Same old Ben, new Phaeton!
I don't know how many of you heard, but in mid-October '14, I sold my first Phaeton of eight years to one of my best friends / fellow Cadillac nut. It had a few quirks that were really getting to me (including but not limited to the canvas top separating over the windshield & bubbling up, and finding out the frame was ever so slightly bent, among many other annoyances), and it was time for a change. I traded it for his 1989 Sedan Deville named Suzanne. I kept Suzanne for a few months, drove it, made some improvements, but it didn't really click. I missed having a ridiculous 18.5 foot long coupe with pizazz.
Fast forward to December 14th. I was casually browsing car ads on craigslist, looking for interesting old cars to get myself into trouble with... And I found it. The ad read "Nice classic 1979 Caddy" I clicked at, and about died when I saw a very original looking Phaeton Coupe in Western Saddle Firemist, less than 150 miles from me. My wheels really started turning when I read that the owner was looking to trade for a FWD car for his daughter... You can see where this is going.
Here's how it looked in the ad.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage_zpsb98c603e.jpeg&hash=9fd17a5bd938e57ac81d07662abe75a6d09d238a)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage2_zps0713b89c.jpeg&hash=55f216b9d0e996fd10667554d2c5f97167e1a37d)
To make a long story short, I set up a time to drive up & look at it, and I fell in love at first sight. It needed a good detailing, the tires didn't match, and the bumper fillers were in primer, but I couldn't believe how nice the canvas top & interior were. We worked out a deal, and the next day I went to make the trade & drove home in my new muse.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F995643BB-EABF-4A08-BDBA-FB5B41E76096_zpsvhhz1qie.jpg&hash=7da8dd98bec4704120436f2f3cb8112f2e06a682)
First things first, it needed a good bath. Ignoring the 40 degree weather, I was glad to oblige.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage1_zpsca089b23.jpeg&hash=fe51ad12b11e62922378afd18ef864ce09ff9763)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage19_zpsce36faed.jpeg&hash=68f74e0dcc2608b7d0eeb9bc309cbfe5a05fb8b9)
The next day I decided to take it to a local shop for an oil change, get a good look at it on a lift, and have another set of eyes inspect it. We discovered a few things that needed attention. Most pressingly, the lower radiator hose had a good bulge on the bottom of it that I hadn't noticed, and the belts; though not very worn, were badly dry-rotted. So after scrounging all over town for parts, I spent a nice afternoon retrofitting some rubber. Would anybody believe that the radiator hoses looked to be original to the car?! After that I got to work slathering the leather seats with some Lexol conditioner I had on hand. The first application soaked up in less than three minutes, so I did two more for good measure. Also did a quick dressing of all other plastic / vinyl parts to protect them. I honestly believe this may be the first time the interior has been conditioned, it was very dry & pretty dirty.
After I drove back to Chattanooga (was staying at my parents' who live much closer to where the car was), I got to work polishing chrome.
Progress shot of grille
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage10_zps19414067.jpeg&hash=de20df01ba25fb38f3f032d88b7415bc9c58178c)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage11_zps706b4863.jpeg&hash=850d5e69f281cdbd4e2d78ec97bda39cb90b4c54)
I started cleaning out the trunk... I'm not kidding, this was the first time it'd been cleaned out since the 1990's! I found a Big Lots receipt from 1999 just sitting there, along with an Olive Garden nutrition info brochure from March 30th, 1995!! Also found the envelope that the JCPenny insurance sticker came in with a previous owners name on it.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F5C644479-A10F-4AD6-81B5-08D36354D594_zpsrmjffs5z.jpg&hash=ce4fdfa7dc93967566bdab53d3527b2d3c1b8955)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F16AEFD43-8D7B-4170-9CC2-CC87B765DBBD_zpsbe7cv4wf.jpg&hash=0d33649600ba47310415949d49ca7eff7dccb766)
Still had the mat from my first Phaeton, so in it went!
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F3809E1F9-DBCB-4C49-A7AB-114575F4786C_zpseqo8i5fe.jpg&hash=124a288a0c3ab3b99d10ce17104bbb4b22c73565)
I had to install my wreaths around the door locks. I'm so used to them, that it looked naked without them.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage12_zps499201c2.jpeg&hash=9fad57d4681d8c437df89825ab1fa1a58f4117aa)
The next project was getting the original paint REALLY buffed out. I'm rather impressed at my results. I don't have a buffer, so it was all hand polishing. The process was Turtle Wax liquid rubbing compound, followed by Kit scratch remover, followed my Zymol cleaner wax.
