danleblanc

Great looking tractors, guys. My father, who is now 81 wants me to bring home his 54 NAA (same as the 53 Jubilee, different hood medallion). Hopefully I can make it as nice as the tractors posted here. Interestingly enough, someone upgraded it with the high-low range Sherman transmission and Zenith carburetor. Guess someone wanted a hot rod NAA.

This was a known issue on Cadillacs in 1957 also. I have a friend with a 57 Coupe de Ville who had his carburetor rebuilt 3 times and it still had the hesitation problem (his was a Rochester). He switched it out for a Carter and the problem was solved. The car now performs flawlessly. He had indicated that this was an issue known at GM as one of the Serviceman bulletins indicated that when a customer presented the hesitation issue and the car was equipped with a Rochester to check normal things first (vacuum leaks, timing, etc). If all those checked out, the carburetor was to be replaced with a Carter (not even a mention of rebuilding or adjusting the Rochester first). Perhaps this issue spilled over to Buick as well?

The point I was trying to make was that if you don't have a good reference to put it all back together, it's all a shot in the dark as to how it gets reassembled. Furthermore, unless you know exactly what parts go into the building of the car, evaluating whether or not the car is complete is an insurmountable task when it's all in boxes, but much simpler when the car is assembled. Doesn't matter if it's a "common" 1950's Cadillac or a brass era car. BTW, when was the last time you tried to find a set of interior door pull handles for a 1953 Fleetwood - the ones you slide back to open the door? I've been looking for months to no avail (I have all four, but two are missing the plastic). What is viewed as "common" 1950's isn't as common as one may think. The search can be just as frustrating for pre-1916 as it is for some obscure 1950's part, so don't discount the car and the rarity of it's parts based on era.

I had a lengthy discussion with someone who inspected them for purchase. On the 59, drivers seat needs to be reupholstered, all of the dash pot metal chromed pieces are badly pitted, lower dash has been buzz bombed, with rust visible on the edges, headliner stained, wires hanging from below the dash, all of the leather has had some white goop applied to make it presentable. One quarter panel rubbed a guardrail or something - rippled quite badly, paint is still present but needs a repaint in that area. Very thick body filler in the lower front fenders. Exterior chrome is nearly perfect is about the only good part. The car is a 3- that you could sink $25,000 into and only end up with a 3+ car. If you have kids and want a car to take them to the drive-in with and not worry about spilling a soda on the carpet or getting popcorn under the seat with, then you'll be OK buying the car at around $20k, living with the flaws, and getting $20k back out of it when you're done. As for the 74, the aftermarket add-ons, poor condition leather, and other items needed just to make a somewhat undesirable car even remotely presentable make it a $3500 car. This is the feedback I got from a lifelong Cadillac collector friend who viewed the cars. His specialty is 59's and has owned several fine examples and is always seeking more. He walked away from this one because of its needs.

I'm in a similar situation with my 53 Fleetwood. I bought a complete 53 Series 62 sedan but after a lot of digging, found it was too rusty to repair (frame was good but body was bad in key structural areas). I started looking for a solid body and found quite a few but the sellers were asking finished car prices for projects. One day, I got a call from a restoration shop and they had a solid 53 Fleetwood that their client bought mainly to have the correct bolts and to disassemble to figure out how to put his 53 Eldorado back together and for a few parts. They put me in touch with their client and he said give me $800 for it so I can clear the yard before the snow flies. He paid $3800 for the car plus shipping from Colorado the year before (that's a lot of money to have correct bolts) All the Fleetwood specific items were there and what wasn't I had on my series 62. It worked out well for both of us. He cleared his yard and I got a solid more desirable 53 Cadillac. I paid parts car money for it and project car money for my parts car and have to disassemble the Series 62 to figure out how the Fleetwood goes back together. To date, I have found only one pinhole the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen on the entire car. Even the parking brake still works. If I didn't have the other 53 for reference, I would not have considered the car. Bottom line, be sure to have a good reference to reassemble a car in boxes otherwise start with a complete car.

The appraiser's estimate on the low side before the $5500 addition for the "survivor chrome" was accurate. The 59 presents well in pictures but falls flat on its face in person. I'll just leave it at that. On the 1974, the appraisal is optimistic. Once again, I'll leave it right there.

Hi Darla I have a friend in PA who recently sold a 59 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe. It was an original survivor (beautiful original paint and chrome) car much like yours, in paint code 49, Wood Rose (pink) with harmonizing interior. Interior was as perfect as it gets, underhood needed cosmetic issues addressed, and fender bottoms needed rust repair from the A/C (typical for 1959 Cadillacs, nearly all of them with A/C had repair in this area). Everything, even the A/C worked on that car. Main thing is, this car was one of the most original cars in existence. Your $40000 asking price is definitely a reasonable starting point based on what I know my friend's car sold for. I also echo the $7500 statement on the 1974. If it weren't altered (aftermarket add-ons), yes, it would be worth slightly more.

