New Cadillac Owner and first questions

[DeVille68]

Hello everybody

I'm from Switzerland and just bought a 68 Cadillac DeVille Convertible. (picture attached)
The car is in very good shape, no rust. Engine runs smooth, transmission very smooth. Basically everything works, except the air conditioning. Previous owner took the compressor out.
It has some nice options, such as Guide-matic headlamp control, Tilt & telescope steering wheel and even the rear center seat belt option, which is kinda funny. And of course the complete basic group 2 (radio, power seat, A/C ....)

I think the color is very cool, it is silverpine green with dark green interior. Looks fantastic, even though it has some minor chips.
A combination you don't see too often here.

If you would like to hear more details, let me know.


Even though I use the car only occasionally, I would like to improve the safety features. I would like to add head restraints and shoulder belts. To my knowledge these were options back in the day.

I would like add original parts or aftermarket parts that are made just like the original ones.
Head restraints: Can anyone tell me, if the head restraints can be easily added? I mean, could I just buy some head restraints or do I have to change the complete seat?


How about the shoulder belts. Do they just bolt on? What do I need to do? Special parts required?


Could anyone provide me with some detailed pictures of the head restraints and the shoulder belts?
(such that I am able to buy the original ones)


I have already found some head restraints (parts shop) and some shoulder/ seat belts from www.cmwauto.com.
Anybody knows some other sellers?


Thanks for your replay and help.
I'm very excited start working on the cadillac and enjoining tours during the summer.

Kind regards,
Sven

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Hi Sven & welcome to the forum.

Congrats on your recent purchase. Looks like a nice survivor you have there & well optioned. Many consider the '68 DeVille conv one of the best engineered Cadillac droptops.

I have no seatbelt info for you but I'm sure there's someone here who does.

*You may want to pose your question in the "Technical Discussions" part of the forum.

[C.R. Patton II]

Hello Sven

Congratulations on your purchase. The vehicle you acquired is fantastic. Please join our club to enjoy the wonderful membership benefits.

That model did not have shoulder belts. I have a buddy who is a club member that has restored many cars like yours. He will assist you. You can use me as an intermediary.

For your perusal there is a automobile like yours currently on our restoration category.

[Glen]

I was under the impression that all cars built in 1968 were required to have shoulder belts.  My 68 ELDO was built in 1967 and does not have a shoulder belt, but the 68 Eldo parts car was built in 1968 and had the shoulder belt.  Does anyone else agree with this or is it a figment of my imagination? 

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Glen,
The Feds didn't require seat belts until Jan. 1 1968. So... GM didn't offer them as standard until that time. Gotta save that money!!! Thankfully my car does NOT have them.
HTH, Bob

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Sven,
That looks like a nice car. The color combo is RARE on both sides of the pond. I have never seen head rests on any 1968 DeVille.
Yes, I've seen them on 68 Eldos. I would never cut that original leather to mount them. Besides, there's quides & other hardware in the seat back. Also, for the limited use of your car, it's not worth worrying about shoulder belts either. None of these aftermarket places have any NOS or nice original items. It's all reproduction of common items.
HTH, Bob

[Roger Zimmermann]

Hi Sven
I con't help either but, for not too much money, I would replace those cracked weatherstrips at the "A" pillar. They are reproduced, and probably more tight than the ones you have right now!

[DeVille68]

Thanks everybody for your responses!

@ C.R. Patton II: Thanks for the tip. I will contact him.

@ ericdev and Bob: Thanks, yeah the caddy is really nice. You said the color combo is rare. Are there any production numbers available?

@ Roger Zimmermann: I will definitely replace all the rubbers. Most of them are in bad condition. But, surprisingly, all the suspension and steering  rubbers are in great condition. They may have been replaced some years ago. Currently I am comparing the various rubber vendors, like steele, rubber the right way and usa parts supply.

Other things I need to do is to restore the woodgrain veener. The wood is in good condition, but the protection layer is completely gone. And I would like to get the A/C running again. With hopefully I encounter not too many surprises!

But if any of you knows some uses head restraints or seat / shoulder belts, let me know.

Another question: Obviously I need some  information material. I found two CDs on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Cadillac-Full-Line-Service-Shop-Repair-Manual-CD-Engine-Drivetrain-Wiring-/360469985505?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&vxp=mtr&hash=item53edaf78e1
and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1966-1967-1968-1969-Cadillac-Part-Numbers-Book-List-CD-Interchange-Drawings-/360469985721?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&vxp=mtr&hash=item53edaf79b9.

