I'm looking for a 59 coupe rust free body, I'm thinking mine is beyond repair :(
Please let me know if anybody knows where can I find one.
Thanks,
Denny Ferreira.
How bad is your 59? Also could you put pictures of the car on here.
Here are some pictures of some of my damage, plus my floors are completely gone and my roof is damaged.
Denny Ferreira
How are the quarters?
Quarters are not too bad, usual rust on the button and some on the skirt area.
Is this the Seville in chicago that was on here for sale a few months ago? Being that your quarters are good and 59 coupes are hard to find,you can fix your 59 with a 60 Cadillac coupe!!! The 60 has a little smaller trans tunel,but the top, floors rockers,trunk area,wheel wells and cowl section all the same! You just put 59 quarters on a 60 shell,and there's your body! The main hood is the same other than some holes are different,doors the same, different trim holes,trunk lid the same, different V and crest,center of the rear bumper center the same other than 4 little tabs that hold rear grill on and the front fenders are the same exept a little area in front of the wheel well,the 59s curve out,so with sections from old 59 fenders they will work. Bottom line a lot of 60 Cad parts are the same and there are a lot more solid 60 coupe shells around for reasonable than 59s,Parts is Parts!!! I know these cars inside and out so if I can help let me know. Ken Perry
I would not use a 60 body there are lots of differences as ken said the tunnel does differ, but also the Bracing underneath does differ only on very early 60's the Bracing was the same, also other differences fender skirts differ the mounting in completely different, all the molding holes would need filling & re drilling unless this is done properly the car will be fill of Bondo down both sides, the fenders also are a different shape at the front as 60's had the eye brow moldings & 59's had gun sights the difference isn't just different holes the shape is different, inside the trunk at the rear corner these were different due to the change in the Fin. This is only some of the differences there are allot more. I would only consider using a 60 Body if you are planning a Custom.
Is this a factory silver body?
You are correct about the car, this is the one that was in Chicago ,and the body is the argent silver metallic code 92.
If I can't find a good solid body I will look for the top part of the trunk section ,from the bumper to the seam inside behind the rear seat including the inside fins.
I can also get a roof from someone local for a decent price.
Thank you guys from the advise ,and keep in mind that I'm still looking for a body.
Denny,
First of all I'd like to applaud you for trying to save this car. Here's my suggestion. Buy a complete, but not necessarily running, donor car. Make SURE it's a solid western car. NEVER buy a rust belt car to fix a rust belt car. Use the COMPLETE body to replace yours. Switch the data plate & all the options on your car. DON'T start cutting the donor car body up to replace sections of yours. You will save yourself lots of grief & money. by doing it this way.
HTH, Bob
Top can be changed,but if its not rite, when done the car will break windshields!A lot of things depend on what you can find for bodys,your body guy,funds,how perfect you are trying to do the car and so on.I do all my own body work, it's a lot of work, but a 59 Eldo is worth making rite. I have a field full of 59 and 60 Cads,there are differences in early and late 59s and early and late 60s. I can't imagine you will find a nice Eldo body so even if you find a nice 59 coupe body there's going to be holes to weld up to change trim.The reason I mention using a 60 shell is they are mostly the same in the areas that you need to fix your car and they are way easyer to find and way cheaper!The front area and top of the skirt area is the same on a 60. Skirts are way different. Dont forget the trunk area on a 4 door 59 is the same,so are the bottoms of the quarters. But if you are paying lots of $$$$ for all the work it will be cheaper to buy a good solid 59 coupe and put the body on your frame.If your car is not done rite the value will be a lot less! Bottom line if it's rite it's rite! I am adding a pic of a 59 coupe that Im fixing,it took 6 monthes to find a quarter panel. Most would not fix it but Im saving it,they aren't making any more!
My first option will be a new body if can find one around for a decent price ,I will love to start the restoration with a rust free body, will be much easier to close a few trim holes than repair a lot of rusted spots.
I don't know how to weld so I need to outsource all the bodywork.
Like Bob said ,is cheaper and will save me a lot of time to do a body swap if I can find one affordable.
I'm still young and not in the rush to get this car done,I'm working on another project that I need to finish before I can start this one.
So, like I said before I'm still looking for a good solid 59 body.
Thanks,
Denny Ferreira.
Hello Denny
Glad to read you want to save and restore a Cadillac.
Bob and Ken have provided good advice to guide you on your path. Last night I was reading some old 1960 Cadillac Serviceman Bulletins. I suggest you acquire a set for the 1959 model year.