Thanks very much for the excellent feedback and the compliments, '57 Joe - I definitely appreciate it! You are 100% correct reference purchase vs create - And I looked for a reasonably priced passenger side bumper end for quite a while - Then I saw an article in the Nov/Dec 2014 issue of Car Kulture Deluxe about - Funny enough - Repairing bumpers on a Cadillac. Seeing that article made me think I should attempt the fix, because my search for a good quality and reasonably priced replacement was fruitless. Also - I'm in a school environment, which I may not have mentioned before. Because of that, my instructor and I felt tackling repair of the bumper ends was a good opportunity for me to learn some metal-shaping skills with heavier gauge metal - So we decided to go for it and do the repairs. They're not 100% complete, but they're good enough to bolt everything together and revisit them later. One thing I've also learned with this Caddy is - Everything I can buy for her is 2-4 times more expensive than a more "mainstream" project car. But to me, it'll all be worth it in the long run. Right now, I have exactly two weeks of school left - I need to drive this baby outta the shop when I'm done, and I still have quite a bit of work left to do on her. But that's what they make long days for, right?
Been neck deep in build stuff, so I haven't been able to update for a bit - But here's where we are now: Class is over - Clean-up is Monday and graduation is Tuesday. Accomplished quite a bit with the Caddy, but some things were only done to the "65%" level - Because the intent was to learn the procedures and revisit some of them later - When I'm not under a hard deadline. Although there's still a quite a bit left to do, I'm now 100% confident in my ability to attack any procedure or project - Based on what I've learned in the school. Updated pics attached
These shots show the assembly and installation of the front and rear bumpers - The front one is powdercoated (Alien Silver) and the rear is painted with Dupli-Color Stainless Steel - And they both look really similar. In addition to reworking the rear bumper ends, I made some inserts to which I'm gonna add the Cadillac emblems shown - Gotta do something different with them!
Started in on the rear seat - It's typical "Cadillac Complicated" - And includes a center arm rest - Hanging out after class to finish it with the help of the new upholstery instructor
Still need to reinstall the headlights, rebuild the hydrovac unit on the brakes and do some additional minor things - But this is basically how she's going out the door. I'm hoping to take additional classes elsewhere to learn more about bodywork and refinishing - Wish me luck!!!
Great work on this one. When its finnished you should keep her. A solid good quality car like that will last the rest of your life.
What a great job! You should reach around and give yourself a pat on the back!! I agree with the previous post....after all this blood and sweat you should keep her. One question. ...you seem to have two oil filter cans on the engine. One is painted and shiny and the other not. Can you tell me what the story is?
There's a '57 Caddy custom currently offered on eBay. The bid is now $12,200 with 2 1/2 days to go until the end of the auction.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/321863607641?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
The shiny blue one to the left in the pic is the oil filter - The other one is the power steering reservoir - I forgot to paint it when I did the rebuild, so that's still on the "To-Do" list - Along with a ton of other items!!!
OK - Graduation was today and class is over now, but there's still work to be done on the Caddy. I'm not leaving until the 1st of the month, so I can still use the school facilities to button up the last details. Her brakes aren't working, but I have the rebuild kit for the hydrovac unit, so hopefully the rebuild will cure the problem. I still need to finish the rear seat - This has been a thorn in my side for nearly a year - There's a new instructor at the school and he's offered to assist, so I hope to have it done soon. The rest is just little stuff - Bolt-ons and such. I'm also taking her to the Air Force Base nearby to use their Auto Hobby Shop, get her on a lift and POR-15 the entire undercarriage. I spent a couple of hours scrubbing her with a scotchbrite pad yesterday - Really makes a huge difference in real life, but probably doesn't translate too well in the pics. Cleaned up her windows real well, too. I'm really happy with how she looks now and totally ready to tackle the rest of the things she needs, but that will have to wait until I relocate to my new home. Thanks for all the words of encouragement and positive feedback here on the thread. I'll keep posting as I make changes and upgrades, so the thread will stay open.
Totally appreciate my time at the school and especially appreciate all the fine training I received from my excellent instructors. She's not finished, but I've done all I can at the moment. Graduation day and post graduation shots follow below.
I left South Dakota a short time ago and now she's sitting inside a heated RV storage facility for the Winter. My good friend John is working on finishing the rear seat upholstery for me - I'll post the final result when he sends me the updates. Plan is to take her to the 2016 Lone Star Roundup and put her up for sale. If anyone is interested in giving her a new home - Feel free to send me a message. Thanks for following my thread!!!
Terrific transformation of a neglected wreck, into a Boulevard cruiser. Period. Glad you did not use the '59 tail lights. Good job on this thread love all the detailed pictures . JT
I didn't know Colonel Sanders built cool Caddies!!!! congrats, looks like a fun car and a nice build up, love the interior...
You have totally kicked ass on that Caddy! Nice looking seats, bet that will sell it for you. Anyone shopping for a car walks up and looks right at the driver's seat area.
