Roger Zimmermann

The balls may be a litle bit worn, but the worm and nut too. I noticed that when I put new balls in a '56 Cad steering box, which is basically similar to yours. If you can find balls which are .001 to .002 mm larger in diameter, that would be interesting to try. From 1958 onwards Cadillac had 2 diameters for the balls: the black ones were smaller than the natural ones; this was done to reduce the friction in the steering box. They were inserted alternatively into the box.

No problem, Ernie: I told him that too, but he was not yet in the mood to do some paint on the car.

I would not do that. You may end with a bumper which is too narrow or too large. Further: with old iron, you may not have the perfect weld they did at the factory and ou may see some pits at the weld. To take a bump out a bumper is a small job: that material is soft.

The plater can do it for you: it's the reverse process of plating.

Dents in bumpers are easy to take out; the metal may be thick but usually it's rather soft.To simplify the life, I would first let dechrome the bumper, leaving the copper coat and then remove the dents and smooth the spot with a file.

I too need a rule to draw a straight line! I was myself surprised how easy it was to do that crease straight...I have to confess that a round file helped too! Anyway, thank you for your fidelity! The RH side is now (more or less) ready which is a good news. The bad news: the other side is not yet done...The pictures below are done with a different light.

Last year, I had the pleasure to be invited to the Cadillac GN in Florida. It seems that there were less cars as usual (especially the people from California were not there) which may be an explanation: compared to what I'm seeing here, there were very few Cadillacs built before 1935. Enjoy your stay and have a safe trip back!

Me, a genius? Oh no! just don't have two left hands! Anyway, thank you for appreciating what I'm doing.

The end of wood shaping is near! As you can see on the pictures, I'm working with chisels and files. The crease on the side is done with chisels, following by hand a scribed line. And yes, it's straight! The front fender is near to the final shape; the rear of the body is still crude. The second picture is showing the work with a chisel. It that stage, only a little bit is taken each time as the final shape is closed. As you can see, I'm working inside as it's too hot outside. Well, it's summertime!

With the info I had, I did recently the profiles in brass for the door, one for the front and one for the rear. Next to some maintenance work on my '57 Brougham scale 1:1, I continued with the lower part of the sides. They are more or less ready; now, I will continue with the upper part, above the crease.

Thank you Pat and keiser31! You are probably right because, according to the number of views, people are not yet too discouraged!

Some small progress: I have the impression that the hood is done. On the original car, there is a central rib. This will be added by soldering on the metal hood as it was not practical to include this element on the wood buck. I finished also the wheel apertures; it's time now to concentrate on the sides. For some viewers, the whole process may be too long. I'm myself satisfied with the "speed" of the work: for just 2 months, I was attempting to do the profile and, in between, I was away for 3 weeks.

The Pontiac is a Parisienne model, a product for the Canadian market!

It would be funny, isn't it? In fact, I plugged the screw's holes needed to glue some additional wood (see picture somewhere else on this page). Once the glue is dry, I will cut them! The hood is slowly taking shape.

Yesterday I came back from a 3-weeks vacation. The work should resume soon!

I do join the last comments!

If your friend don't has the paint formula in a safe place, it could be a real problem later...

My opinion about Haynes and others: you need them if you intend to do an oil change. For something more deep: use the original shop manual.

Working on wood is nice but makes a lot of dust...When the weather is nice, I'm going outside. It's easier to clean! The hood is slowly emerging; unfortunately, there is nothing into the wood who is saying: "Stop now, you are right!" when I'm getting close to the final shape...

Oh Pat! I like your new avatar!

No, I'm living in the German part, near Biel, canton of Bern. I have to speak German, but I greatly prefer to write in English if I cannot do it in French!

I'm pleased to report a small progress with the pattern: the trunk lid is more or less ready, as well as the inner rear quarters. Oh, there are certainly some imperfections; I will see them better when the whole pattern will be covered with some wood transparent paint. Lying on the white base, another interesting tool a German friend recommended: ideal to check if both sides are similar. The front of the pattern was untouched since the last pictures; I will now get busy with the hood. I had some reference points to do the trunk lid; unfortunately, I have almost nothing similar for the front, except the longitudinal profile. I will have to rely on pictures and good judgement. Anyway, my feeling is better now than it was some weeks ago.

Udo, my name sounds German, but my mother tongue is French!

I would loose a little bit the anchor nut, manually adjust the brakes until you cannot turn the drum anymore, tap with a rubber mallet near the anchor, (this will position the anchor to his position), recheck if now you can turn the drum by hand and, if yes, continue the procedure to adjust the brakes until the drum cannot be turned, tap again near the anchor nut and if you still cannot turn the drum by hand, torque the anchor nut. Then, release the shoes about 14 notches, a bit more if the drum is still touching the shoes. You should now be OK. My cars have basically the same system and I don't use the feeler. Good luck!

Indeed, it would help a lot. Unfortunately, I have to go without it. Therefore, I cannot rely only on dimensions; I have to "interpret" or translate the pictures I have into a more or less correct form. I have to say, it would be more difficult just with pictures alone without physically touching the car from time to time.