Restoring 55' Cadillac Coupe Series 62. Can I use 1956' Caddy Sedan parts?

[moto1969]

I am restoring a 1955 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe.  I have the opportunity to buy a 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan for a parts car.  I need the multiple parts to restore my 55' Cadillac Series 62 Coupe.  For example, I need to replace my hood, drivers side door, steering wheel, power steering cap, stock wheels, front windshield, valve covers, leather or vinyl dash, radio, some suspension parts, gas tanks, etc.. you get the picture.  Is this a viable candidate to use as a parts car?
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Most of the parts I listed are available on 56' Cadillac Series 62 Sedan so I have the option of acquiring it and saving lots of cash to replace the parts I need.
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Looking for forum members advise which parts will fit my 55' cadillac.  Maybe no parts will fit except engine parts?  I will attach a image of the car.  Thanks to all.

[Eldovert]

Moto,
All of the sheet metal is different between the two cars..the engines are different (331 vs 365)... transmissions are quite a bit different..some of the front suspension is the same. The front w/s might be the same (measure height)
You can probably swap the engine and trans (as a unit) between the two cars.
Cheers,Pat MacPhail

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I know with the Chevrolet, the windscreen heights for the coupe and Sedan are different, as in the Coupe being shorter, so I would think that the Cadillac would be the same.

Actually, it could be that the Cadillac Coupe shares the same screen as the Chevrolet and Pontiac Coupes.

Bruce.

[J. Gomez]

Pat is 100% correct..! 

In addition the 1956 is/was a one year only on multiple areas specially in the sheet metal side. It does have a few small parts that do interchange with the 1955 but those are minor ones.

Your best bet is to go down to 1954 which you could have the best luck for interchangeable parts.

Good luck...!

[Roger Zimmermann]

The windshield from the '56 Sedan will not fit a coupe. The other car with the same windshield is a Buick super or Roadmaster coupe or convertible.

[moto1969]

Are the wheels different?  I have 55' hubcaps but they don't fit the existing wheels, so I thought I could use the ones off the 56' on available sedan.  I guess at this point I could buy individual components like the power steering cap, California license plates (2x) since are missing, spare tire and car jack, radio, steering wheel (existing one is cracked), and instrument lights and dials?  Someone mentioned front suspension parts.  Can you listed them?  Thanks.

[goofyhb]

steering wheel, power steering cap, stock wheels, front windshield, valve covers, leather or vinyl dash, radio, some suspension parts, gas tanks,

With the sheet metal and engine/trans covered in other posts we are in or under the car. The radio is different, the steering wheel is different, the wheels are different, the rear axle is different, the front shocks are different. I guess the dash cover is different because of the difference between Coupe and SDV. You should be able to use the wheels and the rear axle. The diff is different, so your speedo would be slightly wrong. Steering wheel looks different, but I think it will mount in a 55. The radio is different and sits in a different location in a 56, so you would have to change a bit more. If you are going for a all original Restoration I would look for a different parts car.

[moto1969]

Thanks to all for the valuable information concerning the use of the 56' cadillac parts car available to purchase.  At this point I am not looking to restore 100% but a 55' cadillac I can drive initially so I will be using some of the parts listed on the forum that will fit like the steering wheel, wheels, power steering cap, etc..then I will gather what I can to complete a 100% restoration.  Anyway, that is the immediate plan to buy the parts that fit and available.  I will not buy this 56' Cadillac Sedan to interchange major parts for my 55 Cadillac Coupe Series 62 I guess even at the low low price of 600.00 dollars.
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Again thanks to all for the great advice and insight to the possible swap of other car parts!!!!

[m-mman]

It wasnt mentioned above so I will include it here.
You mentioned that you wanted a drivers door for your "coupe". (2 door) the 56 parts car is a 4 door It will not fit. The number of doors makes a huge difference concerning the interchangeability of most all parts. 

You also were using the word "sedan" to describe the pictured 56 parts car. Specifically it is a Sedan DeVille. This makes it a 4 door HARDTOP which is very different from a 4 door SEDAN -  (series 62 or 60 special) which has a post between the doors.

[Lexi]

Yes, the '55 and '56 Caddies do look quite similar, however there are many differences. In many respects the '56 was a one off year. I agree with the comments that while some small parts would be interchangeable, overall this is not a suitable donor car for your project. Clay/Lexi

[wooky-chew-bacca]

Pat is 100% correct..! 

In addition the 1956 is/was a one year only on multiple areas specially in the sheet metal side. It does have a few small parts that do interchange with the 1955 but those are minor ones.

Your best bet is to go down to 1954 which you could have the best luck for interchangeable parts.

Good luck...!

I know I'm knocking dust off this thread (new here but familiar with how this works here). My first search brought me to this thread. My question is about my son's 1954 Cadillac, Series 62 Sedan (post, not hardtop), we are looking for front fenders and wondering what, if any, other years fenders will fit. I know the grill and front bumper is a "one year only" with the location of the parking lights and the bullets.

Any responses will be appreciated as 1954s are hard to find

[Cadillac Jack 82]

54 and 55 share many similarities.  As mentioned above don't source a 56 or you'll be kicking dirt and cursing the sky wondering why nothing works.

[dn010]

According to the interchange manual, all model 1954 front fenders interchange with 1955-1956 series 75 models only, not 55-56 series 62s.