Here's an article from the March 1956 Rod & Custom magazine. It's a build by George Barris for two female owners. It is very interesting to see the tools and techniques used for this 50s era rod. We have come a long way. Enjoy!!!!
Oh, I agree with that. In the article, everything was being stick welded and by their appearance would probably be called pigeon-shit today. The cross members were simple channel iron - no elaborate center cross member sub frames. It's really interesting to see that this car was being built with a hacksaw, cutting torch and stick welder. Really basic stuff, and from the shop of a guy who went on to become a god. Boy, compare this basic approach to that seen on today's build TV shows. Overall things have moved on for pretty much all of us, for example with the availability of affordable MIG welders.
Now that's what a traditional build looked like! I remember in the late 50's looking at the fabricated brackets my big brother's friends made thinking "I bet I can do that someday!" P.S.: If someone bolted their rear spring like that nowadays they'd catch all kinds of flack.
Its funny I know how to use all these tools (like an english wheel, etc.) to know I don't really need them. Last Time I was at Darryl Starbirds he was bending conduit over his knee building a custom caddy, I laughed and he said to me "Don't laugh this is how we did things" I told him I was laughing 'cause thats how I "STILL" do things! Fritz
Yep, there is a big difference between using primitive tools and doing crude work. Italian coach builders for years were hammering metal over wooden stumps. More advanced tools can make you faster or your work easier and more repeatable, but that's it - the quality part is always up to you.
My old friend who chopped and filled my '32 3W also did work for Beverly Hills Motors. He did metal work on their Italian coupes and roadsters in his back yard garage. He showed me how these multimillion dollar cars were sculptured with a heavy coat of sprayed on filler to get the panels straight. He would remove all the filler and metal finish their cars, steel and aluminum. These were Pebble Beach quality restorations and Andy Cohen and Jim DeFrank wanted them done right. He used basic body tools and turned out better work and faster than the big name shops. So it's true that the knowledge of the bodyman and his experience is what creates the high end show cars not the expensive fab tools and blocked bondo that has become common.
The Jalopy Journal
