Joe Otero's Journal For "Cali"

I need to come up with a plan for the rear apron drip channel... Well, I sort of have a plan.. I do have a source that conveyed they can fabricate them and a possibility for obtaining those sections from a donor.

However, I just had to try my hand at doing the fabrication myself. knowing full well I would most likely not use what I came up with.. Besides this experiment was done using 22 gauge metal.

I started out with cutting a template from plywood (actually two pieces for proper thickness)..

I certainly learned a few things... One important lesson

When hammer forming around curves use glancing blows to stretch the metal (I had actually split the sheet metal in several places on one end).. initially thought using a hard rubber hammer would prevent the metal from splitting..

See pics.. while not done its an ok start... the part still needs an upward curve to meet the tonneau saddle panel and a depression for where the actual drain tube would be inserted..

While I won't be using this part, it was a fun experiment..

Cheers
Joe Otero