Last August we purchased our first Cadillac and since then haven't had any money ::)
The 56 sedan has since went through a bare metal respray, floor rebuild, interior make over and engine work. The list of jobs to be done is getting smaller but still plenty to be done.
A few more photos of our car going through its build.
Floor had a few holes in it so got my mate to fabricate some new panels. Rear end of the trunk was totally rebuilt too.
After that it went to the bodyshop to get taken right back to the bare metal. Body was really good with the exception of 60yrs worth of dents. All straightened out and a ton of paint put on.
New rubbers and runners from Steele Rubber.
While all this was going on I was on the hunt for two rear bumper ended....never had much luck in my searching and ended up getting the bumper ends repaired. Couldn't have asked for a better job by the guys in Classic Car Chroming in Essex.
Wow, looks great. Keep the pictures coming
Jeff
Finding decent rear bumperettes was nearly impossible 40 years ago! As you likely already know, the hot exhaust and associated moisture would rot out the interior inserts and then the bumper ends would rot through, replete with the rusting from the inside out. Another weak point is the front parking light surround that can weaken and get crushed if the tire jack is used on the front of the car. I owned two of these short deck '56's with air conditioning, and i absolutely loved them--- they were so quiet and with the tires inflated to factory specs, the car was extraordinarily smooth. As I recall, several odd engineering issues can cause frustration... the lack of lubrication for the fuel pump (inside mechanical "rocker" arm pivot needs to be packed with grease!)... the windshield wipers that respond to the engine vacuum, the roof mounted a/c ducts that drip condensate on your neck! Yours is looking so very good... believe me, yours is a worthwhile project.
Thanks very much guys, Yeh the bumpers ends hit the bank hard but had to be done. Here are some more photos of it going through the repair process. Hats off to the guys in Essex for doing it.
Funny the list of faults you mention I've changed most of them. Went for an electric fuel pump and the previous owner changed it to an electric wiper. Ive taken the compressor out for the air con for now as the pipes underneath were slightly damaged. I've kept everything for the AC so I can refit it one day further down the line but we don't get too many days in Scotland where you need it. Nice feature to have on a car of that age, especially like the pipes up the back window. I also need to adjust the truck pull down as it seems to unlatch itself as it pulls itself down.
Congratulations on the chrome plater to attempt to get the end re-steeled.
Looks like a real tradesperson tackled the task, and pulled it off beautifully.
Bruce. >:D
Unflipping believable on the bumper ends!! Back when I first started on the 1956 Cadillacs (3 so far since 1997), your bumper ends would have been a throw aways here in America. My re-chromer, as good as they are taking out dents and straightening bumpers, would have laughed me out of the office if I brought that to him. Just amazing work your guy did and hats off for resurrecting both that part and the car itself!! Thanks for posting. Am eager to see your finished good work on the car.
Chuck
Yeh the guy has talent for sure. Have a few bits that still have to get chromed along the way. Here's there Facebook page.
https://m.facebook.com/classicCarChroming/?locale2=en_GB
Hi Fraser,
nice to see another Europeen '56 Caddy. I am in Germany tackling the same task, a '56 Series 62 Coupe... lots of rust issues...it was a long way, but finally I got her in primer.
How's your project right now?
cheers
Harald
Hi Harald, looks like you've got your hands full with your 56.really like the coupes. Our build had slowed down a bit, the water pump seal had went so we were a few weeks waiting on parts and the engineer shop changing the seals. Etc over. Good job done in the end and it's up and running now. Not using it again until the road salt has cleared.
Next jobs are headlining, exhaust and rear crank seal.
How do you find getting parts in Germany?
Some more photos of the our car.
Interesting to see all those '56 cars restored! I was also my first one, a Sedans de Ville, back in 1982. Without Internet of course, but with a little help from my friend Yann Saunders, the car could be completed in about 2 years.
yeh its one of my favourite years with the Caddys. Have you got a build thread for yours?
I restored that car between 1982 and 1984. There was no Internet then...
It's been a long winter, looking forward to getting the Caddy out it's bubble soon.
Great picture.
First time I have ever seen one in actual use. Thanks for posting it.
Bruce. >:D
With the Scottish weather starting to warm up slightly I've managed to get using the car alot more. Still a few jobs to be done including fitting the headlining and getting an exhaust made for it in stainless. Bit of an oil leak which is top of the list but love driving it when I get the chance.