The Rodding Roundtable
Motorhead Message Central => Rodder's Roundtable => Topic started by: DRD57 on February 15, 2009, 12:38:58 AM
My first customer brought in this 51 Olds right before I left for Europe so, he basically got about 4 months of free storage while I was off baby sitting some computer programmers.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0002_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0001_JPG.jpg)
Everything that wasn't where it belonged was piled inside the car.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0004_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0005_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0007_JPG.jpg)
A prior owner and/or shop had started a chop using a lot of mud
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0010_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0011_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0012_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0015_JPG.jpg)
I think they used the rear glass and about six inches all around from another car. They welded it right over the Olds roof with about a five inch overlap. No chance of doing any hammer & dolly work there so it was filled with mud too.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0017_JPG.jpg)
The customer wants the car bagged. I told him the only way I'd do it is if we clipped the car. So, out came the old Olds stuff and in went a GM Gbody clip. Out with the old:
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0053_JPG.jpg)
In with the new:
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0062_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F00601_JPG.jpg)
Here's what the rear looked like before I tore it apart.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0061_JPG.jpg)
To bag the rear I needed to get rid of the leaf springs and build a triangulated 4-link.
Here I started laying out where the top bars would go.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0074_JPG.jpg)
I made a bunch of patterns for brackets
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0075_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0076_JPG.jpg)
Then I basically worked on other stuff for a couple of weeks because the computer controlling my bro's CNC plasma table crapped out.
Here's the Chevy 350/TH350 engine mounts and transmission crossmember.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F00731_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F00735_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F00732_JPG.jpg)
The computer is still out of commission and I got tired of waiting so, I cut all of these brackets out of 3/16" plate on the band saw.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0079_JPG.jpg)
Here are shots of tacking all the rear suspension pieces in place.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0081_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0082_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0083_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0084_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0086_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0088_JPG.jpg)
Next up will be installing the front air bags and trial fitting the body to make sure everything works with out hitting. Then I'll blow it apart for chassis powdercoating.
Nice job so far Don. Is that the stock rear end you are using? Looks to be a 98 Model. And a 51 Merc rear window opwning.
Quote from: "enjenjo"Nice job so far Don. Is that the stock rear end you are using? Looks to be a 98 Model. And a 51 Merc rear window opwning.
Thanks.
It's the rear end that was in there when it showed up. It didn't look like it had ever been out but it also looked like new inside, bearings, gears and everything.
I was wondering if the rear window was from another car because it overlaps the roof all the way around by at least 5 inches.
Very nice work, Don. I hope you'll give us updates. Fred
The design, placement and length of the four bar set-up certainly appears to be well thought out. Reflects the body off idea rather than the "can be done in a week end" approach. What do you use for bushings in the ends of the bars? I hope he's not the type of a guy that's telling everybody that you had his car for four months before you did anything to it. GPster
Don,
looks good so far.
How heavy wall is the tube cross member for the rear air bag and shock mounts?
All the tube is 1.5" diameter .120 wall.
The bushings are 1.75" diameter tubing with urethane bushings. My bro's Off Road shop gets them from Kartek. They use a lot of them for making long travel A-arms for pre-runner trucks.
The owner is ecstatic to see weekly progress on the car. It sat in a hay barn for a couple of years collecting dust and spiders before he dragged it over here.
The chassis looks like it's really coming together. I can just about imagine the factory marrying up that front clip to those frame rails exactly the way you've done it. How about that chop? From your description and the pictures it seems like you'll be practically back at square one but without the advantage of a stock roofline to study before you get started.
First class work there,Don.The chassis work is very impressive.
Fuzzy
Quote from: "jaybee"How about that chop? From your description and the pictures it seems like you'll be practically back at square one but without the advantage of a stock roofline to study before you get started.
We're not going to re-cut the roof. We already stripped off all the old pink bondo. All we're going to do is finish the doors, A & B pillars and re-fill with Mar-glass.
Don, at least the interior is done.
Good to see ya back in the shop doing what you do best.
Nice work. Being an Olds nut I'll be watching this one.
tom
nice looking bkts what's the clip from?
