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-   -   1949 Cadillac Roadster Build (https://allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=14068)

Jack 1957 08-19-2015 09:53 PM

1949 Cadillac Roadster Build
 
I'm going to document some extensive sheet metal work and frame modification on a 49 Caddy. This will be a start to finish project that will take years to finish. The beginning will be somewhat slow going but I think it will be an interesting build to follow. I've spent some time looking around this site and like the group of people here. I wasn't sure that this build would be welcome here until I came across a post by Admin Kerry Pinkerton directed toward Sergey who's building a 41 Chevy truck. He stated that a full build thread was welcome here. So, if you're interested, please follow along. Ask any questions and I'm always open to suggestions.

I started with tunneling the headlights. I got a headlight bezel from a 54 Stude to use as a guide. One tip I can offer for making templates for a complex or irregular shape is to use 3M weld paper. It is about as sticky as masking tape on one side and keeps its shape without stretching when you remove it. after transferring the shape to a piece of sheet metal and cutting it out, a little time on the wheel and shrinker and they're ready to fit to the fender. I also made the tubes with flanges that the headlight bucket will mount to. That's about as far as I got today.

I'll be using a rolled 1/4" rod for the leading edge where the inner and outer pieces meet. I have been reading some input from Marty Comstock ( a very knowledgeable welder here on AMS) and I think I will be gas welding this up using SiBr rod. I use this wire at work with a MIG Pulse welder and it is amazing.

Jere 08-19-2015 10:05 PM

Hello Jack and let me be the first to join your build.

We need pictures.

Jere

Jack 1957 08-19-2015 10:08 PM

I'm having trouble loading pictures. Security token error???

Kerry Pinkerton 08-19-2015 10:13 PM

That means they are too large, 800x600 is a good size or a bit larger.

skintkarter 08-19-2015 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack 1957 (Post 116163)
I'm having trouble loading pictures. Security token error???

Jack, I used to have the same problem posting pictures, but somebody put me onto a free download gizmo Faststone Photo Resizer http://www.faststone.org/download.htm

With this, you can reduce a whole bunch of shots at once and they are then fine to individually upload to the site. Pays to set up a destination folder for them to be reduced into and you will be away.

Look forward to seeing some shots of the project.

Jack 1957 08-20-2015 07:40 AM

Thanks, Kerry gave me that info late last night I'll resize them when I get home.

Jack 1957 08-20-2015 09:54 PM

10 Attachment(s)
Lets see if I can figure out this picture upload thing.

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Jack 1957 08-20-2015 10:08 PM

5 Attachment(s)
I started fitting the inner rings and got them trimmed up. The aluminum disc is just wedged in there to keep the round shape while fitting and welding.

Attachment 34004

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Jack 1957 08-20-2015 10:32 PM

1 Attachment(s)
From this lowly roller...

Attachment 34009

Jack 1957 08-20-2015 10:35 PM

2 Attachment(s)
To this long & low roadster

Attachment 34461

By the way, this concept drawing was done in collaboration with a very talented young guy that I happened to find on the internet. They call him Raymond "Picasso" Williams. Ray works with your input and his skills to make that vision you have become a reality. All this was done online. I would tell him what to change and he would alter the image step by step. After a while I thought he could just see what I was thinking. He was telling me that the finished side view above has over 150 layers (alterations). Anyway, if you need this kind of work done or full size scaled working drawings check him out on facebook (Picasso Concepts). His prices are very fair.

Moulder 08-22-2015 12:09 AM

The sectioned hood and the shape of the windshield makes it look like a mid 50's car. I like the look you're going for!

What kind of grill are you going to use/make?

Mike Motage 08-22-2015 09:20 AM

Very cool project! Love the rendering.

How much of the original body will you be using ?

Jack 1957 08-22-2015 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Motage (Post 116257)
Very cool project! Love the rendering.

How much of the original body will you be using ?

I'll be using most of it but modifying the hood and fenders, reshaping and skinning the doors and skirting the rear fenders. Roof, deck lid and some of the firewall will be removed and replaced with hand made panels.. I'll be using a new Cadillac as a donor car so all drivetrain, electronics, interior, wiring etc. will be updated. I'm going to keep about half of the original frame and modify the rest to accept the new front and rear suspension cradles. The original frame is a very stong X member type that is almost a perimeter frame. I'll have to remove the outer rocker panels and replace the inners with 1/8" plate to help keep the body rigid once the top is removed so there'll be a lot of fab work in this one.

Jack 1957 08-22-2015 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moulder (Post 116249)
The sectioned hood and the shape of the windshield makes it look like a mid 50's car. I like the look you're going for!

What kind of grill are you going to use/make?

I'll have to make the grille based on the original 49 horizontal bars without the verticals. I have a set of 56 dagmars and center bar that I'll modify for the bumper.

Moulder 08-22-2015 03:07 PM

I know cadillac has some front wheel drive cars. Is the donor front or rear wheel drive. Auto or manual? Is it an Ls or Northstar motor? Sorry for all the questions, I've always liked large tastefully modified cars. I would like to do a custom 40's-50's dodge, chrysler, or plymouth some day. I've already got a 474cid hemi that could be used to power it.

I 'm excited to see how this project unfolds.

Kerry Pinkerton 08-22-2015 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moulder (Post 116270)
...I would like to do a custom 40's-50's dodge, chrysler, or plymouth some day. I've already got a 474cid hemi that could be used to power it....

You should buy this from me: http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1957/Kerrys57saga/index.htm

Gojeep 08-22-2015 05:24 PM

Looks like a great project to follow along with.
Not up with all American terminology, but is there a difference between tunnelling the headlights and frenching them? Only had heard the latter term before.

Jack 1957 08-22-2015 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moulder (Post 116270)
I know cadillac has some front wheel drive cars. Is the donor front or rear wheel drive. Auto or manual? Is it an Ls or Northstar motor?

I am studying the CTS and CTS-V The donor has to be a rear wheel drive only. Front wheel drive and all wheel drive won't work because the transaxle is behind the engine and in the 49 the engine sits to the rear of the front spindles. I need to get a couple more dimensions off of a CTS. Mainly around the dash, windshield and firewall. If the CTS measures out to be useful, I'll be looking for a 2012 or 2013 CTS . Those two years used a 318 HP version of the LFX V6. After 2013 they went to a turbo 4 cyl engine. Surprisingly, the CTS and the 49 weigh the same! Curb weight is right around 4,000 pounds. I might get lucky and find a CTS-V but it won't be cheap. I still have a lot of research to do in that area.

Jack 1957 08-22-2015 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gojeep (Post 116274)
Looks like a great project to follow along with.
Not up with all American terminology, but is there a difference between tunneling the headlights and frenching them? Only had heard the latter term before.

Semantics. Originally the term "Frenching" meant to minimize. Simply incorporating the shape of the bezel into the fender. Traditional custom purists might still insist on that definition. In reality, though, the term "Frenching" has morphed to cover just about any custom treatment around headlights, tail lights, antennaes, etc.
Tunneling is pretty much the same treatment.

Jack 1957 08-22-2015 10:19 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I had originally intended to use 1/4" round stock at the leading edge of the head light openings where the inner and outer sheet metal meet but after tacking it all together, I didn't like it. Sloppy looking and would have required too much mud work. So I made new inner sleeves and tipped about 1/4" at the leading edge to meet with the outer fender extensions. Attachment 34029


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