Any positive experiences with these CDs and this reseller?

Thanks for your help.

Kind regards,
sven

[waterzap]

I don’t know about this seller, but I have some of the CD’s from this series for my cars. They are pretty good and easy to search. If you can get them at a good price, it is also worth getting the manuals. The photos in the manuals are a bit better than the on the CD’s, and the pull out circuit diagrams on the manuals have colors, while the ones on the CD’s are not color.

For the AC, you can still get pretty much everything rebuilt.

http://www.classicautoair.com/

Also, and VERY VERY important. Have a look at the timing chain and gears. If they aren't in good shape, that is probably the first thing you need to replace. Beause someone replaced the suspension rubbers, they might have done the timing gear too (hopefully)

How do you get to drive this thing in Switzerland? Does it fit the roads? How does it work with emissions there? Switzerland isn’t the most car friendly place as I understand.

[kkarrer]

Sven,
    Congratulations on that car.  It's a great color.  As to the rubber...Rubber the Right Way carries Steele rubber products at a slightly reduced price...same parts, same packaging.  Sometimes you can get new rubber parts for these cars on the internet (e-bay motors) at a more greatly reduced price because someone changed their mind on a restoration or misordered parts.  I wouldn't touch those seats as they're in great shape.  The AC parts are available and with a vac down of the system, you'll have the option of using different gas in the system if you like.  Of course you could also change the compressor for a Sanden type, but I don't know if I'd do that either.  Just dealing with the rubber and plastic (and I would imagine the brakes, radiator, and gas tank) will keep you busy for a while.
Take care and enjoy that car,
Ken Karrer 1941 6227D coupe

[Bill Buckingham]

Congrats on your purchase, I love it!

GM convertibles for 1968-1976 did not use shoulder belts.  On the '68-71 vintage the shoulder belt was bolted to the roof and tucked under clips.  Fron '71-'76 the retractor for the belts were bolted to the roof just behind the front door opening.  Obviously none of this applies to the convertibles. 

Good luck with the car, it looks awesome! 

Bill Buckingham
CLC # 1976

[Roger Zimmermann]

How do you get to drive this thing in Switzerland? Does it fit the roads? How does it work with emissions there? Switzerland isn’t the most car friendly place as I understand.

For older cars Switzerland is not that bad. I don't know if the CO is checked for the cars from the sixties, but for my own cars from the fifties, nobody cares about that, even minor oil leaks. Emissions are checked on cars till MY 1976 included and they have to be in line with the regulations which were applicable at the first in-service date.

[DeVille68]

Thanks guys.

Yesterday was the first big drive home. The Cadillac was stored and prepared for the check (MFK) in a village in a mountain valley. Wonderful 2 hour drive home. Attached are some pictures. I was really amazed how smooth this Cadillac drives.
With 110km/h on the highway you just don't hear the motor, nor any rattle even with the top down! Could even listen to the radio, which works fine. Even the antenna goes in and out - cool.

@ waterzap: thank you for the tip! The manuals I posted above are indeed only black and white. Anyone knows some resellers with offer colored manuals on CD or reprints?
The motor was completely redone a few years ago - still have to check what they have done. But everything seems to be in good shape.
Like Roger Zimmermann said, its not a problem driving this huge car in Switzerland. On a small turn you may have to be more cautious.

And also, like Roger Zimmermann said, you just have to fulfill the regulations that were used in those days. So no problem. And I have a special veteran license, which has the benefit that you have to check the car only every 6 years.
However if you like to buy a new car, for example the new 2013 Ford Mustang GT, you have to pay about 20'000.- CHF tax on top of the selling price! And don't ask me how much you would have to pay for the new Shelby! ;-)

@ Bill Buckingham: Okey, so no shoulder belts. Hm..strange. On page H-2 of the Data Book for 68 are the prices for the options. And there you see, that you would have paid 31.60 for the shoulder belt in a DeVille Convertible. And also on page A-11 in the options list, these were available back in the day. 

So how accurate is this data book?

@ kkarrer: Thanks for your response. Are you sure Rubber the Right Way offers Steele products?
Anyways, how about the quality and originality of the rubbers? Are the Steele rubbers just like the original ones?
I read and hear only good feedbacks, but you never know.
Would be great if some of you could give me some feedback on how these rubbers performed on your cars.

And yeah the A/C project may has to wait for the winter. Want to drive the Cadillac as long as it summer.


Thanks for your answers.

