"Value depends on way too many things to give a simple answer - it really depends on the buyer. The question is whether you are going to fix it up intending to sell or fix it up intending to drive. And when thinking about value, the other question is whether you mean value or profit. If your intent is to make profit, build it to the widest buyer audience for the least expense you can." Wise Words...
Quick Update ~ I've been back in Texas for quite a few months now. I have a little shop set up and the Caddy is sitting here, waiting for the oppressive Texas Summer Heat to give way to more pleasant Fall weather, so I can start working on her. I have the shop set up pretty nice and should have nearly all the tools and everything else I need to finish her up. I started with one unit in the building and have now moved to three, so I have plenty of room to do everything. I need to find a place where I can get some louvers punched in her hood - That will make a huge difference in how she looks. And I need to get to work on cleaning up all the individual bars in the grill, so I can fab up the bullets on it and give it that custom look. Found a local guy who is an expert with old transmissions, so I'm hoping he can help me figure out why she's shifting so poorly - Wish me luck with that! She's still a work in progress - Thanks for reading my thread!!!
You really did a wonderful job bring that old girl back from the dead. Without you work effort and skill set she would probably be either junked or crushed.......you did good.......no professional shop would have taken on what you did unless it was a sentimental job where money is not an issue. From one old hot rodder to the next THANKS BTWThanks for your service to our country.. Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
OK - The Texas Summer was pretty brutal and I have no A/C in the shop, so I wasn't able to get any work done on the old girl. At one point is was so hot I used my IR thermometer to get a reading of 125 degrees on a piece of metal in the shop - Heinous!!! But - Now that the weather has cooled down, I'll be able to get back to work and hopefully make some progress over the next few months - Wish me luck!
Ah Ha ! you are at Lake Buchanan. I have about 45% of my project stored at our house there. I might try to see youir shop one day if you are open for visitors. be sure to get an alarm.
I've grown to realize that trying to do hot rod fabrication and mechanic work is just far too difficult for me, physically. Throughout my time in the military, all I could think of was the time I'd be able to have my own hot rod and my own little shop. Unfortunately, that time in the military also resulted in severe physical impact, and associated limitations. And now it's time to accept those limitations, set the dream aside and simplify my life a bit. So - I'm cutting down on the size of my shop and I'm also gonna start trying to sell the Caddy, while simultaneously getting her ready for the Lone Star Roundup in April. If any of y'all know anyone who might want an exceptionally well documented and EXCELLENT 1957 Cadillac Custom project - Shoot me a Direct Message. Getting older - It's definitely NOT for sissies!
Throw the caddy in deep storage and save your dream ,some day you will be glad you did. the work you did on her is not regular work ,that was special [how bout that front seat] What ever you decide ,the best of luck to you .
I appreciate your very sound advice - The problem is, I have a partner in the car. He needs to get his money back out of her and I can't afford to buy him out, unfortunately. Therefore - She goes up for sale.
What a great job you've done so far and the knowledge gained is a bonus. Most of us that had to "work" to make a living eventually have some physical limitations. I know I hate to admit it, but it's just the way it is. There were some things in this project that would tax most people, so don't be too hard on yourself. I guess what I'm trying to say is, remember what is most difficult for you and when choosing the next project take that into consideration. Good Luck selling the Cad and keep us posted on the next project. He
great work...and lots of it ! curious as to what the channel in the one exhaust is for I see the 2 holes at the ends of the cover that correspond to the ends of the channel. Were these used for automatic choke heating ?
My question involves the brake booster Mc combo . Which one did you use ? Did you change out the pedal ? What was involved ? Please and thank you
Used a kit - Can't remember where from. Pedal was modified, using directions in the kit. It was pretty doggone simple, but I didn't do it - Other students at the school did it for me. The brake lines look like hell, because they weren't motivated to make them look nice - Like I would be.
OK - I'm outta the former shop and I found a collision shop that will let me work on her there, so I can use their compressor. Started back to work on her today - This is the replacement passenger rear door.
I have this month and next month to try to get her as squared away as possible - Here's the tentative plan for that: First and most important thing is an electric wiper motor - The vacuum wipers don't work anymore since I put the new brake system in her, and I can't get her inspected and licensed without working wipers 1. Prep for paint (materials and my labor) 2. Paint (Either I'll pay the collision guy to do it, or he'll help me do it - Dunno which one yet) 3. Fix the transmission kickdown problem (doesn't shift properly) 4. Blast and paint the grille, then mount the chrome bullets in it 5. Mount the 59 Caddy bullet taillights 6. New heating/air conditioning system 7. New Wheels & Tires (or just hubcaps) 8. New shocks 9. New exhaust system 10. Louver the hood (before painting, obviously) After all that - I'll attempt to sell her.
More work on the Caddy - Working on straightening the grille, so I can get it walnut shell blasted, powder coated and mount these bullets. It's pretty hot outside in Texas right now!!!
Great progress on the Cad. I am a little sad to see you have to sell it after putting in all the hard work. I hope you get to enjoy taking it on a few cruises first. Still in Texas? You can get a five year Antique Vehicle registration for it. It doesn't need to pass a visual / safety inspection, but it also has limits on annual mileage and usage. Good luck!
Appreciate your kind words - Thanks! Reference the registration details you shared: Wow - GREAT info!
Verified this today and got the paperwork - Once it's done I can drive her across town to the body shop when I'm gonna work on her, which will really make life easy!!!
Here's a few pics of progress on the replacement doors - I didn't take the refinishing and paint class at the Hot Rod Institute, and I tend to "overdo" stuff - As in looking to get it as perfect as can be. So I needed to get the paint guys to let me know if they are ready for primer - Which they are. But before doing that, I need to test fit the doors to the car, since they didn't come off her. Make sure all the panels line up properly and such. I don't want her doors to need metal work AFTER priming them. Good progress, but I'm working outside in the Texas heat. Drinking plenty of fluids and doing the work in the morning, while it's still cool out. DRINK WATER!!!
Pics from today's work ~ Got the spiders on all the way round - Really makes her look better!!! Had to modify them a bit - The stock backing plates had like 2-3 threads in them and the screws provided used a standard screw driver Got these threaded backing pieces and Allen head teeny tiny bolts, then drilled out the backing plates in order to use them - They came out GREAT!!! Also put the 1957 Texas plates on her and drove her over to the collision shop to let them see her and to talk about future work on her Small improvements - But I'll gladly take those little victories! THANKS AGAIN to GOTGAS for the info on the five year Antique Vehicle registration - Appreciate it, Brother!!!
OK - Back at it with the Caddy ~ Got a TON of work done on her today, thanks to my friend Jordan, who has a TON of experience with automotive refinishing We ran out of light, but SCREW IT - We painted anyway - Black Epoxy primer More work tomorrow - We're gonna knock this baby out!!!
Before you guys make a decision on what way you are going to paint it (apart or together) this is a post full of good advice. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-big-paint-no-no-i-told-you-so.1118546/
Why punch the hood, if you're going to sell? It may not actually increase the re-sale appeal/value. (Then again, it MAY change your mind about selling it! )
Just read your thread all the way through. Your perseverance in doing it right in spite of the difficulties is admirable. Those old Caddys are way too cool to be left to rot. Subscribed!
The Jalopy Journal