(The little black spot you see is a flaw in my camera lens)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F885335E8-BDC2-4C2F-A24A-C7C0889A356C_zpslpukzy80.jpg&hash=707de21bcc46342d9755dc5fb33dc4ba71347376)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F74C7E650-9228-4BBC-A614-65F51E2CB926_zpsdmtr0eh8.jpg&hash=084076c28647ea13ce86c5a586e2eb21db0095af)
I ordered some 303 Fabric Guard for the top, masked the trim, and applied it with a paint brush. Wanted something to keep UV rays & water at bay, and this product seems to do it's job very well! Also, the piping around the windows was in very good shape, and still holding it's stitching, but looked faded. I applied Wipe New to the piping to restore the color & protect it. Now it literally looks new.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2FC05531EF-120B-4EF3-AD87-75A53AB96291_zpsogo81mnp.jpg&hash=b7848a18944b9d91bdaaa8bc7bca9dbb6b41f9e1)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F8ECA2BCD-1194-40A4-8915-61271989FD61_zpslrnuxyht.jpg&hash=3a73e67b3c7fbe1d56e5f4e607e0f4e232f1a1f0)
So, that's how the car looks at the moment. Stay tuned for more random pics of fun stuff that came with it, along with more progress! Hope you guys enjoy.
Random pictures & such:
This is a VERY original car! It included a bunch of artifacts such as the original owners manual, ETR radio manual, bill of sale with owners signatures, original set of keys in a leather case with the dealer name embossed on the back, and some 8-track tapes to add to my collection. Then there's other little things, like having the original metal gas-cap, and a very vintage looking radiator cap. Along with the optional space-saving spare tire & inflation tube still there.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage5_zpsf10c8670.jpeg&hash=1a41662423662377934b256880699a3f90fd2630)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage6_zpsafc5b0ec.jpeg&hash=d8f39bfaec1529aacef939e207f4a6560c3d2db9)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage4_zpsaf2f1531.jpeg&hash=4e119c4c9c6b7e10820cafcc2387ba2a38b1e55f)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage20_zpsc133ebba.jpeg&hash=9f23048b92dd5c7abfc78c2431507f0e24322126)
These old stickers are a trip... But they need to go.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage7_zpsb23377a2.jpeg&hash=5432b34481e526b2577a77cf542bcef63c9d6f2a)
Also about crapped myself when I went out after dark to check the lights.... and saw THIS!!! This is literally the first time I've seen an opera light actually lit up on a Phaeton. Both sides still work, driver's side is brighter.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2Fimage9_zpsc8b088b7.jpeg&hash=e68e1d40ce13559de37b57d0b22ab8563089d1ef)
Does anyone know what these small beige plastic pieces are on the bottom of my taillight housings? I've never seen them on any other 1979 Cadillac. My only hypothesis is that they were used during assembly to avoid scratching the bumper when installing the taillights, and this one somehow made it past the dealer without them being removed?
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2FA122553C-B5E4-41EB-AF27-EEC39696FDB8_zps866jyg3c.jpg&hash=798b9271893a048df2a55c031bfc747a2c3902c5)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi24.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc40%2FCadillac_guy%2F8B0474F6-7038-403E-916D-D02E0B509B02_zpsdepp8sqb.jpg&hash=8f857676da86b836fa1d73b92dcc479e504f2f98)
My plan with this one is fix anything that needs it, keep the cosmetics up, drive it, take it to cruise-ins, and enjoy it! Keeping it original as possible. I can't wait to get a matching set of 1.3" whitewalls on there. The rear two have the correct whitewall, but are balding around the edges. Front two are both different & it makes the car pull to the right. Oddly, all four tires are 235/75/15. The correct size for a DeVille is 215/75. I don't know if the increase was intentional, or if they just took what the store had in stock. I think I'm going to replace them with 225/75/15 like the Broughams got.
Also really need to get the rear quarter extensions painted. That will transform the car!
Cool car! Good luck with it.