[ghost28]

I figured I would start an official build thread for the roadster and get out of the genreal conversation area. So here goes. I bought this car as a basket case here in Colorado, and so far I have just tacked the car together to get a feel for it and decide on the build direction. I have decided to build it fenderless, but with the option of adding the fenders if I so desire. it will have a 62 buick 401 engine and a gm 4 speed combo. The car was too long with the 120 inch wheel base and most of the length was in the seating area of 48 inches, so the rear of the body along with the frame will have to be cut 6 inches to get the proportions right. so far  the body has been cut and the door jambs have been reinstalled. then I have installed some lower drivers side replacement panels. I have ordered the adaptor kit for the 4 speed conversion. Now we are all updated for the build thread. I hope you guys will follow along

[ghost28]

More pic's. The black one is what I am shooting for. The wife says red with black interior would make her happy. We will see....John

[themoose]

You have to admit  the black and red combo looks good...... and remember when the wife is happy everyone is happy

Moose

[john miller]

Looks good. I look forward to watching this build.

[TFoch]

Glad to see this build thread.  Looking forward to following the progress.  Good luck with the build!
Tom

[ghost28]

Thanks guys for the comments. I went out yesterday afternoon and bought the steel for the interior structure, and sub floor. The main rails of the sub floor will be 1 inch  by 2 inch 16 guage tubing. The rest of the sub flooring will be 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch 16 guage square tubing. I will take lots of pictures of the whole ordeal as I start bending and welding. Wish me luck....John

ps.  Tom.... I am going to follow your picture leads on structuring some of this little roadster.

[EDNY]

This might be "just me"...but I noticed that if I had to bend any round or square tubing...positioning the "seam" on the inside of the arc made the bend easier.  The seam is the dark line on the tubing...that would be the thickest wall area...just seems to make sense keeping it inside the curve means it won't have to be stretched as compared to being on the outside  circumference?

[chopper526]

Good luck, John, make sure you givr us plenty of pictures.     Jim

[TFoch]

John, sounds like you have a pretty good plan in place. Any pictures or measurements you need let me know. I'll be more than happy to help out if I can.
Tom

[ghost28]

This might be "just me"...but I noticed that if I had to bend any round or square tubing...positioning the "seam" on the inside of the arc made the bend easier.  The seam is the dark line on the tubing...that would be the thickest wall area...just seems to make sense keeping it inside the curve means it won't have to be stretched as compared to being on the outside  circumference?

I agree with your thinking in regards to the tubing bring stronger or thicker guage on the seam, even if it's very minor, it still would make the bending a little easier. I am gonna try it on some of my many bends to come.. Thanks John

[ghost28]

I don't get too much noisy work done during the week because the wife baby sits my grandaughters, but I did get some of the lower structure tubing bent up today. After the babys left this afternoon I cut out the old rusted lower panels on the passenger side and installed the new ones, and then installed the lower structure tubing on the back of the car and both quarters.  the body is starting to feel less like a wet noodle now. The garage is a little crowded with the little tractor in there, but at least I don't have to shovel snow.

[RayPrager]

WOW!!!!!
serious , inspiration....  BUSY,BUSY

Ray

[themoose]

Looking good! Great progress......the weekend is here so now you can really "Rock and Roll"

[TFoch]

WOW!!!!!
serious , inspiration....  BUSY,BUSY

Ray

Serious inspiration indeed! Great progress without waking the granddaughters!

[ghost28]

Well in the last few day I have fixed all the rust issues in the back half of the buick with new metal. There is a few cracked areas in the body that will need some attention. I started to check out the original hinges and the design is pretty cool, but they are a little flimsy for todays roads, and speeds. They are a single 1/4 inch pin design that with a flip of a flimsy piece of riveted metal you can dismount the doors and pull them off for a jeep like adventure. I am thinking since they were a hidden hinge design before. I might use a newer hidden design for safety and a little more strenth. I am also contemplating using a new small bear claw latch instead of the original, again for safety. I don't want the doors to pop open at hiway speeds. I have an  real bad feeling when I ride the pavement. HEHE.... A few pic's of the original hinges.