Pulled my '62 DeVille out of the "Field of Dreams"

Thanks Mark Lester! For your help, and time answering my questions, and just putting up with me in general! I am sooo excited! I can't believe I got such a cool car . . .

Props out of the way; this is what I got . . .

'62 Cadillac Sedan DeVille hard top. Really straight body, few little dings . . . I only need 5 little pieces for the exterior. Electric windows even work. Gotta replace the entire interior. Mark is going to help me drop the original 390 Cadillac engine back into it after working it over. Thinking about adapting a 700R4 Chevy trans into it . . . Unless someone else has a better idea for an overdrive (looking for the milage). Going to try to update this thread weekly really looking for feedback this is my first project.

Pic is Me and Mark Lester picking up the car last night.

 

1. airing tires so we can "roll"
2. un-burying it
3. Hookin up

 

Nice patina. Looks like original paint?

 

1. Wirring up broken exhaust so we can load on trailer
2. do I want power steering!
3. Mark told me to push then stopped the power on the winch . . . he thinks he's a funny guy.

 

Yep, was gonna keep it that color but then I saw the paint chip books . . .

 

It almost didn't fit on the trailer!
I got a headlight rim off a '61 from a junk yard today, gonna go see if it will fit.

 

Excellent choice...keep us all posted with the progress

 

Best of luck with it.I had a white one when I was 22 in 1974.Had it for a few years.Loved it as you will yours.Nice lines.One of my favorites.

 

Looks like a sweet project

 

I had a really nice, original, '61 4dr hardtop once. Really cool car.

I'm not sure "390" & "good gas mileage" can be said in the same day though. The 700R4 couldn't hurt though.

JH

 

wow nice project , i've always like those year caddys .

 

At least he held the door for a Lady.....

Nice project.
How about some interior pics?

 

I took my driver's license test in a maroon version of that car in '72. The 390 had plenty of power. Great car to drive. What's the rear ratio in those? might be pretty tall to put an overdrive on top of - just a thought, don't know for sure.

 

If you can't fab up a 700R4 mount, you might consider a Gear Vendors O/D unit behind the original transmission. Like yoyodyne said, though, depending on what the existing rear axle ratio is, you might very well be better off leaving things be. These cars have a great reputation for being 80+ mph road cars to start with! And, the mileage really isn't too bad, either. I've heard of them pulling up to 20 mpg on the turnpike!

 

Looks like a nice car to start off with, have fun with your project.

 

looks like a great starting point. There's something about those fins sitting in a field that just cries out to you when you see them.

Keep us posted on your progress, gonna be tackling a similar transmission job on my "63 when i get it back from its body repairs. Have fun!

 

very cool...looks like a good foundation for your project...

 

Looks like a good start to a project.

 

Cool stuff. Let us know what happens with it.

 

700r4 is a very smart swap and not too involved. There are lotsa adapters out there but I would probably recommend the wilcap one.

 

What side of Idaho are you on?

 

great find.congrats

 

Sounds like your getting some good pointers on here already. The comments about the rear end ratio are a concern that you're going to have to evaluate. Let me know if that head light door fits. Your a good girl Lou, I know you are going to bust that car out faster than the guys. Keep your enthusiasm, this is going to be one fun summer for you! Let's see if you can get that interior cleaned out this weekend. Then I'll show you haow to pull the gas tank.

 

I love old Caddies,lookin forward to seein more.

 

DAMN... ol MARK he's all heart

 

Nice start! I've got a few...if you need parts let me know I still have lots of odds and ends in the trim department. If I can help with questions as well...I've had my 62 sedan for 5 years now, working on another as well...

 

nice find!! i love that caddy!! keep us all updated on the work done!!

 

ah come on . . . given me a hard time for helpin kids get started? lol
No really, it's worth fielding all the questions when every once in awhile you wind up with one that's really interested and dedicated. This one is.

 

my personal favorite is the 59..Eldo
or De Ville...hell I love em all..one of these days Ill have one

 

DVLLISH
A warm welcome from South Carolina to you and your Cadillac.
Remember, this is not a sprint race...its a marathon, so keep plugging away and you WILL reach your goal.

Here is a post I made about parts suppliers along with some corrections the guys made:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3660642#post3660642

Here is an article i wrote about putting a 700R4 in a 1959 Cadillac:
http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/articles/Cadillac_700R4/Cadillac700R4.html

Good folks over at Modifiedcadillac.org
Best Wishes...we're here to help.
Oh yeah....wear safety glasses!....please?

Gary