News:

Due to a technical issue, some recently uploaded pictures have been lost. We are investigating why this happened but the issue has been resolved so that future uploads should be safe.  You can also Modify your post (MORE...) and re-upload the pictures in your post.

Main Menu

1958 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo - Cyprus - Europe

Started by AS777, May 06, 2020, 12:40:32 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

AS777

Fellow members

I have recently acquired a survivor Fleetwood. Odometer shows 20000 miles.

I am in serious concerns of either making a ground up restoration OR just maintain as is.

The interior had water in and hence ruined completely.

The exterior paint was measured with a gauge and only 3 spots identified were the car was resprayed.

Chrome trims are ok apart from lower front and rear bumpers.

After three bottles of Meguiars glaze 7 the paint is coming back.

I was told the piston rings were replaced at some point cause the motor was frozen....

Really need some opinions - restore or maintain?


David Greenburg

You’re going to get a range of opinions on this, but here’s mine.  While I am a fan of keeping nice original cars original, it looks like this car is going to need a whole new interior, which means it’s not going to be completely original. Also, where there’s water, there’s rust; as you get further into it, you’re likely to find hidden rust. As to whether to do a ground up resto, maybe not if the original paint is healthy.  But if you do go that route, just make sure you fully understand what you are getting into.  Restoring these beasts can be very expensive, particularly if you need parts that are unique to the Series 75.
David Greenburg
'60 Eldorado Seville
'61 Fleetwood Sixty Special

jaxops

Wow.  A very nice limousine.  It depends on your situation.  A full restoration is hugely expensive.  I did one that way, and now the 2nd one I am doing is all about safety, all systems functioning properly, drive-ability, and lastly we'll look to appearance. 

We'd love to hear the story about this car.  It looks like a diplomatic or government vehicle with the flagstaff mounted on the fender.
1970 Buick Electra Convertible
1956 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine
1949 Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Limousine
1979 Lincoln Continental
AACA, Cadillac-LaSalle Club #24591, ASWOA

AS777

Thank you for your replies and opinions!
It is really a hard decision.
Of course i will redo the interior and safety/drivability systems.
Its just a matter of whether or not to take the extra step!

This Fleetwood belonged to the first president of Cyprus who was also the Archbishop. The car was registered on Christmas Eve 1959. On 01/01/60 Cyprus gained independence from the UK.

Here is a picture of the actual car back in the day.

It is said that the car was sent by the US government together with 4 x Harley-Davidson duo glide Panheads to be used for the President.

I suspect that either a Failure of air suspension and/or brake booster and/or transmission converter decommissioned the Fleetwood in favor of a Mercedes 600.

The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day Jack,

Welcome to the world of Cadillac ownership.

I can see that this car is going to end up costing you a very lot of money, as from your description, it looks like the car was submerged in, hopefully, fresh water, and then left for a time and not properly cleaned out.

Before going any further into it, I would be recommending that you try and find out when it was submerged, and if it was Salt Water or Fresh, as this does make a huge difference in how to treat the parts that are hidden from view, as Salt Water causes far more damage than Fresh Water, and leaving any water inside is just as bad.

Costing the repairs would be the best thing you can do, then make the decision on rebuilding, not with your heart, but your bank account.

Sorry for being so harsh.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

wrench

#5
Nice car. Get the thing on the road. Develop a budget and a timeline. Do the interior and get the mechanicals up to snuff...

Drive it around and see what really needs to be done with the hard metal parts.

I don’t do basket cases. I like to get a feel for the machine while it operates and fix things as I go. I have seen too many fine machines disassembled and never put back together and have seen another too many take decades to complete. If you ask a machine what it wants, it will tell you my approach is best. (But that is just my opinion and the opinion of any of the machines I have worked on over the years.)

As an aside, I rode a Duo Glide Police Special for about thirty years as my main ride.

I was kick only until 2005. That’s when I got my first electric start.





1951 Series 62 Sedan
1969 Eldorado
1970 Eldorado (Triple Black w/power roof)
1958 Apache 3/4 ton 4x4
2005 F250
2014 FLHP
2014 SRX

Dr. John T. Welch

The majority of these cars still in western foreign countries but long neglected and deteriorated usually  have significant provenance, and yours is no exception.  This is a fine survivor of early post-colonial Cypriot history and deserves to be preserved by an appreciative Cypriot patriot. Looks like you are off to a very good start with it.     
John T. Welch
CLC   24277

AS777

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on May 06, 2020, 08:57:36 PM
G'day Jack,

Welcome to the world of Cadillac ownership.

I can see that this car is going to end up costing you a very lot of money, as from your description, it looks like the car was submerged in, hopefully, fresh water, and then left for a time and not properly cleaned out.

Before going any further into it, I would be recommending that you try and find out when it was submerged, and if it was Salt Water or Fresh, as this does make a huge difference in how to treat the parts that are hidden from view, as Salt Water causes far more damage than Fresh Water, and leaving any water inside is just as bad.

Costing the repairs would be the best thing you can do, then make the decision on rebuilding, not with your heart, but your bank account.

Sorry for being so harsh.

Bruce. >:D

Here is a picture that clearly shows the level that the water level impacted the car.

Main focus is the interior.

Have contacted SMS Auto Fabrics that do have the exact trim (trim 80).
Received some samples already.
Once the old interior is removed will also assess the water damage on the “bed”.

