1973 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

[Joerg]

Hello all,

my Name is Jörg, i'm 55 years old and i'm from Germany.

I'm restoring a 73 ’Cadillac Eldorado Convertible.

I bought the car in January and will give it a German registration in mid-May.

All important work is done. Now the newly painted body fillers will be installed.

And on May 15th come the newly covered seats.

In winter I will replace the window lift motors of the front doors, they are having a hard time. I will have one or the other question and hope you can help me.

Best regards Jörg

current status:

[James Landi]

A beautiful car and lovely, befitting color.   REgarding your window lift motors, I have had much success reviving the speed and ease of the window lifts by simply lubricating the mechanism. Over a 4 1/2 decade period, the original grease is gone, and so there's so much friction against the sliding components that the lift motors can't over come the friction, and since they are electrically overload protected, they cycle off, then the electrical thermal breaker cycles back on.  If you can remove the door panels, you'll gain access to the majority of the parts, and then apply oil and then grease--that  will likely get those windows moving again.  Hope this helps, James

[hornetball]

Agree.  I'm certain all you need to do is clean off the old grease and re-lubricate.

[Joerg]

Hello James, Hello hornetball,

thank you for your information.

Is there a guide on how to remove the panels?

Best regards

Jörg

[MaR]

Hello James, Hello hornetball,

thank you for your information.

Is there a guide on how to remove the panels?

Best regards

Jörg

For the doors, start by removing the stainless steel molding on the upper panel by removing the screw on the front edge and then slide the molding rearward. Next, unscrew the door lock knob and then remove the 4 or 5 screws that were covered up by the stainless steel molding. You can now lift up on the upper panel and remove it from the door and unplug the wiper controls. For the lower panel, remove the screw that holds the lock and window switches and pull the assembly forward to unhook it from the panel. disconnect the wiring from the switches and on the drivers side, loosen the set screw that retains the mirror control. Next, remove the two screws that hold the plastic door handle cup and remove the cup. On the passenger side, remove the two screws that hold the rear handle cup and remove that cup also. Using a trim clip tool or trim clip separator pliers, go around the sides and bottom of the panel and pop out all 9 push in clips. Be very careful as the panel is cardboard and can easily be damaged when popping out the clips. With the clips removed, unhook the light electrical plug. With the panels off the door, now you can remove the sound deadener by removing the two large retainers at the top edge of the panel. This piece will be very fragile so be careful with it. Lastly, there is a paper water shield that is "glue" on with butyl adhesive. With that removed, you can now access all the window internals.

[MaR]

For the rear windows, remove the lower seat cushion by pushing inward on the lower front edge of the seat and lifting upward. The retainer is about 12 inches from the edge of the seat on both sides. Next, remove the two bolts that hold the outboard seatbelt retractors. Now lift up on the rear seat to disengage it from the three upper retainer and carefully tilt it forward so you can remove the two screws that retain the tail light fiber optic indicator housing. Next, remove the lens from the courtesy light on the front edge of the lower side panel and then remove the lens housing. Behind the housing is a screw that holds the panel to the car. On the rear edge of the panel there will be another screw and there will be a third one on the front lower corner of the carpeted area. Open the ash tray door and remove the screw that retains the assembly. Lift up on the front edge and slide the assembly forward and out. Disconnect the wiring and then you can pull the entire lower panel out and off the car. For the upper panel, remove the three screws that were under the lower panel lip and the screw that is on the upper rear edge of the panel. There is one final screw that is on the front upper corner that is accessed from the door jam area. The screw goes though a piece of weather stripping and through the upper panel. With all the screws out, you can now lift up on the upper panel and remove it. There will be a piece of sound deadener glued in place that will have to be pealed off and under that is a metal access panel with 5 screws in it. Remove that panel and you will have access to the window mechanisms.

[Joerg]

Hello Michael,

thank you very much for these instructions.

They help me!

Best regards

Jörg

[Joerg]

Hi, its me again.

