Flat-top 1960 Cadillac - Time to get rollin'

Jacked her up and slapped on the dunlops...but now it's way too soft and muddy to drag out

 

step 1 complete. This morning, i was able to roll it in!!

 

i definitely have some hours ahead of me... Let the good times roll!!!

 

I bought a 2 yr old '61 Coupe De Ville from a lady that was mad at AAMCO...they quoted her $2200 for a trans repair (in 1963) She sold me the black Caddy for $275, I had it towed home (45 miles) and bought an adaptor, stick flywheel & clutch kit and planted one of my '37 LaSalles in it. Olds clutch pedal, and a new driveline...
Slow off the line, but what an attention getter! (Downtown at the 'cruise' I'd scrape a gear when shifting into 1st, or into 2nd...guys would exclaim: "Hey, that Cad has a floorshift!"

Beautiful car, as are the Caddies... Hope you'll drop it and shiny it up like the beautiful '59...
That's a flat top I'll have dreams about! Glad you got her in the shop.

 

Thanks Atwater Mike !! Since it's now in the shop, i have no more excuses !!

 

i am in phase 1

 

So, Motov8n, what are your plans?
I wasn't expecting a full resto, but I'm readin' from your pics that your building a replacement chassis(?) Are you planning to also do some bodyworks to get rid of the obligatory rust, or has the old girl escaped the natural process?
I'm really hoping for a build thread of epic proportions, but sitting on the other side of the world, that's a pretty easy thing to hope for for my own entertainment.
You initially said your plan was to drive her to your favourite show in the summer - that's not too far away.
Are circumstances going to get in the way, or are you just a machine able to work 40 hours a day?
Just curious and there is no wrong answer. I'm still keen to follow along.
Good luck and Cheers.

 

dad-bud Ohhh-noo... This is no 'stone the crows' epic proportion build... Just goin to get it rollin, and then proceed to have fun and make improvements as a method of procedure!

 

That works for me.
So what are your plans?
Rebuild a motor? rebuild a trans? rebuild some brakes? suspension? rust repair? (even just a patch-up job for now?)
Is the plan to prepare a replacement chassis and do a swap?
Did I miss something when I re-read the thread?
No pressure, just wanna know.
Cheers.

 

Wow!!!Nice!!
You say "I know it's a four-door",
Sure enough, but to my eye, the most beautiful four-door ever, the '59-60 flat-top -style has it. Awesome color!
A lot of mechanicals to go over in these Cadillacs, for sure, but should be well worth the work, though.
With the parts car You said You have, You should be golden. Does it have the dr-side door trim that appears missing in the photos?

 

Well dad-bud, You pretty much named what i plan on doing! The engine, transmission, brake system, and all lights will be in good workin' condition before we make the trip. As far as rust repair and cosmetics go...i will only do what time allows before June 16th. The carpets are coming out because they are shot. These years of Cadillacs always leak rainwater on to the carpets and hopefully the front floors aren't too rusty. i am going to order replacements....maybe the headliner too. Believe it or not, the factory plastic is still on the rear seat and the front seat and door panels will look good enough after a cleaning, so no upholstery work. New tires, but no suspension changes. i am doing everything required for a 75mph smooth trip!

 

Thanks alot Sauli! i do have what i hope is the correct trim for that door. It came off of a 6 window, but i think it should be the same. i also have a passenger side headlight housing/bezel to replace the busted one.

 

This Cadillac was originally painted 'Persian sand' but the previous owner was impacted on the driver's side rear door and when he had it repaired, he painted the entire car grey. There are no trim holes on that door, so i am expecting a pile of bondo filling up the dent...

 

Just for kicks, i connected a 12volt battery and was surprised to see that all the headlights, tail lights, park/signal lights, heater fan (on all three speeds), and even the radio worked!!
...so this is how the engine sat, with the heads and intake off, for almost 40 years. i am really hoping that this block is going to work for me.
...man are the cylinder walls ever rusty! i imagine it'll be a challenge removing the pistons.

 

100%

 

Do You see this odometer reading?? Is that possible??

 

Man, i like these frost shields!!
The floors show some daylight, but are nowhere near as bad as i thought they'd be.

 

Correction: This flat-top was last licensed in 1980...not 1976 like i had originally figured

 

Congratulations! The flat top Caddys are in a class of their own.

Has anyone here ever known of a 700 R4 conversion?

As to the mileage, someone once told me that if the digits don't line up right that the odometer has "rolled over".

If this is your first old Caddy build, be patient. The engineering in these was remarkable for the time and sometimes very complex but the rewards are a genuine high. The stock chassis with some new parts and sound proofing will amaze you on long trips too. When you go over railroad tracks you hear a slight rumble but seem to float!
Chuck

 

i do have some experience with 1959/1960 Cadillacs, and i have enjoyed every moment!! Thank You very much for your comments Chuck! i can only be as patient as i can... On June 16th i have to be able to kick the tires and light the fires!!

 

Up and out...

 

Wow!!As much as I´ve enjoyed seeing that flattop, little did I know there was a whole collection of Cadillacs. By all means, keep posting! By the looks of that floorpan, You´re off to a pretty good start. I for one would like to see that 390 gone through and come to life.

 

as strange as it may sound... I like the flattop four-door even more than the two door and convertible (which are great looking cars.)
imo... just focus on the driveability issues. get this caddy on the road!

 

Thanks, Sauli!! Very much appreciated!!

 

Glad that You like it, mrspeedyt ... i really like this body style too, but in my opinion, nothin' can be more cool than a two door hardtop!

 

Well fellas... That was a battle getting those pistons out, but the cylinder walls look excellent! No cracks and barely a ridge at the top. The crank looks really good as well! i think this is a perfect block for rebuilding - no complaints here!

 

Measure the bore. I've heard of Caddy's with no measurable wear, needing rings and bearings only. Good quality steel.

 

Cool, man! Glad to hear that and thanks alot for the info!

Here is some info i didn't know till i just did some readin' :


This block is stamped DD DD HH HH EE EE DD HH

 

Here is a before photo of the aft chamber:
i will post an after shot once i tidy it up