cowboydanny

Well I know I that I need to get the outer edge off so it will sit flat. Left to right it will be perfect. The front corners are the only real concern i see right now, and some of that will be cut off. An english wheel I do not have access to. But from what I've seen running a sheet thru this size would be tough. I would assume that typically one would cut a portion of the roof off reshape it then reweld it back together?

So any tip or tricks for fitting that roof skin? My summer goals are to clean up one of my front grilles for rough in with the new radiator, finish installing the new leaf springs, shave down the interior seat cushions to get a better fit there adjust the front seat mounting brackets, and move the stock transmission cross member. Still need to figure out a plan for a steering box, get a set of front wheel adapters made, mounting brackets for the new disc brakes, gas tank and drive shaft.

Well I think this will fit nicely as a roof for the 31'. We'll likely cut the outer rails off and it should fit just right with a little massaging.

Look what showed up today! My wifes birthday present! (This car is for her if i ever finish it) $750 for new radiator, fan shroud, and electric fan with wiring and temp sensor. Makes the shroud look like crap. But that will have to wait. Fits great but I'll have to do a little fit n finish.

Well been a slow few years of work on the 31 with the price of gas for our daily drivers we haven't had anything left over to put into the 31. Recently the 02 GMC Envoy we intended to give to our 16 year old to drive with, engine went, knock! knock! At 250k miles. To replace that we stumbled across an 04 Envoy XUV! If you know you know these are cool. But same drive trane. So we are now pulling the transmission I had rebuilt to save for the XUV incase it ever needs it along with the new coils and front wheel hubs. While pulling it apart I thought hmmm I wonder if these nice leather seats will fit in the pontiac of which im missing the original back bench. They fit pretty boog just need to shave a little foam off the base seats. Then i looked at the roof and wondered if the roof of this thing can be used to fill in the roof of the 31. Well sure appears to be close. Plus it has a sunroof. So I'm pulling every stitch of wiring and controls out to go with that. Then I thought well I need steering yet too I wonder if this steering rack will fit the 31. So I may be pulling that out as well. If not for anything else just to have something to test fit that's free for now. So that's the update for now. Oh and radiator is at the shop still waiting for an estimate on that to build a new one. Rebel once I got it out it doesn't look promising. Looks like the original one has been patched for old leak and it is very full of mud dobber dirt. But they are going to inspect it for you while they build my new one.

Just the inspiration I need to see to get working on my 31 4 door. Thanks for sharing here for us all to follow along.

I made this one about five years ago.

That entire track packs inside itself. The Engineering that went into it, back in 1984 is awesome. All packed up its like 2' wide x 8' long x 30" tall and is on wheels.

In March of 2020 all of our Cub Scouts had their cars complete and ready to race when the whole world was put on hold.... I'm an Eagle Scout, there was no way I was gonna let these kids miss out on this race. They worked hard on their cars. One of the moms had already had the virus a few months prior so she came over to our house and with my wife and myself, we set up the track in our driveway. Then we used her phone on a tripod, and did a Skype call between her phone at the end of the track, my phone at the starting gate and my laptop which runs the race. Then we used OBD studio to crop everything as you will see it. And we sent out this live stream to all the families. And everyone got to see it. Even Grandparents in nursing homes were able to watch along. So I don't have video from this year but this is better. I typically do not build cars just for speed. I build them to look cool to show the scouts that your car does not have to be the fastest as long as you built it and had fun. To that note I got taken down as pack open class champion last night by a new dad. We had some good battles going but he out nosed me in every race. Was a good time.

So as a cubmaster I race in the open class against the other leaders and parents who dare compete. I'm hoping I get taken down as the champ this year by one of the new families. Mainly because it keeps things interesting for them and gives me more competition. Each year I pride myself on building not just a skateboard but something cool with an awesome paint job. This year i built my moms 77 Skybird as my pinewood derby car. Ran out of time helping other families finish their cars so I didn't get to add the pin stripes but I will after the race tonight. Here is where it sits right now, I'll also be adding the paint to the rims to match.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500242994288152/permalink/801308587514923/?sale_post_id=801308587514923 The 66 catalina wagon is up for sale again. In a wagon group on Facebook. If anyone interested. The fellow found a better project car in California I guess. But it's running and driving now.

It would be cool to have one of the first electric 1930s Pontiac but not within my reach for sure.

