Options and age

[billyoung]

A main reason I chose to buy and restore the 1968 DeVille convertible that I did is because the only options were six way seat, Climate Control, Am Fm Stereo and Twilight Sentinel. My car was built October 1967 so it is 57 years old now and finding repair parts for many of the options is expensive at best and in some cases ( Tilt and Tel turn switch ) impossible. I figured why have all this dead stuff in the car that I could not afford to repair to working order? One Mans Opinion

[Jay Friedman]

I agree with you on the desirability of not having many options. In my opinion, some are a bit senseless. An example is an Autronic Eye to change the headlights automatically from bright to dim, etc.  It's so simple and easy to do with your foot or by hand on more modern cars. I could go on about others.  My '49 has few options and I like it that way. 

[Lexi]

I am inclined to agree. The Autronic Eye is probably not needed for the reason Jay provided; though it is cool driving around with what looks like an Art Deco ray gun from a 1930s Flash Gordon movie mounted on your Caddy's dash. I noted the trunk pull down motor as a further example of an option not really needed in another post. I was going to "stick a fork" in the push button trunk opener, but that one is OK. Might makes things go a little quicker out in the rain when you got to get into your trunk, or opening it at a border crossing from the driver's seat. Just hope they don't slam that trunk lid down when done. Clay/Lexi

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I love the options! I'm a fan of the autronic eye. My wife has a new Volvo that self dips the headlights, something very few modern cars have. It really does stop you accidently blinding someone coming in the other direction. I don't know why all cars don't have this these days. Agree with Clay that it looks cool on my 54's dash!
I also agree that the trunk pull down is a gadget no one needs.
Phil

[Roger Zimmermann]

Might makes things go a little quicker out in the rain when you got to get into your trunk, or opening it at a border crossing from the driver's seat.  Clay/Lexi

Honestly, I don't know the rule in North America, but in Switzerland the driver (or passenger) must be near the trunk when the customs is looking at the content.

[Big Fins]

I love the tilt/telescopic option, the remote trunk release and pull down. The early Autronic Eye lacked a lot to be desired. Even when it was aimed correctly it didn't work all that great.

I like all of the creature comforts that Cadillac had in their cars. If I didn't, I'd get a Chevy.

[James Landi]

I've purchased several 21st century Cadillacs  that are LOADED with options...apparently, the original owner WANTED them, and I don't NEED them, and I CERTAINLY don't want to know that they are broken,for some of these grand complications  might disable the entire car; therefore, I NEVER press buttons to activate these unnecessary, expensive to repair, accessories.  I think Bill Young is safe with the tilt and extend steering wheel that's not connected to an electric motor, a series of sensors, and an electronic module that remembers a driver's choice of location.  But something that's broken and stares at you every time you get in the car, degrades the experience... for example, those electric clocks that have a short service life and, frankly, are way too expensive to repair. 

[Lexi]

I love the options! I'm a fan of the autronic eye. My wife has a new Volvo that self dips the headlights, something very few modern cars have. It really does stop you accidently blinding someone coming in the other direction. I don't know why all cars don't have this these days. Agree with Clay that it looks cool on my 54's dash!
I also agree that the trunk pull down is a gadget no one needs.
Phil

They are cool looking, and I am glad that I have one on my Caddy as well. The one that worries me is the trunk pull down. If that stops working, will your key always work to open the trunk? I thought so, until Jay Brown, the noted rebuilder of these units (RIP), once explained how he got locked out of his '57 (or '58 Eldo) due to a faulty pull down motor. Jay explained that the odd way the motor malfunctioned rendered his trunk key opening option useless, then explained how he had to cut his way in. I can't remember where Jay cut, (through the rear seat or through the trunk's floor after removing the gas tank). What a horror story and to happen on what Jay described as a pristine Eldo show car. Hence his nickname, "Eldo Jay". Can anyone elaborate on this report from Jay?

