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Project - 1968 DeVille Convertible

Started by dwbic, June 15, 2014, 10:15:01 AM

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dwbic

Don

DeVille68

Hi Don

I just learned that the dash panel wood veneer is glued on.
So there is no way to remove it without harm.

OPGI sells a reproduction wood veneer, however it is the wrong type of wood.
I am currently in contact with REM to see if they can manufacture a correct rosewood veneer for the 68 dashboard.

Thanks a again.
Nicolas
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

John Abend

I actually make these veneers out of rosewood, die cut and finished.  I've been making them for years now and have been selling them on eBay : http://www.ebay.com/itm/67-68-Cadillac-Deville-Eldorado-Fleetwood-Wood-Veneer-Dash-Control-Surround-Trim-/221520956932?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

John Abend

'68 Sedan deVille Hardtop
'74 Eldorado Convertible
'87 Allante Convertible
'15 XTS Platinum VSport

DeVille68

Hi John

Yes, I saw that listing just a few days ago. However, it was not clear to me if the wood is already coated or not. I need an uncoated one, since I do the rest of my wood at the same time. I want that all the panels look the same.

Telling from the picture of the ebay listing it seems that there is a wrinkle around the AC cutout. Is it just the light?

Another concern of mine is: Could you ship this item overseas such that it will not get damaged? The wood is quite fragile though.

Best regards,
Nicolas
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

John Abend

I'd have to check to see if I had anymore raw rosewood veneer.  Normally I prep a large section of veneer with the backing, stain, urethane etc and then cut them out, which greatly reduces the chances of the wood splitting since rosewood is a fragile veneer.  Shipping it overseas is no problem as I have shipped many overseas without any ever damaged.  That wrinkle may have been the light when I took the picture cause all the veneers are flat.  That is also another issue with raw rosewood veneer.  Most of the time it's not very flat and requires quite a bit of work to smooth it out. Which is another reason I don't cut them raw.

John Abend

'68 Sedan deVille Hardtop
'74 Eldorado Convertible
'87 Allante Convertible
'15 XTS Platinum VSport

DeVille68

Hi John,

Ok, yes that would be great. Let me know if you still have some. Send me some good pictures and I will definitely order one from you.

For the guys here that just want some rosewood or are not concerned about authenticity: REM (www.remautoinc.com) sells good looking rosewood vinyl veneers.
They can cut it to any shape that you might desire.
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

cadman56

After looking at your video on youtube I don't know if I want to start on my 68 convertible.  I have two, apart with titles, & one coupe for parts.  Plus many more very nice parts.  Somehow, after doing several frame-off restorations, I am thinking I probably will do no more.
Good luck, the 68 convertible is one of the prettiest Cadillacs of the 60's era.
Larry
1956 Cadillac Coupe deVille (sold)
1956 Cadillac Convertible (sold)
1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville (sold)
1967 Cadillac Eldorado (sold)
1968 Cadillac Convertible (Sold)
1991 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham dElegance
Larry Blanchard CLC #5820

dwbic

Convertible Top removed.  New floor pans and trunk floor have arrived and need to be fit up and welded in place. 

http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dwbic/library/68%20Cadillac%20Top
Don

DeVille68

Very nice!

From which vendor did you order the sheet metal?
1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (silver pine green)

dwbic

I ordered the sheet metal from OPGI.com.  It appears that they are made by Classic 2 Current Fabrication - looks like I could have saved a few dollars if I ordered direct from Classic 2 Current Fabrication - live and learn. 
Don

dwbic

Does anyone know a source for a patch panel or alternatively a replacement quarter panel for the 1968 Deville Convertible?  Would the quarter panel from the 2 door hardtop be the same?  The hardtops seem more available in salvage yards than the convertible. 
Don

dwbic

Don

dwbic

Here is a short video (edited for time) showing the body removal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b5Ub4dczVo
Don

Rob Troxel

Thanks for sharing the body separation video.  Great team work!

James Landi

Hi Don,

On the off-chance that you did not see this New York Times special "Their Favorite Things"  -- James Gandolfino's (of Soprano's fame) shared a passion with you! 
http://www.nytimes.com/news/the-lives-they-lived/2013/12/21/james-gandolfini/

mgbeda

That's an awfully exciting video, and inspiring.  Good job!

Any idea how much that body shell weighs on its own?  The chain hoist didn't seem to have any trouble with it.

-mB
-Mike Beda
CLC #24610
1976 Sedan DeVille (Bessie)

dwbic

I don't know what the body alone weighs, but we guessed it was maybe 750 to 1,000 pounds at the most.  The trolley and chain hoist are rated for 2 tons, so the body was nowhere near the lifting limit.  We anchored the lifting chains at the seat belt anchors, had the tie down straps in case we needed to control the body pitching forward or back, but it turns out we didn't really need the straps. 

The dumb luck is the fact that I parked the car under the beam in June without thinking that we would use a hoist for lifting the body in November - and it was almost the perfect location for a balanced lift!  Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart...
Don

dwbic

Made quite a bit of progress in the last two weeks.  After getting the body off the frame, the rusted floors were cutout and replacement floor pans welded in place for both the front and rear floor pans.  Picture slideshow here: http://youtu.be/zW7g4Q05X5I

The frame and suspension components are all disassembled and ready for sandblast and powder coat. 

When we took out the windshield we found that the windshield frame was rusted.  Fortunately, we found a '67 convertible in a local salvage yard which had a good windshield frame.  The key in this frame replacement was designing and fabricating a jig to locate the frame when welding it in so the roof and doors close and seal properly.  Picture slideshow here: http://youtu.be/liM3ivkwDTw

We also completed the disassembly of the engine, ready for the machine shop for inspection and then rebuild.  Picture slideshow here: http://youtu.be/6QkWfFbflw8
Don

dwbic

It has been a productive month, even with the time demands of the holidays.  We replaced both rear quarter panels, which was a major undertaking.  A lot of time and effort to cut, grind and fit everything in place so the finished work will be exceptionally straight.  As we dug into the existing panels, in addition to the rust and areas with large amounts of body filler, we discovered the passenger side quarter had previously been replaced - the car had evidently been in an accident at some time in it's past.  Fortunately, the frame is unscathed.  A slideshow video of the quarter panel replacement is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXTsnNQAVi0 

Next up is repairing the body work on the doors - they were really messed up with some previous body work - again, an awful lot of body filler.  The engine is at the machine shop, the six way power bench seat controls were cleaned up and checked out - everything works perfectly. 

Don
Don

Rob Troxel

What great way to show up your masterful job.  Almost feel like I was in your shop.  Thanks for sharing this!  Looking forward to how you deal with the doors.