Anybody else just bought a Foose Cady for parts ?

[57peppershaker]

I plunked down the cash for a Foose Cady today. The body style isnt really my thing but the 502 is destined for a 57 Chevy.

Just wondering if the chassis ect is a simple fit on something else or what you other guys are doing if parting one out ? I may use the body ect as a kerbside but really not sure until it arrives in the post.

[Mark]

The chassis is based on the stock Cadillac unit.  I was a bit disappointed with that, as I expected it to be a complete aftermarket chassis.  I bought two of these kits.  The "parts car" will probably give up its powertrain and wheels to an Eldorado Brougham (as soon as I can find a built one to cut up, to fix the proportions of the front clip).  But the chassis will stay with the body, and there will be enough left that I can swap in another engine and wheels and have another complete (though different) car.

The chassis would be an okay swap into another late Forties/early Fifties car, but under anything else it will look out of place in my opinion.  Yes, someone could fabricate a chassis that looks like this one, but under a lot of cars it won't look like it was designed for that car.  Again, just an opinion...that, and $1.79, will get you a medium coffee around here... 

[Fat Brian]

I've got two so far and will get at least one more, I like it enough to build one pretty much out if the box but the others will be donors.

[espo]

I have only bought one so far. I'm not sure if I will build it or just mine the parts. I can see in a few months if any are on close out at HL I would get a couple for the parts alone.

[IHSS]

I got one with the plan of building it. When I opened it the windshield frame was badly tweaked. I tried to straighten it but just couldn't get it straightened. I was about to through it back in the box and shelf it. But I had the velocity channel on at the time and I think it was Iron Resurection that came on. They were working on a late sixties Caddy convertible and that got some ideas flowing. So out came my Johan boss man and surprisingly they fit well together. It did take some floor manipulation to give it a fairly clean underside but the wheels look fantastic on that body so I went with it and it is probably one of my best overall builds to date. I'll try and take a couple of pics to post up later if any one is interested in seeing it. 

[dino246gt]

I started to mix that chassis, engine, suspension, with an Eldo Brougham, stretched the front fenders and customized the body but here's how I extended the front end.

To keep the wheel openings intact, I added styrene to the lower portion just at the door/fender line, then on the upper part (this kit has a multi-piece body) I extended it just above the wheel openings. I opened up the hood and fitted the Foose inners as well.

[Rob Hall]

I'm kind of thinking the wheels and tires might look good on the '80s Cadillac coupe kit. 

[stavanzer]

Great Work, Dennis.

[Ace-Garageguy]

For what it's worth, in the real world, aftermarket frames (like Art Morrison, etc.) made for specific vehicles, are usually very similar visually in shape to the OEM frames they replace.

This is because well-designed aftermarket frames are engineered to pick up the original body mount locations.

For this reason, kit frames that represent OEM units can be modified to represent aftermarket upgrades, usually, by cleaning them up in general, modifying or replacing crossmembers as necessary, installing IFS, and narrowing the rear rails to accommodate wider rubber.

The Foose frame appears to be either a Morrison or similar unit, or an OEM frame that's been clipped both front and rear...achieving essentially the same thing.

The '41 Caddy frame, below, is much like the '48.

[57peppershaker]

I was kinda hoping that was the case with the Foose kit Bill. I know about 1:1 AM frames, just cant afford them lol.

Once the kit arrives, I want to try & use the chassis under a 57 Chevy

[64Comet404]

What is the overall size of the rim and tire on the Caddy? I have a project which could use a set of wheels like these, but not if they are too small in diameter.

[oldcarfan]

I was just at the LHS a little while ago looking at this kit and the Foose 56 Ford truck as well, trying to decide if they would be good to buy for parts.

[Bert]

I think they are an excellent kit for parts. Peppershaker, I'm using the back half of the AMT 57 Chevy street machine under the caddy. That's another great kit for parts (hint hint Round 2.

[misterNNL]

On 3/31/2018 at 10:28 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

For what it's worth, in the real world, aftermarket frames (like Art Morrison, etc.) made for specific vehicles, are usually very similar visually in shape to the OEM frames they replace.

This is because well-designed aftermarket frames are engineered to pick up the original body mount locations.

For this reason, kit frames that represent OEM units can be modified to represent aftermarket upgrades, usually, by cleaning them up in general, modifying or replacing crossmembers as necessary, installing IFS, and narrowing the rear rails to accommodate wider rubber.

The Foose frame appears to be either a Morrison or similar unit, or an OEM frame that's been clipped both front and rear...achieving essentially the same thing.

The '41 Caddy frame, below, is much like the '48.

Great side by side comparison photo.Thanks for sharing that.