As my car has factory AC, it has the large unit mounted inside the trunk which blocks the rear seat so that as an acess point would be sadly nullified, if ever locked out of the trunk. As a result, Jay explained that with my (then) upcoming trunk pull down motor job to always be inside the trunk with plenty of light and tools, (and help outside the car), in case there is a problem. That way you can take things apart and open the trunk from the inside. I had to do this twice, and while a little claustrophobic, things went well. As my car is a Series 75 there is also not as much room back there, (less space as used to increase "rear salon" as GM put it), but still doable. This is why I said in another recent post why I would rest easier at night if my car did not have the trunk pull down motor. I certainly had a restless night before my rebuilt trunk motor installation day, as my anticipation of being locked into my car's trunk in the morning was not something to look forward to!  Clay/Lexi

[J. Gomez]

IMHO, any option(s) that was offered we mainly based on comfort, safety or convenient for the driver and as we know most of these are now considered as standard packages on new vehicles. So what was old are now back in style.   

Autronic-Eye- that was/is a feature mostly targeted for safety. Back then with the old incandescent headlights one could verily see a dark road ahead with the normal LB. Having the HB on was the only way to see the road "BUT" it also created other incoming driver to get blinded and PO at you if one forget to press the foot switch back to LB. So the Autronic-Eye took the forgettable responsibility from the driver to automatically dim the headlights. 

The auto trunk release- again this was a feature of convenient for the user to remotely open the trunk without the need to remove the key from the ignition just to open the trunk.
In addition with this feature the auto closure option provided the user an easy way to close the trunk without the need to slam it closed.

The 4/6-way seat adjuster- again an option for the driver to adjust the seat for his/her comfort.

A/C option- well there are no words for this option, unless you enjoy a hot driving down on long trips.

I would guess the tilt/telescopic steering wheel was/is an option for the driver to move it up to his/her comfort position while driving without having to extend your arms up in long drives.

As always all of these options/features available back then was easily repair/replace "BUT" as we all know now these are becoming a huge headaches for us to get them either repair or replace and with the complexity of these options (only options when they engineer them back on those days) now a days is easier to either disable, remove or replace them with modern options (although that creates a new headaches too).   

Speaking on the Autronic-Eye and the trunk auto-closure units I've done a few of these units and completely overhaul several Autronic-Eye amplifiers internally with modern electronics in keeping the same function.
As for the auto-closure option we all know the main critical issue with these is the "trigger micro-switch" to carry the heavy current load of the motor during closure. Adding a simple relay and modifying the wiring does solve this issue, so the melting plastic covers and micro-switch is history now.

So we must have to try to reversed-engineer these if we want to keep the same features/options and in today's day is a bit easier to do so with modern technology then it was back them, however sometime we must also need to know when to "throw the towel".      

[Michael Petti]

These options are part of what made Cadillac the "Standard of the World". Without them Cadillac would have been a lesser car. That being said, I am happy that my 60 CDV is a low optioned car. It is not a daily driver. The options are not needed by me for the enjoyment of the car as a classic. Much less to repair and just as much driving and showing pleasure. IMHO.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The trouble with the Autronic Eye these days is the amount of reflective road signs that are EVERYWHERE.   I tried them on my '60 CDV and Eldorados, and as soon as a sign caught any glimpse of my lights, they would trigger the Autronic Eye, creating a nuisance, and unnecessary dipping when I wanted, and needed the vision of the road.

Back in the day, this wasn't a problem, as the reflective signs hadn't been invented.
I never use my Autronic Eye simply because when I am driving at night, on the open road, I have to manually dip my Hign Beams as soon as an oncoming vehicle is about to comes into view because I have fitted Higher power headlights into all my cars (Used to be 100W Aircraft Landing Lights) as I know if I don't, I will be blinding that driver.

Bruce.

[_Cap_]

For my 75 eldo, it came stock with the split "bucket" seats, the door lock lights, twilight sentinel and cruise control. I've added on auto dimming to it, and electronic mirrors, because it is a helpful feature on a daily driver. But i can second that, every one of those options costed me hundreds of dollars and many many hours to fix, in some cases I've had to just make something that works to fix it. For example, my auto-dimming headlights run off of a relay which is a 2005 Tahoe trani downshift relay. But it works, so that's all that matters.

