for the back half. I love big body cars! If you ever need any custom dies for the bead roller Dave, let me know. Kevin and I drew up about a dozen dies this weekend and I have half of them completed already. Just let me know the ID for the shaft and sketch me the profile ya want and I can spin them out. Especically for duplicating bends and body lines for fender radius’ and belt lines, beats cutting a patch from a donor car and welding it in. ---
**Author:** ![big\_red](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/big_red/32/6328_2.png) [@big\_red](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/big_red)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/198 "2014-01-28T06:56:02Z")
> [@WTF: Decent 2008 Newbie](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wtf-decent-2008-newbie/53798/32): > > I love the tapered look on the body as it dives down for the back half. I love big body cars! > > If you ever need any custom dies for the bead roller Dave, let me know. Kevin and I drew up about a dozen dies this weekend and I have half of them completed already. Just let me know the ID for the shaft and sketch me the profile ya want and I can spin them out. Especically for duplicating bends and body lines for fender radius’ and belt lines, beats cutting a patch from a donor car and welding it in. woody do you have a slip roll? I need to get a driveshaft tunnel made ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 8:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/199 "2014-01-28T08:49:52Z")
ofcourse we do. 32" Pexto 16ga full length cap. Sketch me dimensions and email me them. If you want some beads rolled in it too, flanged edges for lap joints, etc, just ask. ---
**Author:** ![DragnDoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DragnDoor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DragnDoor)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482/200 "2014-01-28T09:56:05Z")
Roller will do 36" if that helps for seams for you Dave. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482.md?page=9) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/big-reds-54-chevy-the-stealth-bomber/261482.md?page=11)