Kind regards,
Sven

[Roger Zimmermann]

Sven, as you can see, I have 3 older cars for them I had to buy repro seals. In my opinion, they are never as good as original ones... Anyway, the choice is quickly done: there are no NOS seals!
When I had to supply to other people seals for sixties or seventies cars, I ordered them by Ted Holcombe; he claimed that they were better than the ones supplied from Steele; however, I don't know who is the manufacturer of the seals Holcombe supplied.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Sven,

Congratulations on your wonderful purchase.

The Swiss roads are a lot like the roads down here in the hills of Tasmania.   Windy and narrow, and after being on a 15 day Bus Tour of the Alps last year, I can understand that you really get to enjoy driving your car.   Nothing worse than wide straight roads.   Boring.   Switzerland was a drivers paradise, especially the mountain passes.   Pity they wouldn't let me behind the wheel of the bus.

Bruce.

PS.   You have an email that needs your attention.

[waterzap]

Thanks guys.

@ waterzap: thank you for the tip! The manuals I posted above are indeed only black and white. Anyone knows some resellers with offer colored manuals on CD or reprints?
The motor was completely redone a few years ago - still have to check what they have done. But everything seems to be in good shape.
Like Roger Zimmermann said, its not a problem driving this huge car in Switzerland. On a small turn you may have to be more cautious.

I think all the manuals you can buy now on CD are reproductions from GM, so they are all the same. Someone will still have the books somewhere. Not sure how it worked for 68, but for 78, I could only get the "supplemental" manual. So the REAL manual is available for 1977, and then you can get the supplemental for 78.

There is a guy in the For Sale section that is selling manuals.

[Roger Zimmermann]

I believe that the '78 manual is a complete one. I have a tired 77 for sale; I used to have a 78, since a long time sold, therefore I don't remember exactly.

[Davidinhartford]

The shoulder belt option you are seeing is for rear seat shoulder belts.    None of the convertibles had front shoulder belts.   

I had a 1967 Sedan Deville that had optional headrests, so I know you could get them as far back as 67.    If ordered with headrests there was a chrome rectangular slot in the top of the seatback.   

The Eldorados used a totally different type of headrest than the rear drive models.  By 69 the seat design changed and the headrests were incorporated into the highback seat design.

I wouldn't change a thing on your car.   Finding headrests and taking apart your seats to install them will be more work than you expect.   Not to mention finding the correct parts.   

My 68 Eldo has front shoulder belts but I don't use them.   They are a pain to use being separate from the lap belt.    Plus I don't like the belts hanging from the roof so I keep them tucked up in their holders.    I do use the lap belt.    Being a collector car I drive very defensively.

[DeVille68]

Thanks guys. Appreciate it!

Now I am starting to getting to know my Cadillac! All the little things, that you just don't see on the first day. Noticed that the dash lights do not work, but was an easy fix - blown fuse. (took the fuse from the Guide-Matic Power line). Now I am looking for some fuses. You can't imagine how difficult this is in Switzerland. We just don't have fuses in inch. Hopefully I find some soon.

@Bruce: You are right, some roads are really amazing. Especially in the mountains. In a few weeks I will go to Tessin (southern part of Switzerland) for some nice road trips. I will post some photos and more. So keep an eye out! 

@waterzap: Thank you very much for your hint. Just bought a complete set on ebay, all original paper. No CD. I'll guess I would have been disappointed otherwise.

@David Smith: Yeah, you guys are probably right. I shouldn't change a thing. I do love originality.
I have just bought a set of blank key for my Cadillac, since right now I have just some odd reproduction ones. I love these kind of details!

By the way: It seems that my kick down switch is not working, and I think the carburetor is not tuned property. Although it runs very smooth, I just have the feeling that it could deliver more power.

Regarding the kick down, I found a post here in the forum http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=104787.0. But the picture is totally different from what I have.
Well, it seems I have to start digging! 


Almost forgot - here are two pictures of the very last drive. A twisty road round Rigi and the Caddy from above!
Enjoy!

(P.S: as you can see, even in Switzerland you can fit in a parking lot!  )

[waterzap]

That is a very nice car.

Your carbs will have to be set for the altitude I guess. Know anyone around there that knows enough about carbs? Cant think that there are many people there that knows a lot about carburettors anymore. Even less Quadrajets.

There are a few good books on the QJet:
-How to Rebuild and Modify Rochester Quadrajet Carburetors
-Rochester Carburetors
-Rochester Carburetor Manual

Also a good idea to get a box of fuses if it's difficult to get there. You can get a whole collection on eBay for not much. You can get a 60 piece set at Harbor Freight for $6
Or search eBay for glass fuses or AGC fuses