The ARK arrives at the body shop

[Big Fins]

Wondering if those inner door jamb plastic sections couldn't be 3D printed with a pristine original template. As time goes on, these pieces are going to be harder to come by than they already are.

[Highwayman68]

I have been working on that both as 3D and using today's plastics in a mold. Both are still expensive but constantly getting cheaper while demand is growing. Just got some progress on getting the turn signal switch for a tilt column for a 67/68 but nothing solid yet.

[wrefakis]

your color chart is from 1971 note date rev 3/71 lower right corner

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

John Abend looked into 3D for those door jambs, it wasn't cost effective. And he's reproducing a lot of 65-70 parts.

[Big Fins]

I'll bet if he took orders and deposits he could make a run of them. There are plenty of broken ones around.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Seeing as how flimsy these pieces are, it wouldn't take much for a good body man to fabricate some up in steel.

Bruce.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

MORE body shop pics today! These guys are just insane, they have officially re-defined "OCD". I'm not complaining, I'm grateful. But I thought I was nuts doing certain jobs, HA! They use a micronometer to get that 'gap' between doors, the trunk lid, hood, panels EXACT ALL THE WAY AROUND. The 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was "The King of the Cadillacs", I assure you the great men who assembled this car on Clark Street 53 years didn't sweat the details the way these guys are, and Clark Street produced history.

The huge order of weather $tripping from Rubber the Right Way was still being delayed for the exterior weather strip for the 4 windows, back ordered. Delete it from the invoice, charge my credit card and ship NOW. Steele Rubber Products had the product in stock, at twice the price, click, pay, ship, done. The recent supply chain disaster in America won't delay this car. I'm hearing PPG is having supply issues now, phew, glad I have mine.

The shop polished the door screws? Some pics of the new erotic paint, and they're down to the final panel, front right. The Ark's body is as level as a pool table. The body will be NEW when complete. And my biggest fear, and it grows by the day, is that I'll be afraid to drive it. "DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT" - M. Amster. Driving this car, is my world, its what I live for. I'll need lessons in proper application of touch up paint, his nose is going to get chipped, oh well. Its just too much fun screaming in the left lane intimidating the fuel efficient battery operated roller skates or the other morons who don't realize the posted speed limit is simply a suggestion. I bought this car to DRIVE it, not put it under glass and dust periodically. Can't wait until that Reid's Automotive rebuilt 472 "with benefits" is rocketing The Ark to new adventures this year. At 9 MPG I don't give a flying **** about the price of 93 octane, as long as the station takes AmEx, I'm good and we're GOING.

And it looks like we're still on schedule, because I'll kill myself if we're not, for event #1 this year, Larz Anderson Auto Museum Cadillac Day, May 15 in Brighton, MA. Crew chief Michael Amster has some tweaking and inspecting to do before that. This will be close time wise, also wouldn't be the first time Michael was wrenching under the lights the night before a show either, let's avoid that, the man relentlessly bends over backwards for us, let's keep those instances to actual emergency only. Can't wait to see The Ark, done. He's going to be, spectacular. A condition 2 car. We've come a long way from that $2K 'burger cruiser' I bought 5 years ago eh?

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

mo....

[Big Fins]

I would love to be able to lay down for a job like this on Misty Blue ('76 El Dorado).

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I would love to be able to lay down for a job like this on Misty Blue ('76 El Dorado).

John, if you want something bad enough, you make it happen. I've been buying and putting away parts for years that I
knew I'd need. From a door and trunk lid to a side view mirror and cigarette lighters. 2019 the roof was completely restored
inside and out, THAT was pricey. I had the engine pulled and completely rebuilt in 2020 when they cancelled all the car shows
for the flu, that was HUGE coin but it was a "rebuild with benefits" by a great shop including dyno and with HVA doing the
in/out, engine bay and shake down. Last year the tranny, drive shaft, rear end and all suspension (including springs) and
steering was done in-between 25 shows.The body was getting worse and worse, what a surprise. But I needed to be able to
DRIVE THE CAR, that was always the most important thing. It was just perfect timing that the perfect shop could take us now
and we won't miss any big shows this year. So you make it happen when the stars lines up. You can always get more money,
that's easy. The hard part is having "time" to enjoy your car, take it to shows, share it with others. No one knows how much
'time' they have left. Just make it happen.

Then DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT 

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Got all the repairs done to The Lair today with a big assist from my foreman Charlie. He patched up the roof and helped me straighten out the frame, with a little help from a 3lb hammer. Heavy rain forecast here for the next few days, I'll see just how a good a job we did/or didn't do pretty soon.

Into the house to find, TAH-DAH!, new pics on Messenger from the body shop today. The final panel, front right, as perfect as the rest of the car now.

[Highwayman68]

This car is so lucky to have you as it's owner.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

This car is so lucky to have you as it's owner.

Awwww Mark, what a nice thing to say, thank you.
I'm lucky to have The Ark, believe me.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Pics from the body shop today, they've started on ALL OF THE NEW seals from Rubber the Right Way and Steele Rubber Products. (I remember buying cars for less than what these parts cost, oh well.) The new headlight and tail light bezels I bought in CA were only marginally better than what I had, told them to use the best. Its a 2 year only body and those parts are 53-54 years old now, I'll sell what I don't use eventually. Its all good. Can't wait to get back in the swing of just 'car shows', 19 booked so far. Its a lot of work, its long days, but I really enjoy it. #TheArk
GET OUT THERE, DRIVE YOUR CARS, SHOW YOUR CARS, have a life, etc.

[6Fleetwood6]

Nice to see thing are moving forward!  🎶🎵...the waiting is the hardest part!"  You have assembled a competent team for this project and I'm excited to see the finished Ark!

On a side note I found the Steele kit a bit spendy but excellent quality and fit

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Nice to see thing are moving forward!  🎶🎵...the waiting is the hardest part!"  You have assembled a competent team for this project and I'm excited to see the finished Ark!

On a side note I found the Steele kit a bit spendy but excellent quality and fit

Competent people are CRUCIAL. Every company that's done a major overhaul were the best available.
Reid's Automotive for the engine. Transmission Specialists for the tranny, this body shop for the body and paint,
Hyannis Vintage Auto for the car's roof and its home to the car's mechanic. Its so much easier to hire the best,
one and done. Its expensive, but its a lot more fun to be DRIVING the car and enjoying it. Steele is expensive but a quality product. RTRW gets a lot of their stock from Steele and sells at a
discount.

[wrefakis]

70 Fleetwood the car that started my Cadillac collecting obsession, drove one at 15 in October 69, had every big car from 71 up, none drove like the 70,so I keep this new one stashed

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I also have a 1970 Fleetwood....It's a wonderful driving car...

Mine doesn't have those city bumpers though...

Mike

[wrefakis]

grew up in NYC bumper guards are how I recall them, drove it last september 18,406 to 18,431 drove exactly as the one when new,even exact same trans shifting sounds and feeling time machine

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Fresh body shop pics, on a Saturday, these guys are relentless.

Now buying Ark show products, the days of a bath towel rubbing on Mothers Car Care 'Show Time' are over. Now its Adams Polishes "waterless car wash" for any body stains using Adams Polishes microfiber towels designed for use with the waterless car wash to wipe it off. No more dusting with bath towels either, now its a Relentless Drive "Ultimate Car Duster". Can't wait to see what holy water I'll need to use on the Brightworks Restoration jewelry...