My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by ptc

Coming along - body work is truly an art that in many regards is a lost art to this magnitude. Most body shops that do new(er) car repairs are just parts changers, remove the old and replace with a new one.... slap some paint on it, call it good! They wouldnt have the foggiest idea of where to even start with something like yours and all the little details to REALLY fix it to the extent needed. great job you guys are doing.

Thank you very much, appreicate greatly...Jim

[youngrodder]

Jim

Fantastic work by you and Mark. It takes time to do it right and pay attention to the gaps and fitment details. On my 53 Suburban I think I will go with a chrome aftermarket grill a friend gave me (for free) in place of the very nice painted OE grill. Your documentation has given me some things to look out for as far as fitment.

looking great.

Marc

[Advanced Design]

And that persistence is how you build a really nice vehicle! I would be tempted to throw in the "that's good enough" towel.
Good example for the rest of us Jim and Mark.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

And that persistence is how you build a really nice vehicle! I would be tempted to throw in the "that's good enough" towel.
Good example for the rest of us Jim and Mark.

Doug, I know you better than that. Seeing what you have done in the past.
You and Marc on doing great on the burbs. Thank you so much for the compliments...Jim

[Scott2]

Very nice work!

[joedoh]

jeeze your gorgeous work makes me feel like a caveman banging rocks together sometimes.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Scott2

Very nice work!

Thanks Scott

Originally Posted by joedoh

jeeze your gorgeous work makes me feel like a caveman banging rocks together sometimes.

I know your not that bad, appreicate the thoughts...Jim

[oldman3]

Today's update. I had stuff I had to do this morning early, so Mark picked back up where we left off Saturday.

Pic 1 The right brace not lining up with other holes.

Pic 2 Mark cut off the top of brace and rewelded in new location.

Pic 3 Much better that before. Just a note, when top panel is attached it pulls the grill in line with the new hole.

Pic 4 & 5 The bottom of same brace needed to be moved, so Mark cut and welded, so it lines up with bottom panel.

[oldman3]

Here you can see the grill, fenders, hood are looking a lot better that when we started.

Mark and I also took the time to place each chrome bar back on main frame, checked and the tips of each bar was going to hit the fenders. Mark took his aluminum hammer and worked the ends to give us the clearance we needed.

[oldman3]

While truck was still in the shop, I had Mark weld in new tabs for the headlight bucket. The newer Hagen set-up has the tabs in different locations than the orginal I did 13 or 14 yrs ago. I cut out the old tabs, Mark made new ones and welded them in place. I'm out of the shop for a few days, customers first, so I'll update as necessary...Jim

[joedoh]

boy howdy that blue tape on the grille. I thought you had switched to riviera blue for a second. thats my very favorite color, so dont blame me for getting excited.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by joedoh

boy howdy that blue tape on the grille. I thought you had switched to riviera blue for a second. thats my very favorite color, so dont blame me for getting excited.

...Jim

[oldman3]

Well you folks ready for my sob story. It's been at least two weeks with nothing to show. But was finally able to get a little work done. Lots of pics with "how and why", might get boring.

Pic 1 This is how the Hagen lamp base aligns with tabs, drill holes and install screws (weather bad sat 4/29 when to house)

Pic 2 Back in shop, installed lamp assembly and installed retainer ring.

Pic 3 Drivers side same as pass.

[oldman3]

A few days later after finding some problems, Mark and I talked about not being able to adjust highlights without removing retainer ring, so it was decided to modify the retainer ring so the large holes align with the screw heads with lamp base, and just drill new holes for retainer ring to screw into lamp base. Which is what I did today. (sorry not pics)

Pic 1 I also found out that the chrome ring for light would not sit level on the lamp, because of two nubs on the glass (made during manuf). These are new LED stuff I bought some time back. The lamp assembly is by HELLA made in Germany and DOT approved, has glass lens and metal housing, nice stuff.

Pic 2 So after about 30 minutes of grinding I cut down the nubs to clear.

[oldman3]

Pic 1 This is the lamp assembly with metal piece for the notch in base.

Pic 2 LED light

Pic 3 New LED light assembly (plug and play)

Pic 4 All assembled

Pic 5 Light on low beam, way better that the old H4 bulbs

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

A few days later after finding some problems, Mark and I talked about not being able to adjust highlights without removing retainer ring, so it was decided to modify the retainer ring so the large holes align with the screw heads with lamp base, and just drill new holes for retainer ring to screw into lamp base. Which is what I did today. (sorry not pics)

Pic 1 I also found out that the chrome ring for light would not sit level on the lamp, because of two nubs on the glass (made during manuf). These are new LED stuff I bought some time back. The lamp assembly is by HELLA made in Germany and DOT approved, has glass lens and metal housing, nice stuff.

Pic 2 So after about 30 minutes of grinding I cut down the nubs to clear.

Nice Jim....curious is Mark going to modify the lamp base by adding steel like he has done before for better adjusting (see pics for reference)? I just bought some 11g steel today to make a couple new base rings and follow Mark's lead. Your repair is looking good.

Marc

[Indian113]

Oh Yeah! That was worth the headache for you, at least I think I would be Happy with it.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Oh Yeah! That was worth the headache for you, at least I think I would be Happy with it.

Thanks Ray, yes I'm real happy with both the LED changes...Jim

[oldman3]

Well, I couldn't help myself, wanted to see how the headlight worked. These isn't a good comparison because I only have one headlight working on the 50 and the new Buick has both, but I'm happy with what I see. Once both are in and adjusted they will be better..Jim

Pic 1 Buick lights

Pic 2 50 lights

[oldman3]

Since I've been so slow in getting anything done. Mark and I talked about the NSRA mid-american nats, last of this month. I've been to every one since I finished my truck, and I not going to miss this one (13 yrs). So, I will remove the drivers fender and inner, spray with epoxy primer, do body work, spray with sandable primer, reinstall everything. Give it a good shake down run and drive it to the event. Then after that I will tear it back apart, clean up everything, and start getting it ready for paint. Soooo hopefully I will have some more to post soon...Jim

[lower50's]

Looking good Jim!! I like the marker lights. One thing it looks like the cut off on the '50 is better than the Buick.

[RockinKees]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Since I've been so slow in getting anything done. Mark and I talked about the NSRA mid-american nats, last of this month. I've been to every one since I finished my truck, and I not going to miss this one (13 yrs). So, I will remove the drivers fender and inner, spray with epoxy primer, do body work, spray with sandable primer, reinstall everything. Give it a good shake down run and drive it to the event. Then after that I will tear it back apart, clean up everything, and start getting it ready for paint. Soooo hopefully I will have some more to post soon...Jim

That's the Spirit Jim!!!
We have our anual D-Day overhere, it's a Rockabilly Festival of our club, this year is #32, I only missed 1!!
Go to the Nats, the rest comes later!!

Did I tell you that you've done a great job so far?

[Indian113]

Glad to hear you have a Goal! I was wondering if you were going to make the Nat's. Don't forget your Camera and take Lots of Pictures-PLEASE!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Glad to hear you have a Goal! I was wondering if you were going to make the Nat's. Don't forget your Camera and take Lots of Pictures-PLEASE!

Thanks Ray, having a goal, and getting it done, that's the hard part. I will take pics...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Very nice work on the repairs and mod's Jim. Enjoy the Nat's, I have no doubt you will make it!