All:
I currently have my eyes on a nice driver quality 1935 355-D 4 door sedan that I'm thinking about picking up. Before I consider it further I was wondering if there are any particular items I should look out for (i.e issues for that model year). Any help is greatly appreciated.
Tim
Other than the age of the vehicle, I know of nothing peculiar to this year of Cadillac to "look out for." It was the last year before the "modern" flathead engine so most of any bugs should have been worked out. Definitely not of any import like the 4100 series from 1982-1987.
Has the cloth top insert been replaced recently? Remember, these early GM car bodies are all wood structure underneath with a steel skin tacked over it. Common to find wood rot in the doors and the floors and the roof if the car has been outside a lot during its long life. If the rot is pervasive, it can get expensive and time consuming to get it out and replace it. Expect to find rust in the sheet metal if and where you find wood rot. Check the wiring closely, if it has not been replaced the outer shielding will most likely be very brittle and will come off at the slightest touch leaving bare and dangerous wiring. The front and rear bumpers are one year only. Be sure to get the '35 Cadillac Shop Manual, I found mine in reprint form on eBay --- get the Fisher Body Manual too, it will cover many GM models. Also, you will be dealing with mechanical brakes WITH a brake booster.
My '35 sedan was in inside storage for 50 years but lived outside before that, I still found some wood rot in the rear doors but little enough that it was not too hard to replace. The wiring was as I described above and the little I drove it (around our private neighborhood) before taking the car completely apart was always scary and never without a fire extinguisher on the floor in front.
::) You're welcome.
Thank you for the information. I'm going to think on it for a little longer before I decide to pull the trigger.