57 Eldorado Seville Interior and Dash Restoration/RestoMod-ish

[chelonian]

Hi Folks, I am about to embark on a full interior change, old one is shot. Probably going to get a Dakota Digital dash that will fit into the existing housing/cluster. Before i did that I thought i would ask if anyone has done anything different? They gave me a few options, one looks good. Aint cheap, but caddy stuff usually isnt! Also need a good clock retro for the dash. If the gauges and radio are digital, need to do the clock digital too. So if you know of a clock that would fit that rectangle I would appreciate the referral.

Oh yea, the radio, looking for good recommendations there as well. I found two, both have digital displays. I think they were from Retro...cant recall the other. I like my blues and rock fairly loud. SOme of these radios are too tinny. They fake the watt rating with crappy electronics rather than good old fashioned AMPS like we used to have. Anyways, if anyone has used the Retro radio please let me know your thoughts.

Im also installing early GM buckets that have a very similar steel/chrome band around the seats, so it will look like factory buckets for the most part. I attached a picture from Warren Wubkers fabulous 59 Eldo that won Amelia Island. His were original from the factory. I gave up trying to find those. Luckily the GM buckets that came in the early 60s cars are near identical. I will be getting rid of the full power bench if anyone needs it. Buckets will be leather, but i am having the original black/copper brocade sewn in there as well to tie in the old and new. Havent figured out what the console will look like yet. Wanted to get the buckets in first so i can get a better perspective. Any ideas appreciated. Thank you. Mike

[James Landi]

Hi Mike,

We enjoy pictures; can you post some for us to enjoy?  I entirely agree with you regarding sound systems.  The original was a high quality vacuum tube AM radio with a separate tuner head and power amplifier-power supply under the passenger side dash.  Great car audio should not have to be loud to sound great--- If I were making a choice of systems, I would want to identify  sound systems that sound great at low to moderate volumes. New luxury cars have exceptional sound systems. I'm personally a fan of digital instrumentation.  Having an integrated dash that provides important and accurate mechanical monitoring is extremely important in old cars.  So please regale us with pictures and some history about your car and your objectives.  Thank you, James

[chelonian]

THis is Warren Wubkers original 59 seats. My new ones will be a different pattern, with 1957 copper/black brocade in the inserts, but they will have that band around the whole seat.

[chelonian]

Hey folks, after pulling the instrument cluster out, and everything else, Im leaning towards a complete rewire. Has anyone done this and what supplier would you recommend?

[Cadillac Jack 82]

YNZ Yesterday for a full harness, unless you want to do it yourself.

[59-in-pieces]

Mike,

Tim's idea for YNZ is a good one, but there are others/
All of which are an arm and a leg pricey.

Each may require that you supply them with your connectors, source and destination.

This may not be a problem if your digital set-ups are compatible with the original connectors, gauges, and light sockets ??

Back when I was fond of my arms and legs and couldn't afford to spend them on harnesses, I rebuilt my harnesses for my first 59 Eldo B.
It was fun running down all the different sizes and colored wires including those with stripes.
Oh, and lots of friction tape wrapping around multi-wire harnesses.

Have fun,
Steve B.