History Bubble Skirt History

Ive read a bit about this style of skirt elsewhere and there is some good info like on Jimmy Jones and others.Not as many pics as Id like to see.I would like to see pictures of originals and handmade ones. The metal shaping on this kind of part is very interesting. Combining with chrome trim and fitting to body shapes is too.
This kind of info can help others with ideas for all kinds of custom fitment of trunk lids,hoods etc. SOOO Lets see what you have please. Thanks Fedco

 

From what I heard he got the basic bubble shape by cutting pieces out of the roofs of junkyard 51 Buicks and similar cars. Then heated the metal over a charcoal fire in the back yard and pounded into shape over a tree stump. Believe it or not the same technique has been used for shaping metal back into antiquity. Wish someone got a film or photos.

 

Thank You that's great info I like doing things the old way

 

That is the only way to do it in my opinion, I find it so relaxing to just get away and lost in the old way of building something. Hobo Jim

 

Made my own from a donor 50 hood for my 50 coupe. Hood offered some complex curves and rt and lt sides. Gave me the basic shape to rework them. Made a frame and folded the edges over like a door skin. Then made a leading edge scoop out of 1/8 plate out of 3 pieces.
Not everyones cup of tea but i kinda like them.

 

Thats what Iam talking about!!

 

Tedley that is pretty impressive and they look perfect!

 

Nice skirts, Tedley!

 

I was told by a guy that Jimmy Jones made these skirts, don't know if it true .

 

Here's the stuff on a Jimmy Jones on kustomrama
http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Jimmy_Jones_Bubble_Skirts
Some pics

 

Aesthetics would disuade me from wanting to apply 'bubble skirts' to flat slab-sided bodies. I'd move them toward the 'round, reubenesque' styles, such as '50 Buicks, Mercs, Hudsons, etc.
Pure style slab sides 'deserve' flare skirts, such as Foxcraft...

 

They seem to have alot to do with, as far as fitment,to the shape of the quarters.They are not for every car. I will post some pics of the ones I have at the end of the week.Would I be correct in saying that these skirts were more of a custom built for thing than a mass produced like Foxcraft ones??

 

Here are some pictures of the ones I have. Bracket on both are the same style. These are steel.

 

I have a set that is made exactly like that....same brackets, rod, pinched rubber seal and bottom lip with multiple holes on each end. Do you know who made those that you have? Dave Jenkins (owner of that black 57 chevy with Jimmy Jones skirts above) looked at pics I sent him of mine and he said they looked like they could be Jimmy Jones skirts, but never having seen the backside of a real pair myself, the ones I have look more like manufactured skirts rather than fabricated ones, but I can't confirm that one way or another.

 

drdave, Id like to know.Was hoping maybe the bracket style being the same on both sets may tell someone something.Mine look well made. The one set was on a 49 Merc. Always good to learn more here!

 

I have a real set of Jimmy Jones skirts for a shoebox and the bracketry is much rougher looking than that, I would guess those are aftermarket.

 

Can you post a picture please? Thanks

 

Yes, I would second pics on your shoebox skirts, Andy. The ones I have are for a shoebox I'm pretty sure, so it would be cool to compare.

 

those look like a diaper with a full load to me.

 

I also made these skirts from a 50' chevy sedan roof

 

I`ve heard these are the longest ones ever made.

 

That is bad ass! Question though, are the forward ends permanently attached to the doors?

 

They`d have to be. Might be just bolted on. It`s Yosmite Sam Radoff`s from Canada. Somewhere I`ve seen a picture of him holding one in the upright position.

 

cool beans.I like hand made stuff

 

From listening to my dear departed Dad and all the old guys that hung around, the 1st steps to the look came about by using big car skirts on the small Fords. Cars like Packard, some of the Buicks, and other big GM cars lends an almost blistered look. This is a big car, sits on a 127" WB. Note the bubble or blister to the skirt (courtesy of a google image search)

Put that skirt on a 36 Ford:

See what I mean? I can't raise a right hand to the Ford shown having a Packard skirt (the preferred skirt for the time) but it sure looks like it. The good news? You can buy them new, in steel, about $400. I looked at them in person and the bubble and size are just right. Same skirt available in a smaller version but it's the size that makes it work. Yes? No? I'm a fan, but I'm a Packard guy too so...

 

Here's this from kustomrama site


Sent from iPad

 

I heard, he would make a paper pattern. And two weeks later, he would fit them when you came back with your car. I heard they were not cheap. He only had a one car garage. Was thinkin there was another term he used for the forward curve. I heard in person someone explain how and what happened when you went to see him.

 

Thanks Austinrod. I have that picture saved in my files, but not the description that goes with it. The caption describes exactly how mine are done....rolled on 3 sides with a pinched in gasket of some sort and a 90 degree bent flange across the bottom with brackets on each end. Hmmmmm....

 

What a contrast ,Pictures speak volumes!!

 

Glad you like it Fed. There's a local collection that has a couple early V8s, minor mods like dual carbs and exhaust, but 2 of his cars have Packard skirts. Monster difference even though the skirt is just a couple inches longer/taller. A place in VA, or W VA Something "Dice" sells metal skirts the right size and bubble for $400 plus the ride. They're the most correct I've seen. Wouldn't even consider 'glass skirts.