The thread was getting a little long, so I started a new one. On my last post relative to this subject, I had bewailed the fact that our local car wash had closed. I was at my bank today, next door to it, and as I pulled out, I noticed a guy washing the drive-through floor, and several banners out front. So, maybe I can start keeping the '91 looking a little better. (I drive the oldest car at church...)
Barry makes a good point... a very old car creates opposing impressions... someone's driving a clunker out of financial neediness when it's dirty, or someone's driving his pride and joy by choice when it's clean and shining.
somewhat like my 19th century grandfather who, after retirement, never left his home without putting on a tie, especially as he aged.
Quote from: James Landi on July 15, 2025, 06:35:14 AMsomewhat like my 19th century grandfather who, after retirement, never left his home without putting on a tie, especially as he aged.
He was proud of himself. Had he been arriving in a Cadillac, he probably would have worn a hat too. He would also have removed that hat when entering a building, unlike even older folks today that should know better. It's a matter of respect.
What did I do today with my Cadillacs?
Well,
1. I looked at my "race car" 73 CdV
with 511 inch motor and a 12 second et. forlornly waiting for them to open up a new track.
2. changed a fuse on my 75 Coupe de Elegance
3. Checked the AC on my 79 Paris (pick-up) conversion
4. Took my 76 CdV grocery shopping
Just another day in paradise
GregSurfas
I need to get the 50 out for a spin but its been too hot lately.
Carefully holding on to this and that, I did clean the dash, and door openings to get the dust and dirt of a couple of years cleaned up. And I did use the "Car-Guy" stuff on the plastic moldings of the '91. Not perfect, but they do look much better.
If it cools down some, I'll pop the hood and clean the engine in a day or two.
I finally (after 16 years, LOL!) got round to seeing if I could clean up the grill a little. I should have taken a 'before' pic. but didn't. It wasn't really bad, just kind of dull looking. The flat surfaces in the grill slots were just really dull and faded and just 'blah' looking, although the front edges of the shiny horizontal slats look ok.
Getting in between the slats was a challenge...and trying to find something that would clean decades of road schmutz was tough, and I wasn't really too successful, although it looks WAY better than it did before I started.
I tried OOO steel wool wrapped around a pencil....a bit of Bon Ami on a toothbrush...some typical metal polish on a rag and with toothbrush...soap and water, Dawn Powerwash and hot water.
At least it's clean...and from 5 feet the grill looks great! But close up you can still see what looks to be corrosion or hard water stains. Maybe someday I'll just paint the inserts a flat black and polish out the horizontal lines.
My son and I went to the Elizabeth High School wrestling car show and car wash. I got the '71 Fleetwood washed (I'll have to wax the beast myself). It was the only classic Cadillac, there were a few Escalades getting washed.
It was my first test drive with new fuel injection. It ran great (knock wood). 20 miles of 2 lane roads reminded me of the amazing Cadillac ride.
I pulled the 58 Eldorado Brougham out of the garage without touching it after parking from the return trip from Murfreesboro GN and drove it to the GM employees car show. It was great day in MI for the show.
50 probably needs a new water pump and her gen rebuilt, but otherwise performed flawlessly last weekend.
I drove the car to work today. My nice neighbor came over to compliment the car before I got my coffee. I should do this more often.
"I drove the car to work today. My nice neighbor came over to compliment the car before I got my coffee. I should do this more often."
For over 20 years, when we passed a waterfront parking lot, every spring and summer one of the folks associated with the business drove one of his two old Cadillacs to work. Missing this season... the Cadillacs. Just one unique way an old Cadillac can still make a "statement," can be noticed, and can cause one to wonder about its owner's health and wellbeing.
I hope he/she is okay. Driving a Cadillac to your job at the waterfront must be sweet. We are lucky!
Today was the day to have the '81 Bustle-back looked over. Turned out, all it needed was an oil change. But when I drove it home, it wouldn't cool. So, I drove back to make another appointment to charge it, and lo and behold, he did it right then. So, I now know that it "shouldn't" overheat, as it sat for at least a half an hour idling in the hot and humid air we presently have.
It also had a bath and looks much better. I now need to get used to "quiet" turn signal tones. The '91 has that bell chime that drives you nuts. Nice to have two running cars again.
Noisy turn signals have always been a pet peeve of mine. The Cadillac is so nice and quiet, yet my truck can be heard in the vehicle next to me. It has that electronic heavy duty flasher.
After replacing the rubber in my trunk on the '72 Eldorado, last year, I always had a problem with getting the lid closed.
Turns out that the rubber supplied by Metro was the wrong one, and after complaining, and sending in pictures of the alignment problem, they agreed that I had been sold the wrong one.
Finally was able to get the right one through Hydro-E-Lectric, and it arrived yesterday. Within a half an hour, I had the new one in place, and the Trunk closing as it should.
The wrong seal is TK 46-E/18. The correct one is TK 46-18. This one is shorter, and compresses beautifully.
Bruce. >:D
Drove the LaSalle 56 miles today, round trip from home to the Washington MO airport, for my weekly get together with a bunch of "Has Beens". Sunny day, mild temperatures. She purred like a kitten, rode smooth as a babies' behind.
Bob R. :)
Took the '81 Seville to the body shop this afternoon to have the hood struts installed. Took about fifteen minutes "while I waited," and found one was still good. The trunk ones are on the way, and I'll call for an appointment when they arrive next week. Jeff Shively installed the last trunk pair as part of the incentive to buy the car from his museum.
I didn't want to crawl into the trunk then, and I don't want to now, either. They only charged me $10 to install the one today. While the '91 is fine, now that I'm driving the '81, it really feels like a Cadillac.
Motor wash and cleaned the front side lights and repainted the reflector's.
My 01 Cavalier broke its shift cable so I wont have her for a week. Luckily Shelley is tip top so I'll be cruising to work with her :)
Been playing and learning with ChatGPT (AI) and had it create cartoons for several of our vehicles.
Here are some of the Cadillacs.
Looked for my car keys....