Inspired by Ed Roth, Plowboy and Racerdad

After a couple of phone calls this AM, I now have another donor! It's the Super-beetle parts car that I was looking for. There's not much left of it, but it does have a windshield and the nessessary sheetmetal required for my Cutl*** build. At $75, it's a deal! Ha
Now I just have to come up with $75! So if any of you locals need my services, give me a call!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Just playing around - ignore the front, I was just trying to fill the gap.
Are you planning a roof or not?

 

OK, now I get it. I know you said "...Ignore the front...", but, if the front "fenders" were pulled in, in a gradual taper from the cowl to the radiator surround (whatever that will end up being), rather than that sharp step at the cowl, it would look pretty cool. Sort of like Tex Smiths asymetrical AMBR winner from the '60's.

I'm surprised I couldn't see where this was all headed before...

Now that I get it, may I suggest the twin bubble windshield idea tossed out for Racerdads Bad Belvedere?

Brian

 

You are quite right Bri. That kink was throwing things off. Here are a couple of improved views - with and without a hard top.

 

Excellent score!

Also kudos to James D for some excellent PhotoShop work.

 

Hahaha, you guys are too much! James D, the ******* view is pretty close to what I have in mind. The hardtop is not. The design should look more like a Model T soft top made in metal. Taller in the back than in the front. What you have drawn is more MGB-like and that is not where this is going.
There is an alternative thought percolating in my brain and that would be more like a 3-window lid with the back of the window frame leaned forward, (back of the lid too). The Lakes pipes are already here in kit-form and yes I did/do intend for them to exit the original wheelwell opening.

Yes Brian, I'm also surprised you weren't seeing where this was going! Your Fordillac has also inspired me, with a different design more '30's era, this is diffinately a '60's style design. I hope to do that project at a later date.
As to the twin bubble windshield, it's just not the direction I want this to go. I may rethink that as time goes on but right now, I think with the limited space between windshield posts, (about 40") I'm going to stick with the Super-beetle windshield. If I do change my mind and go down that path it would have to stay ******* and that would be tough on my ever more exposed scalp!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

About the front end/grille area, I want this to still look like a '61 Cutl*** only different ...

Al and I were talking about what I see in my mind for the grille shell and that is how I think of it. It's a separate constuction using the shape of the original twin headlights, only canted a bit, in a molded out of aluminum form that continues the cars bodylines. It will have to have a bit of a peak remenicient of the peak on the original hood, (I might even be able to include the hoods peak on/in this new grilleshell with some clever cutting). The Cutl*** grille-bar could be cutdown and fitted in between the upper headlights there would be a valance between the lower headlights and then the original bumper, just narrowed a bunch! With those design elements smoothly tied together, I think it will be just a 'Killer' car!
Oh, the narrowed rear turtledeck would also get a much narrowed original bumper too and a rolled pan!

That's it in a nutshell!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Wow...now THIS I gotta see !

 

Looks pretty neat! I think I'll sit back and watch this one for a bit.

 

Yes. That's what I was thinking. I can't see the topped version for some reason on my screen, but the ******* one is cool. You might want to rethink those wheels for that '60's vibe tho...

Brian

 

I didn't get it at first, but I am subscribed now! I dig it!

 

The wheels stay!
Think of this as if it was 'done in '61'! White walls were still 'in' to some degree and it will be sporting a white top.
The top's construction as I see it, is a cross between a Model T cloth-top, (in look) and a '63 Impala for the ribbed convertible look at the top above the rear window. Now change the angle of the back window from raked forward to raked backward, not too much/just a bit. Again the roof-line is raked higher in the back/slopes toward the windshield. The side gl*** stays stock.

The other thought I'd briefly entertained of the top of a '3-window coupe' is out.

This is the top I see in my head. Draw it if you can...

Thanks again for all the input!
Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Going on about the top, it needs to be constructed to look (from the outside) much like a 'Carson' top, padded/cushy with a canv*** upholstered covering. I don't see it as removable.

Continuing with some clearifications on the grille area; The canted headlights are canted just a bit, from vertical! Not like frowning eyebrows, which is kind of what I'd described in an earlier post ...
The radiator is either the stock one at about 28" wide, (which would have to sit back about 12" from the new grille shell) or a 22"x22" new aluminum one I bought for the RPU project that is much thicker than the stock one. The 28" stock radiator is shorter at about 20" and would only fit between the frame rails if located back close to the fan. The other candidate at 22" fits between the frame rails just behind the front spring.

I figured if I helped fill in some of the details, the chances of a photoshop drawing matching what I have in mind are just that much greater.

Again thanks so much for those who are participating in creating a picture that we all can see!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Like the front now.
Top would maybe match better if rear window was notch like rear tailight panle and line of top matched body more,2cents,door windows could stay stock

 

If I can...?

Put a slight drop at the back of the roof to avoid making too severe of a wedge shape, and also to match the drop at the back edge of the trunk lid.