I found in my parts stash 4 pairs NOS Moog front coil springs. According to the application chart I have, they're for 53-57 Pontiac. I thought they were for my 53 Fleetwood as the guy who sold me the Fleetwood said they were for the car. I'd like to list them for sale but have no idea what they're worth. I don't want to look like a moron by asking too much.

Have you tried posting also on the Cadillac/Lasalle Club Forum? There are a few guys always parting out cars there. http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org

You may also want to check in on the Cadillac Lasalle Club Forum. You'll get lots of advice and potential buyers there. http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org

I found in my parts stash 4 pairs NOS Moog front coil springs. According to the application chart I have, they're for 53-57 Pontiac. I thought they were for my 53 Fleetwood. I'd like to list them for sale but have no idea what they're worth. Thoughts?

I have a friend looking for one of these. If you've got one kicking around, please let me know.

You may also want to consider asking these questions on the Cadillac LaSalle Club message forum. Http://Forums.Cadillaclasalleclub.org

Yes it can be - there is simply one wire to clip. Essentially turns the engine into an EFI V8. Or put a switch on that wire - V-8-6-4 when you want it. The 8-6-4 system worked well, it was just annoying. It was a 1 year only system in 1981 only to be replaced by the HT4100 (hook and tow as I like to call it). Avoid the HT4100 like the plague!

You are absolutely correct. The 368 being the less desirable of the engines listed, but, even with the multiple displacement working properly can still be a great engine.

I have a friend with a 78 Coupe de Ville. Documented mileage last time I saw it in February - 229,000mi. Engine and transmission have not been opened up and still works great. $10-12K should get you a show worthy 77-79 Cadillac with around 60,000mi or less. They're really not that expensive.

I noticed a couple of Cadillacs popped up in your search. If you're even REMOTELY considering a Cadillac, the 66 will come into your budget way moreso than a 57. Both of which, parts are so-so to find. But, 77-78-79 Cadillacs should be seriously considered. They are becoming more popular and prices seem to be slowly inching upwards on them. $12000 for a sedan will get you a very fine example of a sedan with low mileage. Parts are still easy to come by, they're fairly easy to work on, and one of the most reliable, comfortable Cadillacs that keep up with modern traffic very well, gobs of power, can fit in most garages, and are quite elegant cars.

I have to agree here also. Not every car needs to be beautiful. Not every car needs to be a 2 door or convertible. In 2012, my wife and I bought a 63 Impala 4 door sedan. Paid $6000 for it. Had fun for two summers with it until we got the 61 Fleetwood. Sold the Impala for $6000 (put a set of tires on it and a couple wheel bearings), so essentially we had $200 worth of fun for two summers. Actually, to this day, we wish we would've never sold it. We had more fun in that than we have had in our AACA Senior winner 1961 Fleetwood because we weren't afraid to scratch it, get a rock chip, or spill a soda on the carpet. Buy it, get it running, have some fun with it, break even when you're done. I agree, it looks like a nice entry level car. For $1200, would you rather have this or a 10 year old Hyundai?

I believe so. From 1961-1966, the Eldorado was merely a different trim package on the standard lineup until the new 1967 Eldorado came out.

Yes. I'm in St. George, NB. 35 miles from the border at Calais, ME.

So now I know who Restorer32 is. I was wondering what your shop was (I'm a newbie here). I've heard of your shop before (even being 800mi away). I visit friends in Harrisburg a few times a year and I've heard the name Penn-Dutch tossed around a few times at the Kelly Cadillac show in Lancaster put on by the Central PA region of the CLC that usually happens in May. The show usually coincides with our Victoria Day weekend, so while we're down with visiting friends, us guys head to the show for a day while the wives go shopping.

I wouldn't even put that on my 2004 deVille if I was looking to cheese it up. And I hate that car to boot! Out of the nearly 40 cars I've owned since 1996, it is truly the one and only car I regret buying. The guys on American Pickers go nuts for old Motometers and pay big $ for them and state they sell them for big $. This seller is likely a victim of "I saw it on TV, so let's flip it and make big $ like the TV guys." Instead, he bought a really ugly paperweight. Something so badly restored, half melted away, it's likely good for the recycling bin.

Car looks great as is. If it ain't broke . . .

Carl. I've been checking in on this thread every couple of days. Thanks for the updates and love seeing the progress on your journey.

Thankfully, when I bought my 61 Fleetwood, had 18,902 miles. the previous owner bought it with 17,611 miles. The Massachusetts title when he bought it Was marked actual mileage . It now has 23,903mi. Guess I got lucky with the title being marked as no Service records accompanied it.