Today I worked on mocking up the front air bags. Since it has a GM G-body clip, I bought a G-body "kit" for the front from Air Ride Technologies. In addition to shocks and brackets here's what you get in the kit.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0091_JPG.jpg)
Here's what it looks like assembled.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0093_JPG.jpg)
Buying the kit saved me from having to fabricate the brackets that go above and below the bags.
The instructions say to cut and arc 2" high and 5" long on the side of the spring pocket area of the frame.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0090_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0094_JPG.jpg)
That still looked a little close on the front and rear edges so I marked it for some more cutting.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0095_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0096_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0098_JPG.jpg)
With more cut out it was a much better fit.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0099_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0100_JPG.jpg)
With the lower control arm on and the air bag compressed it still had plenty of clearance.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0103_JPG.jpg)
With the front suspension all mocked up the top shock mount was a bit close to the upper A-arm so I moved that back about 3/4". Then everything cleared all the way through suspension travel.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0105_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0106_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0109_JPG.jpg)
It has about 8" of travel.
Maybe you should send Air Ride your pictures and explanation. I'm sure there are a few of their customers that don't have their projects as camera ready as yours. I can't imagine you'll ever have a customer that would have a reason to fault your work. GPster
Quote from: "57larry"nice looking bkts what's the clip from?
GM G body. Monte, GP, Cutlass
Today we set the engine and trans back in, put the wheels on it, and set the body back on the frame.
We had to clearance the floor for the upper 4-bar brackets under the rear seat and it looks like the fat tires that are on the back now will rub the fenderwells on front/outside edge when the bags are dumped.
Lots of room in the engine compartment with that little Chevy in there. I think I'll build the new core support and inner fenders before taking the body back off for chassis powdercoating. I might even talk the customer into a smooth firewall while we're at it.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0118_JPG.jpg)
It's actually starting to look promising.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0120_JPG.jpg)
I see the Caddy in the background.
Quote from: "enjenjo"I see the Caddy in the background.
It's jealous because all the others are getting all of the attention right now.
WOWWWW!!!! What a difference!!!! Nice work Don!
Fine craftsmanship and engineering, thorough documentation and the kind of image clarity we've all come to enjoy from you Don.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh yea! That's the look.
Tom
Quote from: "DRD57"
I think I'll build the new core support and inner fenders before taking the body back off for chassis powdercoating. I might even talk the customer into a smooth firewall while we're at it.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0118_JPG.jpg)
It's actually starting to look promising.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0120_JPG.jpg)
Can you get good deals on powder coating where you are now like you did on the Caddy Frame and parts?
Lee
Quote from: "JimAust"WOWWWW!!!! What a difference!!!! Nice work Don!
Hey Jim. Welcome I just noticed you decided to join us over here
Quote from: "phat rat"
Hey Jim. Welcome I just noticed you decided to join us over here
I had been here before but lost that ID somewhere. I'm getting out more and seeing a lot of old friends. Thanks Jim
Quote from: "Grandadeo"
Can you get good deals on powder coating where you are now like you did on the Caddy Frame and parts?
Lee
There's a local guy who's pretty reasonable but not as cheap or quick as Islands in El Monte. Unfortunately, since I'm about 200 miles from there the transportation cost would more than eat up the cost difference. The local guy is pretty hungry for business so, he's working with me on the price and he gets stuff done in a day.
I was able to talk the customer into a smooth firewall. Friday, I did some brainsorming with poster board and tape. I've got it all planned out in my head. Monday, I'll start making some patterns.
I also picked up a 55 Chevy radiator this weekend. It's a good fit for the car with the front steer clip and it's more readily available than a 51 Olds radiator or one that's custom made.
I'm still not sure what year this car is. The paperwork says it's a 51 but, the quarters are different than Ricky's 51 project. I think it's a 52. Anybody know for sure?
This week I worked on the engine compartment. Fabbed a new core support to house a 55 Chevy radiator at an angle to clear the front steer P/S box, made a smooth firewall, and made inner fender panels.
First I made this wood frame to determine how big the radiator could be and where it could or couldn't fit.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0124_JPG.jpg)
I selected a 55 Chevy radiator because an off the shelf radiator is cheaper than a custom unit and it's easier to get replacements in the future.
