Wood structure

[Bob Kielar]

I'm just curious when was the last year did Cadillac and Lasalles stop using wood for structure and went to all steel?
Thanks,
Bob Kielar

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

It is not a clean break. Depends on body models and series.  Others with knowledge of other years can expand but I will comment on 38 to 40.  A 38-7533 was substantially steel but had wood sills.  A 38-7539 (town sedan) was a very low volume sedan with a formal rear door (longer) and a different trunk lid.  The trunk lid was wood framed since it was a low volume part.  The "C" pillar was wood structure behind the metal again for the same reason, but the standard sedan was steel.  A 38 to 41-60S had wood in the sill and around the rear window.  The sill and rear window area was structural.  There was no steel structured rocker panel.  What showed was just a superficial thin sheet metal cover over the wood.  The 40-52-62 was substantially all steel but still had a seat constructed from wood.  In 41 this seat was then mainly steel.  I think one can say that by 42 all models and series had structures of steel.

[Lexi]

My 1956 Imperial Limousine has a rather large wooden rear window surround, (that has steel trim screwed into it). The rear arm balusters are made from wood, (a lot of it), and if memory serves there was a tiny bit of wood used in the B pillar to hold some trim, but may have remembered that incorrectly. I have not done a total tear down of my car so I do not know if there are additional wood products elsewhere. Not sure if future Series 75s continued to use wood. Clay/Lexi

[V63]

1974 talisman consoles are wood 😱

[Roger Zimmermann]

If I remember well, the rear central armrest from my ex 1957 Brougham was done with wood.

[Bob Kielar]

1937 Cadillac - Classic Model 75 Convertible - $59,450 (Mission Viejo)
So this Cadillac that is listed in the for sale forum would have wood used in its framework correct? How would one determine if it needs replacement? I sure do like this Cadillac.
Regards,
 Bob Kielar

[fishnjim]

This was covered not long ago.  Search the posts for more info.
Evidence of bad wood; repairs evident and looseness of the panels due to joint damage.
Wood shrinks and expands differently from metal, one dries out, one doesn't, just one reason I don't do pre-war.  eg; I looked at a '36 or 7 "P" coupe and the owner had nailed a piece of plywood over the trunk corner, because it was rotten, to stabilize it.   It's one big pain to repair those "orange crates"...   Take someone that knows prewar with you during inspection.  Condition depends a lot on how it's been cared for/stored.

[Lexi]

My 1956 Imperial Limousine has a rather large wooden rear window surround, (that has steel trim screwed into it). The rear arm balusters are made from wood, (a lot of it), and if memory serves there was a tiny bit of wood used in the B pillar to hold some trim, but may have remembered that incorrectly. I have not done a total tear down of my car so I do not know if there are additional wood products elsewhere. Not sure if future Series 75s continued to use wood. Clay/Lexi

Just to add on this old topic, especially for those who may search wood construction on these 1950s Cadillacs. Yes there is still wood used in my '56 Limo as quoted in my earlier response. To add to that, I believe the auxillary seats as well as the foot rests are also made of wood-but I stand to be corrected, (have not removed the upholstery to see for sure). I recall years ago seeing a torn apart '55 Limo which I believe had wood there so it seems reasonable to assume '56 used it as well as there were few body style changes in these 2 vehicles. Clay/Lexi