bubble skirts availible for 50 shoebox? do i need to make em? what about 54 chev bel-air? anybody sell them in todays market? or just from scratch? thanks Jason
^^^ I would like a set on my 50 as well but I wonder how the would look? It might look too wide since the rear fenders already hang out, I don't think it would have the same effect as on, say a 49 Merc...
They seem to be working on these two. Doesn't look like one could wimp out on customizing the rest of the car though. For a conservative custom, maybe better stick with the stock flush types.
Also available from: Brockman Mellowtone 940 S. Washington St. Haggerstown, IN. 47346-9609 Ph & Fax 765-489-4111 (don't know how this scan will show up!)
I've bought from bigjims the quality is very good as far as the fibergl*** goes. They also have some steel here and there but not like they used too.
I always thought they looked nice on a 50 ****box. By 53 it was almost like Ford molded them onto the car, so all ya needed was a simple flat skirt to fill the fenderwell. Never heard them called Bubble skirts though. Are they the same as Cruiser Skirts? Maybe my terminology is wrong? **x Brandy
Making bubble skirts yourself 101: *get 1/4 inch steel rod, and 20 gauge steel* -trace out the shape you want on paper. -make the outer frame, weld two bolts to each side of the inside of the outer frame to go through body(with wing nuts on the end) -then make a few braces out of the 1/4 steel rod crossing the center of the frame(adding any curve you want) -then take the paper tracing and add 1 inch of extra to the sheet metal. *if its curved you may need to heat the middle of the sheet metal with a torch this will bow the metal out because heat expands the steel.* -once you have it touching the edges of the steel frame, fold the metal over in a few spots to hold it in place on each side. -then start pounding the metal around the frame(you may need to make relief cuts) after you get it around the frame and flat to the back. -drill holes in your body that match the bolts on your skirts. put the wing nuts on, and BAM! bubble skirts. im sure ill get yelled at AGIAN and told "thats all wrong, youre an idiot".... but whatever works good for me.....
Can I do it? I dunno if yer wrong or not but your propisition sounds nice! I make gittin yelled at sooo much nicer to look at! **x Brandy **stupid question of the day..........wouldn't you need more then 1 extra inch to create a bubble? Kinda like sewing a moomoo or something? AND NO I DONT WEAR THEM!!**
ok the sheet metal extends one inch PAST the FRAME. the frame is 1/4" tall and wide. so when you fold it up and over it you should have 3/4" of an inch facing the body. you could put double sided tape on it(or something like it) for padding also.
if i remember right, at one time guys were cutting the roof tin off vw,s to make bubble skirts. it had the right curve i guess. but i could be wrong,
How would you go about mounting them on a chevy? How is a ford/mec skirt atached? Is it anything like a chevy with the little spring lever thing? Just a question from a young dude.
i have the merc bubbles on my shoebox, they are a little taller than the ones for the shoeboxes...they mount with two tabs under the skirts that bolt into the bottoms of the quarters, and they have two blocks of wood gl***ed to the inside of the upper part of the skirt with pieces of flat stock screwed into them that hold the skirt onto the top of the wheel opening...they are really easy to install....bob
Cruiser skirts are the flat ones that don't buldge out to the side. 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser models had those kind of skirts. Here is the aftermarket ones on a chev.
It think I seen some for a 49-54 that were home made! they looked to be a altered front fender from a 49-54 Chevy.
Oh now that makes perfect sense. I wanted a set of Cruiser skirts for MY 58 Chevy............doink! Thanks man, learnin sumthin new everyday. **x Brandy
Maybe cut the quarters off of a 52-54 Ford and bolt them onto your car, instant bubble skirts. Maybe?
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