6219_Rules

It will be great to see the progression photos. My '56 is coming along, It has been side lined for the race car prep. The engine is due in at the end of the month so we have to have the car painted and the suspension in by then. Jonathan and I pulled the engine Saturday. He has another good bbase engine for rebuild for one of the other MGs waiting for restoration. I hope he gets the car done so he can race sometime this season.

I just wanted to commend the editors and all of the people working on the "Antique Automobile" vol. 69 no. 1. The quality is excellent, and the articles are of the highest quality. Thank you. I may renew my membership. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In a word or two - Heck YEAH! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I drive my cars as daily drivers. The Eldorado had 72000 miles on it when I bought it a year or so ago and now it is just to 96000. The '47 had 34000 miles on it when I bought it, and now it has about 37000 (although the odometer stopped working so Im guessing). The '81 pickup had 78000 miles on it in 2001, and now its new with only 608 miles on it. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> No matter what car I have, or restore, I will drive it because it beats sitting in the garage staring at it! LOL

Samsonized, the address is Cadillac LaSalle Club . Click on Buy/Sell to search for those cars. Good luck.

Well I can agree to disagree on the interiors and comfort of the new cars. I would reverse your contention, and say that the drab, overstuffed interiors of today are confining, where the interiors of the 50s and 60s (early 60s) were elegant in materials and roomy, comfortable and pleasing for long drives. However I do agree that the engineering is far better today. I do not want to return to the past....that is impossible in any case and undesirable. I simply don't like the new cars (starting in 1980 to be honest). OK. I am an Old Car Nut indeed. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And I do drive cross-country a lot, so I have a lot of experience in the cumfort department. My rather large personage needs a broad seat, don't you know! I can hardly contain myself to get the '56 done with all the color and textures just to drive to the store let alone make cross-country jaunts. Hey I just realized...Im like that old weird uncle friends of mine had back in the early 60s who refused to drive those new fangled machines and hung tenatiously onto his Model A ford! HAH! Now THAT is irony for you! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi Twitch (I hear they have an ointment for that), I also have had really good luck on the newsgroups at alt.binaries.pictures.automobiles. And its free but of course you have to wait and search for the cars you are interested in. I will certainly check your link out. I collect pictures of cars ... and its legal (I think...not sure about that anymore). Thanks for the great link!!

Here is a link to CNN where there is a picture of the new DTS Limo which is to be used in the inauguration of Dubya. I really like this car! I hope the regular DTS is as nice. Now if they can only improve the interior appointments ala the 50s but that won't happen. So...enjoy!! Bush's New Cadillac DTS Limo OK...on further inspection....its just a redone 2001. sigh. Oh well.

My parents bought our best, cheapest car (which we still talk about) in Hamburg Germany in 1961. It was a 1961 VW beetle, black with light grey interior. No radio, no clock and no gas gauge. It had a little handle on the floor that you turned when it started to run out of gas, opening a 2 or 3 gallon reserve. Hell that was worth a good 90 miles on the open road! Great little car.

Nice job! Once we get Jonathan's '72 MG-B GT back together for the SCCA season, we will remove the bumpers and engine from the '56 and start the body work. There are two small areas behind the wheel wells that need to be cut out and replaced with good steel. The bumpers are all in excellent condition except for the middle rear section. They should clean up nicely. All of the chrome and stainless is in really good shape. Now the engine and drive train appear to be sound. I think all that will be required is a valve job and gaskets but we will see when it is out of the car. Once it is in for rebuilding and painting, Jonathan and I will finish the body work, strip out the interior and clean the chassis in prep for painting. So we have a long way to go before the interior is done; however I think I will buy the material as soon as possible and do what I can on my own. All of the small electrical motors will have to be cleaned and repaired. But you know the drill. I would love to see more pictures when you have the time. Incidentally, I bought my first non-Cadillac scale model the other day...a favorite Buick of mine, the 1959 Electra 225. In Red no less!!!

Sounds like a wonderful project! And honestly I hope one that brings you both a great deal of pleasure in the future. I am looking forward to the day, oh in say 3 years, when I can sell my other cars and just drive the '56. Until then I am enjoying the Eldorado and taking it one minor project at a time. Right now the '56 looks like a junk yard reject. Patience and hard work...plus a lot of money....will net a beautiful car.

