tailfin58

I am Surprised no one has yet mentioned an ASSYMETRIC Item on this old "Binder".... Careful Observation of the excellent photos should reveal it immediately... However I must admit I KNEW where to look.... by seeing this feature on a similar Vintage IHC Cabover in Vermont..... ANY ONE ??? And further more can any one provide a reason ,speculation , guess as to WHY ?

Dear 60 Buick, Going by my limited Knowledge of similar 1959-1961 Cadillac X type frames, you will find the convertibles have an additional pair( LH & RH) body supports extending out from the center towards the anchoring for the top cylinders near front of the rear floors. Also I noticed on my 61 Cad Convert that there is an extra Gusset plate rather crudely welded on top of the forward part of the x just behind the end of the transmission. I would think the shop manual might have a frame diagram for this. Good Luck with your project. John B Western Mass

Where? oh Where ? oh WHERE ? .... is the Mullins ?

Dear Keefer, Where are these located ? can you bring them to any shows in the Northeast ? Thanks John B

corrected link to New England Region Cadillac LaSalle Club... www.nerclc.com and main club page www.cadillaclasalleclub.org

Dear Thug, These are not common as I'm sure you know. they are basically shortdeck 4 window series 62 Cad sedans and look kinda Sporty for a CADILLAC especially compared to the six window buble back windoe style 4 doors. We onced ownd a light yellow ex California '62 Park Avenue wich was the short deck version of a 4 window Sedan Deville we purchased it from a collector in Vermont swapped out the "stuck" motor and let it go far to cheaply at HERSHEY We DROVE it down to Hershey PA a 6 hour trip from Western Mass only to wind up selling it to a guy from Springfield Mass about 40 miles EAST of us ! If you are in the BOSTON Area.. DO NOT MISS! Cadillac Day at the LARZ ANDERSON Museum in Brookline on Sunday May 17th it is a BLAST and just for CADILLACS OPEN TO running rusty OR fully restored so bring yours along ! website www.mot.org and www.nerclc.org

A young friend of mine just starting out in the old Car hobby has acquired a barn fresh 1951 Buick Special 4dr sedan. The car is ready for its first roadtest run except for the need to repair or replace the existing radiator. Does any one know what other year/ make / model's Radiators might interchange ? (My Hollanders reprint stops at 1950 of course !) Do any readers in the upstate NY or surrounding areas have a good one for sale ? From his decription I believe this has the "Honeycomb" pattern radiator is this Correct ? Does any one have experience with re-coring one ? are new cores avalable ? Cost estimates ? Thanks for helping a nother Hobbyist get on the road !

A young friend of mine just starting out in the old Car hobby has acquired a barn fresh 1951 Buick Special 4dr sedan. The car is ready for its first roadtest run except for the need to repair or replace the existing radiator. Does any one know what other year/ make / model's Radiators might interchange ? (My Hollanders reprint stops at 1950 of course !) Do any readers in the upstate NY or surrounding areas have a good one for sale ? From his decription I believe this has the "Honeycomb" pattern radiator is this Correct ? Does any one have experience with re-coring one ? are new cores avalable ? Cost estimates ? Thanks for helping a nother Hobbyist get on the road !

Actually you would probably find the PARTS BOOKS are worth much more than the parts ! Keep the oldest and the newest ones and a good range in between... as GM MASTER Parts books usually cover about ten - fifteen years back/ book Its not necessary to have EVERY year to look up parts You Can sell the extras on E-bay Inccidently when BUYING a Parts book... try to find one a year or two NEWER than your car as this will show if any slightly later model parts interchange for your project car

Check out this Incredibly well preserved one that just sold for a WHOPPING $295 plus shipping on EBAY Seller Zonzloid Item number: 290100598981 http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ebaymotors/ws/eBa...598981&rd=1 Note that the Trunk "Crest" as well as the similar but differently shaped "Hood Crest" each consist of TWO Pieces : a Gold-Colored Anodized "BEZEL" and the reverse painted clear plastic "INSERT" Give up right now... on EVER finding another original INSERT in anywhere near the condition as this one .... the RED fades very quickly after being exposed to sun and the plastic becomes brittle and checked. The best source for these and many other pieces of Cadillac "Jewelery" is www.mcveys.com Expensive yes,but very high quality and excellent fit. A friend said, "You only cry ONCE... when you write the check, but not again when you receive the part !" The similar but slightly peaked-shaped Hood Crest is even harder to find , but usable replateable bezels often show up at EBAy and the flea markets, but for Show Cars Mc Vey's has those as well. Be sure to join the 1958 Cadillac Owners Association at www.1958cadillac.com the official home for "MOTORDOM'S MASTERPIECE" Ask for 1958COA member Craig when you contact McVey's Tailfins Forever ! John B Western Mass.

Dear Erick, Some time ago I acquired an Original GM Factory Flat Rate manual for your 1929 Viking. Am I correct in thinking these cars were only produced for about 18 months ? How many were produced ? Any estimate of survivors ? Is there a club or registry ? Although the Flat Rate Manual is currently in storage with the rest of my swap meet literature, I may be able to dig it out and provide you some Pictures when I unpack at the Spring Rhinebeck NY carshow/swapmeet in early May. (Do NOT Miss this show if you live in the North East !) Congratulations on finding TWO ! of these rare Automobiles, John B. Western Mass.