AS777

Quote from: wrench on May 06, 2020, 11:35:11 PM
Nice car. Get the thing on the road. Develop a budget and a timeline. Do the interior and get the mechanicals up to snuff...

Drive it around and see what really needs to be done with the hard metal parts.

I don’t do basket cases. I like to get a feel for the machine while it operates and fix things as I go. I have seen too many fine machines disassembled and never put back together and have seen another too many take decades to complete. If you ask a machine what it wants, it will tell you my approach is best. (But that is just my opinion and the opinion of any of the machines I have worked on over the years.)

As an aside, I rode a Duo Glide Police Special for about thirty years as my main ride.

I was kick only until 2005. That’s when I got my first electric start.

Thanks for your suggestion.
I am inclined to go that route.
Want the car to be a driver and a showcase.

Duo Glides are awesome!!! You must have had some awesome memorable miles!!! Congratulations!
Have recently restored a Knucklehead!!!

AS777

Quote from: Dr. John T. Welch on May 06, 2020, 11:51:42 PM
The majority of these cars still in western foreign countries but long neglected and deteriorated usually  have significant provenance, and yours is no exception.  This is a fine survivor of early post-colonial Cypriot history and deserves to be preserved by an appreciative Cypriot patriot. Looks like you are off to a very good start with it.     

Really nice and sentimental words! Thank you!

Indeed the car has been neglected and hence deteriorated in time.

Just needs love and appreciation for the scope the car left the factory in the first place.

Have been chasing to buy the car for 11 years.

The Tassie Devil(le)

Quote from: AS777 on May 06, 2020, 12:40:32 PM
I was told the piston rings were replaced at some point cause the motor was frozen....
If the water was that high, I could see than none would get inside the engine, as the accessible holes would have been above that water level.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

AS777

Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on May 07, 2020, 04:00:04 AM
If the water was that high, I could see than none would get inside the engine, as the accessible holes would have been above that water level.

Bruce. >:D

THE PROBLEM WITH ME IS ALWAYS THINKING WITH MY HEART AND NOT THE BANK ACCOUNT :-[

All the water came out the exhaust on first start :-[
But seems to be all good   :)

jaxops

Quote from: AS777 on May 07, 2020, 04:10:11 AM
THE PROBLEM WITH ME IS ALWAYS THINKING WITH MY HEART AND NOT THE BANK ACCOUNT :-[

All the water came out the exhaust on first start :-[
But seems to be all good   :)

We can all understand that feeling.  I just got a "dog" to fix but it was my father's car and I am bound to keep it.  I will probably get it all restored eventually but I have a wife who keeps a sharp eye on what we're spending on things so she keeps me in check.
Get a good look at your floorboards when you pull the carpet.  That could well be an issue. If they aren't perforated you might want to sand them down and seal them as soon as you can.   Note that the rear compartment carpet will be a thicker set than usual and sometimes has a rubber backing or thick underlayment. 

Could we hear more of the Cypriot First president and how he was the Archbishop or even Primate of Cyprus, at the same time?  That sounds like a great story.
1970 Buick Electra Convertible
1956 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine
1949 Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Limousine
1979 Lincoln Continental
AACA, Cadillac-LaSalle Club #24591, ASWOA

AS777

Quote from: jaxops on May 07, 2020, 06:43:22 AM
We can all understand that feeling.  I just got a "dog" to fix but it was my father's car and I am bound to keep it.  I will probably get it all restored eventually but I have a wife who keeps a sharp eye on what we're spending on things so she keeps me in check.
Get a good look at your floorboards when you pull the carpet.  That could well be an issue. If they aren't perforated you might want to sand them down and seal them as soon as you can.   Note that the rear compartment carpet will be a thicker set than usual and sometimes has a rubber backing or thick underlayment. 

Could we hear more of the Cypriot First president and how he was the Archbishop or even Primate of Cyprus, at the same time?  That sounds like a great story.

Thanks for the feedback and advice. Wish you all the best with your project too!

The first president of Cyprus was Makarios III. I believe wikipedia can give a glimpse to the story, as well as a local newspaper which is in English.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makarios_III

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Makarios-III

https://cyprus-mail.com/2016/12/18/archbishop-makarios-iii/

Dr. John T. Welch


"THE PROBLEM WITH ME IS ALWAYS THINKING WITH MY HEART AND NOT THE BANK ACCOUNT "
Every serious  person in this hobby has right brain dominance and this problem, so enjoy our company and this magnificent '58 Fleetwood 75.   

This is a great functioning survivor artifact of mid-20th century Cypriot history.  I can see Archbishop/President Makarios III blessing the crowds through the rear compartment windows as he rolled past them in his escorted motorcade. 
John T. Welch
CLC   24277

AS777

Quote from: Dr. John T. Welch on May 07, 2020, 02:00:04 PM
"THE PROBLEM WITH ME IS ALWAYS THINKING WITH MY HEART AND NOT THE BANK ACCOUNT "
Every serious  person in this hobby has right brain dominance and this problem, so enjoy our company and this magnificent '58 Fleetwood 75.   

This is a great functioning survivor artifact of mid-20th century Cypriot history.  I can see Archbishop/President Makarios III blessing the crowds through the rear compartment windows as he rolled past them in his escorted motorcade.

Thank you!