Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: Quentin Hall on July 13, 2017, 01:54:45 AM

Title: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 13, 2017, 01:54:45 AM
My mate has a 41 Sedanette and it appears to have always been rhd. The chassis rail on the lh inside isn't drilled for a LHD steering box.
We can not find a serial number. Other than 9k 23597 on the side of the chassis beside the rhd box . The wheel base is 126.5 inches. Body style 41 6127 D. I thought Sedanette was 122 inches. Are the hoods all the same length or are there two sizes?
   

Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 13, 2017, 03:45:00 AM
I have the same model Quentin.    Your friend's car is a real rarity in RHD?  I didn't think the Commonwealth had any cars imported in RHD from the US during our War years.  Perhaps destined for some other country that drives on the left?    Still a bit of a miracle as even US merchant ships were being sunk during 1941.
They all have the pressing each side of the chassis for the steering and if his left-hand pressing is not drilled then it really is factory.   Anyway, all are 126" wheelbase. 
Perhaps the chassis number is still in the normal position?  It's usually on top the chassis rail right above the left steering box position, very,very faint.  Should start with 53 unless there was a whole different set of numbers for exports.  The 'D' means Deluxe.
Any pictures?
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 13, 2017, 04:37:32 AM
That's good news Steve. He's just got it and despite owning Cads and Buicks years ago he's back in, I like to think after the excitement of seeing my 39.
It looks like it has had some typical shoddy sill and floor repairs. So if any pics of floors are around I'd appreciate it. I'm hoping to get the job to repair it.
   I'll try and get some pics. Got the front clip off and engine out for a quick rebuild.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 13, 2017, 07:42:57 AM
Whats the history?

Get yourself one of these Quentin. Worth its weight in gold. I could not have rebuilt the body on my first 41 convertible without it 20 years ago.

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1941-1942-Cadillac-Body-Repair-Shop-Manual-Reprint-P26141.aspx
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: The Tassie Devil(le) on July 13, 2017, 08:36:03 AM
This vehicle could have come into Australia in RHD form from USA, as Cadillac didn't stop auto production till at least into the 1942 model year.

Sure, the Merchant Navy was traversing the Atlantic, but America didn't actually get into the war until following Pearl Harbour.   They tried really hard to stay out of the war in Europe as they had assets in Germany.

Bruce. >:D
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 13, 2017, 03:31:25 PM
This is not about when the US stopped production Bruce,  I'm just surprised that any commonwealth country was still importing cars during the war years and regardless of the fact that the US was not officially in the war, their ships were an official target for the German submarines long before Pearl Harbour because America was supplying us on 'Lend Lease. Tens of 1000s of tons went down. Fact.  Seems strange they would bother sending domestic cars at a time like that. Categorically none ever came here for civilian use.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 13, 2017, 10:44:45 PM
Hey Q,
Where have you been?? We all thought you were in gaol. LOL!
I saw a RHD 41 in Melbourne last year but I remember it being a 4 door. It was a 61 series. It was so tightly wrapped I could only see part of it. Same car?? It was a red/maroon color. See if you can find a VIN & then get a invoice from Detroit.
Cheers, Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 14, 2017, 04:40:49 AM
Q says its the 2 door Sedanette Bob so can't be the same car. So, yet another RHD from 41.   Guess the US had a clearer run across the Pacific at least up until 1941. I still find it very strange that Aus was still importing domestic cars while at War? Are there many RHD 1941 cars in Aus?
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 14, 2017, 06:35:00 PM
Hi Bob, glad everyone thinks so highly of me that gaol is the " first go to port of call".
     I've actually been hiding under my bed (actually my new girlfriend's bed) waiting for the shit storm that is my marriage collapse to subside. But after two years of hell and nothing resolved . . . Well if nothing else I can start to see the vulgar hilarity that 16 years of " legal" marriage represented. Can't access any of my property, children or possessions. I'm wearing the same clothes from when I was ousted two years ago.
   Shall I digress. Could be the same car. Maroon, from Melbourne. Now in the shed beside me.
    To keep me "semi" sane I've begun a boattail hotrod/custom that might be 346 powered. That led to my neighbor's rekindled interest in all things Buick and Cad.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 14, 2017, 09:25:53 PM
Q,
I'm sure we're all happy you're not in gaol. I was thinking about you & Ned Kelly when I was in the old Melbourne gaol. LOL!
That has to be the same car. It was really wrapped up & the hood hinges were  bad.
I hope you can find the VIN. It would make good reading. Keep us posted.
Cheers, Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 14, 2017, 09:48:15 PM
Ned Kelly's famous last words at the gallows before they pulled the noose tight were "Such is life."
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 15, 2017, 03:34:09 AM
Starting another?? Does that mean you finished your other project, Quentin?
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 15, 2017, 03:59:41 AM
My whole world stopped two years ago on Jun 6 when I returned from Perth jobless. Shit hit the fan. The 39 is the only car I have access to but no point doing anything to it as it's in the divorce mix. I'll know closer to the end of the year and the property settlement, where it all stands.
I got robbed by a former customer from Victoria and a large quantity of 53 Eldorado parts was taken. I know the thief, even identified my parts at a restoration shop he took them to, but the absurdity of law protects the thief more than the victim. He has been granted to back to back year long Intervention orders precluding me from " harassing him" to return my parts. Unless I have the financial capacity to out bluff this swine and pursue him through the courts.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 15, 2017, 07:41:37 AM
That explains it. The Buick boat tail looks like it will be a stunner.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Jay Friedman on July 15, 2017, 08:49:38 AM
Just a thought, but until the war and thereafter other countries drove on the left besides those in the Empire/Commonwealth.  Some are in Asia and several of these were in South America, in particular, I think, Argentina and Uruguay, where neutral ships could have arrived in 1941.  (Arg. and Uru. countries now drive on the right.)  It's possible this car went originally to one of those countries and then ended up later in your country. 
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 15, 2017, 11:56:29 AM
I suggested that possibility in the beginning Jay. Guess we will never know.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 15, 2017, 05:38:35 PM
Steve,
We can. All it takes is finding the correct #'s & paying $50 to  Allied Vaughn. I thought there was a 40 RHD imported. Where are the #'s on it?? Me mate Irwin had a 38 RHD.
Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 15, 2017, 05:53:45 PM
38's not a problem Bob, plenty imported here in RHD right up to 1939, but not in the war years. I agreed to buy a 39 RHD from a friend in London but never got around to collecting it. Never seen one after that year.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 15, 2017, 06:25:19 PM
Steve,
You're missing my point. We need to find that VIN. If we compare other RHD cars in AUSTRALIA, we may see a pattern as to where the VIN was. However... I'm sure Q can find it as it's somewhere on the frame rails.
Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 15, 2017, 09:16:40 PM
I'll give it a good wire brush and report back. Nb the serial number we did find in my first post, beside the rhd box on the side of the rail.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Paul Phillips on July 17, 2017, 09:20:20 AM
In 41 there was an additional s/n stamped in the top of the frame under driver's floorboard.  Wonder if it was done on export, and if done on RH side for RHD?