 

Maybe something not quite as rounded as the first top but not so sharp on the angles as the second top. Definately am liking the ******* version. James D really made this thing come together visually.

 

James D, you got it! LOL That's great!

Unfortunately, the back panel as I located it in the pictures you are working off of, needs about 6" removed just behind both rear door jambs. It's just too thick there. If you can remove that amount and repost your pic's it'd be a real help for me!

Thanks again for participating, trying to describe what I see in my head verbally and having everybody 'get it' is next to impossible, without someone with real photoshop skills that does 'get it'.

You are my hero!
Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

I now understand

James D - thanks mate. I can see into Dan;s mind now and its a pretty good place to be.

 

Whoa, Dude, you don't wannt to go IN there! Ha!

It is amazing to see the car in a 'real' picture, and not just vaugely in my head. It really helps me define what it is that I see, when I try to verbalize a detailed description.

I'm so 'looking forward' to continuing with this build! Al and I are having a blast gettin' creative.

James D, is there anything you can do with my description of the grille, without any pictures to start with? I won't post those until after I get the Super-beetle windshield installed, which will require the firewall to be defined too.
Would it help if I was to post the individual components of which I spoke?

Sorry, it's just waay exciting to actually see pictures! Ha!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Back panel? Do you mean 6" out of the body between the doors and the wheels (shorter wheelbase?), or that the tub where you´ll sit will be opened out 6" towards the rear, so that the roof will be longer?

I took a look at the grille earlier, but I couldn´t make out what you meant from your description. Canted stock lights, but do you want to make the grill much deeper? I couldn´t find a decent photo of a 61 Cutl*** either. Are you planning a full hood, like the XR-6?

 

www.netcarshow.com/oldsmobile/1961-cutl***/800x600/wallpaper_01.htm




Here was one, sorry, embed link is fubar, click above link to see picture.

Maybe instead of canting the headlights you could make some pods for the bezels to sit into and have them sticking out the side like wings. That way you can keep a lot more of the original grill.

 

Hi James D! The wheelbase stays the same, roof stays the same too.

The backpanel is the curved panel that goes from door top to door top across the back. If you look closely there is about 6" of flat, behind the door just before the panel starts to curve around the back, if you could remove that and scoot the curved section forward leaving the narrowed turtledeck where it currently is/exposing about 6" additional of the turtledeck?
Everything else is perfect!

I'll try to find some time this week to do a mockup of the forward sheetmetal/ grille components in the new configuration, without cutting anything up yet. That's a tall order, but I'll do my best.
Hood length, may be in for a change? I will have to narrow it quite a bit, 16" so far. Not sure about the length, may have to stretch it a little, 3-4" I don't know yet ...

Thanks again, this so soo cool being able to actually see pictures! It's a miracal! Ha

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Dan,

Just thinking about your going with a Beetle posts and w/s. You've got the MG frame and posts? Just shorten the upper and lower bars (the horizontal ones at top and bottom of the gl***). These are just aluminum extrusions that bolt to the uprights. Mine is narrowed about 2 inches to fit the '36 cowl. You could easily flatten the bottom one to fit whatever shape your cowl will have. If the gl*** is good, you can narrow it with a sandblaster, duct tape and razor blade. If not, Lexan to the rescue. You're on a budget, why buy more parts?

Brian

 

Brian, I hadn't thought of that! I was just dialed in on a narrower windshield area. I'll have to take a good look at what would be left if I did narrow the stock MGB windshield by 2" per side. Good suggestion! Thanks!
I didn't realize that yours was modified from the stock width. Very clever!

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Looking forward to seeing more updates on this build. looking good so far.

 

Subscribed!!!
what a wonderful project, thanks for sharing

 

Here you go.

 

i think i like the first roof better, the white roof doesnt seem to have the right flow

 

Thanks James D, the changes, while subtle, are just as I'd asked for! I think I'll end up making dies that mimic top bows for my Metlmaster, (American version of a Pullmax) to do the roof. It'll probably be the weekend before I get to do much in the way of changes/mockups.
Priority-wise, I think the front fenders/grille/headlight mockup should be next. The 6" you removed from the picture needs to be removed from the real body and the backpanel moved forward/more turtledeck exposed on the real car, as your picture shows. I may also remove the dash/firewall area, since it won't be of any use in the new version of this car and narrow that distance by the required 6 additional inches.
At that point I could do a frontend mockup and include the grille pieces as I see them.

Kraka138, well, I guess that is what makes the world go 'round, having a difference of opinion as to whether a design flows/works or not. Check back as the build continues, maybe the slight differences between the artist's renderings and what I can actually do and like in the real world will make the finished design more palatable for you? Only time and effort out in the shop will tell ...

Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

A set of wheels like this would be cool with thin white stripe wide ovals.
I like it *******. Keep up the good work. It's going to be a very cool ride.