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Hard boots for 1965-1970 convertibles

Started by cadillacmike68, April 11, 2017, 11:58:35 AM

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cadillacmike68

Were hard boots ever made for 1965-70 convertibles?.  It appears that Cadillac did not make them, even though there were ElDorado convertibles in 1965 & 66.

Did anyone else make them? I occasionally get to go in parades and it would be slightly better with a hard boot.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

76eldo

They do not exist.
A custom designed boot could be made but Cadillac never offered anything other than the soft boot for these cars.
I have a damaged hard boot for a 71-76 that I was thinking of trying to cut down and rework for my 80 Eldo convert. Fiberglass is so damn itchy though just the thought of cutting into it makes me itchy.
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Scot Minesinger

Mike,

I started making one for my 1970 DVC, but it is quite an intense effort, and it is on hold, but may pick it back up.  The time involved was just too much to make it how I wanted.  The 69-70 would different than 1968 and earlier, and likely 65/66 would be different still from the 67-68, as otherwise you could use the 65-66 Eldorado hard boot on your 1968.

Parades - wow you are brave.  You may have to transport non-car people that may unintentionally damage the car, long slow speeds create stress on cooling system, major time drain, and etc.  My limiting factor is time, still working a demanding career and kids in college.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

cadillacmike68

Quote from: Scot Minesinger on April 11, 2017, 08:53:11 PM
Mike,

I started making one for my 1970 DVC, but it is quite an intense effort, and it is on hold, but may pick it back up.  The time involved was just too much to make it how I wanted.  The 69-70 would different than 1968 and earlier, and likely 65/66 would be different still from the 67-68, as otherwise you could use the 65-66 Eldorado hard boot on your 1968.

Parades - wow you are brave.  You may have to transport non-car people that may unintentionally damage the car, long slow speeds create stress on cooling system, major time drain, and etc.  My limiting factor is time, still working a demanding career and kids in college.

I'm not sure Cadillac made a hard boot for the 1965-66 Eldorado. Someone said they do not exist.

If they did, that would be great - if it would also fit a 1967-68. OPGI lists the SAME soft boot for,1965-1968, so maybe they are the same, maybe not. OPGI is not always accurate. I do know that 1969-70 Are different from 1968 and earlier.

There are a few local upholstery shops that can make a two piece boot from fiberglass, but I don't know how much they will charge.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

Cadillac Friend

A friend has a 1970 DeVille convertible and would like a hard parade boot. 

Just to confirm, these were never produced for the 1970 model and are not available aftermarket?

Thanks.

Hank Gross

chrisntam

Correct, they were not made by Cadillac.  I know of no aftermarket ones.

You could call Convertible Top Specialists in Florida to see if they have any ideas.

http://www.topsdown.com/index.html

Or Hydro -E -Lectric.

http://www.hydroe.com/

Perhaps one made from 1/2" plywood covered with 1" foam with some supple leather atop that.

Just thinking out loud.
1970 Deville Convertible 
Dallas, Texas

Cadillac Friend

Hank Gross

D.Smith

Better make sure you put some bracing under it to cross the gap of the well.   Those factory optional fiberglass "hard boots" were never called "parade boots" by Cadillac because they knew that they won't hold up to the weight of a person on them for long without cracking and breaking.    They were for looks only.   Much better fitting than fooling around with the vinyl soft cover.   They do take up trunk space when stored.   But they look great when on!

If you need something for only parades, make a one piece cover from wood or metal and then put a nice padded vinyl cover on it for comfort.  Color matched of course.



 

76eldo

If he intended use was actually for parades you could rig up something out of upholstered  plywood but here are no factory hard boots after 1960.

Or course there are hard boots for he 71-76 Eldoeados but that's not what the original question was about.

It's an interesting idea Br I wouldn't want to mutilate the interior rear panels to accommodate some type of snaps or receivers for the boot to latch onto.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado