RTRyan

“Maybe higher” is correct 😁

After a number of years and many $$, time and manufacturing replacements for my 91-year-old friend, in the interest of spousal tranquility, it is time for a new owner to enjoy this beauty. Full story and videos now on https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1932-cadillac-355b-convertible-coupe-3/ Happy to answer any questions. It's a fun classic to enjoy and drive and take some other grandkids for a ride in the rumble seat : >).

After years of finding parts and $$ in essentially remanufacturing the engine and other significant mechanics . . . and in the interest of spousal harmony . . . my 91-year-old friend is now for sale. Most know where to look, but a 3 letter hint - bat. :>).

Sealing wax red under Dogwood autumn red

Well, it's been one year since my 91-year-old friend finished the heart transplant. Soon to appear in public with many detailed pictures, including results a "reported" engine rebuild in 1970s NOT

Is it at V-16? If so would love to see. Tune 2 V-8 s at once 😳

Whoops, forgot. Isn't the refinished dash wood trim pretty also?

So what happens when your dream antique has a significant heart attack within the first 50 miles of fun? The previous custodian said, "BP looked fine, did not know about Atherosclerosis." Remember January 20 pictures? Surgeons say, "Only good option is a transplant." So it takes some time (did someone say "Covid") to find a donor and rebuild the pieces of the 90-year-old donor. So almost two years later, here we are. So is the engine original? The aluminum crankcase and stamped number are original. Yes, the entire crankcase is aluminum. Correct color, or just leave bare aluminum? Same # as on the 1932 build sheet. Was the "holy piston" seen above in December 2021 original? Suspect so, as were block, head, cracks, and welds. Would BaT call this heart transplant a "refurbishment" or "rebuild/restoration"? Oh, wait until you see the young 90-year-old with its extra lights. Pilot Rays help make the senior citizen look very sophisticated. So did the custodian know a heart attack was imminent? "The BP was okay, I did not know about Atherosclerosis. Aren't all 90 years olds ready to run after resting under a blanket for 50 years? " Hum. I will fire up the new heart very soon and include the sound. Did Abarth make an exhaust system for a 32 V-8? Bet it would sound great. More to come, including an answer to the Pilot Ray mystery

Well, as I wrote, I'll have a beauty with a new heart and documented by a well know surgeon. Ed, about the Pilot Rays. Did any of your 30-32 Cadillac have them? If so where was the switch or was the wiring added into the light switch in the steering wheel? Here is an image from the 32 Cadillac accessory booklet with "my" car with the Pilot Rays. Better look than on the 31s but just my opinion. Thanks for any help

Great grill and info on Pilot Rays. I'ved added to 32 Cadillac getting some engine work done, but can find no reference as to how the lights or added to electrical system. They were an accessory in the Cadillac brochure and even if added at the dealer, what was the electrical hook-up? Separate switch under the dash or wired in with the light switch around steering wheel and horn? Any help appreciated

Wow! lots of comments on my experiences and being "1 in 100" and only "collectors" in clubs know good cars and more. Yikes! I bought the rare 32 Cadillac from the owner, via Ovalrace25 with eyes 99% wide open. Yes, would have liked to see the photos of the heads, piston and block after Ovalrace25 opening the 40+ year old tomb. Did I think I was buying a 99.5 point Pebble Beach queen. NO, of course not! I once rode in a rumble seat (c. 1954) in a wooden spoke (maybe Pierce-Arrow?) beauty with another grandson of my grandfather's neighbor, and never forgot it. Wanted to have my grands have the thrill of riding in a piece of history in a rumble seat. Young grandson, I took picture of, when it arrived coast to coast, said, "Can you pick us up from school in this?'. The answer is of course, YES! That's what this is about. Or not? OK I've sent Ovalrace25 an off line note with no complaints. Yes, BaT write ups say "reportedly" had an engine rebuild. treat "reportedly" as gospel or "allegedly" without documentation? Never seen "reportedly? Was paint on block and heads cleaned and Magnaflux done by seller to show no cracks or welds from 60+ years ago? I knew the first (or was it fourth?) lover of this car wrote a great documented piece for Cadillac "Self Starter detailing his find and the rebirth . . . alas in need of a heart transplant as I, now we discovered. Am I a babe in the woods? No, I'm a car guy who my spouse thinks/knows I'm nuts. Should I have flown coast to coast to meet a classic beauty with great bones and body, but maybe not capable of going all out with a heart that had only recently been brought back to life? Should Ovalrace25 have written in our exchanges, "I did CPR and sounds like life again . . . but no guarantees"? Maybe . . . for him to say. Have any of us disclosed 100% of everything we know about every car we have every sold? "Yes, it's beautiful, but let me show you the pimples". Could I have done simple open heart, replaced few pistons, repainted the 50 (at least) year old welds and cracks and sent it out into the cruel world of BaT? Naw! I'll know by spring I have the prettiest mate for miles around and with a documented new heart and 3 giggling kids in the rumble seat that will remember their rides much more than a trip to Pebble Beach. RTR

