I was in the Navy for the last 5 years. I got out in December and headed to Rapid City, SD to go to the Hot Rod Institute. I've built cars before, but I've never done sheet metal work like this. I was a welder in the Navy so have some fabrication and welding experience but nothing with the tools they offer here. I've been playing with the bead roller, pullmax, power hammer, English wheel, and lots of other tools. It didn't look too bad when I first picked it up. Then I took it to get sand blasted. The next step was to blow the car apart. The drivers side quarter is the worst panel so that's where I started. I made a hammer form out of mdf and used a router to get the right radius. I took my time and used a little extra care in the tight corners. That metal had to stretch a lot. Next step is to bead roll some lines in it. This was my first time using the bead roller. Fortunately the spot I messed up on will be getting cut out when I chop the top. Next is the rest of the roof panels. Then I shifted my focus to some other parts because I really need to get the body mocked up so I make sure everything is just right on the quarters. The passenger door skin has the normal rust on the bottom and was smashed in from an accident. The door handle was smashed into the body so I replaced that part too.
I ordered a set of sub rails and extensions because the stock ones were junk. The cow was next. I need to get this right so I can work back from it. Both sides had rust and the passenger was smashed in from damage. I worked it a little with a shrinking disc and hammer and got it pretty smooth. I started making my own patch because the ones I got for the car just didn't have enough. I checked the door fitment before welding it to the sub rails. Yes that's a Pacer. The firewall had its share of damage too. The supports for the radiator had been pushed into the body and poorly repaired. I'll put new brackets on once the patches are done. I made my own hat channels from 16ga. That's all for now. The goals for next week are to get the gas tank repaired and set in place and start hanging the doors and bolting the sub rails to the frame. Maybe I'll start making my floor panels too. I could really use the measurements on the panels for the rumble seat and floor around it and some good pics from inside the trunk area and under the car. Thanks.
First .... Thank You for serving our country, May God Bless You! The work your doing is really well done, thanks for sharing with us all.
Thanks for the kind words guys. I have about a month of body fab class left before I start paint so hopefully I can get it done. My goal is to be able to get the body finished and painted before I leave. I'm basically building a coupe version of my roadster. I bought a 39 2 door sedan that I'll be pulling the flathead out of for this. My roadster build is on here somewhere. I'll be sure to post pics regularly.
Great job. Just starting body work on my build. You have a lot more than me to start with, but I hope to learn a lot. Your fender didn't look that bad; why are you replacing all of those panels up top?
The roof panel had a lot of little holes in it and was pretty thin. Same with the lower part of the panel. All of that will be getting replaced as soon as I can get the body back together. The wheel wells are going to be interesting. I have new inner panels, but no lip to attach them to.
Got a little more done. The wheel well flares have got me scratching my head a little. I'm also not sure what to do about the lower corner patches I need. I bought patch panels from Snyders, but they are junk. Looks like a little kid tried to make them with a hammer and chisel. Anyone try the tall ones from Howells?
I haven't heard anything good about Howell's. The guys over at ford barn are thumbs down on them. I have to repair the flares on mine too. You are very skilled, more so than I, so I look forward to your solution. Great metal work, subscribed.
Very impressed with the body work! I'am right at the same process you are. I'am actually ordering some lower corner patch panels from Howells tomorrow, I'll let you know how they look.
You do some real nice work.... for a squid Semper fi LOL Just kidding that is a very nice first attempt at this stuff.
I'm just a few minutes drive from Mayport, I would love to see your progress in person. I have a 31 that needs the lower patch panels, I haven't started the bodywork yet, it appears I could learn a thing or two from you before I start!
I have the tall patches from Howells. Will get you a pic when I get home. I am actually trying to use them now...
First Question...Just Curious....Was the school covered by the G.I.Bill, Like other Colleges ??? Second....from an old Navy Vet....Thanks for your service !!! Third..Just a comment....Love seeing the "Pacer" next to your Model A...don't know why ?? Just fits for some reason... Good job, Nice Work, Please share more as you go...
I started making an inner rumble lis structure. These are the center part that holds the lid in place. I made them both using a couple of pieces of pipe and a press. The one on the left was my second attempt and I prestretched the center on a power hammer. It's starting to take shape but still needs a bunch of work.
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