Here's the core support that holds the radiator and locates the front end of the fenders.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0144_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0145_JPG.jpg)
The customer decided he'd rather have custom made inner fenders than the stockers hacked up to clear the new front suspension and since we were doing that, he also opted for a smooth firewall.
The stock one was kinda ugly.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0117_JPG.jpg)
So we cut it out.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0146_JPG.jpg)
Then made a pattern from poster board.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0147_JPG.jpg)
We'll get to the finished firewall in a few minutes. Here's where we started on the fenderwells. First I laid on a bunch of tape to see if my eyes liked the idea in my head.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0127_JPG.jpg) (http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0128_JPG.jpg)
Since that was a pretty big expanse to cover with flimsy posterboard which isn't easy to shape, I whipped up some strips of aluminum angle to make a rigid frame to form the posterboard patterns over.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0131_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0132_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0134_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0135_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0136_JPG.jpg)
Then I made the posterboard patterns.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0138_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0140_JPG.jpg)
Then transferred the patterns to 18 gauge steel. Here's the finished firewall shot too.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0153_JPG.jpg)
While I was fitting the steel panels I held them in place with clecos.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0155_JPG.jpg)
Once all the fitting was completed, I bolted them in with stainless 1/4 20 button head bolts.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0156_JPG.jpg)
A friend stopped by today and mentioned that he had a 56 Olds bumper that he was taking to the swap meet next weekend. I asked him to drop it by so I could see if it could work on this car.
The stock bumper is pretty ugly and the "moustache" piece above it is pot metal and seriously damaged. The customer and I have discussed a bumper swap but, haven't picked one yet. I think this could work.
Here's the stock stuff.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0125_JPG.jpg)
Here's the 56 bumper blocked up under the front of the 52(?).
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0148_JPG.jpg)
As you can see in these shots there's a pretty good sized gap that would have to be addressed. The bumper really can't go back any farther because the wrap around part is already at the leading edge of the front fender opening.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0149_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0150_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0152_JPG.jpg)
So, what do you think?
Does the 56 bumper look good on here?
Do you think we should use it?
Any ideas on filling the gap between the fenders and the bumper?
Nice work on that Don. To my eye the bumper looks to massive for the car. Tends to pull my eye to it and only it $.02
I like the idea. I tend to agree with Phat Rat. I think the bumper looks too wide for the car. In my eye the radius at the end of the grill opening should be inboard about maybe 3-4 inches on each side. I am not sure where you might remove some of the grill to accomplish this. But it will look different.
the bumper looks too big , too massive.
:shock:
the 56 bumper makes it look like a gold fish...
the bumper does look massive... but i can see the car is gold fish color with air brushed scales in the sides...
i do like the flange around the outside of the bumper... so cutting just infront of the flange... starting about a foot from the center across the top... all the way around to where it straightens out on the sides... bending it back to fit the body then filling the gaps..
i take it that you know that chromed pot metal can be deplated.. corrosion dug out with a die grinders... torch filled with other pot metal segments
The quarters on that look like normal 51 98 quarters, which were different than 88 quarters.
The underhood work looks awesome. I like the way the grill opening looks in front view, not wild about the width of the bumper or the way the sheet metal meets the bumper in side view. The sheetmetal or bumper, maybe both would have to be reworked pretty dramatically to make it a graceful transition. It would be better if the bumper could be moved closer to the body but as you pointed out the wraparound already comes back to the wheel arch.
Nice job on the inner fenders and the fires wall. To me the mustache sets the character of these early '50s Olds. The '56 bumper is too big for the car.
Find a usable upper moulding and try a '53 bumper if you can find one.
