The BMW 507 Ultimate Build Thread!!!

[A12pilot]

Oh, no no no Mitchatollah! Although one of my idols, Elvis groupies aren’t on the list of items I’m hoping to attract with this build. Not without their charm, GILFs aren’t high on the radar. Actually, I don’t know what I plan to attract on this build other than a bunch of old dudes nodding their heads in appreciation, “Hey…….nice”.

It appears now after talking to several fabricators that I’m headed down the road of making my own chassis rather than the donor route. Fortunately I have all the photos of the factory chassis saved, dimensions, measurements, and access to one being restored to concur anything I need concurrence on. Daunting? Yes. Doable? Probably. Stupid? Absolutely! But if my previous threads are any indication of the ambition of my builds, this should hopefully provide months of much needed comic relief to break up the daily grind.

So what’s next? Off to the supply house for more steel. And Mitch, only reason I didn’t go aluminum is I have never welded it or worked with it, But fear not! With Tig welder in hand, I’ll probably be making a second body out of aluminum…..maybe.

Cheers
Dave

[big gear head]

I've got a lot of experience welding aluminum. Just 3 1/2 years until retirement. If your current horse barn is as nice as the last one I'd be glad to sleep in the barn.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by big gear head

I've got a lot of experience welding aluminum. Just 3 1/2 years until retirement. If your current horse barn is as nice as the last one I'd be glad to sleep in the barn.

Hot damn, when I bring my trailer down for SCR next year, I'll get there a couple days early and we can build aluminum ramps for it. Those steel ramps get heavier every year.

NOW you're sorry you posted that, eh...
Actually, I bought a tig welder about 7 years ago just to do this. Even took a course on it and I STILL suck at it.

[big gear head]

I actually enjoy welding. I'm not as good as I was because my eyes are getting worse and my hands are not as steady. Just another thing that breaks my heart about getting old. I was DOD aircraft certified TIG welder for 9 1/2 years.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by big gear head

I actually enjoy welding. I'm not as good as I was because my eyes are getting worse and my hands are not as steady. Just another thing that breaks my heart about getting old. I was DOD aircraft certified TIG welder for 9 1/2 years.

I use a '''reader" or cheater lens in my helmet. Helps a BUNCH for focusing up close.

[KevinW]

I bought these 1.5 diopter safety glasses. They work great under a welding helmet!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[A12pilot]

...aaaaand back on track, fender done! Onto the cowl and driver's side fender. I won't join up the fender to the nose just yet. That'll happen once I get the chassis done. And with that, I'll be building my own chassis to replicate the original. I mean, heck. I've done this much might as well go the whole way and make a complete mess of it!

I've made two contacts that have helped me immensely on this project. Next week I'll be headed to Philly to visit with one and tour a shop that is restoring one right now. I'll also get a chance to meet the owner which will be a wonderful opportunity for me. The gentleman setting this up has restored five 507s and his notes are invaluable. The other contact is the one supplying me with scanned parts files from his previously owned 507 that I'm using to print the parts.

I also had the front and side grilles 3D printed and the fit is surprisingly not that far off. Remember, my buck is made from a 1/18th scale model sized up. Amazing it's so accurate!

I'm learning more and more about metal shaping and it's so friggin fun! I'm going to make another body out of Aluminum next after the steel one is done. I mean, why not? What else do I have to do besides get a 62 Vette mechanically sound as a driver for someone and do basically all the metal work on a 280SL Pagoda next month. Pffllppppp.... Easy.

Cheers
Dave

[big gear head]

That's so cool!

[chevelleheart]

Wicked !

[Too Many Projects]

That IS really cool, Dave. When is the English wheel coming, to roll all the bumps out ?