Hello Hambers Slow but sure progress. The fender is coming along . I scored some very nice headlight buckets from Ohio should be in soon . I will be able to finish this fender french job . Turning out good . The headlights are frenched a tasteful 1 1/2 inches. Just enough. On another note I found some bottom door hinges for the Buick . If you recall the previous owner or maybe the owner before him lost the hinges . There is an old guy just 20 mins from me that has 2 Buick parts cars and they are full of good stuff . aw1950
Out With the old and in with the new . Small progress but progress none the least. I am getting the easier stuff out of the way . Doors and fenders are a snap . The real work begins when I get into the cutting and aligning of the two cars . I cant wait . Anyways thanks for the words of encouragement from all who sent it my way . I will keep posted as often as possible . PS I have a honey do list like most guys so my time in the garage is limited otherwise there would be a progress post every night . Damn list lol !!!
A few more pics of the progress on the front fenders. Mustache is hard to shape but its getting there. First picture is of the mustache before shaping . Lots of shrinking and stretching to get it there . I wish I had more time tonight I would have had it done . Tomorrows another day. C-Ya
Sounds that you are on the right track. Hang in there and it will bee a very cool ride, Mine took 22 years. My friend is building a 52 Special hardtop, with plans to chop it.
Looks great! I love the progress I have to say I was a little puzzeled at first about the closed up headlight, but I guess it's for stabillyty right? More pics! please! Klaus
Thanks for the words of encouragement boys and yes Kuztomklaus you are right . It was easier to weld in new flanges on both fenders this way . It helped to keep the form of the fender . Once welded I just cut out the opening as needed. Keep checking up now and then lots more to come
I like it, a bold stroke, mate a '51 body with an '89 rolling chassis/floors. It's what hotrodding and custom building is all about Do you have the front of the '51 body? Keep on Truckin'.
Brerhair Thanks for the words . yes I have all the sheetmetal for the car . The big challenge will be to make 2 rear Quaters . As you can see in the posts previous they go from bad to non existant LOL ! TB33 I think the fiewall of the caprice is not in the right place in regaurds to where the front fenders need to be to be centered over the wheels. I will have to remove the floor section altogether from the caprice frame , section it and fit it all back together . This is the kind of stuff I live for . I cant wait
Another update . A buddy came over and 4 hours later this is where we are at . This is the point I need to be . The frame will be cut and the 5.5 inches will be added . Then it will be time to bring the buick in and seperate it from the original frame . I cant wait for that . Its like an early Christmas present .
Well today was productive . Started by rolling out the frame and storing it for the time being . Next we drug out from around the back of the garage the Buick. After the removal of the few remaing body bolts ( 1 ) LOL I braced the car up and the threw a 2x4 in across the trunk opening . Wrapped the chainfalls to it and away we went . ( Liftoff ) Blocked the front up on sawhorses and rolled out the old frame . Next up is the removal of 7 inches from the frame under the trunk area of the frame as it is that lenght to much in relation to the Buick . Then, because you should always repair frame with frame I will take that 7 inch piece , cut it down to 5.5 inches and add it to the middle of the frame . This will bring the frame to the correct 121.5 inches in wheelbase that I need for the Buick . Moving right along wish me luck
Well another update . Got to steal away a couple hours tonight and I cut out what was remaining of the original floor . Not much of it left to say the least . Not really enough time to do too much more than that , but I did do a lot of looking and thinking of what my plan of attack is . Maybe tomorrow before work I will get the Buick moved to one side of the shop and get the frame back in and cut and lengthen the frame so I can lower the buick over theframe . Then it will become clearer as to where to start in the build . Where into the fun stuff now Later!!!
More Progress I had a few hours today and was able to seperate the two frame halfs. I will put in the 5.5 inches maybe tomorrow if time permits . Enjoy the pics for now all you pic junkies LOL !
The Jalopy Journal