Tom
I agree that bumper is too big, but maybe only in scale to that body. I've been doing some cut/paste in my mind, you decide if it's worth doing any cut/weld to that bumper. How wide is the distance across between the bottom edges of the fenders at the front edge of the wheel openings? Trying to see on the pictures the bottom section of that bumper would need to come in better than 2" a side for the wheel well slant of the body as viewed from the front to carry through to the line of the bumper (of course this sight line is actually under the actual bumper line where it extends out). Twice this dimension (2"+ ?) would be the amount I'd narrow that bumper. I'd narrow the bottom section of that bumper in the center behind the license plate and I'd move the verticle bars on either side of the plate out to preserve the correct width between them for the license plate. I'd eliminate that center verticle fixture between the top and bottom sections of that bumper. Now I'd figure on narrowing the top section of that bumper a like amount but I'd do it differently. If you narrowed that top section in the center you would loose that graceful arch. Maybe if you imagined the inside edge of that arch divided into four quarters with the center/top of that arch being the half-way point you could plan on the removal of half of the demension in two sections, at the one quarter and three quarter marks of your imagined divisions. Now I'd plan on removing that upward bend on the back edge of the top bumper section. I'd plan on the bumper being move back and the center of it being under the hood and the top section of the bumper being trimmed to follow the contours of the fenders. The bigness of that bumper might be lessened if it doesn't stick out and protrude so much in front of that body. GPster
That bumper swap would be a lot of work to make it look like a stock '56 Olds...and it would still look very heavy. I personally like the "moustache" bar, maybe with some Dagmars? :D
Keep the moustache!
How about a 50-53 hudson bumper? Similar shape ,smaller ,less bulky on the sides than the buick one.When I first saw the picture of your project without the drivers side b pillar I thought it was a hudson.
The customer decided against the 56 bumper. He's been looking at a lot of pictures so, hopefully he'll come up with an idea he likes.
It's all apart again and the chassis is off to the powdercoater.
The chassis is back from the powdercoater and back together. I'll snap a pic or two before the body goes back on.
Rotten Rodney is going to come up and start on the body work.
I need to get some door latches on this thing.
What is the best source for bear claw latches, actuators, poppers and all that stuff?
I get them from Ball's, but there may be some closer to you.
Nice bandsawing work there on the brackets.Nice lay out too.Looks great !
We got a few more things done on the 51 Olds.
When we dropped the body back on the chassis after doing the suspension mods, we had to cut the floor under the rear seat area to clear the upper 4-link bars when the suspension is dropped. So, when we took the body off the frame again for chassis powdercoating we patched the holes in the floor like this.
First I made some patterns out of some recycled cardboard.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0159_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0160_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0161_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0162_JPG.jpg)
The I transferred the patterns to 18 gauge steel and bent them in the sheetmetal brake.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0163_JPG.jpg)
The outside was tacked and then we welded the whole thing up from the inside. Before we put the body back on the powdercoated frame I shot some more 3M Shutz over the bottom.
The next task was to fix the pointy rear corner on the quarter windows. With every other window corner having a nice smooth curve, that pointy corner really bugged me.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0164_JPG.jpg)
Unfortunately there were no spare pieces to use to make the window corner round and the bent piece of tubing that we tried to use had a radius that was too large. So, we decided to try out hand at hammerforming.
I made a pattern for the curve by tracing the window opening and then transferred that to a piece of scrap plywood. A router was used to cut the radius on the plywood form. I also cut a second scrap of plywood, with a slightly larger curve, to use as a clamp to hold the metal.
Once the metal patch was cut to the general shape needed, I clamped all three pieces together by screwing them down to a wooden bench and then we started hammering.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0165_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0166_JPG.jpg)
The first one was made from a scrap of 18 gauge and it took a fair amount of hammering to get into shape. The second one was made from a piece of late model Chevy truck bedside from the scrap pile. That one went much faster.
Here's what it looked like before we started trimmin it to fit.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0167_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0168_JPG.jpg)
Trimmed to fit.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0169_JPG.jpg)
Here's Rotten putting the finishing touches on the final piece.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0170_JPG.jpg)
Here it is welded in place. We also made some patches to box in the back side of these pieces.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0171_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0172_JPG.jpg)
I also got the door frame and the B-pillar finished up on the driver's side. Between that and the curves at the rear of the quarter windows, the raggedy top chop is just about saved.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/G0173_JPG.jpg)
Next up, Rotten Rodney handles the filler work.
Very nice. That recycled cardboard looks vaguely familiar, like it's a product I'm familiar with. :)
I've been following this thread but haven't told you how impressed I am with what you're doing.
