1950 Chevy Suburban Buildup - Body Side Panels

Chopped+Sectioned=Hammered!
After slamming the suspension, it was time to resculpture our '50 Chevy Suburban project. In order to deliver the ultimate wow factor on project Sublime, it was decided to alter its profile with five major body mods: We chopped the roof and sectioned the body side panels, cowl, hood, and doors.

To physically hammer the fat 'n sassy 'Burban, it was very important to keep the body alterations proportional. These fat-fendered '48-'54 body style trucks and SUV's have tall doors and side body panels. Chopping only the top three inches through the windows and windshield would exaggerate the height of doors and body panels. To keep the 'Burban's profile proportional, the doors, body panels, cowl, and hood would be sectioned an even three inches. The 'Burban's two-piece split windshield was removed in order to graft a '52 Chevy coupe one-piece radiused windshield, along with A-pillars, and top of the cowl onto the 'Burban's cowl.

To accomplish these critical body transformations we called on Dan Dowdy and Dale Taylor at Street Rods by Dowdy in Dolan Springs, Arizona. The customizing experience between these two metal masters is damn near a hundred years. Dan and Dale were definitely the right sheetmetal sculptors for the job. A total of 6 inches of metal was removed from the old 'Burban's body to totally change its profile.

Follow along as we will show you how these mind-blowing body changes were created by Dan and Dale.

Sublime was delivered to Street Rods by Dowdy, in Dolan Springs, Airzona, where it was about to undergo major body surgery. The main concern was to keep the body proportional. To do so, the roof would be chopped three inches, along with the body side panels, doors, cowl, and hood.
Sublime was delivered to Street Rods by Dowdy, in Dolan Springs, Airzona, where it was abo
Prior to chopping the roof, the window glass and doors were removed.
Before I knew it, Dale had armed himself with a Sawzall and made precise cuts and removed the roof.
Before I knew it, Dale had armed himself with a Sawzall and made precise cuts and removed

To maintain Sublime's fat and sassy profile proportionally, the body side panels were sectioned three inches through their centers.
To maintain Sublime's fat and sassy profile proportionally, the body side panels were sect
Dale carefully realigned the sectioned top portion of the side panels before tack welding them into place. After each tack-weld was applied, it was hammer-welded using a dolly and body hammer. This counteracts shrinkage of the metal and creates a maximum bond of the two panels.
Dale carefully realigned the sectioned top portion of the side panels before tack welding
Hammered! With the roof laid back on top of the sectioned side panels, we see the dramatic difference of the roof line. Notice the portion of the A-pillar that will be removed to create the mail slot shaped windshield. If you look closely you can see they removed the C-pillar of the backside windows to make room for one-piece glass windows.
Hammered! With the roof laid back on top of the sectioned side panels, we see the dramatic

Dan manned the plasma cutter to cut through and remove the firewall and cowl section.
After removing a three-inch section from the firewall and cowl, Dan and Dale realigned it. The cowl was then tack-welded with each individual weld being hammer-welded.
After removing a three-inch section from the firewall and cowl, Dan and Dale realigned it.
Dale observed Dan using the Sawzall to make two precise cuts through the doors.