Over the past 7 years, I have revived this convertible for the owner, with help from Jay Friedman on various parts of the job. The owner has owned the car for 20 years and been able to drive it less than two hours before it got to me. It went through several "restorers" before arriving at my home in 2014. It was a mess. It was painted three different shades. The windows and top didn't work. The doors were missing many pieces internally. The car wouldn't start reliably. The exhaust rusted in half and fell on the ground shortly after arriving. Every system leaked fluid onto the ground. And so on, ad nauseam. No one likes to fix someone else's screwed up restoration, not even me. But the poor car needed help.
I worked nights and weekends on the car. Redid the chrome. Repainted. Every mechanical system gone through and redone to bring it up to 100% function and reliability. Special attention was given to the electrical system to wring out 12v-like performance from the 6v system (and I am very pleased with how that turned out). The car starts instantly. You'd swear it was converted to 12v, but it hasn't been.
Last month the owner flew down from NY and picked up the car at my home workshop. Drove it 1,300 miles back to NY. Atlanta to Asheville. Then the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then the Skyline Drive. Then to Gettysburg, Allentown (to stop at the Bulgari car museum) and then to NYC. No drips. No drama. Just pure pleasure. The owner has gotten the car of his dreams. Finally. I am glad to have been part of that process for him.
I'm behind the wheel in the first picture (in the driveway between my house and my workshop). The close-up of the nose of the car shows some 3M protective film we added for the drive to protect the new paint from bugs and rock chips on the long drive.
Look for a detailed article about the car's journey in the Self Starter in coming months...
YOurs is a labor of love, viz: a deep commitment to perservere and honestly produce stellar results when others simply cheated the gentleman out of his money. --- I'm familiar with just how much time a SINGLE issue can take, but starting with a car that's on its last legs in every respect means that you're deeply into what I call "the might as wells." Do you have a record of the number of hours you invested? How did you communicate with the owner to provide him with up dates on progress? Apparently, you developed a great relationship with the owner. James
Quote from: James Landi on September 03, 2021, 02:46:06 PM
YOurs is a labor of love, viz: a deep commitment to perservere and honestly produce stellar results when others simply cheated the gentleman out of his money. --- I'm familiar with just how much time a SINGLE issue can take, but starting with a car that's on its last legs in every respect means that you're deeply into what I call "the might as wells." Do you have a record of the number of hours you invested? How did you communicate with the owner to provide him with up dates on progress? Apparently, you developed a great relationship with the owner. James
I don't have a record of the number of hours. Many hundreds, for sure. I kept him up to date with text messages every time I worked on the car, plus emails. Sent photos with the messages. Thousands of messages.
More pictures...
Now thats a lot of fine work and a lovely car, looking fantastic!
/ Johan
Art,
You should feel very proud
The owner should feel very lucky
What color is it? I've always been crazy about the brochure combo of Chartreuse with red interior.
Quote from: Ralph Messina CLC 4937 on September 03, 2021, 03:46:06 PM
Art,
You should feel very proud
The owner should feel very lucky
What color is it? I've always been crazy about the brochure combo of Chartreuse with red interior.
I am proud and he is lucky.
The color is a custom color, not a factory color. But frankly, it feels like a factory color. It is a creamy beige with a touch of green. I would call it Pistachio Creme, if I were naming it. Very subtle color that looks fabulous in person.
Art, Well done. I can only imagine the fun the owner had on his maiden voyage home. Can't wait for the article in the SS. Harry
Beautiful work, Art! She's lovely! And I love that Cobalt Blue over Ruskin Blue '55 Fleetwood in the background.
-Charles Fares
Good on you Art, what a lovely job.
Sorted cars are very hard to get that way, many hours of improving required.
Again, well done.
David
Video of car starting with completely cold engine. Properly tuned and with the electrical system in "better than new" condition, there is no reason that a 6v Cadillac can't start instantly...
Well done Art! Like Harry, I am looking forward to the upcoming Self Starter article. Clay/Lexi
As ever, great work Art. Phil
Wow. Love it when a Cadillac functions the way it should!
Fabulous, fabulous, a work of art. Love the colour.
Here are some pictures from long before it came to me, showing the state it was in when the first restoration effort was started.
It has come a long way.