'65 Cadillac Eldorado convertible finally on the road!

[Chuck Swanson]

WooHoo! '65 Cadillac Eldorado convertible finally on the road! NYS inspection today and drove it back from there around 15 miles. Had the top down today as it was still a decent day...was no need to put it back up:) Goal was to get this done before the winter.
Car floats down the road and suspension was tight. Let go of wheel and goes straight down the road. 
Bought this back in June, but took my time getting the parts needed before driving. New brake lines, emergency brake cables, gas tank, exhaust manifolds, Some small under seat floor patches, and some other items like fuses, horn short, etc... Now I can work on some of the cosmetics over the winter!

I had a shop replace the exhaust manifolds and glad I did due to broken bolt they ran into when removing, but did a lot of other work myself.

Thanks to many of you that answers my questions and gave advice since June to get this road worthy.

This was my first time driving a Cadillac convertible on the road (My first car was a '73 DeVille and have driven many other Cadillacs, just no vert!)  Worth the wait   
Chuck
http://youtu.be/tB-bNgW-5xk

[chrisntam]

 

With the top down, it's great just to hear the open road and no radio!

Enjoy the ride!

chris.

[DeVille68]

nice! 

[Rob Troxel]

Thanks for investing in  and saving another great car!

[Caddyjack]

Excellent! 

[Chuck Swanson]

Thanks all and thanks for the inspiration David...lol....wish was that easy to repair/replace moulding 

One issue ran into after all the work is some drips from the gas tank.  Brought an original gas tank to a radiator shop to flush and seal around 18+ months ago (from my '66) and used that one for the '65 Eldo.  Yesterday on my lift saw one pin hole where the red sealant showed a ring around bottom of tank from dripping gas, and another hole leaking a little more.  Drained and dropped the tank again today. 

First time trying the sealant route...and don't think I will again, so went and bought a brand new tank with stainless traps from http://www.autocityclassic.com/  I don't recall if the gas tanks were available when I had sealed.  Regardless, as an FYI, Auto City Classic had the best price.  Some places were charging almost double for the same tank      

$319 for Tank/Stainless straps, and shipping.  If looks good will order a second one for my '66. 

Oh, also put on a new engine harness. Love the new harness and quality!!...Lectric limited, but believe the same as American Autowire   Took out the PO aftermarket ignition key with cut up ignition wires...and replaced with correct one. 

So nice having a parts car too as I stole an oil dipstick from my spare engine as the '65 Eldo was all bent/falling apart at top

[Lucas Feininger #15674]

Hey Chuck,

That Eldorado is looking real good. I like the color.

Is that a chrome molding on the upper belt line?

If your Auto City Classic tank doesn't work out, let me recommend Gas Tank Renu. They did the tank on my '63 a while back when it started to leak and they did a great job. That tank will never leak again.

Too bad its almost time to put the toys away, but we can all look forward to spring!

Any projects for the winter?

[Chuck Swanson]

Hey Chuck,

That Eldorado is looking real good. I like the color.

Is that a chrome molding on the upper belt line?

If your Auto City Classic tank doesn't work out, let me recommend Gas Tank Renu. They did the tank on my '63 a while back when it started to leak and they did a great job. That tank will never leak again.

Too bad its almost time to put the toys away, but we can all look forward to spring!

Any projects for the winter?

Thanks!  Peacock Firemist...but a repaint of the original color back in the 80s I think, so currently a 20 footer  

No, on the beltline, it's a white pinstripe...probably popular in the 80s too

Will be fine as a "driver" car for next spring.  Not sure how much will restore on the car, but nice to drive around while I finish the '66.

For winter projects, planning on restoring the Japanese Tamo wood on the '65 doors. 

Also, the '66 DeVille vert is schedule to be sodablasted and primed this month at body shop.  My body shop friend is delayed as he's working on my 2010 Prius...6K worth of damages from a deer!!

[Chuck Swanson]

Drove the '65 around all day today    Brand new gas tank installed.  New stainless straps didn't fit, about 2 inches too short, so had a good pair of originals that I used.  Changed all the radiator and heater hoses, and antifreeze flush/ change.

The auto dimming on lights actually works great!  I was wondering why my brights went off automatically when pulling in the garage last night-when pulled up by spotlight on my house..thought was a problem at first .   

Dropped the '66 DeVille vert off at the body shop for soda blasting/redo of engine compartment, in next few weeks.  I already painted the engine compartment once at his shop myself, but didn't like the way it came out, so took off the front fenders/inner fenders/rad support to do it right. 

Also, let my 14 year old son drive the '65 Eldo today (we have a 1/4 mile long driveway)!  His first comment was wow this car is big   Only other vehicle he's driven is a Dodge Ram plow truck in the snow when 12/13.  First time he drove was in a blizzard, uphill, plowing the driveway with chains on wheels, so the Caddy was a big change . 

Snow on the way here tomorrow, so may be last ride of season here in upstate NY.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Just beautiful

[Dan LeBlanc]

That's a very nice looking car you've got there.  Glad you got to take it out before winter.

[Rob Troxel]

Your 65 might handle the snowplow just fine too!  Thanks for the updates!

[Chuck Swanson]

Since spring thaw, put around 400+ miles on the Eldo so far.  Rides great, especially with the new tires (bias ply), and new air shocks in back.  No need to Photoshop skirts anymore as welded area in back by brackets, sandblasted hardware, and reinstalled holding brackets.  New water pump, radiator flushed, new trans lines, Breakerless SE under cap, new wires, plugs, set timing.   So far so good! Sits correct height in back now.  Working on more cosmetics as I drive it. 

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Chaz,

I've been following your efforts. Looks great, nicely done

Enjoy it now  in the nice weather

Ralph

[Bill Young]

Beautiful Car. Where are You in New York State?

[Chuck Swanson]

Thanks all!   Chuck...Central NY (CNY)

[Chuck Swanson]

Update since almost end of season.   Drove the '65 Eldo over 1000 miles this year!...just hit 40K on odometer.  Car has been awesome!  One of the best classics I've owned   Besides the battery issue, which in hindsight I should have tested/proactively replaced Alternator/VR as I already replace most of ignition system earlier in '15, all was fine mechanically.  Car floats down the road as many of you know   I love the triple whitewall bias tires too! 

At cruise night many said I should leave car as is (a 10-20 footer-nice cruiser), but I'll probably do some of the cosmetics in the off season (wood on doors, some chrome/moulding).    This was a great purchase in April 2014 (Virginia car)....can't believe it was in storage for around 30 yrs!  My 15 yr old son (in pic) has been a big help, and he's learned a lot.  We are off to Hershey w/ our Nova in a few weeks.  Thanks to many who have replied to my questions on this '65!  Chuck