1937 Series 75 Fleetwood, $6,000 / OBO, Gresham Oregon

[kaptengoose]

Looking for some guidance friends. I have this 1937 Series 75 with the 3rd window. As you can see from the pictures it needs some work (to put it lightly) - and my father and I simply don't have the capacity to take it on - so we would love for it to go to someone who can use it.

90% certain that all the pieces are there but we do not have an engine nor a transmission. Happy to talk through it and am willing to trade for something that is close to running.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Please let me know! All the best.

[Big Fins]

I have no talent for resurrecting the car, but I love the Golden. They are awesome dogs.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Harry can help you out with regards to this car.

[Bryan J Moran]

My advice is to part it out.  While there are very few folks doing series 75 restorations, if any, anyone owning one could use some of the parts of the car.  I know of no one that would undertake such a restoration - spending $150,000 or more on a car, which while not the reason for the restoration - must be taken into consideration - would be worth $25,000 to perhaps $40,000, perhaps. 

I looked at 2 late 1930's 75 series restoration projects in the past year and ultimately passed on both of them.  One needed an unobtanium grille and sides to the hood, which a member said they had but were not willing to part with, in case their restored car had an accident. 

That grille alone is likely worth ? what guys? $1,500.  Fenders, interior bits, specific to that model parts are likely worth another $2,000 or so. 

If a person were to purchase as a project, as soon as you go to try and source a drivetrain and all necessary parts, the sellers are going to know (know!) you need those parts to restore a car, and cha-ching! Up goes the asking price.  I know this from experience having purchased incomplete 1930's cars, one a rare Chrysler Airflow, the other a 1936 Buick Roadmaster.   

I am negotiating a nice high driver level 75 Series which is at $20,000 or offer, and has been for well over one year.  So, if that ready to go car is $20,000 or best offer, and I know of at least one other 7p car, a 1941 Buick Limited for $19,900 also a driver, then $6,000 is way too high for a full-on project. You are asking roughly 30% of a fully functional 7P car, and these are just 2 examples.   

So, parting it out is your best option.  Put an ad in SS to reach the old guys with 75 series from the classic era.  Not sure about ebay, they seem to "hide" real parts among a bunch of stupid non applicable parts making it hard for real folks to find. 

You may be able to sell it wholesale to one of the few remaining Cadillac parts dealers, but you'd be looking at $1,000 or so. 

I know that is not the news you wanted to hear.  I would take it, but I am in Iowa and transport would add $2,000 so that would pretty much be my offer.   

[J. Skelly]

You don't mention whether there is structural rust in addition to the surface rust on the body.  I think there is still a bit of structural wood in the body on the 75 series that year.  What condition is it in?  If all of that is sound, someone may want to use this car as the basis of a restoration instead of one they own with the issues I mentioned.   

[harry s]

The trouble with parting out is there is not much demand for parts for cars of that era. When you have sold the good stuff there is the carcass left to deal with not to mention space has been taken up during the part out period. BTW  I do have an engine.    Harry

[Bryan J Moran]

Yes and what's left would be scrapped.  I'm all for saving it but how
Much would you want for the motor plus transport?  $4,000? (Just a guess). Then add transmission and what if linkages are missing?   

[Lexi]

Sadly, the high cost of parts (some of which could take years to possibly locate), and low demand-often makes the decision for us whether to save, part out or scrap, a "project" car. Clay/Lexi

[35-709]

If the car is basically complete (except for the engine and trans.), it might be a good candidate for someone to resto-mod.  Rather than scrap it/part it, the body looks to be in nice, rust free condition and a good project to get back on the road.  Would cost about the same as a restoration (or less), and make an interesting, reliable, travel-worthy cruiser (assuming it was properly done) that people would love to see going down the road.  I have a great time with Big Red and we travel a lot much to the delight of others.  Much more fun and many more smiles than driving around in a modern car.  Takes a while to get gas sometimes though since many want to look at it, talk about it, and ask questions.  I know I am in the minority here, but my cars are carefully built to enjoy on the road and I do just that as much as I can.         

[Bryan J Moran]

I always wanted to save every 7P and 75 series or so - from the golden age but it's not possible. We have even seen very rare 1940 era formal sedans on here, probably still unrestored.   The V12's and the V16's of course will likely be saved.  The V8's probably less and less. Therefore, in my opinion, a restomod may be an excellent choice.