Great talent and minds at work there Don...and thanks for the updates. 8)
Quote from: "jaybee"Very nice. That recycled cardboard looks vaguely familiar, like it's a product I'm familiar with. :)
My medication comes in that box, yeah..that's it medication. I think I need a dose right about now.
Glad to see you are getting the large economy versions of that medication. I really like the job you are doing on the car too.
That quarter window corner made a huge difference.
Doug
It's been a while or two since we've had an update.
Rotten has been working on smoothing out the knots in the roof.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0174_JPG.jpg)
I've been working on the tail lights. I'm not even half way done but, I think I've got enough for an interesting update.
The stockers aren't going to mutt the custard
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0176_JPG.jpg)
We want tail lights that look something like this
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0192_JPG.jpg)
So, we're going to start with this 54 Merc lens
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0178_JPG.jpg)
Here's where I made the first cut
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0179_JPG.jpg)
The lens looked pretty good in the hole
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0180_JPG.jpg)
Then I put some duct tape on it to simulate the finished product
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0183_JPG.jpg)
The customer liked it so, we're moving forward. The first step was
making some reflectors for the lenses
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0193_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0194_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0195_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0196_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0197_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0198_JPG.jpg)
The next step was to bend some 3/16" rod to form the top and bottom edges of the opening.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0188_JPG.jpg)
Then I made some side pieces from 18 gauge steel
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0189_JPG.jpg)
The rest of the shots show tacking the rods in, forming some sheet metal panels, tacking it all together, and then welding it all up.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0199_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0200_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0201_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0202_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0203_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0204_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0206_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0212_JPG.jpg)
There's still a little welding to do on the right side and then I have to do the entire left side. The right side was easy by comparison because I was sort of making it up as I went. On the left side I'm going to have to make it a mirror image of the right. That's going to be a little harder.
Getting your feet wet now, aren't ya Don? Good solutions and good medicinal beverage selection.
Charlie
Doing the 2nd tail light was easier than I thought it would be. Still a lot of work but, not as bad as I expected.
First I tacked in the bent rods that made up the framework for the lens. I measured several reference points from the other side to know exactly where the ends and intersections of each rod should be.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0213_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0214_JPG.jpg)
Next i mocked up the lens to see if everything looked right.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0216_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0217_JPG.jpg)
Here's where I did things a little differently than before. On the first side I did the sheet metal before I figured out how I was going to secure the lens to the body. Because that was such a pain working in the tight confines behind the sheet metal, this time I decided to fab the mounting tabs before the sheet metal went on. Way easier!.
Here's a shot of the tabs that hold the whole unit in place. there are tabs that attach to the back of the reflector and the tabs that are welded to the curved rods that go around the lens. The two sets of tabs are bolted together from the back. The lens is sandwiched between the reflector and the body.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0218_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0219_JPG.jpg)
Then it was time to bend some metal. The bottom pieces were just bent over a big piece of pipe since they didn't have any compound curves. The top pieces were hammered over a sand bag and then smoothed out with a power hammer.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0220_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0221_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0222_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0223_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0224_JPG.jpg)
Here it is mostly done. I still have to do some slight adjustments to the first side and I have to work on the sides of the openings around the ribs on the lenses.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0225_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0226_JPG.jpg)
That is definately a different look than we are used to seeing on one of these bodies. I like it.
Tom
looks good don!!
love the inventive use of the can koozies :wink: :wink:
later jim
As always, very nice work Don. Had hoped to run into you at Austin but I guess your boss wouldn't give you the weekend off.
Lee
Hey Lee:
Great to finally meet you in Austin, I was hoping that Don would make it also but his boss is a real slave driver.
B :D B
Bob, maybe the weather forcast kept Don away. No top on the roadster ya know. By the way, I think we may have met in LA one time with Don and the RRT gang for breakfast several years back at the Roadster Show.
Lee
Quote from: "Grandadeo"Bob, maybe the weather forcast kept Don away. No top on the roadster ya know. By the way, I think we may have met in LA one time with Don and the RRT gang for breakfast a few years back at the Roadster Show.