Hi John, Try either Coopers Vintage Auto Parts (click here) , or Cholakian at All Cadillacs of the Forties and Fifties (Click here) . Also I think McVeys has advertised roll tops for older Caddies than my '47. Check them out at McVeys Page. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Now of that last statement I am sure you are correct, Diz! Fortunately the chrome and stainless are all in really (surprizingly) good shape. The only thing that is really bad is the dash pad. The material on the seats and headliner are simply faded by the sun with a little wear damage. Carpet is dead, of course. I was really surprized when I went to wipe the chrome dash and found that rather than being pitted, it was simply filthy. A nice surprize too! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My first inclination is to dismiss safety (for myself) as an issue but in fact, it is important. My '47 is safe as far as the car goes but were it involved in an accident, anyone inside would have a far greater chance in being seriously hurt. My '56 will be a lot better but not safer than modern cars...or even my 1977 Eldorado with its collapsable bumpers and fillers, seat harnesses, collapsing steering column etc. Still, I was involved in a very serious accident in 1997 in a modern (1996) Dodge 2500 diesel with seat belts and air bag. I was nearly killed, and in fact, was irrepairably damaged so by 2000 I was incapable of working. The air bag almost ended my life as it saved me. The seat belts did their job and when present I religiously wear them. In July of 2003 I was rearended while turning into a side street by a drunk teenager travelling 50 mph (or better). I was driving my 1969 Oldsmobile 98 Coupe...a survivor with my Mom in the back seat and Dad in the passenger seat. We were spun 360 degrees and car totalled but no one was hurt. Mom wasn't sure what had happened. Dad hit his knee (he is 6'6") ...I took the greater proportion of the force. We were wearing our lap belts. Ironically the size, weight and generally strong build of the car protected us. It would have been different in a side impact certainly. What most people fail to understand is that no matter what speed you are traveling, you are not safe. There are more protections to be sure but the foremost protection is each of us and our driving habits. People are killed everyday in accidents inspite of the safety devices. Were I to continue driving the '47, and certainly with the '56, I will make sure the lights all work and can be seen. Seat belts are a good precaution. Proper and continuing maintenance on brakes and tires should ALWAYS be done. But we should ALL review driving rules for our state. Know what the Right of Way is and drive both defensively as well as politely. Think of the other guy first. Pay attention and follow the rules. Its hard to do! We live in an incredibly fast paced world with very busy lives. We all have a lot on our minds. But, since I can remember,whether playing cars or driving as an adult, it has always been clear that driving is our first responsibily. Besides its fun! I love driving. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You are SO right! That is a beautiful car ... and one of my favorites! So.... I just bought it!!! I will add it to my Black '47 Cadillac, the gold '59 Cadillac and the ubiquitos '59 Cadillac Eldorado in hot pink (I had to have at least one of these). 1959 sure turned out some beautiful and interesting designs for both GM and PFord. The Impala, Electras, ... even the Lincolns and Fairlanes...all look great. Thanks for the post!

gee I think they were offered in the 1948 Tuckers. After that, I think GM offered them as an option in cars around 1956 but I am not certain of that. According to a website on the Los Angeles Seat Belt Law, Volvo was the first manufacturer to regularly provide seat belts in 1955. You can get this page at Seat Belts .

Sounds wonderful! I hope you can post pictures of the car soon. I am looking to restore my '56s interior as well since that is one of its draws for me. I am wondering how much that will run given we need new carpet, new dash pad, new seat covers (I think we can use the robe rope on the back of the front seat along with the ash tray), headliner, and fabric on the doors. I think the vinyl, or Elascofab, is usable with a little work.

Great news, Sal. I will keep them and you (along with your good wife, of course) in my prayers. God bless, and Happy New Year!

Of course it depends on your state, but I use All State with a Hagerty rider to cover the antiques. So far its been a good relationship. We will see how theyy handle the truck since it was hit last friday. Since it is over 6 years old, they will probably total it, but that is insurance for you.

Good to see you back and in fine shape, John. Great pictures too.

First Sal, congratulations on the birth of twin boys. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your good wife. I hope fervently that she pulls through without a hitch and that you will all have a very Merry Christmas and many, many Happy New Years to come.

Antique Battery Co., Inc. Hudson Ohio. If you are looking for authentic batteries and equipment try these folks. They were a big help to me. (330) 425-2395. Their catalog lists batteries for Packards, Lincolns including Mopar, and Mercury. USA Parts Supply also carries OEM batteries as does Kanters. You can find them on the web at Kanter's webpage and at USA Parts Supply . The '59 Eldorado Biarritz is a true treasure. Congratulations on it. I would love to see some pictures. I have a 1977 Eldorado Biarritz, but it pales in comparison. My other favorites are the 1956 and 1957s. Good luck!

I have a 1977 Eldorado with very supple and soft leather that has become hard from sitting in the sun over time in small places. What conditioner, if any, will return it to its soft condition?

It is listed as a VDD1 blue vinyl bench. It is blue and white striped and I am looking for a replacement. The American Classic Truck site has a madrid vinyl but I am not sure that is what I have. Do any of you in Chevy land know what a VDD1 refers to? Thanks in advance!!

Thank you, Susan. Good to see you online again. I would love to see your cars!! Sorry to hear about Cotton. All my animals are neutered or spayed starting back when I was a child. Our family has taken animal health very seriously. Do set up a gallery! It is easy and fun to look at occasionally. I keep adding to mine. The white '72 Eldorado is my sons. That 1969 Oldsmobile Holiday coupe was mine until a drunk teen totalled it July 4th two years ago. That is why I got Tiffany. I still miss that unrestricted 455!! The '69 and Tiffany are all original 'survivors' in near pristine condition. Got both for a song too. Just to let you know there are great cars still out there.

I am sure everyone knows what I have but I wanted to share. Here is my daily driver : Tiffany My 'show' car (laughing) is the 1947 Cadillac. Actually it is also a driver. The Flying Dutchman And my current project for which The Dutchman must be sold, the 1956 Cadillac 6219 sedan : Vida Boheme She looks a little (?) rough but believe me, all her parts are there and EVERYTHING works...electrical and mechanical. I was very pleasantly pleased. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />