Projects 1924 McLaughlin Buick spl. Build Notes

Seat! Narrowed shape, shortened and re-curved sides around the wood base.
Here it is along with some other modified floor bits, ready for rust stripping.
You can also see parts for the drop-floor, also made of model A scraps and being narrowed to fit.

 

Cowl and Firewall happening.
More scraps re-shaped...and Yes, some fresh 18 Gauge.

 

And the Gas Tank. This little pile of crud got:
Boiled, hammered, welded, sealed, primed, painted and engine-turned. Then cap and strap repairs.

 

Thank you for sharing this. It's quite a thing. I'm happy to be watching.

 

Thank you for letting me follow along.
Any up dates.
Terry aka dirt t

 

Greetings and thanks for all the kind words! I have found much inspiration and knowledge here, so trying to share what I can.
Doing my best to make these posts, I am not a regular onliner.
One or two more for today...

 

So, it was now a roller with a motor. Need Body. Thus begins the real fun!
Please keep in mind, I did all of this bodywork in a parking stall at a friend's shop. And in a tent.
Yep, the neighbors love me....
Anyway...Gotta turn these 1929 scraps into Speed and Beauty.
We start with the back of a trashed 1929 Model A 4dr and two rear doors. I will try to explain the steps in following posts.
Here I have shown the first rough fit of the new metal shapes. Still had a long ways to go.
But I will do my best to explain the cuts.

 

Ok, Into the cuts.
First, more inspiration from the HAMB...
... there are some good ideas in this one...

 

And then...many careful cuts.
Everything got screwed together until the shape started happening.
Then it all gets torn apart, trimmed up, de-rusted, riveted, welded, and primed.
Roof removal...

 

I live in a damp region near the ocean, So no bare-metal glamour shots. Things must be treated and sealed Immediately around here. We will cover that later on.
For now...
Wheel-well removal. Cut side panels. Flip side panels. Layout for narrowing.

 

And Narrowing.
I used careful cuts, many measurements and the factory body lines to re-align it all.

Note: You may have noticed my trusty steel-handle-hatchet in these pics...i use that for all the sheet metal trimming

 

And the start of the rear floor and channel. Much measuring, many marks.
Just some key points. And the first mockup, figuring out placement and the channel depth.

 

Now the doors will become the start of body sides.
This stage took many hours. Still very rough. These show...
Cut the window frames off. Cut most of the door frame out. Flip them. Reshape the door-skin to fit the cowl shape. Make a pile of new pieces.

 

Then, Many more hours and situations like these...
And I arrived at the over-all desired shape. Of course, it still had to all get torn apart again...
I chose to do without the typical wooden framework for the body.
My preference was a variety of interlocking and folded seams; relying on the whole shape for strength.
Result is Very solid and light enough for two people to lift.

Time for a break.

 

Amazing you could vision a body out of that pile of sheet metal. Well done I'm impressed.

 

Back for more adventures.
Now that it almost looked like a car...time to tear it all apart.
On to stripping all the parts, treating the metal with Fertan rust converter and then re-assembling, a bit at a time.
Thus began my weeks in the 'Tent of Seclusion'.

Note: Tree stump for chopping.

 

Additional metal work also happened now.
Here I am figuring out the body line extensions.
Bad photos, questionable welding, Good Times!

Note: In these photos you can see the hacksaw blade I use to write down all the measurements...
And the finishing hammer I use to keep it sharp

 

Now, I had a real problem.
This thing was showing signs of possible Radness! It seemed I would have to finish it and see.
More time in the tent. Grinding, body work, primer, filler, repeat.
Paint was done using quality modern products...BUT was all applied with a brush.
Actually, many brushes.

 

Greetings from Cobble Hill, BC
You are doing a most excellent job.
Keep us informed.

 

Hey, Back to play! Thanks for digging on these project posts!
More inspiration. More effort. More progress.
So, I convinced a shop neighbor and his son to help me lift and place the body. Car Folks unite!
All mounts line up with the factory locations on the chassis.
Everything sits on 1/4" rubber setting blocks. Only good vibes.

 

Well, after a taking a moment to step back and catch my breath...
I decided to begin all the devilish details.
Track down bits, repair, make or modify, then stick them on with bubble gum.
Here are some teasers.
1924 McLaughlin Ad in 'The Goblin' magazine.
Dash progress, gauges, drivers-floor, controls, switches etc.
Motor accessories and wiring. Yadda.
More details to follow.

 

As a McLaughlin I’m enjoying this build and the history lessons about the McLaughlin Buicks

Matt McLaughlin

 

Ok, time to continue. Glad ya'll are enjoying the journey.
First pic, some 'Truth is stranger than Fiction' for our distinguished McLaughlin guest Alger. Glad to know you.
And Then... Proof that my previously mentioned 'Hatchet & Stump' method is just traditional Buick action

 

And now some quick bits and pieces.
Thanks here to Gary B. and John A. @Chevbucket for the extra parts. You guys rock!
Horn repair and bracket.
Model T boot-scrapers + Buick running-board stanchions+ scrap bronze = step plates.
Tail light bracket and Exterior kill-switch.

 

Take a Model T running-board, do a little origami...
And it becomes a Battery Box.
And the start of the chassis wiring.

 

And the Driver's Floor.
More cedar cut-offs and some brass-strap from the brass-strap store....

 

Flooring.

 

Wirey...
All the lights have vintage GM quick disconnects.
I sourced the cloth wiring, ign. ballast and other bits from Brillman Co. from Mt Jackson, VA, USA
The starter/generator took much reading and research, but was relatively simple to service in the end.
So, Make dash light and plan. Mystery panel. Black n Red. Ignition bits and starter/generator.

 

License plate bracket and light.
Thanks to Dan L. for the old dash-light.
First, draw dirty pictures. Then the idea is starting to fly. Add some light. And finally a 1920's AC reflector.

Note: The toolbox on the right...is filled with old Metallica tapes.

 

Just another bit of history. Then a break.
A 1910 Buick with a goat on it. And a 1910 goat with 'Buick' on it.
Louis Chevrolet was involved... Hooligans All.