Lee
I thought so too, but I have been wrong before.
boy o boy, theres lots of action going on here . almost like watching a movie! i like the big bumper a lot, but maybe not there. your dr. must be very happy that your meds are having such a positive effect? what are your thoughts on final color and rims? things such as this will get everyone out in the shop to get busy onour own projects! thanks
Quote from: "tompeters"boy o boy, theres lots of action going on here . almost like watching a movie! i like the big bumper a lot, but maybe not there. your dr. must be very happy that your meds are having such a positive effect? what are your thoughts on final color and rims? things such as this will get everyone out in the shop to get busy onour own projects! thanks
The car will be a shade darker than Washington blue. On the outside of the car the paint will be flattened. Under the hood and on the dash it'll be shiny. Lots of striping on the firewall, dash, aircleaner, etc. in process blue, gray and creamy white. Steel wheels with wide whites and Fiesta caps.
(http://www.donshotrodpage.net/BoardJunk/Olds0228.JPG)
(http://www.donshotrodpage.net/BoardJunk/Olds0233.JPG)
(http://www.donshotrodpage.net/BoardJunk/Olds0240.JPG)
Rotten Rodney has been slingin' some mud and makin' lots o' dust.
Engine & trans are in, bags are plumbed, brakes are plumbed, Mustang tank with Astro van filler are in, hard lines for trans cooler are done, steering is done.
I found 53 Ford headlight rings at Nightprowlers and made my own clips from .047 piano wire from the hobby store.
I'm using 57 chevy truck headlight buckets because they were the cheapest repops I could find. It appears that most GM's of the era used Guide buckets that are all the same except for trim ring brackets.
Next on the list is fuel line, pump, & filter, engine accessories, wiring, windows, adapt a 64 Tbird center console, primer and lots of sanding.
Looking good Don. I was in Nevada when you had your open house, but with all my efforts, I couldn't make it over there. But I was thinking about you.
Quote from: "enjenjo"Looking good Don. I was in Nevada when you had your open house, but with all my efforts, I couldn't make it over there. But I was thinking about you.
It was probably cooler in Vegas that weekend. I heard it hit 111 degrees here that day. We still had fun but, the turnout was low. I'll have pictures up shortly.
Here's some pictures:
http://www.donshotrodpage.net/OpenHouse/index.htm
When Rotten left last time, this is how the former turd looked.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0240_JPG.jpg)
The body work was about 90% done. Between his trips I worked on mechanical things, headlight mounting, tail lights, hard lines, etc.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0228_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0234_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0242_JPG.jpg)
This trip Rotten finished up the bodywork and we put in a marathon session to apply 3 coats of PCL primer to all body surfaces. It looks way mo bettah all in one color.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0245_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0246_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0247_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0248_JPG.jpg)
A few days before primer, the customer stopped by to check on progress and discuss final plans for the front bumper and grill. We decided that the transition between the bottom of the hood and the top of the grill needs some work so, as soon as the primer was dry I got out the grinder and tore into it. Here's where I am so far.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0249_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0251_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0252_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0253_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0254_JPG.jpg)
Next up is to add some transition pieces to the fronts of the fenders and finish welding up the hood pieces.
That will look sharp.
I love the pics of the C pillar area, that came out really well. The hood to grill mod is going to be really nice as well.
You are really doing some nice looking work. Keep the pictures coming please. :D
little more progress today
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0255_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0256_JPG.jpg)
That transition is some nice work, Don. The project is coming along quite nicely. Thanks for posting the photos. I'm looking forward to seeing it in color.
Don. I just bought a magazine (in a supermarket ) that has a picture of you not a picture you've taken. The heading on the page said you were a best friend. Congratulations! Reading that magazine will probably take presidence over the 1941 Indianapolis coverage in Throttle. I will probably make the formal announcement later but it's good to see that roadster movin under it's own power. GPster
Excellent work on the transformation. Just what it needed.
Tom
Quote from: "DRD57"little more progress today
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0255_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0256_JPG.jpg)
The transition piece looks nice, I can't help but think that upper bumper looks like a handlebar moustache , Yosimite Sam rides again!
