{"id":18300,"date":"2012-01-03T23:08:03","date_gmt":"2012-01-04T06:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/?p=18300"},"modified":"2013-02-17T18:03:18","modified_gmt":"2013-02-18T01:03:18","slug":"1951-chevy-custom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/","title":{"rendered":"1951 Chevy Custom&#8217;s Only a Minor Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2F1951-chevy-custom%2F&amp;media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F11%2FIan-Berky-51-Chevy-1.jpg&amp;description=1951+Chevy+Custom%E2%80%99s+Only+a+Minor+Threat\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" data-text=\"1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat\" data-desc=\"51 Chevy Custom SoCal Cruiser Two staples of Southern California are its top notch custom car scene and its abundance of sun-drenched females with golden hair. So what better way to showcase one of SoCal\u2019s most recognizable custom Chevys, Ian Berky\u2019s Minor Threat, than with quintessential SoCal\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-1.jpg\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><h3>51 Chevy Custom SoCal Cruiser<\/h3>\n<p>Two staples of Southern California are its top notch custom car scene and its abundance of sun-drenched females with golden hair. So what better way to showcase one of SoCal\u2019s most recognizable custom Chevys, Ian Berky\u2019s Minor Threat, than with quintessential SoCal Beauty Tara Studinger.<\/p>\n<p>With several famous early 50&#8217;s Chevys produced in SoCal where the culture\u2019s roots spawned, owner\/builder Ian Berky has managed to redefine what was possible and raise the bar for any post-war era Chevys that follow. Even more impressive, this was Ian\u2019s first crack at it! Imagine what any future builds may have in store&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-1.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18302\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"1951 Chevy Custom with Hot Rod Pinup Tara Studinger\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-1.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy Custom, 1951 Chevy Bel Air\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"689\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Chevy was a Christmas gift from Ian\u2019s wife, proof that yes, there are still good ones out there to help fill the garage, not complain about whats in it. When she bought the car the roof had already been chopped, but Ian would soon learn the chop was a hack job and the work that lay ahead would have caused most to throw in the towel. Eventually coming to the realization the top just was not replaceable, Ian tracked down a few parts cars in Whittier and bought a complete \u201949 Chevy top to replace the mangled iron on his \u201951.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-21.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18308\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Sleek 51 Chevy Custom &quot;Minor Threat&quot;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-21.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy Custom, 1951 Bel Air Custom, Custom Chevy, Chevy Bel-air\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"254\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With no shortage of metal work on his hands to put a new twist on an old classic, Ian enrolled in a metal working class hosted by none other than custom car legend Gene Winfield. Not only would the knowledge prove vital on molding in the fenders, rounding the edges of the grill opening and fabricating a custom grille, but along the way he established a friendship with one of the culture&#8217;s originators. Since this was a\u00a0radical\u00a0build plan in the making, Ian made sure all the traditional modifications had been addressed; shaved handles, nosed front, decked rear, and frenched headlights before he would send the car half way across the country for some beauty tips.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-31.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18309\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Sexy from the front 1951 Chevy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-31.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy Custom, 51 chevy, chevy custom\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"439\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Eighteen months\u00a0went by before the metal and bodywork was complete.\u00a0Then Ian sent the rolling metal canvas to Premier Body &amp; Paint in\u00a0Arkansas City, Kansas. The plum color was mixed and shot by\u00a0shop\u00a0owner\u00a0and\u00a0Beatnik C.C. member\u00a0Jeff Myers. If the name sounds familiar it\u2019s because Jeff\u2019s work has adorned\u00a0some of the most\u00a0award-winning\u00a0customs of today. Look closely and you\u2019ll catch a glimpse of the subtle, purple metal flake scallops running the length of the top of the front fenders. Then, you&#8217;ll truly recognize Jeff\u2019s talent .<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-4.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18581\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Hot Rod pinup girl Tara Studinger\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-4.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy Custom interior, 51 Bel Air, 51 Chevrolet\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-4-109x150.jpg 109w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-4-219x300.jpg 219w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you can take your eyes off Tara  long enough&#8230; in the interior you\u2019ll notice white and paint matched tuck and roll across the front bench and custom rear bucket seats. The theme carries across the headliner as well with purple piping trimming the seats and roofline.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-18585\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Custom interior in Ian Berky's 1951 Chevy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6-575x384.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy, custom interior, kustom interior\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6-575x384.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-6.jpg 1030w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-51.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18584\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"1951 Chevy Kustom - detailed Chevy Small Block Engine \" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-51.