An introduction, to me and my car.

[SteveB3155]

I'm 58 and live in the Boston area.  Enough about me, let me tell you about my car.

I have a 1961 Cadillac convertible.  My father bought it for me for my 14th birthday because like the car, I'm a 1961 as well.  At the time, my dad was the GM of Gene Wildes Cadillac/Olds in Plymouth (Now Tracy Chevy/Cadillac).  Someone had traded in the car which had 76,000 miles on it.  1975 was the height of the gas crisis, so people were unloading their big gas guzzlers for more efficient models.  The dealership was only going to junk it, so my father went to the owner and told him he wanted to get the car for me.  He got it for $45.00 (I still have a copy of the Bill of Sale.)   

The car was in reasonably good shape.  There was some rust-through on the front fenders over the wheel wells, the front bumper ends were pretty well shot.  Somebody did a bad Bondo and paint job one of the quarter panels.  There is a crinkle in the rear passenger quarter panel.  The car had a black top, which had seen better days.

We were able to locate better bumper ends, and had the top replaced (with a white top.)  We never got around to doing any of the body work, but since the car has been garaged since 1975 the rust through hasn't spread. 

From 1975-1984, when my dad died, we ran the car on dealer plates.  It was never a daily driver, just a cool old car we'd take out from time to time.   I got the car registered with antique plates in 1989, and would drive it from time to time, but then in 1993 when our first daughter was born, I really didn't have time (nor money) to be tinkering around with an old car.  The last time it was running was 1994. The car remained in my mother's garage on Cape Cod for all this time, until she died this past December, and I had to sell her house. 

Fortunately, when we had an addition built to our house in 2006, it included a 2 car garage that I had built extra long (about 30') specifically to accommodate the 222" long Cadillac.  In June, I had it towed from my mother's house to my mechanic closer to my house.  With some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, he was able to bring the 390 cubic inch engine back to life, and now it is in my garage.  I now have year of manufacture plates on it (same plates that were on the car my folks brought me home from the hospital back in 1961) and I'm slowly starting to address the many minor issues with the car. 

[novetti]

Great Story. Keep the boats alive 

[Jim Govoni CLC 20546]

What a great story! So many give up along the way. I'm sure you ahd yourcar have many stories for all of us yet to come! Keep posting.

[76eldo]

Welcome to the message board and best of luck with your car!

[Lexi]

Yes, great story...keep up the fight and keep us posted. Sorry to hear about your Mom's recent passing. Sounds like you had fantastic parents. Clay/Lexi

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

That's quite a story and thanks for sharing it.

Glad you found the CLC forum and welcome aboard.

[Bill Young]

Great Story , open the hood and take a photo of the aluminum body plate on the top of the firewall and we will decode your car for you. Also more photos.

[Highwayman68]

Wow you have me beat, I paid $200 for my 68 in 81 and I still have it and drive it.

[signart]

Thanks for a great story and congratulations on hanging on to the wonderful car. I feel like I could at least double your money when you get ready. You know we just have about ten years left until there is no more fuel.
Seriously, welcome and share more about your car as you continue to enjoy it. There are many experts here on your model willing to help if needed.

[Brent Hladky #21519]

Welcome, Steve.  Always good to hear from others with OCD (old car disease)!  I also have that car (with the same black exterior and white top) and am born in 1961 myself.  You will certainly enjoy having the car at home so you can give it the attention it deserves, and use it whenever you want.

[SixDucks]

Steve,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Cadillac ownership. Your story is a great one! Birth year Cadillacs are great pleasures to own, and even better when it's a convertible!

Terry

[#1CaddyFan]

Hi
I was browsing the forum and saw your post. Great story good memories for sure. Keep sharing and show us the 390....wish my 56 had one or any one still in the process of getting it together.
Dan

[druby]

Great story and welcome to the club !

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Cool story, welcome aboard. I'm in MA too, on the Cape.
Laurie

[2manycars]

Enjoyed your story, and the photo of your car! Looking forward to seeing more! Welcome to the forum!!

[jaxops]

Thanks Steve- great story.  It's really special having a car that connects you back to family, especially your Dad.

The very best going forward!

[cadillacmike68]

Welcome.

I grew up in Worcester, but moved to FL some 25 years ago. We're the same age, my oldest Cadillac is a 1968 DeVille conv. I've had it since 1998 so both you and highwayman68 (Mark) have me beat, but my first Cadillac was back in 1979.