My 55 Coupe De Ville

[Sam Brady]

I've owned this California C.D.V since 1980 and I'm now in the final stages of restoration. I'm trying to find a shop doing quality work to complete the interior and remove and replace the back windshield. When I had the car painted two years ago the shop used adhesive on my rear window rubber preventing installation of the window trim. I live in South Western Ontario a half hour North of London and I'm prepared to ship the car within 500 miles if I can find a reliable shop with a good reputation taking pride in their work. Can anyone offer up a shop you'd feel comfortable recommending ?Does anyone out there have any comment regards F.E.N in Wappingers Falls N.Y.  I had considered White Post in Virginia until I recently read several negative comments about them. Thanks for any help you can offer, Sam Brady.    I've had some negative feedback re. the above resto. shops and have been pointed towards two shops in Ontario Canada which seem very capable. The Guild of Automotive restorers in Bradford three hours from me and R.M auto restorations In Blenheim about an hour and a half away. Has any one had any dealings with either company or know of anyone who has. I could use help with selecting an honest shop doing quality work. Thank's to everyone who may know about these shops and can share an experience. Sam     
Sept.23rd. Does anyone have a vacuum hose route diagram for a 55 C.D.V if you do could you please e-mail it to me at samandjanebrady@hotmail.com  Thanks...Sam.

[David King (kz78hy)]

Hi Sam,

Checkout the link below.

http://www.guildclassiccars.com/

I bought a parts car from them 4 years ago and toured the place then.  looks like a great shop and it is not that far away from you.

David

[D.Yaros]

It sounds as though you are near the RM Auctions restoration facility.  Do they not do commercial restoration work, or is it limited to strictly in-house?

[62droptop]

the RM facillity , they do some incredible work as i was through the place a few years back

,i do all my own work myself so i cant really give any opinions on where to go

where are you located, there are a couple 62 caddy guys up that way and may be able to help you

best thing to do is attend a local cruise night or car show.
ask some questions to the car owners
that will definately give you a good heads up at the local guys who is good and who not to go to
the good guys are definately not cheap but you get what you pay for
some of the best guys are the little known 1 man shops in a back garage
but remember to ask if they are insured if anything were to happen to your car in their possession

[62droptop]

also ,did you try classic caddies up near gravenhurst
he restores 59 caddies i think

[Sam Brady]

Yesterday my wife and I had a tour through the R.M Restoration shop located along Hwy. 401 near Blenheim Ontario which is about one hour east of Detroit. I was impressed with the quality of work being done on the shop full of rare high end classic and vintage automobiles. Speaking at length with the shop manager who walked us through the large facility.I also spoke with one of two upholsterers who's worked there for thirty years. The mood of the workers seemed happy. Working as they do with that high quality work must be a treat for them and give high job satisfaction. I'm seriously considering having this shop do my complete interior and help me finish of a few small jobs which have been beyond my knowledge. I am very capable retired tradesman and have done a huge amount of work myself but lack the know how, tools & experience to finish this long time project to the level I've envisioned. I expect I'll pay more for R.Ms services but feel confident that they can meet my expectations. Yes I have been disapointed over the years any time I've given work out to be done. Hope I have it right with this shop....I welcome any comments. Sam.

[D.Yaros]

Sam,

As I am the one who suggested checking out RM, I am glad you took me up on it.  Do let us know how it goes, in terms of time, workmanship and dollars.

It is a bit strange that someone from Milwaukee, WI USA would be recommending places to someone in the Canadian province of Ontario?

[Sam Brady]

It sounds strange that I would hear of Ontario's R.M.Restorations from  a resident of Wisconsin but I never knew they had a restoration shop as well as the Auction side of their business. I am grateful to be a very recent member of the Cadillac & LaSalle club where so many members share my dream of restoring a vintage car and can share their knowledge with everyone on line. All that I learned on this 55 Coupe I'll be happy to pass along. I moved here to Ontario from Vancouver  British Columbia and appreciate the heads up on R.M.given by member D.Yaros
Thanks to Bill Podany of Knoxsville Tennesee for the thumbs up on R.M Restorations and the quality of there work all be it a little pricey.

[Bill Podany #19567]

Sam,

Trust RM Restorations in Blenheim, Ontario.  They do precision work, and have a legacy of quality going to Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, and Meadow Brook.  They have done several restorations for me, and I too lived in Wisconsin, and Tennessee.  Contact Don McLellan.  If you prefer Wisconsin, contact Motion Products, Inc. in Neenah, WI: contact Wayne Obry.  They also did a minor Restoration on my 41 Cadillac 60S and they regularly prepare winners for Pebble Beach.  Both of these houses are expensive, but the quality of their work is the very best.  Contact me personally if you need more information.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN