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66 DeVille Convertible resto

Started by Chuck Swanson, September 29, 2011, 10:26:12 PM

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Chuck Swanson

Engine out last month and car down to rolling chassis.  Parts bagged and labeled.  Almost all new parts that I needed have been ordered except new top and maybe $500 of other misc parts...lol, i say that now!

Brought parts to sandblaster last week and he finished Mon.  I painted with R-M epoxy primer yesterday (Pics of parts in paintbooth attached).  Car being sandblasted underneath Saturday and then I will then prime bottom of car.  First car where I'm doing the priming and the much of the bodywork.  However, I will not attempt painting the car the original firemist blue   :)

Sent some pics yesterday to last person to actually drive this car....back in 1980!!   ;D  I tracked him down from a registration left in the glove compartment and contacted him a couple of years ago.  He was happy that the car will be coming back to life  :) 
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
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67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Brad Hemingson CLC #18437

Nice to see someone with '66's other than Ralph and I. It seems to be an orphan year even though I love the body style. Post lots of pics.

Chuck Swanson

Thanks and sure!  Undercarriage is getting sandblasted today.  I'm getting ready to prime and paint underneath later. 

Not sure why auth manual says undercarriage is grey. My two 66's are both black...can confirm under gas tank too.     
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Brad Hemingson CLC #18437

That's strange. Mine are black or black undercoat.

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Chaz,

You’ll have a great car when done. IMHO ’66 is the last true Cadillac before the government started designing cars.

The gray is primer as the underbody was not painted. If you are going for authenticity you should clear coat the primer with a flat finish. Primer is porous allowing moisture to eventually attack the metal.

BTW, the most difficult thing on a ’66 is getting the screw in that holds the interior door handles on the shaft…….Just wait. You’ll see.

Please post pics.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Chuck Swanson

#5
Quote from: Archie Calise on September 30, 2011, 02:07:21 PM
I admire your ambition.  Good luck.  66 is a real nice year.  Here's a pic of mine...

Wow...nice pics---beauty!!  Thanks
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#6
Quote from: Ralph Messina CLC 4937 on September 30, 2011, 06:11:28 PM
Chaz,

You’ll have a great car when done. IMHO ’66 is the last true Cadillac before the government started designing cars.

The gray is primer as the underbody was not painted. If you are going for authenticity you should clear coat the primer with a flat finish. Primer is porous allowing moisture to eventually attack the metal.

BTW, the most difficult thing on a ’66 is getting the screw in that holds the interior door handles on the shaft…….Just wait. You’ll see.

Please post pics.

Ralph

Ralph thanks!  I was going to leave it grey, but I am positive it was black underneath and never painted, so went with black :).  Original unmolested pic attached.  I tracked down the last owner before my purchase and he knew the original owner and the car was never disassembled and painted.  I also have confirming pictures of the black under the gas tank.  I have the 69 authenticity manual too and it's great to have those, but there is always a possibilty that the guides may not be 100% accurate.  I believe recently an update was made to list anodized bolts on bumpers for example.  I guess I will just have to bring the proof when judged  ;)  I better print the pic (I also have a video) when car is ready for shows  ;D

Thx for the heads up on the handle!!

Thanks!!
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#7
Some more pics from today.  Sandblasting.  Check out the original Marlin Blue Iridescent Paint still under trunk lid....will be painting car that orig color. 
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

I then epoxy primed (R-M 589) and painted with Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black.
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Chaz,

I don’t understand the comment about “anodized bumper bolts”. Anodizing is a protective surface for aluminum only. The large bumper bolts -1/2” diameter- are carriage bolt style and made of steel. Therefore, they can’t be anodized. I believe the bumper bolts were silver cad plate.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Chuck Swanson

Quote from: Ralph Messina CLC 4937 on October 01, 2011, 09:52:36 AM
Chaz,

I don’t understand the comment about “anodized bumper bolts”. Anodizing is a protective surface for aluminum only. The large bumper bolts -1/2” diameter- are carriage bolt style and made of steel. Therefore, they can’t be anodized. I believe the bumper bolts were silver cad plate.

Ralph

Oops sorry, posting too late, actually meant yellow zinc chromate.
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66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#11
Whew, engine bay done (before and after attached), inside of trunk painted (still have to repair sides), and floor painted. 
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#12
Started replacing rear brackets today.  Welder in 2nd pic.

Anyone know where to get replacement body mount bushings?
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#13
Rear brackets underneath done.   New side floorpans in, new rear bushings installed. 
Before and after.
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

#14
Quarter patch panels on pass side almost done.  Looks real nice now behind the quarter.  All cleaned up, sanded primed and painted behind the quarters.   Was fun getting the line on bottom straight!   ;D

Tough to tell in my phone pics, but super straight and no warpage at all. 
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

Back on the '66, now that the '65 Eldo on the road.  Didn't like the way the front end looked after painting, so removed front fenders/inner fenders, all suspension and redid the right way ;).  All apart and getting painted today.

Also, all rims blasted and painted this week.
Inner fenders painted and done
Radiator support painted and done
Trans cross member painted-done

Working on A-Arms and lower control arms tonight-removing bushings. 
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66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Ralph Messina CLC 4937

Chaz,

It looks great. I particularly like your front jack. You won’t be sorry for going back and re-doing the front chassis. It does show with the hood open.
When I tackle something I always remember an old machinist from my early working days who was famous for saying “There’s never enough time to do it right, but always time to do it over again.”
These are really nice cars to live with and enjoy when finished, and definitely worth the extra effort.

Ralph
1966 Fleetwood Brougham-with a new caretaker http://bit.ly/1GCn8I4
1966 Eldorado-with a new caretaker  http://bit.ly/1OrxLoY
2018 GMC Yukon

Bill Young

I Love the 1966 DeVille Conv. The Marlin Blue will be perfect. You will Love that Car to drive when it is completed. A Friend of mine has a tripple Green '66 DeVille conv. low mileage non air Car and it is a dream to drive. Don't forget a rebuilt steering box it makes the car feel new.

Chuck Swanson

Thanks guys!  Here's the updates for today.

Front end all painted.  Tires getting mounted.  Rest of small parts getting painted black.  Chuck

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66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Chuck Swanson

A few more pics.  The radiator support came out great.  Air cleaner and hood release too.  My hood release was black, but I have seen these gold (yellow zinc) as FYI.

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66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T