[MARTINSR]

Here are the ones I found that are really nice in these early doors.

Forget those "Streetrod" Bear claws, these are the ones you want!

Funny thing is, I bought them for my truck. But now the theme is going to be nothing on it newer than 1955 so those latches are out. I have NOS original ones for it.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by John long

Lynn Yearwood should be proud of me too.

John L

Gosh darn you do some nice work John. Man, I don't even want to show you the interior of my Rambler. I could do a better job with my eyes closed and after two six packs, wow is it bad. But, I just drive it and don't sweat it. But you know what, I may just be re-doing it some day now that I am an upholsterer being I own a staple gun and all.

Brian

[deadbodyman]

the theme for this is all the modern conveniences all parts from other cars nothing bought new (with the exception of the air bags) and the ladder bars..but I started out with all camero rear suspension...I cant stand leaning over to unroll a window or to lock the door so power windows and locks are a must have and I dont even think a bear claw comes with electric locks..Also when I had to buy the left latch it cost me a whopping 10.00 (lunch) but I could have had it for 5.00 if I wanted to pull it myself...I just called them up and left ,it was on the counter when I got there....cant do that with a bear claw either....and these Impala latches are every bit as good or better than the over rated,over priced,manual latches bear claw sells...I havent bought anything from Jeggs or ANY of the other hotrodparts, ripoff companies either.
I'm building this car as sort of a slap in thier face but not quite a rat rod slap but one that'll turn your head, and also to show what can be done and done well with good OEM salvage yard parts.
I know a lot of people dont get it and love to brag about how much they got in thier car but it all sounds so foolish to me I'm gonna brag about how little I have in mine...You wouldnt believe if I did tell you...Now,where was I ??? LOL

[deadbodyman]

Oh yeah ,the striker plate...the old latch had a gear looking thing that took up a lot of room so the striker plate has 3/4" indentation in the pillar...With the new latch it needed to be flush so I cut that all out and made a new piece...I have some pretty tight gaps in this car 1/8" ,much tighter than an Impala so the striker was hitting the door and needed to be sunk into the pillar 1/4" I adjusted it and closed the door ....nice and smooth...

[deadbodyman]

I fastened the inner door and marked where the cut needed to be to allow the rods to come through so I could mount the latch handle.and I'm done with this until I mount the power regulator (thats next)

[123pugsy]

John, that rumble seat looks great.

I don't know who you were talking about , but I'm proud of you.
Nice job.

[John long]

Woops, I was asking what you were going to use for latches at the same time you were posting it. You are right on about the salvage yard parts Mike. That is the way you had to do it in the old days. There were no after market parts to speak of. The problem is the old school parts are getting to be collector car stuff and most salvage yards want to charge 50% of what a part would sell for new. Now days it is easier to buy a complete 4 door late model as a parts car than it is to try and buy everything you need at a salvage yard. I used to have some friends in the business but they are gone. Either passed on or decided it was easier to crush 'em than to part 'em. Anyway, I look forward to your progress reports. You and I have the same mind set.

Thanks for the kind words on the upholstery Brian. Your rambler is just fine. I wouldn't change a thing. Can't wait to see that top coming together on the Buick though. I check your post every day in the interior thread to keep up with your progress.

Today was my wife's birthday. I didn't work on much but we did take a joy ride in the roadster tonight for an hour or so. Nothing like a great sunset in a convertible. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did.

John L.

[John long]

Originally Posted by 123pugsy

John, that rumble seat looks great.

I don't know who you were talking about , but I'm proud of you.
Nice job.

Thanks for the kind words Pugsy. You must have missed my post about the Lynn Yearwood theory of street rod fabrication. Post 1289

John L

[123pugsy]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

I fastened the inner door and marked where the cut needed to be to allow the rods to come through so I could mount the latch handle.and I'm done with this until I mount the power regulator (thats next)

I love the cut thru the bolt hole idea. What an easy way to work on the door with or without the panel in place.

[123pugsy]

Originally Posted by John long

Thanks for the kind words Pugsy. You must have missed my post about the Lynn Yearwood theory of street rod fabrication. Post 1289

John L

I knew I recognized the name, I did read it. Doesn't take me long to forget though.

[MARTINSR]

Well I am officially in the upholsterer club. I am just the new kid and hope there isn't any hazing!


But tonight I installed the top pads and it went as smooth as can be. I am going to do this by golly.

Brian

[deadbodyman]

Originally Posted by John long

Lynn Yearwood should be proud of me too.

John L

Geeze John,You underestimate yourself ,that looks fantastic..

[deadbodyman]

Originally Posted by 123pugsy

I love the cut thru the bolt hole idea. What an easy way to work on the door with or without the panel in place.

Yeah Puggs that panel is tough enough to work with ,anything at all to make it easier is a blessing...When you think of it every time it falls your feet (toes) are right under it...

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

the theme for this is all the modern conveniences all parts from other cars nothing bought new (with the exception of the air bags) and the ladder bars..but I started out with all camero rear suspension...I cant stand leaning over to unroll a window or to lock the door so power windows and locks are a must have and I dont even think a bear claw comes with electric locks..Also when I had to buy the left latch it cost me a whopping 10.00 (lunch) but I could have had it for 5.00 if I wanted to pull it myself...I just called them up and left ,it was on the counter when I got there....cant do that with a bear claw either....and these Impala latches are every bit as good or better than the over rated,over priced,manual latches bear claw sells...I havent bought anything from Jeggs or ANY of the other hotrodparts, ripoff companies either.
I'm building this car as sort of a slap in thier face but not quite a rat rod slap but one that'll turn your head, and also to show what can be done and done well with good OEM salvage yard parts.
I know a lot of people dont get it and love to brag about how much they got in thier car but it all sounds so foolish to me I'm gonna brag about how little I have in mine...You wouldnt believe if I did tell you...Now,where was I ??? LOL

I know one thing, honestly, the wrecking yards are FULL of stuff guys could be using instead of going to the rod catalogs! And I know those latches are MILES better than the poorly designed ones I am going to use on my truck NOS or not, the ones you are using are a thousand times better. I applaud you for using those parts and MAKING it work with your skills instead of buying some off the shelf part. As far as all the conveniences, we all have our own expectations and I can surely see why you want them especially when you can save money doing it. I personally like the old ways in these old cars because I work with late model cars with miles of wires and switches and computers, etc. I love the old stuff that are simple, because I am simple. But I sure can see the draw, especially when the wrecking yards are full of the stuff just waiting to grab.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by deadbodyman

Geeze John,You underestimate yourself ,that looks fantastic..

Oh heck yeah it's fantastic! You know what's funny there is a big-shot upholster in the area who would have his name on many cars at the Grand Nationals when I was a regular there. In the back of my head I have to be honest with myself that a Model A I did that won best in class got an edge over the VERY nice competition due to the name on the show sign for the upholstery.

I am sorry, that guys work isn't one bit better if anything it isn't as good as the work you are doing John, that seat looks absolutely beautiful.

Brian