1958 Pontiac project.... "Marlowe-ish!"

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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@chris Don't stop now as the work you have done so far is outstanding. Perhaps you might use solder wire on that roof trim piece?  No painting or BMF needed.

@bob-jackman BTW: "Hockey stick - Bonneville exclusive"  top trim-moldings have now been installed; they're raised EVER so slightly so that they can be picked out with paint or BMF.  😉 

@chris Looking good Chris.

I'm compelled to add my 2 cents to the chorus urging you to finish the factory-stock version.  The things you described as necessary to fabricate aren't outside your skill set. Either color you have in mind would be absolutely gorgeous!  

Thanks for the all the encouragement guys.... and yes, I suppose I can do all the "required work"  necessary to finish a stock '58 Bonny (I've done it all before, right? ) but the question is:  Do I want to?     I'm very lazy AND I'd like to move on to other projects..... I only have two hands.    🙄 🙄 

color combo is beautiful Chris

PART 8-A:

I cut-free the Impala front seat mount and literally "spliced it"  into the Pontiac's floor, thus achieving the PROPER seat height for a '58 Bonneville.  Then I had to ensure the rear seats fitted PERFECTLY to that unique Bonneville (and Impala ) package self.  🙄 😯 😮 

Next, I mounted the rear interior panels - which were a ROYAL PITA to position correctly; they had to fit PERFECTLY at the door jams, below the quarter windows, AND between the seats!   🙄 😯 😮    I had to pirate the ones from the Impala interior because Yat-ming's were for a convertible.   

You'll notice how "tight & right"  everything fits together; I can't stand gaps!    Notice too that I cut the door cranks from their chrome backers then used mounting screws in those recessed holes.     Removable pieces are a MUST for work such as this, as I can't yet glue anything together.

The rear seat hump cut-out will be filled in later (less gappy ) AND I do have the proper Pontiac chrome rear speaker grill.    

PART 9 will involve CHANGING this interior from an Impala to a Bonneville.    All new seat patterns & panels must be fabricated.  🙄 😯 🙄 😯 😫 😫 😫 

PART 8-B: 

coming along masterfully Chris, thanks for continuing to post your progress, fascinating!

@geoff-jowett  THANK YOU and you're very welcome, but I must admit......   I'd really like to pause  this build and get back to a few other ongoing projects.    I've got a WW II "thing"  I'm working on and remember my '69 NASCAR Charger?    🤔 🤔 🤔 

I admire your talent and patience Chris.  Can't wait to see what colors you choose for the Poncho.

PART 9:

Every project contains phases.  I'm now at that phase where 96% of the parts I needed to fabricate, augment, or discard have been addressed. 

Because 1958 Bonneville hardtops did NOT offer bucket seats I'm forced to use the Impala's bench interior - BUT - that means the seat & panel patterns MUST be changed.  Therefore, PART 10 will showcase that.     

PART 9 is a re-cap on ALL work completed to date.    Stay tuned.....  😉 😉 

great progress Chris, your close ups are outstanding too!