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1969 DeVille Convertible restoration - Conv69

Started by conv69, February 11, 2018, 01:59:10 PM

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conv69

Hi everyone I figured I would introduce myself and start a thread to document my project. I've been reading and learning from this forum for years now and had finally joined the CLC.  I'm just getting around to posting.
A little background on the car. I bought it in '86 as a weekend cruiser. I drove it around and had some fun. It was in pretty good shape then and even in the local parade one year carrying a politician. Then other things came up and it sat for a few years. It was a little beat up from sitting so I had someone do some quick body work and fresh paint on it to clean it up and drove it for a couple more years . I ended up getting other interests and once again it sat. Unfortunately I never had a garage and it sat out in my parent's back yard for years(~10 yrs). I did end up getting it into storage by renting a garage for the last 8-10 years.  I would still fire it up once or twice a year and sometimes even get it out for a spin. Every time I would go to get it something would break, one year break lines let go, another year the water pump, and another was the fuel pump. Each time I would just fix the issue and park it back in the garage.   . . Finally I had to make the decision to get rid of it (more than likely part it out or a trip to the junk yard) or go full in and restore it. So I had her towed to my house the summer of 2013 to start the caddy refresh. I have been doing the work every summer since in my driveway and towing it back to storage for the winters. Progress so far

- Motor rebuild- turned into a 2 year project due to owner of the machine shop getting sick and ending up in the hospital. it was a complete rebuild also with the following- lowered compression, comp cam,  heavier valve springs, stainless steel timing cover, new oil pickup, and rebuilt carburetor. Attempted to get it running with electronic ignition but had issues so back to points. Still having some trouble getting it running right.. possible vacuum leak or something? More to come when I get it back home in the spring.
-transmission rebuild (mostly for the leaking)
-replaced both rear floors
-replaced drivers floor
-replaced entire trunk
-cleaned and painted underbody and frame (POR15)
-stainless fuel lines
-stainless brake lines
- Front brakes and rear brakes with hardware
-kept existing dual exhaust

progress pictures (sorry not in order)
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s867.photobucket.com/user/wavedog/embed/slideshow/story_10193"></iframe>

This summer I will be concentrating on exterior sheet metal work. I have a rear quarter to put on and another to hopefully patch. Everything needs work so will be replacing doors and trunk lid and possibly hood to save time. I'm going to have way more into it than it will ever be worth and possibly already do  :o I have been having fun working on it and learning a ton along the way. I had turned some wrenches before on little projects and never welded anything. I plan on doing as much as I can myself including interior and convertible top replacement.  I'm ready to drive it and have more fun! I will continue posting progress..

DeVille68

Welcome on the forum!
Nice work so far! Looks very good. Sad to hear that you have problems with your engine.
Check timing, firing order, vacuum leak. People here will try to help and diagnose your problem.

Keep us posted, I like to follow your restoration.
Best regards,
Nicolas
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

TexasSnake

I'm new to the Club and saw your post about restoring your '69 DeVille. Great work so far! I look forward to seeing your updates.
I have one identical to yours that I just started working on. Fortunately I don't have quite as an extensive job ahead of me, as my father owned the car for many years, and had a lot of work done to it. He had the whole drivetrain rebuilt, as well as the front suspension & brakes.
Mine needs some minor electrical issues corrected (have been working on that the past couple weeks since I took possession of the car), a new steering wheel (I bought an aftermarket wheel) interior redone, (I have the carpet already), new top (I have that, too) bodywork & paint.
My car was originally painted in Persian Aqua Poly (#28), and I am going back to that color.
I would like to know if you have any good sources for interior parts, door panels, etc.

Thanks,
Greg
Greg F.
1969 Cadillac DeVille Convertible

conv69

Greg,
wouldn't mind seeing some pictures if you could.
Currently mine is 69 corvette white (Polar white) I believe. I haven't decided if I will use that again or go back to the factory Cotillion white. I would like to go back to the original look but honestly I think I like the bright white better. it will depend on how well I blends with the new top and interior that I end up using. I want to keep the 3 whites as close as possible or I think it ends up looking funny.
As far as interior parts go you have probably already noticed that the 69 & 70 model have been skipped over for a lot of parts. For most of the vendors you will see up to 68 and from 71 and newer for the parts listed. I haven't really researched the interior parts that much yet as I plan on doing that last. I believe door panels you will need to have yours redone or have some made. I have not seen anything offered out there aftermarket. I've watched ebay for some time too and seen few and the ones that do come around are worst than mine and they want an arm and a leg for them..  I did get a black set that the rear panels ended up needing repairs but some fiberglass did the trick. I will use them for now until I get to the rest of the interior then work on getting them in white. The rear panels are convertible specific so they are really extinct. you can find some stuff through vendors like door sil plates, door handles, seat motors, relays, window switches, etc. Sorry but others on here that have already gone through that process will probably be able to provide more help. You can do a search in here and see what comes up. If you don't find anything you can post a new thread to get more exposure on the subject.

conv69

Well I'm back at it with a vengeance after almost a year without touching the car. Going to try to document as much of this as I can as I go.  I am heavy into metal work and finding more with everything I touch. I picked up a hood, trunk, and two doors that are in pretty good shape. I sanded them down to metal and waiting for the temps to get high enough so I can prime them. that should save me quite a bit of time in prep work. Working on the front fenders now which have issues in the lower sections as is normal with these years. Once I pulled the fender off I found a hole that needed patching and pulling that off found another hole or two under that. I had already patched from the inside of drives kick panel that needed to be replaced when I did the floor. Also had to replace /fabricate the tab on the rear of the inner fender well that a bolt attaches to.

some pictures of current progress.
http://s867.photobucket.com/user/wavedog/library/1969%20CDV%20Convertible/Body%20Work

Manon4

I have a 69 vert also. When I got it a few years back it needed a lot. It even had a garden hose for part of the fuel line. Anyway it needed a lot. I replaced the front fenders on mine but even those needed a bit of work behind the wheel wells. Now it's all repainted with new top and mostly all new mechanicals. Next is the upholstery. Be persistant... it will be worth it.  The 69 and 70 's seem to be under appreciated but are really good cadillacs go for it!

spolij

Rick   if you don't know how to replace the convertible top check out convertible top specialists they have a pretty good booklet on how to do it. Nice job so far. Good luck.