Custom Metal Work - 1984 Cadillac

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Split Hood:

The car owner cut the hood. It is my job to make it look good.... And so the work begins....
The hinges are from a kit for a Dodge Magnum. Needless to say, this isn't a Dodge Magnum....
Luckily, he had an extra set of fenders, making the hinge installation a bit easier.
The inner fenders were supported with 1/4 inch by 2 1/2 inch steel flat stock.
1984 Cadillac Split Hood

1984 Cadillac Split Hood

This is after much work straightening out of the Sawzall cuts:

1984 Cadillac Split Hood

Short video
With shocks. Power actuators were added later...

1984 Cadillac Split Hood

I added 1/4" square steel rod all along the edge of the cuts to add strength as well a a finished edge. This required some bending and lots more welding with the flux machine.

1984 Cadillac Split Hood

Just a random shot of the car during the work:

1984 Cadillac Split Hood

Other custom work
Firewall:

The A/C unit and all other protrusions and holes (other than what is absolutely necessary) were removed and the firewall was welded shut and smoothed out:
1984 Cadillac Smooth Firewall

Wheel Wells:

The stock, plastic wheel wells were originally modified with fiberglass and body filler (they were to be painted the same color as the car). The new plan is 1985 Caprice steel wheel wells, modified to fit and then chromed:
1984 Cadillac Custom Wheel Wells