Hi, Yes we did that first few weeks after some drives. Bit of steam and then some work found thermostat and vanes were not working so a re-core was necessary. No big surprise for a 32 which even with nice restore in 70s, had been sitting undercover for 40+ years. Lots of rust in block and head water channels and cracks and old welds, only show up with everything removed and Magnaflux. Sure not fault of seller. Big plus is to have all the records of engine rebuild to go along with all the documented work done by original owner/restorer in early 70s. Any idea of my question on the switch/wiring for the Pilot Rays we have added while the engine is out? Thanks

Well, have installed a beautiful set of Pilot Rays ("easy" with engine out) but where does the switch go for these lamps? I've yet to find many dashboard photos of 31-32 with Pilot Rays accessories. Was wiring brought into the steering column selector to have lights on in the country light option? Doesn't seem that an accessory switch would make sense. One of the first dealer "after market" options? RTR

Being the proud owner of a 32 ("only" a V-8) and having just added Pilot Rays I have to disagree about the headlights. On the 32 the Pilot Rays (shown on a 32 convertible coupe in the accessory booklet) are attached to the support piece of the bumper, rather than farther back on the tubular cross member of the 31. I think gives a more forward look with the Pilot Rays as in this beautiful 32 roadster. Now anyone know where the switch for the Pilot Rays is? Can't see any switch I don't recognize on the dash. Was the wiring integrated into the light switch at steering wheel center? Would "country driving" be the choice to include the Pilot Rays to be on, but off in other light choices?

Yes, agree 100% with Ovalrace25 and other comments. Similar to going to my local doctor for a followup after sleeping for 40+ years. Before winter here found a few things that needed attention (re-core radiator no surprise, water pump-generator chain repair and 3rd gear kept popping out - trans shift rod had been put backwards years ago, maybe years when used as a tow truck). But about 10 miles into an autumn pleasant drive (yes, a fun and beautiful driver, top speed safe 50 mph) the heart attack. The 32 engine not the 32+ driver. Wish it was just 1 bad piston, but after 40+ years resting, and even some of the recent refurbishment, no one could detect or know the history before early 1970s. The rebuild notes, from late 60s-early 70s drawings, including details of screws, 80-90% new oak and ash wood framing and more, done by the meticulous engineer restorer were very thorough and car was on front page of the "Self Starter" in mid 70s. But in all the notes and documents I found no mention of any rebuild of engine. After heart attack, exam of crank, bearings and pan looked fine, but taking head and block to machine shop showed rust in block (in addition to the "holy" piston) and head water gallerys and Magnaflux at machine shop showed a number of cracks in head (years as tow truck?) so a number of welds (below) showed up, so it is now on it's way to be a full beauty, with a new beautiful heart. Yes, a complete rebuild with "new" heads and block. A bit after a Happy New Year, but it will be even more beautiful with its new heart. Finally a technical question. The Pilot Rays are a terrific addition to the look, I think much better on a 32 than a 31. But where is the switch placed for the lights? I've not been able to find any dash photos of 32 with Pilot Rays and where switch is. Also added the 2 accessory switches in the dash for the wiper motor which was a rebuild. All engine pieces which needed it will be chromed and re-porcelained and interior wood refinished and varnished. A new heart with pretty nail polish. Now about that Pilot Ray switch. Should we move this comment train to a new topic or can we edit out the "for-sale" title : >).

Will be interesting to see results. I could put a V16 medallion on my "ordinary" V8, but has only has 6 louvers on each side. Who really wants to see 2 V8s back to back

Yes! But . . . Only 1 of 8. Made it back to shop on 7 . . . well little blue smoke exhaust. Thank heavens for the "laisser derriere" as the French say. After almost 90 years of no cosmetic surgery my innards might look like this also :>).

I'm late giving an update. I added Pilot Ray lights and took out the piston with a hole on top. Correct spelling of "engine rebuild" ? Happy New Year

I'm adding a pair of Pilot Rays, still under assembly to my 32 Cadillac 355B convertible roadster. The 32 accessory brochure from Cadillac show the lights, but of course nothing under the body about the linkage. Have the proper hardware to attach the buckets to the bumper bracket (31 Cadillac much different attachment brackets). Anyone know how the rod moving the swivel of the Pilot Rays are and where attached to the Pitman arm. Saw Matt Harwood had some help on 31 Cadillac. Anyone know if setup for 32 is same. Front brackets sure different 31-32 Anyone have a 32 355B with Pilot Rays? Any picture of linkage much appreciated Thanks, RT Ryan

I used Rhode Island years ago in restoration of 150S. Excellent harness. Nearby is Bassett's which has been in business since 60s and used for some parts with many Jags, but not a Mark V. Bob

Well, I am the happy new/recent new owner of this car in the topic header. Is it still 1932 Cadillac convertible coupe? I have 3 grands for the rumble seat. They will remember the first drive. A few minor tune ups being done including a recoring of the radiator. A 1932 Cadillac which set in storage for 40+ years and needs the radiator recored? Outrageous. It is a beauty and now is happy to be on the east coast with working wind wipers. More questions to come and sources for parts. Great car and great history thanks to recent caregivers. Yes, just saw. My first post. I was recently a Jag guy. My 2013 CTS-V got me off Jags.