1965 Fleetwood door handle--NOT as easy as you think! Here's why...

[CadillacMac]

I need you guys to help me step up my game in the parts search.  The usual places I've found online, even the ones bragging of collections with "hundreds of classic Cadillacs and thousands of parts" are not finding anything!

All I need is a door handle!  Well there's a little more to it that that...

I thought this would be the easiest find I'd ever have, and it turned out to be the hardest.  For some reason the earliest-built 1965 cars had a larger door handle than the rest of the cars that year.  Unfortunately that's apparently what I have, because when my passenger side handle broke, I tossed it, thinking it was a $35 dollar part I could easily find anywhere.  I would have paid to repair it, because it now looks like I'm out of luck.  No one has one.  They only have the smaller ones made for the rest of the year, and they look goofy compared to my other three handles. 

I realize I could make them match by buying four cheaper ones, but I like the big original style.  I'll do that if I have to, but I don't want to!  You guys are my last hope.  The one I need measures 2 x 2.75 inches.  The 2.75 inch side is the unique one. 

[Dan LeBlanc]

Could it be that a handle from 1964 carried on into 1965 production until stock was depleted? 

[CadillacMac]

I thought about that Dan, but the 64s I've seen for sale didn't look like mine at all.  Anyone with a '64 disagree?

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

There were two different sizes used in '65, early and late. The early ones are 31/8" long while the second used through '66 are 23/8 long.

[Jeffrey Burland]

So Ralph, are you measuring the longest length then? The inside 'rib'? While Mac is measuring the shortest length, the inside flat?

[cadillactim]

I should have one. Sent your a PM.

Tim

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Jeff,

The dimensions I posted are what's shown in the Parts Manual.

Ralph

[CadillacMac]

I need to get me one of those...

[John Abend]

If you still need one, I have one in NOS.

[CadillacMac]

The handle or the parts manual John?