Elegant decay aka the "Ratty Caddy."

[Old Stuff]

Originally Posted by Torchie

Well. I guess if I lived long enough it would happen one day.
Torchie may have bitten off more then he can chew.
I knew the DS rocker was a mess on the Caddy. Just how bad a mess....well not quite.
Started by cutting out the rust. Not much left but the sills.....
The A and B pillar areas are still solid. The C pillar on the other hand......
That rusted out pice I'm holding is whats left of the factory rocker extension.
I started to trim the replacement s3kin as it's just a generic one. More or less.
Got that screwed into place and then went to the rocker extension that fits under the bulge in the rear door.
It's shear luck that these were in the trunk along with the trim and a couple of new dog legs.
None of them are made any more. As far as my research has shown.
I will start by rebuilding the C pillar bottom and dog leg.
Then I will move forward and get the rocker skin on. Then the extension.
After that I will move inward to the floor.
That's the plan. One bite at a time.
Oh.... Did I mention I need to be on the floor to do most of this work.
We shall see.
Keep on keeping on......
Torchie
p.s. Lucky my brother has his 52 for reference. This is what the C pillar/dog leg should look like.

You are tenacious. This is going to be one killer Caddy. Compared to the hardest/most challenging build you've done, where does this one fit on the 1-10 scale?

[MercuryMac]

The can of worms is always fuller than we thought.
Dozer, words to live by.

[Torchie]

One bite at a time........
I am going to fit this all together then I will tack it.
Once tacked I can remove it and do the full weld up.
Pics tell the story.
Torchie

[Torchie]

The dog legs I found in the trunk were of no use to me.
Not even close to fitting what I needed, so I will make my own.
There needs to be a mounting point at the front of the skirts as the OG one is mostly rotted out.This should give me what I need. I can always trim it down if necessary.
Lots of cutting and welding yet to go but I think I'm in the ballpark.The skirt goes back on so that's a good sign.
That's it for today. I did all this while sitting on my rolling seat. No having to get down on the floor work so that is a bonus.
Keep on keeping on.....
Torchie

[soltz]

Your getting it done . It all looks great as well
I do my best welding setting on the Rollie chair
Keep at it!

[earthman]

For interior material i like the idea of army blankets. Real wool and wool blends. Foreign blankets have interesting stripes and markings. Many colors beside green. The back seat in the shoebox is just just bare springs now. I plan to just make separate pads for the bottom and back tied in place much like replaceable cushions for wooden dining chairs. Cheap and easy rat rod style.

[Torchie]

I considered those, eman.
I would have to get them online are one surplus store is totaly out and doesn’t know when they will be getting more.
Im still kicking around interiors.
Torchie

[Burgerman]

You been busy Torchie. How much trouble to make an adapter to run the Nailhead with a T350/400.

[Torchie]

Probably too much hassle

I have no equipment to do that sort of fabing.
Torchie

[Burgerman]

Hey Torchie. Here is a front clip for your barn find coupe. 😏