59 Catalina

[kb426]

^^^
Sure am glad my mouth wasn't full.

[idrivejunk]

Seven words and a smiley to boot.

All the explanations for these pics are back a ways in the thread.

[idrivejunk]

Heres how seat mounting plan C is coming along. By the way, this seat sits comfy as a cloud. I do feel less insane because my height calculations proved out... in order to get the stock seating position with buckets, you have two choices- body lift or notch frame. Our hero is not real tall so this my be the happy place, where it is now.

My fore / aft position prediction was pretty far off though. I ended up way forward basing it on stock bolt holes and of course that blows away my seatbelt mounts. This is plan C.

[kb426]

Only short people need apply. It's been a long time since I sat in one of those. I really wasn't aware of the lack of height. I am short, though.

[Carnut]

Yep, low and wide, my 61 Chrysler also has low seating position, just how many were back then.

Those 59 Model GM's were a whole different ballgame from the 58 models in seating position.

[idrivejunk]

Yep, low and wide, my 61 Chrysler also has low seating position, just how many were back then.

Those 59 Model GM's were a whole different ballgame from the 58 models in seating position.

I didn't realize the 58 was oddball in some ways. Gotta love transition years.

I do suspect that you look at things and go... "Hmm. Needs more hole." Here is more hole for you guys.

[kb426]

Everything about 58 chevys is different. Not always in a good way.

[idrivejunk]

All the previous speculation about seat position can now be cast aside. Ah. The bottom line is that although higher than stock by over an inch, these seats "sit good" according to all witnesses. There will be no test fitting with steering column nor owner / driver in place. This is it... and I approve. There is plenty of headroom, even if over six feet tall. Much ado about nothing, but if they wanted it an inch lower the frame would interfere.

So that the seat could use shims if desired (it does sit level as-is), I changed the hook and slot mount to a stepped bracket, made a small riser for the front inside mount (still talking about driver's seat), made an outside riser and support, modified the existing seat pan (flatten and trim), then today I made a filler panel for the notch cut out of the driveshaft tunnel. A half inch space or better remains atop the frame rail, tilt and range of adjustment are as good as stock. And its sturdy. The bottom cushion may need a trim at the inside rear corner so it doesn't smush with the seat over halfway back. 7/16" bolts hold brackets to floor at all corners.









Those two pics show it all the way back. This was comfortable for me.

[chimp koose]

glad to see the seat issue resolved .

[chris spokes]

good job matt  

[idrivejunk]

   Nobody's perfect , but at times done beats perfect. I am neither.

[58 Yeoman]

Just thought I'd throw this out there...

https://bringatrailer.com/2018/05/10/one-off-factory-prototype-1959-pontiac-el-catalina/?utm_source=dailymail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-05-11

[enjenjo]

Here is a 60


http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/1100-people-901-ponchos-at-40th-poci-show/attachment/poci-dsc_0634

[idrivejunk]

59 yes (Must be a W-30 bed) , 60 no.

[idrivejunk]

Those Pontiac freaks were cool guys, I just ain't in on that '60 tail light treatment at all.

Here are last Thursday's neglected pics. I am over on the passenger side now, got the front pan and trans hump extension prepped and screwed in Friday but no pic. The driver's side still looks like this. I figure to grind whats left while welding the other side.

Anybody got guidelines for seat belt mount location? From racing, perhaps? Lap belt only here. :?:









One more question... does the completed design make sense to you? Its all laid out now and personally, aside from some really amateurish beads on the pans, I have faith that it will look pretty on the lift. I can't wait to see underneath. But I don't want to get overly enthusiastic about what I've done if it looks like a crazy person's floor to other folks. Its my first, I don't know any better. Curious if it looks like nonsense or sense.