Its really just preference i guess. I have a personal pet peeve of cars having not working options, personally I feel, at least in my car, everything should be working and functional. Even if its never going to be used. I couldn't tell you how much time i spend on my power antenna to try and fix it, it works now perfects, never going to be used though because I have Bluetooth in my radio, unless i go to like a drive in theater or something.

Really just down to how you enjoy your projects, if you want a show car and that's it, then who cares what actually work. Wont matter when its parked at a show or on the ride there.

[J. Gomez]

The trouble with the Autronic Eye these days is the amount of reflective road signs that are EVERYWHERE.   I tried them on my '60 CDV and Eldorados, and as soon as a sign caught any glimpse of my lights, they would trigger the Autronic Eye, creating a nuisance, and unnecessary dipping when I wanted, and needed the vision of the road.

Back in the day, this wasn't a problem, as the reflective signs hadn't been invented.
I never use my Autronic Eye simply because when I am driving at night, on the open road, I have to manually dip my Hign Beams as soon as an oncoming vehicle is about to comes into view because I have fitted Higher power headlights into all my cars (Used to be 100W Aircraft Landing Lights) as I know if I don't, I will be blinding that driver.

Bruce.

@Bruce,

There are two adjustments that would be very important for these old Autronic-Eye units (mostly the ones I'm familiar with and I've worked on the high voltage units 1955-1958). One is the sensitivity control(s) between the phototube and the amplifier and second the aim for the phototube light detection.

I always try get both units in hand when I do the amplifier rebuild work, to match both while doing the sensitivity adjustment, but the aim must be done when both units are in the car and that is impossible when the car is several hundred miles away.   

I believe the newer units aka "Twilight Sentinel/Guide-matic" which are the low voltage units have the same adjustments that are required for the correct function as well.

I would guess one of the drawback in your case is if your car is left-hand steering and driving on the left hand on the road the unit will detect the reflected light from the road signs and trigger the sensor to flip-flop the headlights. Unfortunately there is no easy fix under this condition unless you can cover the road signs first.   

[76Caddy]

I must be the odd one out as I want every option that was available for that particular year Cadillac I happen to be looking at. 

Tim

 

[59-in-pieces]

OK, late to the show as usual.

You know the little button you need to push when the seats and pedals and mirrors etc. are set to your desired positions (#1) as apposed to a second driver who has their own preferences/settings (#2).

Well, I have jumped into my wife's Escalade - hit the ignition button - only to be crushed against the steering wheel, and knocked in the head by hitting the roof, and my legs jammed into the steering column - simply because I forget to push the #2 button on the driver preference accessory.

The car really needs a BUTT RECOGNITION feature, then I wouldn't get smooshed.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[Big Fins]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I can't figure out how anyone can control a vehicle with their head hitting the ceiling and their knees under the dash. I want to stretch out and be comfortable.

[tluke]

The car really needs a BUTT RECOGNITION feature, then I wouldn't get smooshed.

Mine does (it's not a Cadillac). My key fobs are #1 and #2 driver and it adjusts to the one being used to start the car. Now if your wife is in the car with you and has her fob in her purse on the console, it can get confused. And if she leaves her purse in the car when you get out, you can't lock the doors by just pressing the button on the door handle because it won't lock keys in the car.

But all the things on my 55 Cad that still don't work or have taken hours of time to get to work, I'm constantly thinking about all the things that are going to go wrong with all the gadgets the car has. Already it alarms and flashes "BRAKE" at an overpass once in a while, mostly during rain/snow storms.

[Big Fins]

Try going through the 'ghost braking' and false alarms in one of the newer Class 8 tractors. You're going down a slick hill and the radar detects the reflection of the road sign a 1/2 mile ahead and the truck starts braking, shifting and applying the engine brakes.

Meanwhile, you catch a small patch of ice and then all hell breaks loose.

I'll take a 1955 Cadillac any day. I want to control my vehicle, not the vehicle controlling me.