59.5 Cadillac Stroller with Air Ride

[3onthetree]

So, I have been taking a break from the 65 Convertible build to work on a stroller for my kid.  I saw a 1960 Cadillac fibergalss body in Hershey PA at the car show a few weeks ago.  I had seen them on Ebay before, but seeing it in person, I had to have one.  I wanted it to look more like a 59, so I extened the fins on it.  It does not look like a 59, because the fins are so different, but I will call it a 59.5...I used stryofoam first to form the bigger fins, then molded them from wood, then fiberglassed them on the car.

[3onthetree]

I built a frame for it using square tubing, and shopping cars style wheels for the front.  I used wheels and tires from an original 50's Kidillac pedal car.  I am going to put air ride on it with small air cylinders.  Here is how it will sit when it is slammed.

[3onthetree]

Here are a few shots of what it will look like with the air ride.  I just used spacers, and the air cylinders are on the way, and will start to get them mounted.  I think I am going to use an air cylinder from a paint ball gun for the air supply.  I am still doing a little research on that to see if I can regulate the pressure easily.

[Gary]

If I promise to feed you, would you come live here for the time it would take to complete the things I need done?

I had thought of adapting one of those bodies for my grandsons, but lacked the creativity. Now, you add air ride. I am jealous.
Please post pics as you complete the frame and air cylinder activation.

Really, really great work.

Gary

59.5??   

[Cad67Deville]

COOL!

[3onthetree]

Wow, thanks very much.  I enjoy fiddling with things, and the kids have given me some new toys to enjoy.  I thought of Harley Earl while I was forming the fins out of styrofoam.  I guess this is what a 59.5 would look like if he designed one.  I will keep you posted, but a few days of sanding and body work then the air cyliders should be here. 

Here is my man in his 55 Garton Kidillac, we have been to a few cruises this year, and he loves it.

If I promise to feed you, would you come live here for the time it would take to complete the things I need done?

I had thought of adapting one of those bodies for my grandsons, but lacked the creativity. Now, you add air ride. I am jealous.
Please post pics as you complete the frame and air cylinder activation.

Really, really great work.

Gary

59.5??   

[3onthetree]

Got the air tank and regulator from a fire fighter buddy, and it will fit sweet under the trunk of the car. Air cylinders should be here any day.

[Ronald]

What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No battery and compressor under the "hood"?

GGGGGGRRRRREEAAAATTTTTTTT  car of the kids and you!

Ron

[3onthetree]

So I have been trying to figure out what to use for headlights for the stroller, and found the perfect thing.  At an online craft store, I found these small thermometers with a chrome bezel that was the exact size of the headlights on the 59.5.  I took them apart and took the guts out of them so I just had the bezel and the glass.  Then I cut out where the fiberglass filled the headlight hole.  The bezels snap into the holes.

[3onthetree]

I cut out the other 3 holes and got all the headlight bezels sitting in the holes.  I took the face plate from the thermometer and flipped it over and will use that for the backing plate.  I picked up some round solder boards at Radio Shack and am going to mount 4 1.5 volt LEDs so I can use a 6 volt battery for them.  Maybe not to much light, but cool effect.  The last picture shows the solder board on top of the backing plate, but after I get the LED's mounted in the board, I will drill out the backing plate and put the board behind.

[3onthetree]

And I took my air tank to the welding shop today, and they said they cannot fill it.  I am going to try and use the paint ball tank, I will keep you posted.  STILL NO AIR CYLINDERS!  Once I get them, I can start to mount the body on the frame.

[3onthetree]

So, I have been trying to think of a way to give my kids stroller some 12 volt power so I can power some air ride valves, headlights and taillights.  I figured I would use a battery from a Ryobi screw gun.  It is small, I have a ton of them, so easy to always have power, and I bet it will last a long time with led lights and air ride valves.  I cut a peice of 16g steel to fit between the feet on the car, and cut a peice out so the battery would snap in to the steel.  I welded it on the frame, and the battery snaps in perfect.

[3onthetree]

Then I took one of the chargers that comes with a small drill kit, the one that is a charger on the end of a cord, not a snap in charger.  I cut the diodes out that keep the DC power from backfeeding, and soldered the ends of the power cord directly to the contacts for the battery.  When I plugged it into the battery, I get a 15 volt reading.  I will have to use some other diodes to keep the power to about 13 volts, but the air ride valved worked great on 15V.  This makes it very easy to change the battery.

[3onthetree]

Here it is mounted on the frame, and with the body on the car.  With the wire lead hanging over the dash, I will wire up a small diode to regulate the power, and then finish building the headlights and taillights, and then plumb up the air ride valves...first time I have tried using a battery like this, we will see how long it lasts, with a kid who loves to make cars go up and down, I have a feeling the electricity will outlast any air supply I can give it...

[Gary]

 

Gary