RottenRodney Has been working on the body work on this off & on for a few months. Thursday was paint day.
It's come a long way since it was dragged into my shop.
Rotten done good, REAL good.
Next up: cut & buff.
These two are base coat:
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/C0284_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/C0288_JPG.jpg)
These are clear coat:
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/C0290_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/C0293_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/C0296_JPG.jpg)
looks good don!
when you get a chance how about a good profile shot?
later jim
interesting on how getting the proper people on the job and look at the results.
the work progressed very well , good job
cut & buffed
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0298_JPG.jpg)
Rotten Rodney did it
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0301_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0309_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/B0306_JPG.jpg)
The best looking '51 Olds, that is a good example of making a silk purse out of a sows ear!!! Can't wait to see it finished.
I like what I see.
That's Beautiful!!!!....CR
Wow :shock: Very unique and beautiful.
I like the shot of the hood with the rollup reflection. 8)
After seeing what you started with ... :shock: Like Tony say's ..Amazing what happens when the right people are put on the job .... :D
Very-Very nice ...... );b(
Bob..... :wink:
It's still not done but, it looks like you could drive it away. Lots of little details to finish it up before it goes to the upholsterer. I couldn't resist hosing it off and pushing it outside for a few pictures after i got the outside chrome bolted on.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0344_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0345_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0343_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0342_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0341_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0340_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0339_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0334_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0335_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0336_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0337_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0338_JPG.jpg)
WOW. Very nice.
QUITE the difference!!!!
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/F0002_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/j0343_JPG.jpg)
nice job Don and company
later jim
WOW, great job Don. I am not a big custom fan, leaning more toward mild nose and deck stuff, but that is wonderfull. Joe
Nice! All that work on the front end flows really well.
I think you succeeded in making a silk purse out of a cow's ear! Congratulations on a job well done!
Looks great. Hope you don't scratch it while finishing!
Beautiful. Great color choice too.
Tom
now this is what i call automotive "corn with a p" .
thankyou for posting, a very desirable finish from what was an average starting piece. well done! :D
Silk purse from a sows ear, turd to diamond -- great work. I do hope your "customer" is appropriately appreciative. );b( :b-d:
The pinstriping was done by Ruben Holguin in Visalia. I've seen stipers all over the country and I've never seen anyone better. He can do any "style", his designs have perfect symmetry, the lines are smooth and consistent and his signature has to be seen to be believed.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080463_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080464_JPG.jpg)
The upholstery was handled by the House of Trim in Paramount, CA. They got it done in time for me to spend a few days getting it shined up for the GNRS.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080459_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080461_JPG.jpg)
We didn't get the car entered in the show in time so, we were planning on taking it to the Drive In portion of the show on Saturday and Sunday if we didn't get inside as a last minute susbstitution.
Fortunately, we got a call Friday morning informing us that there was an opening in building 5. I drove the car over to the Fairplex and after arguing with an overzealous gate guard I got in. Driving the car though the building and parallel parking it between all the other cars that were already set up was a nerve wracking experience. I got the car in place and dusted off just a couple of hours before the opening of the show.
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080465_JPG.jpg)
(http://www.highway99hotrods.com/JR51Olds/images/GX1080466_JPG.jpg)
There are still a few small details to attend to but, for the most part it's done.
THE END.
Don, the finished product is amazing
Nice job on an uncommon car. Bet there are a lot of "what did that start out as" questions.
VERY well done Don..... :b-d:
A true test of Problems ...Challenges & "What-if's" .... :idea:
And you made it a beautiful automobile ..... );b(
Bob....... :wink:
That car is a jewel. A true testament to your skills and ability.
Fantastic. Love the striping and interior.
Tom
classy.....So many cars today are "over-done" with doo-dads, its nice to see this one.
That is just outstanding work. All the modifications work so well, looks like it should have come that way from the factory.
I really like the interior, especially the way the chevron pattern is repeated throughout in a way that pulls it all together.
Nice, nice work!
very well done . some beautiful lines there! hope there are more to come. tom
Beautiful car. Not overdone, but just right.
Smiley thing here...
less is more.. & with this car, that's all of it. fan-bloody-tastic!