Alright, here goes my first build thread on the HAMB. What better way to start it than with only 1/4 of a car... right? I had wanted to build a car couch/ sofa for a while and got lucky with a kijiji find when this Cadillac rear section came up for $50. I found a complete rear bumper for another $100 and that gave me the basic start. I thought I'd upload some images to show people how I approached it and I might need some help along the way too.
The rear end had been cut off the Cadillac at least 8 years ago! I actually found the rest of the car in a field 2 cities away, leading me to ask... "what are the odds???" haha
The 59 has seen a few bumps, body work and a color change to a shade of green I can't describe. First step was to remove some of that history along with some rust.
I then squared everything up with tubing and some temporary braces to keep everything in place. This allowed the body to be tweaked until we got it into the final shape. My friend Larry helped me with a lot of the fabrication. This goes way faster with two people
It took roughly 12 hours of work to get the tubing "frame" all measured, cut and put into place. Then another 10 hours of installing sheet metal patch panels and roughing out the major body work.
I really didn't want much wood in this build, but did use some for the panels which will hold the upholstery. Hopefully my upholstery guy agrees!
drdave built '59 Caddy and '56 Olds 98 sofas for his orthodontic clinic. He even did the upholstery, buying a used machine and teaching himself http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/hot-rod-orthodontic-office.577234/
$50, that's classic, next one you find I'll give you $100. You couldn't ever find anything like that where I live. Great work so far. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!plllll,lllllll
Just love this mini build and would love to own it when completed. Those bumper ends look perfect for the Stereo speakers. I will be following this with great interest.
I'll keep a lookout for you... as long as you're not picky about what 50s car it is The chrome and paint supplies are by far the biggest costs. The rear of this 59 has $2000 worth of chrome and polishing!
That light blue '59 alongside the four door hardtop in your first pic doesn't look to be in bad shape...is it saveable...??? R-
No, don't bother with that...I'm too far away to purchase it...but maybe some other HAMBer up in that area might be interested...it just looked like it was in decent shape... R-
oh ok, my opinion is its more of a parts car.... but then I would love it if my 32 started out as good as that one
I want to use a combination of fabric and leather for the upholstery. SMS auto fabrics seems to have a good selection. I am looking for something with a nice 50's/ 60's patter on it. I really like the material used on this couch, but cant find a supplier for it... http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Arch...ar-end-cleverly-converted-into-a-couch-162659
Great build thread! Thanks for sharing. Your's is very similar to what was done to build my '57 Chevy couch nearly 25 years ago! I ended up using original style '57 Chevy upholstery on mine. Jim
Great stuff! I recall someone was manufacturing 'glass replica Caddy couches. Nothing like the real deal though. Look forward to seeing how it turns out.
Hi Chris that looks fantastic you have done a great job . Is that were I'll be sleeping when I visit hahaha cheers paul
Finally finished the couch, and it was only twice my original budget, just like a real restoration! haha. All the chrome and Stainless is done and I used the same fabric as an original 1959 Cadillac from SMS Auto Fabrics. Anyways, I'm happy to finish something I've wanted to build for a long time. Here is the result...
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