It's been a while since I posted. I haven't been able to work on the car til recently. Moved to California and started work at a custom shop. Here are the recent progress reports.
Just found this (thanks daddio!). I like your car and the work you are doing. Congrats on the move and new job! -Dave
Worked another few hours on her. Welded up some trim holes and tacked in the patch panel. I still have to fab up the wheel lip but progress is being made. I am still kicking around the idea of purchasing the Frenched taillight buckets from Chris at shoebox central. I know that I can build them but I'm thinking the time saved is worth the 65 bucks. What do you guys think?
Taillights are definitely staying maybe just some blue dots but I want to set them back a bit. More work will happen on Monday. Stay tuned.
Love the look... Are you planning on a radius on the door rear top corner? My first shoebox had the same chop drop you used. Great work. You can be proud.
I am planning on rounded corners. Moulded grill surround, peaked grill and quarters, shaved emblems and handles, Frenched headlights and tail lights. Relocating the license plate to the bumper, Modified with a Lincoln over rider. Peaked hood not grill. Sorry
Today I got the wheel lip made and almost fully welded in. Marked off the remaining area for trimming then the repair will be complete. I got reacquainted with the shrinker/stretcher. I love metal work.
That gap looks big but doable, and I hate using magnets but that's me. Car is coming along nicely, good work, glad I scribed to watch this one
The gap is big. I put it up there to check the radius of the wheel lip. I haven't trimmed the opening yet for a clean seam. Good eye on that. Attention to detail. I don't prefer magnets but it's what I can afford at the moment. I would like to upgrade to panel clamps but even with those I would have to compete with the inner structure of the wheel tub. Thanks for all the support and following. It helps me to maintain progress.
I got the patch competed. I just have to hit a few pin holes now. I've begun to strip the other quarter panel in preparation to French the taillights. I'm also going to start prepping the hood for peaking. I will show pictures as I go.
I made some progress today. Stripped most of them he back half of the car in preparation for peaking the quarters and the tail light French. I'm considering shaving the gas filler hole as well. The stock filler neck does not like the high flow pumps and I have lost a lot of gas just pumping. I also started to peak the hood. I traded some trim for a strip of bead rolled 18 gauge the length of my hood. I had to use the shrinker/stretcher to get it to conform to the curve of the hood. Starting to look pretty good. I'll finish welding it in then throw some fiber glass filler on it to smooth it all out.
Great ride. I'd like to shop my 49 after seeing this. I'd keep the original grill if it were mine. Did we miss something? You said "channel". What????????????
No channel. I've been building this one for a year now and I love driving it. I plan on making this a daily so I've decided not to channel this car. The static drop is pretty nice but bags maybe in the long term future. Just gonna drive it till the wheels fall off then weld em back on and drive some more.
Wow! Nice job on the chop, and the car so far. You are a good student. Keep at it. Ou will definitely have a cool daily driver.
So a little detour from the regular updates. One thing I love about being a hot rodder is passing down what I've learned from those who came before me. I don't have all the experience in the world or even a fraction of it but what I do know I freely give to those who will listen. I have had the incredible opportunity to begin to teach my son...and he likes it. Here are some pics of our classes together. Here's to the next generation. (I have already been scolded via Facebook that he needs safety glasses and a mask so please don't beat a dead horse...got so excited that I forgot to make him wear em). Thanks for looking.
I love the way the car is going you have a real good helper working for you I bet he gets top dollar.
Kids are the best helpers! Most of mine have spent countless hours in the garage with me. Hell, my 15 year old surprised me today by changing the oil in my truck, the wife's car, tuning up three bikes and my lawnmower. He's a great kid!