Putting nails in a Cabriolet

[30cabriolet]

Can anyone tell me approximately how far apart are the nails supposed to be to secure the rear quarter panels to the wooden sub-frame of a Cabriolet? I am nearing assembly time and I want to predrill for the nails before I add the final paint.

[Bob Johnson]

I just checked my original wood and the distances vary. The distance between the two nails closest to the front of the car, just behind the door pillar, was 2 15/16". They get closer together as you go rearward. The last 2 holes at the rear of the car were 1 7/8" apart. However the next rearward hole distance was not always shorter.

The holes holding on the trim piece below the door had distances between holes of 3 3/8", 3 3/4", 3 1/2", 4 1/4" and 4 7/8" from front to back.

bob

[30cabriolet]

Thanks Bob, that is exactly what I needed to know.

[Kevin in NJ]

The wood is hard. Pre-drilling a small hole makes life easy. This is especially true for nails that are seen.

Keep in mind many of the nails can not be seen when the body is on the chassis.

[Russ B]

I am finally ready to pre drill holes for installing quarter panels on my cabriolet's wood structure. If using the standard 0.074" nail, what size hole is best for pre drilling. I don't want them too loose, but don't want to bend nails either. Thanks.

Nails and screws in hardwood always give me trouble, lol.

[Rock Hornbuckle]

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If you're using ash or other similar hardwood you might try predrilling some various size holes in some wood scrap, and test them. I have used a 1/16th (.0625) drill, and had success.