I've always been a fan of the Salt Flat and 50's Hot Rods look but never had a vehicle that I thought would look good done in that style and maybe I still don't but I think my new project, a 1989 C1500 Chevy 1/2 Ton short bed, Sportside PU could work. Dumped in the weeds, gray primer or black suede, tall and (relatively) skinny big 'n' littles hopefully on 16" American Salt Flat Special wheels or steelies with Moon discs and lots of louvers in the hood and a louvered visor. What do you think, would that look work on this body style?

Also, I know a guy that can do the louvers, he's not cheap but he's good but to save a few bucks I was kind of hoping that out of the dozens of "store bought" rolled rear pans out there for this body style one of you might know of one with louvers already in it.

Im not so sure about the skinnys looking to good on the truck.
The louvers could look good or be hideous, just depends on how you use them.
I think by shaving the tailgate and some louvers on maybe the hood and roll pan might look good.
For the roll pan, try googling "Sir Micheals" they make alot of stuff like that and can custom make you a roll pan.


Brad

if you can take a picture of it digitally, you could play with the truck on your computer.... 89 chevy, dropped... steelies... hmm... maybe halibrands... or et gassers....or even cragars.... not sure on the louvers... those would have to be played with on pictures.. but then you could use some pinstriping.... over flat black.... that would be nice....

Thanks Brad. By "skinny" I mean like 235/70's in front and a 255 to 275/70 out back. This look needs a tall tire tucked up into the wheel well but these don't have a lot of capacity for a wide tire. By "tons" of louvers I don't mean literally every square inch of the hood, probably 4 rows in the center section and a row on either side of that. I'll check out Sir Michaels.

Fill in the stock tail lights and put Vette tail lights in the rear rolled pan? Red accent striping on the back edges of the louvers over black suede, bright red interior with red cloth seat insert from a '63 Chevy Impala (VERY 60's) and a white "snap on" Tonneau cover with a red panel "stripe" down the center of it. They have several nice hard covers for this truck that sit flush with the top of the bed. I was thinking of a way to use one of those so you can lock the bed but with a faux cover for it that looked like an old style soft cover that extended out and had fake snap buttons along the outer bed.

Why not buy or build a metal tonneau cover and fill it full of louvers as well. I don't think the louvered visor fits in this situation though. The Salt Flat and 50's Hot Rods look was taking body parts off to make the rod lighter and more streamlined so it would go faster. Moon discs are the way to go here as well. Much cheaper than American Salt Flat Special wheels and you can use the money you saved to punch more louvers.

Awhile back in one of the truck mags, someone took a new Ford PU, slammed it, and painted it JD Blitz Black, and did it "old school". Looked pretty good actually and I am not real fond of non shiny paint.

Kevin

Here´s a 1960 Chevy truck, chopped slightly and dropped.
In black.

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Two things...NO visor.
Second thing.

Later,
WEIMER

That crossed my mind this morning while I was........... uh........... doing my morning "meditation". I'll leave that one on the option list. I have considered a louvered tail gate as well, I'm more inclined to do that. The louvers are toward the lower end of the priority list right now. The suspension and drivetrain are at the top followed by getting it primered all one color and adding a few creature comforts like good tunes and AC.



True it might not but I have seen old pics of 50's cars with the louver treatment and they had louvered visors so I won't rule it out but that's one that's easy enough to change any time. Visors are a love/hate thing for most people. Most visors for this body style I hate but I saw one in a picture that is styled like the old Fulton visors, very simple, very clean and it follows the body lines of the truck very nicely. Now I just have to find out who made it.



Or if the time ever came that I could afford it I could have both and switch back and forth when I wanted a change. No wide whites though. I love 'em on the right car/truck but I just don't think those belong on something this new.

I'd like to add a few things here.

1. Louvers served a purpose. They allowed underhood heat and pressure a path to escape over the vehicle. Use them in the right place so it doesn't look a poser ride.

2. Narrow the front bumper so it fits flush with the fenders.

3. Shave everything, if you don't like the electric doors you can use flush monted late model door handles.

4. Flatten the lip on the wheel openings.

5. The last thing, I promise. A flat sheet aluminum grille with just enough holes in it to keep the engine cool.


Larry

All good ideas, they go on the option list. Thanks.

Everybody has their opinions and dont take mine personally. I think that no matter where you put the louvers etc. you'll still be a poser. Why? Because a 89 Chevy truck was and will never be a 50's style salt flat racer. If we were talking shaving everything, add toneau cover, slick paint and cragars than itd be something different. But steelies and flat paint with louvers...no go for me. The beauty of this hobby though is that everybodys different, and if we'd all like the same things this would be boring. So more power to you for being different, and doing what YOU want to YOUR ride. But you asked for opinions, and thats what you'll get. Its not a 50's car, so therefor anything done to make it look like one will only be posing (my opinion). Save the money and get the real deal...


Mike

We're cool. Although to me a "poser" is somebody projecting an image they can't back up, that won't be an issue here.

There was a short article in Hot Rod a while back about a guy building a '78 Fairmont like a 60's A/FXer with altered wheel base, straight axle and a 427 Cammer. A '78 Fairmont was and never will be a 60's A/FX Funny Car either but it's still cool as Hell in my book.

hey come to think of it i believe old school rodder did an article on the salt flats last month.... lots of nice cars in there....