Hey y'all, not much going on with the 1931 sedan lately too many family activities lately and lack of funds. The rising fuel costs are also not that encouraging and such a huge push for alternative fuel vehicles has me concerned that we will be pushed out of our gas powered classics. I personally don't feel that an all electric future is sustainable or good for any of us. But what even a balanced electric/ gas /diesel future would mean to gas prices is worrisome. It's nice to see that some companies have thought about bolt up e-crates and all but that seems to only be affordable by the wealthy and will not be a hobbyist type project. My build is right at that typing point. I have a 350 crate engine in the car on a cross member. With the transmission and a new rear axle. But no drive shaft, cooling system, steering or brakes figured out yet. I don't want to sell it I just am feeling stuck. Anyways thanks for listening any words of encouragement are welcome. Dan

Six figures .... nope but neither were some on that list five figures yup more like it. Should be a bit more than your average and the longer we care for them the more rare and desirable they become. This one was rated at level next to never been driven. For a collector I definitely recommend finding at least one of the three.

I think I would put my mom's on this list. I think if more people knew they existed they would be worth more. 1977 Pontiac Skybird. They came stock with a V6 but you could upgrade to a 301 or in my mom's case it was ordered with the 350, louvered back window and color matched snowflake rims. Truly a ladies car as it was meant to bring women into the sports car market. If we ever want to make mom smile we just have our daughters ask her to take them for a ride in it. She'll chirp the tires and says woops as she rips down the road.

I agree make sure all bolts are tight and recheck. I had one caster come loose and broke off. Same thing can't find a replacement. I bought mine from Menards. The others are great. I like the bars on the side of mine, little extra insurance and stability. Keeps them from flexing with the weight. And as long as your garage floor is smooth they roll great. My initial set was for my 72 Larson tri-hull. So that may have been a bit much weight for only two.

Yes I have a set for our 31 Pontiac. They work great. Since mines a build and doesn't run it's the only way to move it around.

Mike, Show these guy that picture you sent me of the original PO to the car dealership. And awesome job getting it running. Dan

The new owner of the 66 barn find 66 Catalina wagon is new user wojmn. Go check him out to follow the restoration of this gem.

Well the second wagon has sold and is at its new home where it will be well loved on. The original buyer was not able to meet the families time frame on coming to get it so I found a another buyer who ended up getting this gem for a steal. My friend has found some cool treasures while cleaning it out. So hopefully he will continue it's story here once he gets signed up.

For further info on this project look over to whenIDecide_Mr_Friday's page as he is a the new owner of the 59! I have a very awesome buyer lined up for the 66 wagon and will share that information when the time comes. You all will not be disappointed as this other fella will do it Justice. Dan

Well not to let the "Cat"(alina) outta the bag but Friday is now the new owner of one of the barn find Pontiac wagons I posted earlier. Congrats Friday can't wait to see how the progress goes. I will let you post the pictures of the car outta the barn. But most of you other guys have seen it here already under my barn find post. Wrench on my friends! Dan

One of the electric power assist steering units we were looking at. https://www.jegs.com/i/Flaming-River/898/FR40200/10002/-1

So thanks but we are sticking with this i-beam. This is not a ford so IFS does not work, the fenders are so different that you have to cut a giant hole in them to make ifs work. And there is no way we are cutting up these tins. We've seen it done, not good looking at all. We have spoken to two others that have manual steering with a 350 in a 31 chevy that was almost identical and they said it's not so bad. But for my wife power steering would be better. So that's why we are looking at the power assist at the column if we have to. Yes I've heard vega steering box as well. Just a matter of if we can get a power steering pump installed and still close the hood. And I've heard something about having to flip gearboxes around to make it work as well. Here are two pictures with the 350 installed with cross member. The attached headers will not be used as they do not drop in the right locations. We plan to go old school and use rams horn manifolds. As we had a set laying around. Plus they will give us more clearance for the steering.

Ok we are at the point that we have to figure out the steering before we go any further on the 31 build. But what should we do? For those that don't know, my dad gave me a used 350 crate engine and turbo 350 transmission and said find a car to put it in. So I found a 1931 Pontiac 4 door custom sedan at my wife request. It's in great shape but the interior is all but gone except the front seat. So we are not doing a factory original restoration but more a resto mod. We want this driving good for road trips but will keep the body as stock as possible. We are even keeping the front i-beam axle and adding disc brakes all around. We have new leaf springs a chevy limited slip 10 bolt rear end the 350 and transmission somewhat installed... Not finalizing until we figure out the steering. Power steering can be difficult on this model. So these are the options we are considering. Options: A. Stock steering box clean it up reuse it and add electric power steering under the dash. B. Newer steering box like a corvair unit? C. Electric rack n pinion unit from something like a chevy Cruze or Malibu? D. Other??? Thanks, Dan