Need some help with a 1959

[StrayCat59]

   I have had this car for about 6 months, bought it out of a car museum in Utah. The problem I am having is finding those HUGE trim clips that holds that wide piece of trim on the deck lid,( the piece that covers the trunk lock cylinder). I have searched EVERYWHERE to no avail. The car is almost done as far as the restoration process, but this is beginning to upset me. It's like that thorn in the side everytime i go out to see her, and that is every 15 minutes or so. ( i am obsessed yes, but I have wanted a 59 cadillac since I was 5 and saw the black one in the muppett movie, and i am 27 now, so there is a SEVERE emotional attachment). does anybody know where thses things can be found? Is there any company out there that replicates them?

And secondly, does anyone know what the ride height is supposed to be on a 59 4 door flat top? I think the suspension has settled a bit, and i don't think it is where it needs to be.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[John Morris #23947]

I would fabricate the molding clips and be done with it. No more suffering, phone calls, let downs, just make them.

[ronw]

Hi William,

Funny you should say that, but the Muppet movie is what got me hooked on '59s too. I'm now 35 and the proud owner of a '59 coupe.

Ron

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I would fabricate the molding clips and be done with it. No more suffering, phone calls, let downs, just make them.

I'm with John,

Make them yourself, but before you use them, get them Cadmium or Zinc plated so they won't rust and leave nasty little streaks on the paintwork.

Bruce.

[35-709]

I believe the ride height is in the first section your '59 Shop Manual.  If you are serious about having a '59 (or any older car) a Shop Manual is a MUST!  I let mine go with my '60 ('59 Manual + '60 Supplement) when I sold it or I would give you the numbers.

[Qaanik]

Hi William and Ron,

Nice to see 2 other Generation Xers enjoying '59s! I dunno what exactly got me hooked on 59's...Muppet Movie could be possible!

William-I got my car out of a museum in Salt Lake City...I wonder if it's the same place?!

Here's sedan ride heights from my shop manual:

body style numbers 6029, 6229, 6329: 56.2"
6239, 6339: 53.7"

[StrayCat59]

Yeah, mine was from Salt Lake City as well. These boys had quite a few of them, so my guess is that they are from the same place.lol. Funny.

Yeah, I guess fabricating them myself might just be the best thing. They don't seem too hard to do. I got the power seat working again today, and installed the new lenses in the lower front bumper. I hate to say it, but i may be putting air shocks on the back. It has new shocks on it, and someone has put spring helpers in it, but it still bottoms out if i hit a dip in an overpass. So my guess is the springs are about shot.
Thanks for all the help guys.

Oh yeah, one more thing while i am on it. Did these cars come with seatbelts in 59? There are none in it, i was just wondering if it was a standard item in those days.

[ronw]

William,
I am trying to sort out the seat belt question too. They were shown in the accessories catalog for 1959 - check here:
http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/documents/1950s/1959/1959%20Accessories/tn/1959%20Accessories-8.jpg.html
I bought some belts from Caddy Daddy. So far I have only fitted the rears. I will get around to the fronts soon. If you can get a copy of the "Cadillac Serviceman" from 1959, Page 73 should show you where to drill (I have another thread on this if you want to look it up). I couldn't find the dimples in my car and, after consulting with my mechanic, have put the holes in approx. the right place with a piece of galvanised flat steel to back the panel.
By the way - I bought my car in Salt Lake City too (but not from a museum). Good Luck.
Ron Wilson

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Sorry, no Seat Belts.

Not sure when they became standard, or even optional, but to fit them properly, it is necessary to cut into the seat base to take the inner lap belt through a direct line to the floor mounting.

This in itself usually puts people off.

Bruce.

[35-709]

You no doubt will need rear springs in the car, they are pretty easy to find, not expensive, and not that difficult to put in.  The fronts are more difficult, but not too bad ---- follow the instructions in your Shop Manual, it's all there!  I did mine by myself.

[Philippe M. Ruel]

Front seat belts were standard on Cadillacs from 1965 on (rear belts were an option).

All 4 seat belts were listed as options at least from 1962.

[Warren Rauch]

The history of Cadillac seatbelts goes something like this. They were an option starting in 1957. The early 57  belts were  a little short,so in the spring of 57 they made new non buckle ends that were over afoot longer. These same belts were used thru 1960. The parts book includes reinforcement washers to use them back on 1954-56 models.What was used in early 1961 , I 'm confused . By spring of 61 the earlier plain metal buckel was relaced with one that had a raised triangle pattern . this was used into 1963.The anchors were started in 1962 ( at least 1962 models had them), from approx serial 2000 in 1959 thru 1961 ? they only put indents as to where to drill the mount holes.  In late 63 there was an easier to adjust belt used. these were all non -retracting. In 1964the first belts with Cadillac emblems and floor mounted retracters were used. they became standard equipment in the front on Jan 1,1964.  With this belt you lifted the one side of the buckle to release. The kind that you push the emblem in to release came out during 1965.Warren