Next Project (non-914) Options

[East coaster]

So here’s my next project now that the Safari 914 is done. I don’t anticipate getting into it until fall/winter, but I now have the base for the project. It’s a 1941 Cadillac series 61 that I plan to put on a modern Escalade platform.

If there’s interest I’ll update this as a project thread. I realize this is far from the intended scope of this forum, and if there’s no interest I’ll not fudge up the forum with this non-914 project. But if there’s interest, I’ll post progress once I dig in.

[r_towle]

you are a crazy man....wish we lived closer to each other...

Have a great time on that one.

We did two years in a row at a new halloween festival and participated in a trunk or treat event. My wife is Swedish so we had built a Swedish longboat out of cardboard...costumes and all, shield, swords, beards etc etc.

Now...I am thinking of building a street legal longboat, dragon heads and all, on top of an old VW pan I happen to have sitting in the barn.....

Good luck with your dream!

[bahnzai]

Keep posting!! We are all car guys here and love to see the projects (especially with your skill sets, this will be very interesting!)

[Freezin 914]

Keep posting!! We are all car guys here and love to see the projects (especially with your skill sets, this will be very interesting!)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

We are all car guys, love to see all kinds of builds.
Sometimes you can find an idea about something that will apply to multiple builds regardless of make and model etc……looking forward to this!

[flipb]

I've recently been thinking that a tall 40's sedan converted to EV would make a great driver. Plush interior. Oozing with style. Plenty of room for EV components under the cabin and that long hood.

[burton73]

This is a picture of my 1941 Dodge Convertible. Note the 3 stainless strips on each fender. In the early 40s before the war this was the look of high design. 1941 was a very interesting year. You will see design elements running through all the different makes that had an abrupt stopping of production for the war in 1942.

It will be interesting to see how you blend the very old with the new technology. That is a big boy.

Best Bob B

[slowrodent]

Is this Escalade platform swap a fairly common one? I know someone who I believe has done this or a very similar swap on a vintage car..... Last I saw his car, it lacked any finishing, 9but it was running and driving very well with all present-day comfort and amenities (according to him)

[KELTY360]

A '41 Caddy is cream of the crop. Nice choice. I'll be watching with interest. I used to have a '47 Lincoln 5-window that was a post war revival of the Zephyr line. Love those high roof lines and fat fenders!

[930cabman]

She's a big girl, there is alot of ground to cover with this one. Best of luck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[East coaster]

I picked up the “donor” for this project. It’s a 2008 GMC Yukon Denali. It’s got a good drivetrain, with a 6.2 non-DOD engine and AWD transfer case. I’m going to use the floor pan and firewall from the Yukon and graft the Cadillac body onto it. The Yukon is in decent shape and I drove it quite a bit until it’s 30 day temp tag expired.

That doesn’t sound too difficult but there will be many challenges!

Here’s my donor:

[East coaster]

The last couple days I’ve been deconstructing the Yukon. After removing 5 gazillion screws, bolts, nuts, clips, and bloodying all 10 knuckles it’s starting to get down to its bones.

[Front yard mechanic]

Your going to need more labels

[East coaster]

Got the Yukon down to bare bones and getting ready to take 12” out of the frame to make things “fit”.

Here’s the trimmed down body and the floor with 12” sectioned out, frame cut is next.

I also narrowed the firewall to match the Caddy. I’ll have to use a hydro boost brake setup when putting it back together because the narrowed firewall won’t allow for the vacuum brake booster. Also got the Caddy stripped down a bit…..fun stuff!

[East coaster]

Oh yeah……and got new shoes for the project. I wanted something industrial looking and these nailed it!

[rick 918-S]

You may want to "Z" cut those rails rather than chopping a vertical cut
This will make a way stronger butt joint. Then a plug welded plate

[Shivers]

A suburban assault vehicle, cool. Dig the rims, do they still use the word steampunk?

[East coaster]

You may want to "Z" cut those rails rather than chopping a vertical cut
This will make a way stronger butt joint. Then a plug welded plate

I’m still debating that in my mind…..research is showing straight cut for a fully boxed frame and “Z” cut or step cut for C-channel (unboxed frame). This is a boxed frame, but I still may Z cut it. Either way, it will be plated on both sides after welding.

[East coaster]

A suburban assault vehicle, cool. Dig the rims, do they still use the word steampunk?

I may singularly bring Steampunk back with this rig (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[East coaster]

Big step completed…..had to shorten the frame 12” to make it work for the Caddy. I cut a 12” section out of a straight section of the frame and welded it back together. I also made “fish plates” that I’ll be adding to the splices.

Cut



Paste



Fish plates I cut on the plasma table

[KELTY360]

Must really trust your welding skills. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)