when to restore or when to remodel

Well, you came to get ideas and you found out that you have pretty strong thoughts yourself. they sound like good ideas and they are yours. that's the best parts the car should reflect who you are and how you drive and where you drive. best of luck

 

"...that is more of a beater at this point than anyhing else."

Sometimes the beaters are the most fun!

 

Well then, you certainly have a plan. Out of curiosity, why do you feel you need the 90 Cadillac frame? Is the original frame too far gone? You're getting more into Street Rod territory with that conversion I'd tend to think.

Does that straight eight run? Whatever you do, don't scrap it! Save it for another build or sell it to a fellow HAMBer... like me

 

Build what you want to drive.
IMHO, people who restore have no imagination.
A few years ago I bought a 57 T-Bird. It was a near perfect car that was apart and the body almost ready for paint. I pondered for a while as to restore it or hot rod it. I finally decided that since I always wanted a 57 T-Bird but never a stock one, I sold off all of the suspension and drive train and built a great driver. Lincoln Mark 8 engine, Tremec 5 speed, C5 Vette suspension, and bucket seats with a console that resembled a 57 Vette.

 

Personally on that car, I'd get it running and safe to drive, and see if I liked driving the thing!!!(Size ,etc)

If so and you still wanted the mods,then mod it.
Personally, I wouldn't swap the chassis though,just the steering,suspension and drive train to the stock frame.

Getting body and front sheet metal to line up on a frame or sub-frame swap can be a bitch!!!

 

Had the same issue when I built my Austin gasser. Only number was on the original 4 banger engine. I called my local DMV office and they said just bring it down and they would put a new ID number on the body. Put it on the trailer and it took about 15 minutes for them to check the old number, and install a new one. A month later I got a new title with the new vehicle number on it.
So just call your DMV before you pull the engine, and I bet they'll have an easy solution too.

 

I will have to try that

 

I already have the caddy frame, it will fit under the car quite nicely as we took measurements and all, just thought the more modern suspension and stuff would be safer and the frame stronger (am putting in big block olds motor in it) than the old one which has a few issues, like most old frames here in northern wisconsin, winter salt and sitting in a field for many years takes it toll.. the straight 8 does not run, will not turn over, seized up from sitting I quess, but I definetly will be keeping it... for future endeavors as most if not all parts are there!

 

Just do whatever the hell you want! It's your car! You're the one who's going to be driving it. Build it like you want.

Jesus. What the hell did people do before the HAMB? I wonder how some people get out of the fucking bed in the morning without having to ask what side. Are people asking what shirt, pants and shoes to wear? Just build the damn thing.

 

WOW, didn't think asking and/or talking to other people on what I was thinking about doing and looking for feedback in different ideas or caution tales or advice from folks was against the protocol here on the H.A.M.B.
Of course I am going to build it the way I want, just trying to get as knowledgable as I can and I also like conversing with other people on old cars and rodding... I thought that was the idea of this forum... maybe there is a set of rules for this site somewhere that I can read or access so I don't do any more boo-boos...

 

I restore cars for a living. But... then I have some fun too.
Here is a 50 4 door I've been working on forever for a customer. Chopping the top was... well... glad it's done.



Doesn't matter which way you decide. Keep it drivable. Trailer queens suck!

 

I love what you did with the front end, minimum chrome, thinner bumber, WAY COOL! might have to steal an idea or two from you!

 

Thanks. If you look at the front bumper close, the top section unbolts from the lower. That's what we used.

Is yours an automatic? Also curious what 8 you have. On the cylinder head at the front, there will be 288 or 327 cast into it by the thermostat housing.

 

Bubbles,I don't think Fred was just talking about your post. There are always a lot of the "what color should I paint my car/I can't decide shit for myself" posts on here.

 

I agree! Especially the ones that ask what color should I paint it. I think some people just want to make sure someone will like their car, so they poll everyone. Waste of time, IMHO.

 

my 49 is a deluxe eight club sedan which were stated to have the 288 in it, I will have to look to confirm but my quess that's what in it, also it is a manual transmission, shifter on the tree, but I plan on using the turbo 400 that came with the big block olds I am using...

I am going to have to look at the bumper situation like you did it, seems that might be the way I go, I seen an old photo of a four door 49 Packard drag car that had no bumper and it looked cool.

You mentioned that you chopped the top, I thought about that but decided the stock look was just fine and chopping was just not worth the trouble. Sounds like it was not the easiest, just curious, how much did you chop it? It does look great, but I think I will stick with stock...

 

It's been a while but if memory serves me correctly, we took 6" out of the front and a bit over 7" out of the back.

 

I once was only one day late on buying a 32 Studabaker 4 door antique that had won more awards then it had doors.

My intentions, 350 SB, disks, ps, auto duals, etc.
Does that answer the question?

"Re: when to restore or when to remodel ?"

 

that had to be a lot of work molding the body and windows all together, you did a great job. maybe the four door models look like a better candidate for chopping, when I look at my with it's slant back seems like the chop would not do that much. Besides I don't think I want take on that much extra work.. Again I think yours looks great all-around from chop to the front end and the rear also, COOL CAR, I can only hope mine looks half that good!