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"small block chevy, hot rod chevy small block\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"736\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Under the hood a SBC dressed with finned valve covers, finned breather and chrome alternator keep the engine as aesthetically pleasing as the shapely exterior. Performance enhancements such as an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4bbl carb dismiss any misconceptions that the 51 may be all show and no go. No shortcuts were taken with this build so why start in the engine bay?<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-18586\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Decked out, laid out, in black Ian Berky's 1951 Chevy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7-575x370.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy, 1951 Chevy Custom, custom chevy pictures\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7-575x370.jpg 575w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7-150x96.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-7.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Since Ian\u2019s plans for the Chevy never called for long trips strapped to a trailer, the suspension was upgraded with a Mustang II kit up front and Gambino taildraggers for the rear. A shortened 9 inch Ford rearend offers additional reliability for cruises or road trips and the wide whites (at least what you can see of them) tuck nicely into the front fender wells and are completely hidden out back when the skirts are on and the\u00a0Chevy&#8217;s laid out.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18588\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"Ian Berky behind the wheel of his 1951 Chevy Custom\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy, 51 Chevrolet, 51 Bel Air\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08-150x95.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-Chevy-08-575x364.jpg 575w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Since building the \u201951, Ian\u2019s had no shortage of requests from friends and new customers to apply his\u00a0touch to their rides. After taking one look at Ian\u2019s Chevy, can you blame them? I was fortunate enough to\u00a0see Ian\u2019s \u201851 first hand at Texas\u2019 increasingly popular custom show the Lone Star Round Up back and April. It looked right at home next to several already famous customs from various Beatniks C.C. chapters; quite an accomplishment for a customizer that truly honed his skills during the build.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"highslide\" onclick=\"return vz.expand(this)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[18300]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18590\" style=\"margin: 4px; border: 2px solid black;\" title=\"1951 Chevy Custom with Pinup model Tara Studinger\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9.jpg\" border=\"2\" alt=\"1951 Chevy, 1951 Chevy Custom, 1951 Chevrolet\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" width=\"575\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9-150x102.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/Ian-Berky-51-Chevy-9-575x393.jpg 575w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ian hails from Burbank, a city most famous for its movie studio lots where some of today\u2019s most popular young stars can often be spotted. However, there\u2019s an older one running the streets of Burbank now, 60 years old to be exact, that&#8217;s sure to steal the spotlight from any of them without ever saying a word.<\/p>\n<p>Photos by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classynevertrashy.com\/\">Trent Sherrill<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Model Tara Studinger<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mr_social_sharing_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- Social Sharing Toolkit v2.2 --><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myrideisme.com%2FBlog%2F1951-chevy-custom%2F&amp;media=&amp;description=1951+Chevy+Custom%E2%80%99s+Only+a+Minor+Threat\" class=\"pin-it-button\" count-layout=\"none\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/PinExt.png\" title=\"Pin It\" \/><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><fb:share-button type=\"button_count\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\"><\/fb:share-button><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-count=\"horizontal\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" data-via=\"myrideisme\" data-text=\"1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat\"><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><div class=\"g-plusone\" data-size=\"medium\" data-annotation=\"none\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\"><\/div><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a class=\"mr_social_share_email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat&amp;body=https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-sharing-toolkit\/images\/icons_small\/email.png\" class=\"nopin\" alt=\"Email\" title=\"Email\"\/><span class=\"mr_small_icon\">Email<\/span><\/a><\/a><\/span><span class=\"mr_social_sharing\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"linksalpha_button linksalpha_link\" href=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/social\/mobile\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/1951-chevy-custom\/\" data-text=\"1951 Chevy Custom\u2019s Only a Minor Threat\" data-desc=\"51 Chevy Custom SoCal Cruiser Two staples of Southern California are its top notch custom car scene and its abundance of sun-drenched females with golden hair. So what better way to showcase one of SoCal\u2019s most recognizable custom Chevys, Ian Berky\u2019s Minor Threat, than with quintessential SoCal\" data-image=\"\" data-button=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/images\/social_share_button.png\" alt=\"Share\" class=\"linksalpha_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.linksalpha.com\/scripts\/loader_iconbox.js?v=2.4\"><\/script><\/span><\/div><p>Email 51 Chevy Custom SoCal Cruiser Two staples of Southern California are its top notch custom car scene and its abundance of sun-drenched females with golden hair. So what better way to showcase one of SoCal\u2019s most recognizable custom Chevys, Ian Berky\u2019s Minor Threat, than with quintessential SoCal Beauty Tara Studinger. With several famous early [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[384,1816],"tags":[2520,2524,1585],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18300"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22108,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18300\/revisions\/22108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myrideisme.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}