About a year ago, I bought this car based on some pics on the internet. It was sitting on blocks in an old lumber yard building. The last time it was plated was in 1977 in Iowa. I do not know why it was parked. The body is in really good condition. The floors on the inside ar shot and will need to be repaired or replaced with panels. I just got it back to my shop in Jackson Michigan a couple of weeks ago. I had to take tires and wheels with me as the widow had no idea what happened to the original wheels and tires.
So far, all I have been able to do is to take a shop vac to the trunk and inside of the car as it was filthy dirty. I have done some spots here and there to see how well it will clean up. It appears that the leather and door panels will clean up very well. The front seat fabric is a bit threadbare but should clean up somewhat. I was thinking that I might get a set of clear plastic seat covers after I clean the seats. At least you will be able to see the original seats until I decide whether to go any further with them.
I have hooked a battery up to it to se what might work and what won't. It was exciting to hea the seat motors all working when using the switches for the seat. I did not do much as I didn't want to move them around until after cleaning and lubrication is done. Next I will remove plugs, oil the cylinders, change the trans fluid, ect. After that I will hotwire the engine and see about firing it up. I do not have a key for it. I have ben looking for a switch with key but doesn't appear many places stock that part. And so my adventure begins. I am not sure how far I will go with this car. I also bought 2 other vehicles there that need to be brought back here. Whether I decide to keep it and sell the others or vice versa, remains to be seen at this point. I really like this car but economics always plays its dirty hand with me and my cars. It is tiomes like this that it would have been much better if I had stayed on the money trail rather than following my passion where the dollar seems so elusive. I have attached 3 pics of the car. 2 of them were a couple that I got when thinking about purchasing it. Not much to go on. It is times like that when you have to go with your gut feeling as to what you see and don't see as well as what you are being told. The other pic is when I got it back from Nebraska. I went there, put the wheels and tires on the car that I had brought with me. I also got the other 2 ready to ship. Now I need to find someone that is coming by there that has an empty trailer that can haul a 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne and a 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 2dr hardtop. For now, I need to research trans fluid and which type is used in this transmission.
Looks like an interesting find! Highly recommend joining the national Cadillac LaSalle Club to get information from the numerous members on the forum knowledgeable about these cars. There is also the Motor City Region chapter of the CLC with members in southern Michigan. Good luck and keep us posted with updates and photos.
www.motorcityregionclc.org
thank you Jason. I will look them up.
Hello Jim
Congratulations on your Cadillac acquisition!
I echo the comments by Jason Johnson. Becoming a CLC member will expand your base for assistance and knowledge. After joining our club I would recommend that you contact Jim Eccleston. He is trustworthy and knowledgeable on your era Cadillac.
We look forward to your participation with the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Motor City Region.
Thank you. If I may pick your brain for a quick question or 2, where is the best place to find the replacement floor pans at a reasonable price? Also, Rick Klibenski was telling me that the upholstery fabric is still available from someone. Any idea who might have that. The leather surround on the seats is in good condition
I don't know where to source floor pans but you can check the website for USA Parts Supply: usapartssupply.com
I just received some free swatches from the place I am planning to order the replacement leather I need for my drivers' side seatback, SMS Auto Fabrics out of Oregon, based on recommendations from other CLC member posts on this forum. Samples they sent me look great. They have carpet kits too. smsautofabrics.com
Many other parts also available through Original Parts Group, Inc., www.opgi.com.
Please post pictures as restoration work proceeds! We'd love to see another classic back on the road in Southern Michigan.
I have been working on the mechanicals, changing fluids, oiling cylinders, ect. I have no ignition key. I bought a new ignition lock cylinder with key to replace it. Now I need to figure out how the ignition lock cylinder comes out when you do not have a key so that it can be turned to run. Any suggestions? Someone has had to have gone through a similar problem with keys being lost. I bought the ignition lock cylinder as well as the trunk lock cylinder. It was not even there, My thought is to pull the door lock cylinders and have them rekeyed to the same key as the new trunk lock.
Anyone have a way of changing this ignition lock cylinder when you do not have a key? thank you Jim