WTB front door glass 1959 deVille and rear door cigarette lighter

[Hawkeye999]

Looking for front door glass (both driver and passenger side) 1959 Deville 6-window sedan, style 59-6329.  Accessory Code has an "E" for E-Z-Eye glass, and I'm sure hoping to find the right replacements.  Based on an OEM replacement glass site it appears that front windows from the following styles will also work:  59-6029, 59-6229.  Also looking for a rear door cigarette lighter (or maybe just the knob).Thanks for your help!    JHales

[David Greenburg]

Welcome to the board and the world of fins and chrome.  You are correct about which other styles will fit.  I may be able to help with at least one of the windows and maybe the lighter; I will need to check my toybox this evening and get back to you.  Until recently, I had a '59 60S (6029), and have a lot of door and window hardware lying around.

[David Greenburg]

I checked the parts department, and I do have a driver's side window.  Frame is good, but there's about a 2 inch crack at the top front.  Also have a lighter, although there is a pie slice- shaped wedge on the top where the chrome is discolored, so it would be better suited for the front that the rear. 

[Hawkeye999]

Thanks much, David.  I actually stumbled on a pair of "perfect condition" (we shall see) lighters on ebay late last night and I snapped them up. 

I appreciate the window info as well, but I don't pick up the car for a couple of weeks and the seller just told me he thinks the glass is clear instead of tinted E-Z-Eye as indicated on the accessory code. Hmmmmmmm  I probably am going to have to wait until I pick it up before I actually buy the replacement window. 

Jim

[n2caddies]

When I restored my 59 I found several sources for flat glass with the proper date codes and related markings through Hemmings magazine. Can't remember which outfit but they were exact and still look perfect today 25 years later. 
Randy

[Hawkeye999]

Thanks for the info, Randy.  Sorry it took me so long to respond -- I don't know why I didn't get an email prompt that you had posted, and I actually have not received any email prompts for almost a week until I realized there were posts out there from my fellow Cadillac bretheren.  I also can't locate any of my sent personal messages on the forum site, since the "My Messages" drop down only gives me two options;  Ready Your Messages  or Send a Message.  I know, these are tech support issues, not the fun stuff   I think a gremlin got loose in my account settings or something so I thought about maybe just starting a new one.....

Anyway, I have a line on the dated glass at autocityclassic.com and am now trying to decide between that and used glass.

Thanks again.

Jim

[n2caddies]

 Here's my thought. If I'm going to the trouble of taking the door panel apart I think I would make absolute sure the 50 year old glass is absolutely perfect with no signs of delamination because I would not want to do it again. Otherwise I vote for the new glass. Also a good time to redo the sweeps . It's one of those things that is so common in restoring these old cars is where do you stop?
Good luck!
Randy

[Hawkeye999]

Good advice, Randy.  The biggest problem here is that the car is still in PA 700 miles away.  Being my first ever classic car, my dream has always been to pick up a '59 Caddy and drive it home.  This car is in good enough shape that I can do that after getting new tires and several minor repairs, but that pesky glass problem is going to drive me to drinkin'.  This car is going to be a driver, but I still want to keep it as original as possible don't I unless I'm going in the opposite direction and customize it? I mean, it would be a shame if the car is completely original now and I decided to change that by installing new replacement glass (even if date stamped, which by the way seems kinda like acceptable forgery in the classic car world). 

Now I realize there are some things that a guy wouldn't be able to find used in good condition (such as the 50+ year old sweeps like you mentioned) without sifting through 20 salvage yards by hand.  I pondered this "to be or not to be (original)" question when the inspection report came out last week and said I needed ball joints, among other things.  My knee jerk reaction was to find them used off of a '59 so I could still say the car is original, but then a guy has to wonder about the life expectancy of mechanical parts, especially something like a ball joint, and whether it makes sense even from a safety standpoint to resist replacing worn out stuff with new, such as a brake cylinder.  I suppose the threshold question here is what constitutes "original".

Your sage words of wisdom on this topic would be appreciated, Randy, as well as an idea of whether or not you think there is a significant percentage of folks out there that might have a contrary view (don't you just love the "spirited" discussions often found in these forums)      

Thanks again,

Jim

[n2caddies]

Well Jim you bring up a very good point. The truth of the matter is that these cars are only original once. The first time we change a tire or do a brake job or touch up a scratch they are not "original" anymore. There are several levels of car restoration in this hobby and you have to first figure out what you want to achieve with your restoration and Budget such as if you want a nice dependable safe driver quality that you and your family can enjoy driving  or do you want the perfect original car restored with NOS parts that may only see the road on the back of a trail or. Or somewhere in between. Me personally I have a very nice 59 conv that I have restored as close to as it was originally with the proper leather interior paint codes on the trim tag etc. including date codes on the glass. But I drive it so I did powder coat the inner fenders and suspension parts for durability. I run radials for comfort and safety. I have a very discreetly installed FM satellite radio for cruising enjoyment. Not much to listen to on AM these days. I converted my generator to a alternator using the original housing so under the hood it looks correct. The point is it is safe dependable and fun. I really appreciate the guys that take it the step further to be 100% apes it was when built. I see them at the concourse shows but man I would be scared to drive it to the grocery store for fear of getting dinged. I can also appreciate the guys that choose to hot rod them , lower , and otherwise customize these caddys. I know it make many if the guys cringe but for the most part in my opinion they are saving a car that may be too far gone for a practical restoration from the crusher. That may not be your cup of tea but you have to appreciate the engineering and creativity they express.  After all the whole point of it all no matter where on the restoration spectrum you may fall is to have fun and share the excitement of the hobby with others like the folks in this forum and also introduce others especially young people to something new and rewarding. Also Jim don't think you have to do it all at once. Ive had my 59 over 20 years and I just found the proper jack stand hook ive been looking for forever and bead blasted and painted it today and put it in the trunk. It really is about the journey for me. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth!!
Randy

[Hawkeye999]

That’s a good 25 cents worth, Randy, and all good stuff.  The process for me in sorting out goals on the front end of this new adventure is a little complicated since I am probably going to need to restore and sell my first vehicle in order to get my wife on board with the idea that classic cars can actually be a good investment and not just a hobby.  Don’t worry, it’s not the Caddy â€" I plan on keeping that for a very long time.  Before it arrives, though,  I’m actually taking delivery of a ’59 Olds 98.  The thought of selling my first born is repugnant, but a necessary evil I think in order to promote long-term peace in the family (I hope).  That car is absolutely original right down to the floor mats and needs very little to take it to the next price level, just short of show quality.  Damn.  The more I talk about it the more I do not want to sell it, but I bought it way under value and if I can sell it to buy much of what the Caddy needs……..  At the risk of being excommunicated from the forum for sacrilegious posting of Oldsmobile photos, here are a couple of the car I’m talking about.

Anyway, I often espouse that life should be about the journey; not its end, and you have given me a poignant reminder of that just when I needed it.

Thanks,
Jim

[Hawkeye999]

I can't help myself.  Just one photo of the Olds interior............

Jim