After careful consideration, I have decided to head back to South Dakota for two more classes: Hot Rod Body Fabrication and Hot Rod Refinishing I want to both increase my skills and get this sweet project to a finished state Class starts the end of June, and I'm really looking forward to it Detailed descriptions of the above classes posted below
Hot Rod Body Fabrication (HRB) Clock Hours: 400 clock hours (98 lecture hours / 302 lab hours) Course Length: 11 Weeks Maximum Student/Instructor Ratio (Lecture): 15/1 Maximum Student/Instructor Ratio (Lab): 15/1 Class Description: Hot Rod Body covers both automotive and motorcycle custom sheet metal fabrication. Students will gain valuable experience from lecture and extensive lab (hands-on) opportunities, including studying the skills necessary to design and fabricate custom sheet metal panels. Students will again begin with educational competencies in metal finishing along with MIG, TIG and Oxy-Acetylene welding. Other competencies include sheet metal panel restoration and fabrication of miniature roll pan. Complex curves are further examined while students fabricate a custom motorcycle gas tank from scratch. Student will learn to use the tools of the professional sheet metal fabricator. Bag and mallet, English wheel, bead roller, power hammer and pull max machine are all explored. Student will also learn to utilize the planishing hammer, shrinker/stretcher, hammer forms, and venerable combination of the hammer and dolly. Automotive body construction aspects including firewalls, floor boards, rocker panels, and pillars are all explained as students prepare to execute advance sheet metal customization tasks. Sectioning, frenching, channeling, nosing, decking, shaving, and the granddaddy of all customization skills Top Chopping are all covered. Live work can include any of the above depending on the skills of the student and the student projects in the shop. Students are required to keep an hourly work log and document their work with pictures for portfolio development. A resume building seminar is given during Hot Rod Body class; and any student not enrolled in HRB throughout their program may also attend. Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to: - Understand the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry - Demonstrate proper sheet metal welding techniques using TIG, MIG and Oxy-Acetylene Welders - Have the skills to restore a sheet metal panel to its original form - Have working knowledge of Automotive Body Construction including firewalls, floor boards, rocker panels, and pillars - Demonstrate advanced sheet metal shaping techniques using professional equipment and tools including hammer & dolly, bag & mallet, English wheel, bead roller, power hammer, pull max, planishing hammer, shrinker/stretcher, and hammer forms - Have a good working knowledge of the top chopping and body sectioning procedures - Have a good working knowledge of other custom sheet metal modifications including frenching, channeling, nosing, decking, and shaving. - Have a good working knowledge on the construction and adjustment of hinged panels - Set daily and long-term goals and work diligently to attain them - Properly log completed work hourly for the purpose of documentation and customer invoices - Prepare a professional resume and portfolio for the purpose of obtaining a job Class Goal: The purpose of this class is to provide students with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level position in the Specialty Automotive Industry, specifically in the area of automotive and motorcycle sheet metal design and fabrication. Students will complete the class with an in-depth working knowledge of the skills, tools, and equipment in the sheet metal dept and be poised to continue on to the other classes at Hot Rod Institute.
Hot Rod Refinishing (HRR) Clock Hours: 400 clock hours (74 lecture hours / 326 lab hours) Course Length: 11 Weeks Maximum Student/Instructor Ratio (Lecture): 15/1 Maximum Student/Instructor Ratio (Lab): 15/1 Class Description: Hot Rod Refinishing covers the skills necessary to complete truly amazing high quality paint jobs. Students will gain valuable experience from lecture and extensive lab (hands-on) opportunities. Students’ educational competencies will begin by learning the ever important process of correctly applying and sanding automotive body filler. From paint removal, panel prep, sand paper selection to proper sanding techniques the students will study today’s best practices in the field of automotive refinishing. The training continues with the application of primer, paint, and clear top coats, with the appropriate sanding and masking steps in-between. Fiberglass bodies, fixed and movable glass replacement, and bolt on panel alignment topics are all discussed throughout the class. Students will examine the hazardous materials and safety concerns that professional painters deal with on a regular basis including spray gun selection, paint booth requirements, and proper paint mixing procedures. Common paint problems and solutions are discussed including lifting, fish-eyes, orange peel, and color matching. Student will practice skills in final paint details like color sanding and buffing. Air brush and pin stripping basics are explored as students try their hand at custom paint and graphics application. Live work can include any of the topics above, depending on the skills of the student and the student projects in the shop. Students are required to keep an hourly work log and document their work with pictures for portfolio development. Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to: - Understand the Hot Rod and Specialty Automotive Industry - Demonstrate the proper procedure of removal, installation, and alignment of automotive bolt on panels, including fenders, doors, hoods, and trunks - Describe and demonstrate proper procedure for stripping and preparing a panel for refinishing process - Demonstrate proper process of applying and sanding of plastic body fillers - Have a good working knowledge of potential hazardous materials and safety concerns in the automotive refinishing industry - Demonstrate proper HVLP spray gun setup and theory - Have a good working knowledge of the spray booth types and operation - Demonstrate proper masking procedures - Describe the differences in automotive primers and demonstrate proper application and sanding procedures - Have a good working knowledge paint chemistry and mixing procedures for base coat top coat material - Perform basic custom paint techniques using the pin striping and air brush - Describe the use of fiberglass in the specialty automotive industry and the process of application and repair - Recognize paint problems and solutions - Have a good working knowledge of stationary and movable glass replacement - Demonstrate the proper procedure for final wet sanding, buffing, and polishing of painted surfaces - Demonstrate final detailing process for customer delivery - Set daily and long-term goals and work diligently to attain them - Properly log completed work hourly for the purpose of documentation and customer invoices Class Goal: The purpose of this class is to provide students with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level position in the Specialty Automotive Industry, specifically in the area of automotive refinishing. Students will complete the class with an in-depth working knowledge of the skills, tools, and equipment in the refinishing dept. and be poised to continue on to the other classes at Hot Rod Institute.
The Jalopy Journal