Dear Thug, Be sure to check out the Cadillac LaSalle Club website, www.cadillaclasalleclub.org as well as the very active new England Region with its own website at www.nerclc.com If you contact our newsletter editor... Cadmanjoe@aol.com I'm sure he will send you a few complimentary back issues of our regions news letters. I also am restoring a 1961 Cadillac and live in Western Mass. I have parted several '56-'62 Cads and also have the Factory Cadillac Master Parts Books to help sort out the interchanges. Tailfins Forever ! John B. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dear Drivein, in surfing Ebay this eve I see seller "seaofpaper" has a bunch of Thompson Items up with part numbers and application noted

Try Searching Ebay motors literature section, One Seller named DelcoJoe often has old catalogues up for sale. Ideal would of course be to find a Thompson Application Catalogue but any brand cross reference to Thommpson would at least point you in the right direction, TRW, Clevite, and Federal Mogul were a few of the Larger survivors into the 1980s, LIKE most industries the aftermarket car parts business is being reduced to a few large Players / Conglomerates ... Dana and Federal Mogul are the "Coke and Pepsi" of Car Parts

This is a '48 Chevrolet as evidenced by the vertical "Tee" bar in the grille to distiguish it from the nearly Identical '47 Chevy. Not psoitive from this angle but it looks like a 2 door "Town Sedan" Also Judging by the shape of the rear side window,and Vertical "B" pillar. Also guessing this is the midrange FLEETMASTER trim. Base Style Masters had a little less trim I think. My younger brother currently owns the shorter windshield Forward Slanted B Pillar fanciest trim 2 Door FLEETLINE Aerosedan perhaps the flashiest Art Deco styling for the money ever offered by GM. Even though priced near the top of the line Fleetline Aerosedan Coupes outsold even the four door sedans ! These were very popular,comfortable, and well made cars. Thanks for the photo !

As the Irish had a Saint named Patrick, who we are told "drove all the Snakes From Ireland " Perhaps we in the Northeast Need to find a SAINT who could drive all the snow out to sea By....oh Say.... March 17th...so we could get on with our RELIGION ! Any suggestions on a name? .... if we can find Him or Her ?

Dear 1937HD45, I had been e-mailed the photos by my Cadillac Lasalle Club buddy, "Cadmanjoe" in Boston. After I posted it this morning, before work, I e-mailed him the link and jokingly... said "We should have an answer by Noon today !" Thanks for proving me CORRECT ! ...and with twenty minutes to spare ! I don't have my copy of the "OLD TESTAMENT" near this computer. As I often refer to the essential "Standard Catalogue of Early American Cars" by Beverley Kimes et al. But NO DOUBT you too, like to read a few chapters from the "Good Book" every evening before retiring, and again upon arising in the Morning, as I do. After all one must remain devout to one's religion must'nt we ! Thanks again, Tailfin58 Western, Mass. BTW Find any good CORBIN info sites on the Web ?

Here is a Second Photo of the WALES Family Car

Dear Friends, The Local Dorchester Historical Society would like to know, the Year and Make of this old car. This was owned by the prominent WALES family in Dorchester, Mass just out side Boston. ( Today part of Boston.) Thank You for your help.

Probably any GOOD Quality 10W30 oil will be okay think it may take 6 quarts with filter (use a WIX available at NAPA or CARQUEST) but check this on the stick after you've dumped in 5. Regular Dextron III ATF will work, we have had excellent luck with substituting one quart of the ATF with a Transmission Additive Made by LUCAS Oil Products Really helps them Shift smoother. They do also make a excellent engine oil additive as well. If the car has sat a while change the oil a little more frequently for the first few changes as this helps clean out the sludge. Don't forget to get the chassis greased and take the time to carefully lube the hinges yourself wiping up the over spray. A good wax and polish and you and your CADDY will be ready to cruise and collect the smiles remember to bring your camera and JOIN THE CLC Club ! !

Kghia Yes ! it is still there , pictures in Vol. 3 were taken Saturday Jan 6th of 2007

After another Fruitful Trip to Curboy's Auto Salvage on the beautiful warm (65 degrees!) Saturday of January 6th 2007 I have added some more photos and commentary to my third web album http://picasaweb.google.com/CaptainTailfin The Owner said to keep on coming and buying until its gone Curboy's Auto Salvage 508-347-9650 http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en...mp;ll=42.112232,-72.054691&spn=0.110789,0.2314&om=1

Dear BiggarMike, Sorry my friends did NOT report seeing any Lincoln Zephyrs.... Heck, I hardly ever see them at Shows ! Cool Cars though ! Plan on heading off for a return trip tommorow to try and see the WHOLE Yard before it's gone... Tailfin58

Please see Update, and replies as listed under general discussion categorey

Seem to remember the "Cartridge" type filter for my '58 Cadillac was a WIX #51100 which would also be a NAPA #1100 (same filter made by WIX just drop the first digit) or a Carquest 85100 (Also the same Wix Filter !) just substitute an 85-XXX for the 51-XXX. Incidently these are MUCH better Filters than a Fram cut one open as I have, and its easy to see ! That is why both NAPA and Carquest the two biggest Parts selling Groups for garages sell relabeled WIX made filters. And why Walmart sells FRAM where a $5 dollar filter is $4 bucks of advertising If the WIX #51100 is NOT your filter, you can find it by SIZE at www.wixfilters.com