1958 Pontiac Wagon Build

[raggedjim]

You are doing some nice work on this wagon. Keep it up! Rg

[Tempest67]

Thanks Rg

Work on the car has slowed due to the summer heat, a home reno, and a shoulder injury, but I plan to be at it soon. (life is getting in the way)

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Thanks Rg

Work on the car has slowed due to the summer heat, a home reno, and a shoulder injury, but I plan to be at it soon. (life is getting in the way)

Buddy, I'm right there with you!

[Tempest67]

OK, time for an update, now that the 'distractions' are over, ........for now.

I decided to continue to tackle the metal work, this time at the spare tire well.

Unfortunately I did not cut out enough bad metal the first time so I added another patch. The welds aren't perfect, but with a little short strand fiber glass bondo, it should look fine.


carry on

[28TudorAZ]

Metal work is looking great. Most people wont touch that.

[Tempest67]

Metal work continues on the rear floor (passenger side)

I first made a new piece of metal to replace that rusted one, (see pics)
then removed it to reveal more rust (no surprise)
Now I need to make some floor patch panels before I can weld the new piece in, but it is made a ready to go, ......and that is progress !

Oh, and look what I found in the quarter panel


28TudorAZ, I kinda like metal repair/replacement, it feels gratifying to take a flat piece of metal and shape it to make it look original.......... maybe I'm crazy?

[Tempest67]

metal work continues on the rear floor

[Tempest67]

and 1 more pic

[Tempest67]

OK , Time for an update

The floor section is now complete on the Pass. side. (Driver's side seems to have a solid floor)

Once again, the floor braces were full of sand and gravel, but they have been cleaned out, treated, and painted.

The bracket has not been welded into place yet (just sitting there) as I want to seam seal the joint it sits on, and primer the bare metal first.

I was able to 'pound' an indent into the new floor to match the original, however, it is not as deep, but looks OK, I think.

Then I started on the inner wheel well (behind the wheel) and installed a couple of patches.

You can see where my next patch will be in the last pic. (holes in the trunk 'drop off' )

onward and upward......

[dsraven]

youre getting a lot done in a short time. nice to see the pics as you go.

[Tempest67]

Thanks, I enjoy the process

[Tempest67]

Hey Guys,

Put in another patch on the rear floor, and wanted to finish the inner wheel well, but I have no edge to use as a template. (I need to create a wheel opening where the rust has taken the shape away)

So, I have started trying to make a 1/4 panel patch.

I started with a paper template, put it on some sheet metal, rolled it in my cheap Princess Auto (Can. version of Harbor Freight) english wheel, and ....

considering I have never used an English wheel before, I think it is a good start.

[HO455]

I'm in awe! You do such amazing work.

[Tempest67]

Thanks HO455,

I am just trying to take what I have learned from Youtube Videos (Fitzee's Fabrications) and make it happen.

still a long way to go

[dsraven]

Check out Lazze, japhands (also known as make it custom), guzzi, there are others too but this would be a good start for learning some sheet metal skills.
Keep posting, good stuff.

[Tempest67]

Thanks dsraven, those are some very talented guys.

I added 2 more pieces to the panel, and it looks like I will have a few more (you can see more holes above the patch)

[Father&son56project]

Tempest67, I sat myself down with a pot of coffee this morning and read this entire thread. Fantastic work on a seriously big project! I am speaking from experience on how big that job is. Before I did Project Fargolet, I did a 1956 Nomad which was absolutely identical to your wagon in terms of rust. Same locations, same extent. Every pic in your thread gives me flashback PTSD of what I had to deal with!!!

Awesome metal work!

Stephan

[jaros44sr]

Dang man nice metal work you got skills
Keep it going
Complex curves and corners you got it all

[NONHOG]

Love the progress! Doing nice work!

[3drburb]

Amazing rescue, reuse and rebuild work as always but now you are stepping it up big time!
The pop bottle might be cool for a radiator overflow.

Happy Holidays.

[Tempest67]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, and I hope you all had a good Christmas.

Work continues on the inner fender wells, as I need to get the rotted metal out of here before I attach the outer quarter.

Not very exciting, but 1 patch at a time.

[28TudorAZ]

Takes a lot of patience. You should consider doing it as a side job if you really do enjoy it that much. You are doing amazing work and people would definitely pay you to do it. Can't wait to see the finished car.

[Tempest67]

Ha, Thanks, but I think I have enough work to do for myself.

It's nice to look back at what I started with.