The windows are working like new. As you said, just cleaned and new grease...

I also noticed that the dashboard lighting has no function.

I don't think all light bulbs are broken.

Do you have an idea?

Thanks for helping me!

Best regards


Jörg

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The dashboard lights could be the result of a failed headlight switch.

There is a rheostat that operates as you turn the light switch knob, and goes from dark to bright.   Many of these have broken over the years, as it is a coil set in a "china" housing, and a lever that is moved by the switch, turns, and rides on the coil, and when it gets to the end of its' turn, the lever runs ober another terminal, and lights up the interior cabin lights.

Plus, there is a small fuse attached to the light switch to protect the dash lights.

Bruce.

[Joerg]

Hi Bruce,

thanks  for answer, so i will first check the fuse.

Best regards

Jörg

[Joerg]

Hi,

update: New fuse and the dash light works.

Thanks and best regards

Jörg

[Joerg]

Little update:

Final works next week Monday and Thursday.

And then the German registration.

Have a nice sunday.

[James Landi]

Very, very nice... how does the car run? We've noticed over the years that a Cadillac will provide transportation, but some of the sophisticated engineering features fail over the decades.  Of special consideration is the automatic level control with compressed air shock absorbers in the rear end.  If the system fails, the car will not ride high enough, and the ride quality is sacrificed. Tells us more about your car... perhaps we can provide additional information.  Happy day, James

[Joerg]

Hello James,
thanks for your post.

Here some information about the Cadillac:

The car comes from Arizona and remained in one family from 1973 to 2019.

From 1993 to 2018 the car was not registered and stored dry.

It was reactivated in 2018.
All seals, brakes, bearings and bushings have been newly installed.
So also the springs and the shock absorbers.
New carburetor, engine and transmission service.

The car drives very nicely and straight.
Nothing rattles or rumbles.

All technical facilities work.

Original paint, not restored and nothing welded.
A little surface rust on the underbody, otherwise no rust.

Some minor damage to the paint, everything else perfect.

I had a new top fitted and the seats were reupholstered and covered. With genuine leather of good quality.

There are many bills and documents that show that the car has an original 24,500 miles on it.

Best regards

Jörg

[Joerg]

Here is a little update from yesterday.

The seats are back in the car:

BR Jörg

[James Landi]

Thanks so much for the interior pictures--wow- you've made the interior of t brilliantly beautiful, and it shows so well, especially with the contrasting "piping" as trim for the leather soft goods.  Now, we can all hope that you and those you love will enjoy this magnificent car that you've revived so elegantly and lavishly.  Happy day, and be of good cheer, James

[Joerg]

Hello James,

Thank you for your response.

Tomorrow is the last big hurdle:

The German technical vehicle inspection.

If it is successful, I can register the car.


Best regards

Jörg

[James Landi]

Throughout many states in America, a car that is 20 - 25 years old (depending on the state), is exempt from mechanical state inspections. The state governments generally mandate that these cars be used only occasionally and for "show" purposes;however, it's not uncommon to see "Antique Plates" on an old car that is used as a daily driver.  Will your Cadillac need to conform to technical requirements on an annual basis?  James

[winger888]

Jörg
you are doing a great job here. Congratulation

Question: where did you get the new front floor mats? I have a 76 Eldorado Bicentennial, so our interiors are matching now but my mats don't look that nice.

Kind regards from near Stuttgart
Peter

[hornetball]

Looks great!  These are such wonderful cars.  Took Janice's for a little cruise on Monday after a full weekend of instructing at the race track in caged race cars.  I was sore.  The experience of driving the Eldo was sublime, like riding in a silent cloud.

Best of luck with the inspection.

BTW, I bought similar floor mats through Rock Auto.  They are made by Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. in Anniston Alabama and are really nice quality.  I like the embroidered logos.  Here's a link to the manufacturer's page:

https://www.accmats.com/commerce/1973/Cadillac/Eldorado/Floor%20Mat/11319/