well for all those that have been following me and my 52 shoebox I have finally decided to condense everything to only one thread for the entire build of my new ride, below will be the links to everything that has takin place so far and I will continue to use this thread for updates http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272508 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273639 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274978 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275235 and as for today i went out to the shop and started to block sand the fenders and hood to fill in the body and smooth it out, I think I have the front half done now and as for the question that i had on a previous post, i am going to start the chop on the front a pillars and i took a better photo of the top of the a pillar, but my question is how would you go about fixing this ugly *** edge at the top so I can have it look good and install a carson top??? if you have pics of your or ideas please help me, have done a search of carson tops but it is limited on the forums so the wifey is looking on her computer for other web sites with ideas
found a very informative site for building a carson top http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/howto/86421/index.html just figured that i would post it up in case someone else is building one, i nee to mock up the window again so i can figure out how far i need to cut the pillar, and try to rework the top corners so they dont look like ****
For me the best way to fix the windshield frame was to find someone with a real convertible and make paper templates of the metal....I just used regular masking paper and did a pencil rub of all the sharp edges and took some pics too. Then just build yours to look like a real one. I used a stick of 2x6 oak when I built my header piece...it shapes easily with an angle grinder and a flapper disc with about 80 grit. If you can't do that then I would just run the edges straight and get rid of the curved edge.(if that makes sense) Looking good!
i have read lots of your old posts and have been picking pices out of them for ideas on how to do things, but i am going to find a vert like you said one question why 2x6 why not 2x3???????? or was your top that much at a point
I remember that car from way back when. It was posted up before Danimal got it, then him and a friend Bob were going to work on it, glad its getting done. That thing is going to be FUUUN. Anything without the top is fun, hell, it could be a schoolbus! As long as the wind is blowing through your hair (if applicable)
I used 2x6 because it needed to be that wide to get the curve of 1/2 the side of the windshield frame in one piece of wood. I made a seperate piece for each half and attached them in the middle with steel braces screwed to the wood. Lay a piece of cardboard on the windshield frame and trace the shape from the center out to the edge ...do the inside edge and the outside edge. Then use a straightedge and run a straight line from the widest points of the shape....maybe you can use something smaller...I couldn't!
last night before i closed up the shop i decided to take the windshield out of the car and get it ready for a chop, removed the frame and put it on the bench guys i went out to the shop today to try and work on my 52 to start chopping the windshield and this is what i found but how did the HAMB gods know that i needed to take 3" out of the top???? they even ground it smooth and have it ready for filling i guess i have to find someone to cut the gl*** now --- he he
Dave!! I'm so glad that you're taking the hack job I did on that '52 and making it purty! I had big plans for that car when it was in my shop, but life got in the way and it had to move on down the road. FWIW- my original plan to fix the windshield post problem was to cut the front lip off the door top/ window frame and weld it into the gap, smoothing the post. And I would have made a nice smooth trim piece to cover the top of the windshield, with pins for the carson top. And, as I saw in an earlier post, the original plan was to fill the marker light holes and extend the top grill bar down to the splash pan. But this is YOUR car now- do with it what you want! I think it's looking great, and keep up the good work! P.S. Always loved that dash- but HATED the pimply-looking top...
hay quick question for ya then, the steering column, what year and make??? yes i am going to finish the trim below the hood down to the pan as i am going to put a 13 fin vette grill in it , i just wish that i had some more chrome for it like the 1/4 panel arrows, was also thinking bout getting rid of the rear lights and fabing in lower like some mercs
Way to go Dave. Like Chad said, lots of plans and they all went awry. I still don't have Court's truck up and running so I know it would have been too long to get to for me. Looking good.
The Jalopy Journal
