With the fabulous cars we're all used to seeing on a regular basis it takes something very special to get a reaction from most street rodders today, but the crew at Woody's has done it with this year's AMSOIL/STREET RODDER Road Tour Chevy. Our Bel Air impacts all the senses, it looks great thanks to flawless fit and finish, has a killer exhaust note from a Smeding small-block under the hood, and it even smells good thanks to the Wise Guys leather seats. Of course, for those who rely on the seat of their pants for sensory input, with a Morrison chassis the '52 is like a slot car real people can fit into.
Although we were confident we'd have a hit on our hands with the hardtop, one surprising aspect of the build has been the reaction to the side trim. At one time, installing bright work from one car on another was a standard customizing trick to obtain a unique look, but the results were often bulky and heavy looking. By contrast, today trim is often removed for a cleaner appearance. For our Road Tour car, Josh Shaw came up with a novel idea that combined the traditional and a contemporary, with Corvette-like trim for the Chevy's flanks that adds a different look with a lean, sports car flair. It's an addition that seems to have ignited the imagination of many who have seen it and we've been asked by a number of them to show how it was done.
The aluminum trim used on our Chevy is made by Clayton Machine Works and is available from Yogi's. Two types are offered-for interior applications the .25x.25-inch stock can be had with a smooth or grooved face in 4- and 6-foot lengths; for exterior use there is larger .710-inch wide trim with an undercut, or scalloped profile made from 6063 billet that comes in 4-, 6-, and 8-foot lengths. The larger trim can be drilled and tapped for mounting studs or it can be attached by two-sided adhesive tape.
With Josh's rendering as a guideline, the crew at Woody's went to work fabricating the side trim. As can be seen in the following photos, the aluminum strips are user friendly, form easily and polish nicely. It's a great way to add some extra bright work to any car and can be used as a substitute for that missing trim that's impossible to find. Bring on the bling.
 The AMSOIL/Street Rodder Road...  The AMSOIL/Street Rodder Road Tour Chevy is as subtle as a knockout punch can be. Part of its visual impact comes from the Corvette inspired side trim fabricated by Woody's Hot Rodz |  With Josh Shaw's drawing for...  With Josh Shaw's drawing for inspiration, the shape of the trim to be added was laid out with masking tape. |  Next the side of the car was...  Next the side of the car was covered with masking paper-light rubbing with the side of a crayon transferred the taped line to the paper. |
 The completed pattern not...  The completed pattern not only shows the shape of the trim but the location of the door openings as well. |  A good eye and a sharp razor...  A good eye and a sharp razor blade were used to cut out the pattern, which was then transferred to a sheet of plywood. |  To make a buck deep enough...  To make a buck deep enough to form the trim around, two pieces of plywood were glued together, then edges were sanded smooth. |
 Woody's ordered a wide trim...  Woody's ordered a wide trim kit from Yogi's that included two 8-foot, two 6-foot and two 4-foot lengths and special 3M adhesive. |  The pattern was attached to...  The pattern was attached to another piece of material, then the bending began. Note the wood block that has been screwed in place to hold the end of the trim. |  As the trim was carefully...  As the trim was carefully formed around the form, more wood blocks were added to maintain the shape. |
 At the rear of the trim there...  At the rear of the trim there would be a sharp bend and a joint were two lengths meet. |  A little extra persuasion...  A little extra persuasion was required to make the sharp bend at what will be the rear of the lower left trim piece. |  Again blocks have been added...  Again blocks have been added to hold the trim against the buck. The short, straight portion will be cut off. |