Busted ASS all week with the help of great friends and got her epoxy primed and pinstriped by Mike Summers She's still imperfect, but she came out looking GREAT - 100+ pics follow Only a short time left to work, and I still need to finish up the custom grille and taillight treatments, then complete the repair and repaint of the rear bumper After that, we'll re-install the interior and button her all back together - Then she goes in for new exhaust on the 28th Wish us luck!!!
Progress Pics from this past week ~ 1 of 4 View attachment 4015152 View attachment 4015154 View attachment 4015167 View attachment 4015168 View attachment 4015169
Progress Pics from this past week ~ 2 of 4 View attachment 4015190 View attachment 4015193 View attachment 4015194 View attachment 4015197 View attachment 4015198 View attachment 4015205
Excellent post - Thanks for sharing! We buttoned her all back together and shot her, as you can see in the pics
Good point - An excellent friend here said the same thing. In the end, it was a non-decision - Because the hot rod shop where I was gonna take the hood for louvering had problems with their louver dies and sent them back to the manufacturer - So louvers weren't an option in the available time remaining
Wow pretty straight body saw just small bits of filler after you got it down to metal and started work.
Yeah, Brother - She's not too bad, overall - But I have replaced both doglegs and the rear of both front fenders, due to rust problems.
Took her in for new exhaust - First time I've seen her up on a lift A few areas that need work showed up, but her undercarriage looks pretty clean for the most part - Which is great. Here's a few more shots from today:
She's now finished as she's gonna be and up for sale! On consignment at Martins Rods & Customs in Lampasas, Texas. Could never have got her to this stage without the skilled and motivated assistance of several true Sisters and Brothers RESPECT
If she sells, it does - Unless the buyer continues it If not - I'll end up keeping her and continue to work on her for quite a while
She was out at Martin's Rod & Custom for a few months, but now I've picked her up and moved her to storage closer to my house - So I can continue to work on her. Good News - I had her out at the Lone Star Roundup here in Austin, and it was a pretty significant personal victory to have a car I built registered in that show. Pics attached and video to follow
Starting work again on the Caddy - Ordered a new master cylinder for the kit I installed from Caddy Daddy, because I want outboard inlets for the brake lines. I already have the t-fitting and pressure switch I need to make the brake lines work, so when the master cylinder arrives, I can start the process of replacing both it and the front lines, installing the pressure switch, then wiring the brake lights. Once I do that, I can start driving her a bit. Latest change to everything is this ~ I'm headed out to pick up a Buick 455/400 combo today. It's still running, and in a 71 LeSabre. Owner is selling the complete engine, transmission, all engine accessories and the driveshaft for a great price, AND - He's pulling it and loading it on my trailer - So I'm jumping on it. Way I figure - Emily Jo needs a more reliable drivetrain, if I'm going to sell her - Or even if I decide to keep her. Going this route puts a torque monster engine (455 lbs ft, stock) and excellent transmission in her that are more modern and won't struggle to move her down the road. It also allows me to keep this built up Caddy engine that I did myself, and potentially put it in a hot rod, down the road. The 455/400 combo are only 130 miles away, which isn't too bad. I'm headed out shortly on this trip. The good news with this engine is, the starter is on the passenger side and distributor is on the front - Hoping that will help reduce potential clearance issues. I'll do a compression check, pull the plugs and valve covers, look for water in the oil, etc. And try to cycle the transmission through the gears. I'm purchasing the driveshaft with it, as well - To make it easier to mate the new to the old. Excited for this next step of the build - Wish me luck!
The car looks good. What are you asking for it? Also, you're not going to install the A/C system from the Buick, are you? Keep the pics coming....
I put a 454 -700r in my 56 Cad a few years ago. Tight fit. The exhaust manifolds were the biggest headache . Dam steering box was in the way. Finally got it all straitened out and have put 10 thousand miles on it since. Was worth it,good luck.
455 installation didn't pan out - Been driving her off and on until recently when the generator bracket broke Once I get that replaced, I'll get back to driving her more often Picked up some very cool hubcaps for her - Modified Olds, with spinners - They look GREAT! But she still needs wide whites!!! She's now posted For Sale on Facebook Marketplace and in a Texas Classic Cars & Trucks For Sale group Wish me luck selling her!
Sold her a little while back to an excellent hot rodder who has a music venue near Houston Rico was looking for a running, driving project to work on with his two sons, and he loves Cadillacs - So it worked out perfect! Hope to see further progress posts here from him as time goes on Enjoy!