Special Feature: 1955 Cadillac Build by Roger Jetter

We were recently contacted by Ogden Chrome customer Roger Jetter who had a very interesting story to share with us. He's been building a 1955 Cadillac, and unbeknownst to us, decided to try out Ogden Chrome. He didn't expect much from us due to the experiences he has had with other platers, but was surprised by our service. He has documented every step of his build on The H.A.M.B. message board at The Jalopy Journal, and here is what he had to say about his experience with Ogden Chrome:

Speaking of that gorgeous bumper…I believe I told you I’d let you know who the plater is IF the bumper came out good…well, it surpassed my best expectations.

Here’s the story…I went to the GG’s event here in ColoRODo the first of June…one of the vendors there was advertising their plating…I examined partial bumpers hanging there and noticed they were doing copper plating as a step, something most platers don’t do anymore. I asked about it…”Yes, we copper everything and triple plate,” Steve told me.

He showed me some examples, needless to say I was impressed…I was also impressed (in my own mind) that the price would be astronomical…"Can you give me an idea of price for a ’55 Caddy front bumper?” I asked. “I’ll do better than that,” he said, “I’ll give you an exact price,” and with that he grabbed a three ring binder. “Caddy, 1955, front bumper lower center, right?” He said. I nodded and replied in the affirmative. His fingers did the walking down the price list until he came to 1955…”$310.00,” he said. “Serious?” I said, somewhat taken aback cuz the local Denver plater wanted $450.00 – without copper…!!!

“How does your stuff compare to “show chrome”? I pondered aloud. “As good,” he replied. OK, I think coppering adds a needed depth, thinking I may have to spend some cash to get what I want…I figured out the cost of shipping in my head...about $40.00 each way …add $80 to $310 and we’re close to the other plater’s price, BUT, these guys use copper, I thot - better deal, better looking chrome. “How long, what kind of turn- around if I ship it out?” I asked. “Two week turn, three/four days of travel each way,” Steve said. “We’ll send Fed-Ex to pick up your bumper.”

WHAT…???

“You call us when you’re ready to send it, we’ll call Fed –Ex, give them a pickup tag and they’ll pick it up right from your front step, Stever said.” “Sure and you’ll add that price to the costs?” “No,” Steve replied, “we’ll pay shipping both ways.” “Wait...!!! You’ll pay for the shipping both ways and not increase the cost of the bumper?” I stammered, unsure of what I just heard. “Yep,” he replied. “How can you do that?” I asked. “Cost of doing business,” he said. “Besides, if we do a good job for you, you’ll tell your friends…word of mouth is the best form of advertising anywhere.”

"You’re correct,” I said, “but it can also work against you if you don’t turn out a good product.” “We simply don’t,” Steve said. “OK,” I countered, “you’re on, I'll call you on Tuesday.”

Monday nite I boxed the bumper up and called Tuesday morn…Fed-Ex picked it up in the afternoon. That was June 8th…add two weeks, that puts it to the 25th of June…I went to Pueblo for the NSRA Nats that weekend (missed the debut of my Caddy at that event as well)…commenting to my bro the bumper should be arriving the next week. Sure enuff, the bumper arrived Thursday, July First…I could hardly wait to unwrap it to see if it really was “good.” I was shocked…it’s simply the best I’ve ever seen…FWIW, it had a dent in the driver’s side, looked like someone hit a parking block…told the platers it was there and asked if they’d work it out and how much… “included in the price,” they told me.” I can’t even tell where the dent was…

As you can see, when you can read the newspaper in the reflection, you know it’s good…I’m happy and for once, someone I depended on got it done. IF you look real close, or enlarge this photo, that dark reflection is the grille and font end of a '59 Caddy.It's also about six feet away from this table and bumper...!!!

Now then, the plater’s company name is Ogden Chrome, out of Ogden, Utah…you can e-mail Steve at: steve@ogdenchrome.com, check out their website at www.ogdenchrome.com or actually phone them at 1-801-394-9449…I’d recommend them highly…

We highly recommend you check out the entire story of Roger's build here. He spares no detail in the building of a car from beginning to end and keeps the reader interested and entertained the entire way with his terrific writing. We're on page 25!

Roger has also written several books in the Automotive genre that we recommend you check out. You can find them by visiting his website: http://rajetter.com.

Thanks again to Roger for the wonderful recommend, we really appreciate it!