1949 Cadillac Roadster Build

[Jack 1957]

After welding up all these parts along the upper rail, the shape of the rail started moving. I had to do some straightening and manipulating to get it back to where it should be before welding in the last part. I used the buck to check, then one more test fit on the car and all is good. I can put in the wheel opening.





That's it for this one. I welded in the wheel opening, cleaned up the welds and got some primer on it. Next it's back to making the skin.

[Jack 1957]

I continued with the front half of the skin. I spent most of the day getting the skin to hang on the frame and checking the fit to the car. On and off about a dozen times, but if that what it takes, now is the time to do it.
I have the skin pretty close. I'll put it on the car one more time tomorrow and if it's good I can tack it and start on the rear half.

[Steve Hamilton]

Great progress Jack

Thanks for sharing with us!

Steve

[Jack 1957]

I finished up the front half of the skirt and it fits well on the skirt frame.



Now, on to the rear half. This doesn't have much shape to it but the inward roll along the bottom edge is curved lengthwise so it's a little tricky. I think it came in well.







The two halves mate up pretty well but there's still a lot of hammer and dolly work to be done. It will probably need another half day to do the finesse work before I can weld them up. Tomorrow's another day.

[Gojeep]

Going well there Jack. Have you noticed much difference doing one side after the other?

[Gulley]

Jack top notch fabrication here. I hope everyone has a great Easter. Gulley

[Oldnek]

This will be a great looking car when it's done. Awesome work, Jack!

[Jack 1957]

I've been working on finding the right position and location for the skirt release lever and decided it needs to be right behind the splash shield, hanging downward. (Speaking of splash shields, I won't be making them out of sheet metal. I'll modify the plastic ones from the donor car. They're much quieter than steel.) The skirt is very long and that's the closest location to the balancing point that is practical and safe from being triggered accidentally. It's going to be difficult for one person to remove or install this alone because of how long it is. I got it to where it goes on and off easily but I don't have to worry about scratching paint yet.





Next I worked on finishing the rear half of the skin. I needed a little more shape on the roll inward along the bottom so I marked where I wanted to make the curve with a red marker and did that with the P/U wheel.





After I got the roll in where I wanted it, the bottom edge of the sheet metal was still about an inch away from laying down on the lower rail of the frame. I marked where it needed to be stretched and wheeled along that edge until it laid down.





I tacked the skins to the frame and the first test fit was pretty close to being ready. I took it down and made a few adjustments and it's ready to go. I can weld it up next and do some finish work on the sheet metal and get started on the right fender next.





The body side molding completely covers the seam.

[Gojeep]

Looking great Jack.
Seeing you use the same wheel as I have always good to see what can be achieved as well.

[Jack 1957]

I had a little bit of time today so I got the fender welded on and cleaned up the welds. I didn't have time to finish welding the skirt so I'll get to that tomorrow and smooth out a couple rough spots on the fender and that should be it for this side.