In a method of making a sheet metal part for motor vehicles, a blank is placed with its opposite length sides between outer lower forming jaws of a die. The blank is then clamped by moving the outer lower forming jaws toward one another. Outer upper forming jaws are then moved to their closed position so that the length sides of the blank are secured in place between the lower and upper forming jaws. The lower and upper forming jaws and a press tool are then moved toward one another, and the blank is shaped to its final configuration to produce a sheet metal part.