Paul
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 21, 2017, 06:41:15 PM
Quote from: Quentin Hall on July 15, 2017, 09:16:40 PM
I'll give it a good wire brush and report back. Nb the serial number we did find in my first post, beside the rhd box on the side of the rail.
Q,
Any progress?? Also, please send me an email at bobscads@comcast.net so I can send you some pics.
Cheers, Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 23, 2017, 10:16:01 PM
Ok. Now I'm confused. Seems that we have a chassis number above the undrilled chassis rail and it is 8356506. That is a series 62 chassis. Body is a series 61.

Engine is 84 series number so it appears to be a 47 series 62 engine and hydramatic box.
Dash is very well done on the exterior so I will turn my attention to the dash to determine what was done.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Steve Passmore on July 24, 2017, 02:48:51 AM
You have a mixture of three cars there then Quentin >:D            I did the same some 20 years ago. I swapped a 61 series chassis with a 62 series when the 62 series was rusted beyond repair. The chassis are the same.  I too fitted a 47 engine.   For my own satisfaction though I ground off the chassis number and replaced it with the number of the car I was restoring just to keep the paperwork correct.
I'm more convinced than ever your car came from somewhere else and has been highly modified.   We have a large influx of cars being imported here from South Africa and South American in RHD. It's found that they are rust free but have been modified to death just to keep them running.
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 24, 2017, 02:19:33 PM
Quote from: Quentin Hall on July 23, 2017, 10:16:01 PM
Ok. Now I'm confused. Seems that we have a chassis number above the undrilled chassis rail and it is 8356506. That is a series 62 chassis. Body is a series 61.

Engine is 84 series number so it appears to be a 47 series 62 engine and hydramatic box.
Dash is very well done on the exterior so I will turn my attention to the dash to determine what was done.
Q & others,
So... what is the next OBVIOUS step??? Send $50 to Allied Vaughn & get the invoice. Then we can build on that info as opposed  to what the car is now.
Cheers, Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on July 28, 2017, 09:39:55 PM
Q... how are we doing on the invoice???
Bob
Title: Re: Need info on 41 Sedanette.
Post by: Quentin Hall on July 29, 2017, 05:46:07 AM
This is my mates car. I'll chase him up. He's a grumpy bastard at the best of times tho. We have found another really nice 41 Sedanette here in Brisbane to compare floorpan and sill measurements with. I'll hopefully start fabricating replacements shortly.