1949 Cadillac Roadster Build

[Jack 1957]

Tacked and ready to weld. I'll double check the fit tomorrow and weld it up. It looks better than the first one. I'll have to clean up the right side a little to match better with this side.

[Frank.de.Kleuver]

You're doing great Jack. Can't wait to see it welded up. It's a long panel so I'm curious how it'll react to the heat.

Frank

[Jack 1957]

I went back to the right side to do some detail work to match the left side. It was just a matter of adjusting the shape of the top surface where it meets with the deck lid. Both sides are symmetrical now.

[Cadzook]

I have not been on this forum for a while and was surprised to see this! I just finished reading it. You are doing a really nice job on the fabrication, and on the write up. Looking at the pics was a trip down memory lane for me. I had to address some of the same rust issues on my '49 Cad when I did the body work on it. (My bodywork was basically restorative, with very minor custom touches.) I like the way you made all of your brackets and supports, they look very professional.
Needless to say I'll be watching this to completion!

Thank you
Alden

[Jack 1957]

Thanks, Alden. Where did you find your spears? (Body side moldings)

[Jack 1957]

I welded up the left side upper and lower panels. I was tack stacking and skipping around so there was minimal distortion. Also, being between the two body lines helps keep the panel from getting too distorted.

[Jack 1957]

Cleaned up the welds and planished the area. It needed a little adjusting but not much. I think I still need to run this area through the wheel. The lower surface is bowed up a little near the middle of the panel. If I stretch the welded area it should push that back down.




I did some final shaping and a little manipulation then tipped the outer flange.





I don't know what happened here but I'll need to correct that mismatch.

[Cadzook]

Originally Posted by Jack 1957

Thanks, Alden. Where did you find your spears? (Body side moldings)

Jack, I bought one at a swap meet, already rechromed, from a guy that dealt in abandoned parts purchased from chrome shops. The second one from a local guy that had sold his Cadillac. I pestered him for years off and on and finally he parted with it. I had it rechromed locally.
Those things gave me gut aches! I tried to repair a set of rotten ones that were on my car. I chased down every lead I got.
I wish I could offer you some advice, but I have none. Maybe one of the talented metalsmiths here could come up with an alternative.

[Jack 1957]

I might have to make them. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

[Jack 1957]

I've been busy with the addition to the garage lately but I hope to be back to work on the car this weekend. I'm adding a 1 1/2 car extension that will allow me to take over the whole area that I'm working in now. It's not much but it will help a lot. At one point in the future I will have the 49 body, the donor car and the frame under construction all in this 26 X 28 space. It'll be tight but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.