1958 Pontiac Wagon Build

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by HO455

I know it's a four door but now is the time to start the 3 door lifestyle!
In my world 3 doors are the correct number of doors.

3drburb like this one? Was the Vista Cruser an option then? Okay I should stop high jacking there peoples threads.

https://youtu.be/VU5CYt1D-SE?si=AYYCkwzEeigiS0o3

I love the all the posts and appreciate the time it takes to document it.

Yes, it is the flat roof like that but 65 (the one in the Ad is a 64). I believe the Vista Cruiser option was offered for the first time in 1964 and went into the late 70s.
Very nice Ad, first time seeing it, thanks, also love seeing the kid playing around the cargo area, that Ad will be great nowadays. LOL!

Apologies for the hijack.

[3drburb]

Very impressive work. Thanks again for showing us along the way.

[Tempest67]

Thanks 3drburb,

Next to do is get this brace in position to weld.

[Tempest67]

put it in position, and welded it in

[Tempest67]

I installed the front driver side floor pan on the weekend.

1st pic hole in floor
2nd pic home made floor pan
3rd pic installed (ran out of welding gas on little piece under seat)
4th pic from below


still some trimming/grinding to do, but overall I am pleased with the fit.

Next to do is the rear floor pan, and wheel well.

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

I installed the front driver side floor pan on the weekend.

1st pic hole in floor
2nd pic home made floor pan
3rd pic installed (ran out of welding gas on little piece under seat)
4th pic from below


still some trimming/grinding to do, but overall I am pleased with the fit.

Next to do is the rear floor pan, and wheel well.

Talk about getting it done.
The work and those homemade floor pans are looking pretty darn nice.

[mongocanfly]

Some really nice repair work..!!

[Tempest67]

Hi Guys,

I made a patch for the rear wheel well (1st pic), then removed and replaced 1/2 the rear crossmember.

Luckily, I had a good crossmember that I could cut and weld in.(from a 58 Chev)

I carefully removed the old floor and bent it back, and was able to reattach it to the new brace.

Now that I have a good solid brace, I can continue with the floor

[Tempest67]

Hey Guys,

I installed another patch (under rear seat) and have the rear driver's side floor (footwell) piece to go. (last one)

But, on another topic, I had a friend of mine make me some custom wheel center inserts for my Pontiac Rally 2 wheels. Instead of the PMD, I am going to use these. I was able to hide the lines/grooves made by the 3D printer with many coats of clear.

[HO455]

Those are sweet!

[Tempest67]

I installed the last piece to the floor. (Rear Drivers)

I did not grind the welds smooth on the inside, as I want to keep the strength of the weld, and once the carpet is down, it will not be seen.

The underside of the welds need more smoothing, but that will be done when the body is lifted off the frame. (as I can't get at the welds) Also have some edges to weld in and smooth around the rockers/rear wheel wells, but that will be done when I remove the wheels/body.

Overall, I am pleased with the results.

[3drburb]

That is a lot of work and it looks great from here, good choice on leaving as much weld as possible on the floor.
The dash profile and gauges layout is really cool.
Thanks for showing as always and looking forward to see what's next.

[Tempest67]

Thanks 3drburb

It has come a long way, but still a long way to go.

[Tempest67]

Hi Guys

I have been busy with some home renos for our daughter but was able to work on the Gas Tank.

I thought it would have been as rusty inside as out, and was preparing to pay $500 for a new one, however, after removing a few rocks, and a vinegar/water sloshing, it looks really good inside.

Then I had to make a steel piece to weld to the new sending unit (came with new fuel gauge) to attach to the tank.

The tank now has about a pint of Transmission/Varsol solution that I slosh around occasionally (will be emptied at time of install) and is waiting.

1 more thing done (on a long list)

[7dee2]

Good job on the floor repairs and a nice save on the gas tank looks good!

[Tempest67]

Not a big job, but I found some old PMD wheel centers at a Swap Meet and installed my custom inserts.

So the wheels just need some trim rings, lug nuts, and tires.

[Tempest67]

Another little job, I am planning to use a 'Vintage Air' style of heater, so I decided to make a Blower Motor/Heater Core delete plate to clean up the fire wall.

[leegreen]

You are doing a great job saving that wagon and have no reason to be dissing your own metal working skills!

I like the one section at a time approach, it does not end in a shell suspended in a web of cross bracing with no floor at all being sold with the 'all the hard work is done' byline.

By the looks of that body you could switch from floors/frame to driveline and then drive it with exterior bodywork as-is. A reward period to rejuvenate your enthusiasm for continuing.

What are your plans for rust proofing inside those newly rebuilt floor braces ?

[Tempest67]

Thanks for the kind words, but my metal skills will be really tested when I start on those quarter panels.

I did brace the doors when I did the rocker panels, as the X frame has no support there, and the doors still open and close without an issue.

I coated the inside of the braces with that 'stone guard/bedliner' stuff but soon found out it was flammable when welded, so I simply painted them and will follow up with somekind of paint sprayed in with a blow gun.

A Home Reno project and the summer heat has slowed progress lately, but I am looking forward to getting back at it.

Thanks again

[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.