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Lovey, the 1955 Eldorado restoration story

Started by David King (kz78hy), December 22, 2020, 01:22:48 PM

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David King (kz78hy)

Steering wheel was returned after restoration, the knobs on the column as well, turned out great.  These are molded in color like the original and the OE color was determined after he got into it.  the texture is also in the grips.  Love it.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

The 2 Eldorado's switched places yesterday and now my car is moving back to the body/paint shop.  1st time outside in a while and I wish I was there to see the color in the daylight.  That copper and Rick's Pacific Coral will be stunning colors when finished.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

James Landi

PROGRESS!   Looking very sturdy, and yes, loved!   (Is that the power steering pump on the driver's side of engine?  Not familiar with that shape) --congrats!!!   James

Roger Zimmermann

No, it's the Hydrovac system! (for the brakes)
1956 Sedan de Ville (sold)
1956 Eldorado Biarritz
1957 Eldorado Brougham (sold)
1972 Coupe de Ville
2011 DTS
CLCMRC benefactor #101

James Landi

Thanks ROger... so '56 Cadillac changed to a vacuum intake manifold brake booster.  James

Roger Zimmermann

I would say another system. The Hydrovac is also using intake manifold vacuum. With that system, the master cylinder can be in a different position; on 54-55, it is on the frame rail, almost under the driver's feet.
1956 Sedan de Ville (sold)
1956 Eldorado Biarritz
1957 Eldorado Brougham (sold)
1972 Coupe de Ville
2011 DTS
CLCMRC benefactor #101

Chuck Swanson

Very nice work and thanks for posting all the details!  Chuck
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

David King (kz78hy)

I have spent the last 2 weeks in WI working on the car and will return home this weekend.  The front end is coming along and the rest of the body will be ready for paint in approximatey 3 weeks.  More photos will be added when I get home, but a few of today's work.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

Two & half weeks were spent working on the car and it came a long way.  Ready to start for the first time, but we simply ran out of time, so this week it will likely happen without me there...maybe that is best.

Underbody is almost complete.  Exhaust is test fitted and close to being done.  All hoses, linkage completed.  Fuel tank is awaiting some rubber to make isolating strips or it would have been mounted..

Battery straps mounted, the strap had a hole in the middle of the cable and I found the hole in the frame (under the battery tray) where it secures.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

More underbody.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

Front of dash work, heater cores installed and vent doors.  Wiper transmissions and motor installed and body harness routed through dash into engine compartment and wiring connected to engine.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

Engine compartment very complete.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

More photos
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

Hood blanket glued on and inner fenders painted.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

drbark

So glad to see the car getting to the point it has.  Loved seeing those dual carbs on the motor.  I'm glad you bought the car from me and are finishing it.  Few months after you purchased the car, my best friend, who was going to help me finish it, passed away from his battle with brain cancer.  We both were almost retired at that point from the Army and wanted to do this project together, but God had other plans for him.  Again, I'm so happy that you are finishing it and giving it the respect that it deserves.

Col. Alex Carapeti, (Ret)

Paul Tesone

Great job ! Love the details . Gold valve covers and air cleaner seem to be the correct color for a 57 Eldo I'm restoring . Could you provide paint formula info ? ... Thanks , Paul Tesone CLC #6876

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

David King (kz78hy)

Thanks Ralph and Paul.  I will check and see if I can get the mix formula for the gold. 

Talking to Rick today, engine start is supposed to happen tomorrow afternoon and paint on Friday if successful.  I agree with the plan to run the engine in while you can get at it kind of easy.  The front end sheet metal will be be final installed for paint, so fitted and gapped and done.

David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

Another week was spend messing with the car and still no paint.  It has run, but I was not there and did not take the time to start again just for me to see it, it can wait until next time.

Fuel tank was installed, the rubber splash shield were figured out and attached to the fenders.  Brackets were painted.  I still don't know where a couple of the brackets go.  There are 2 90 degree one and one heavy/thick one about 2.5" long w/a offset hole for a 3/8" bolt.

Installed the hood with my hinge and there were issues attempting getting it to fit.  Once down and raising, the left hand side got bound and bent the linkage....bad day.  The next day, put on a different hinge and started over, this time we got a decent fit to the cowl.  Hood got the latch and and hardware installed. 

Fenders were put on and those did not line to bad, LH one has to have some adjustment where it meets the rocker, but it could be prepped and painted this week now.

Put the lower splash shield on and fitted the horns.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

David King (kz78hy)

More photos.

If anyone can confirm where the support bracket go, please post here.  I found a reference in photos saying the long one have the hood bumper going through them.  No idea on the small "L-Brackets" though one looks like the lower antenna support.

I did not take a photo of the thick small rectangular bracket with a off center hole for a 3/8" bolt.
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive