Projects 1955 Cadiallac Convertible Conversion

I still need to fit the dual fan mount but here it is painted and mounted.

 

Here is the front view.

 

Just Finished the rear disc brakes and plumbing all the stainless lines!

 

The cross member for the 2 piece drive shaft is son in place as well.

 

On a side note, our Sled Kings car club had a great time at the Mooneyes Christmas Show!

 

Rear brakes in and shock tabs mounted.

 

Pretty crazy and complex pic. Meant to show that the header is now bent out of the way of running into the steering linkage. Also show the installed shifter, bent steering arm on the new rack, and brake lever.

 

Engine in. Radiator core support, and fans in. Exhaust and brake lines in and bled. Hydraulic lines to hydro boost and power steering in. Was trying to get test drive out of the way and drive to Temecula Rod Run. Worked into the night and couldn't get to it to the point were I would be comfortable driving an hour and a half for first test drive...


So left and polished up my late grandpa's 40 Ford to drive to the show.

 

My dad finished about a year ago his 65 k-code GT Fast back. Got this cool pic from my phone following him to the show this weekend.

 

The floor covering over the trans is now welded in place and sealed. Now to work on the hole in the rear were I cut for the drive shaft.

 

Nice progress. Hoping to get some wrench time in this weekend on mine

 

Just read this thread and there is some great work going on there

i love this year cadillac and would love one myself one day

all the best with the build
Matt

 

Good... I haven't seen any updates from you in a while!

 

keep going man!

 

Looking really good!

 

All I can say is , Great job ! Very Very nice . You should be very proud . Thank you for shearing your great work with us . Can't wait to see it cruzing down the Avenue .
Look at that Cadillac look at that .

 

Ok I think I may be more excited about this post than any other progress posted to date... No more working in friends side yards or borrowed shop space on the weekends after close of business. I finally got my own shop/man cave! (Complete with frame stretcher, in ground lift, and next door neighbor has a paint booth he said I could use any time!) Delivered most of my tools a few weeks ago, but there was a TON of junk that accumulated over 30 years in this place. Just finished cleaning and organizing everything yesterday. Here is a pic of everything in its place. Still need to bring down the engine hoist, welder/tanks, and rest of car parts. I hope to bring the Caddy down next week as well and get back to work!!!

 

Daaaaaaang ! Nice looking shop. A person could build a cool thing or two in there

 

I really like what you are doing with this car. I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

congrats danny. lookin good

 

You are sure a dedicated car guy... It's awesome. And a good thread to follow.

 

I have shop envy.

 

Let me say too that I like your use of the hydro-vac. I wish now that I'd used one in my Diamond T, instead of hanging the big ugly MC and booster on the firewall in the already crowded engine bay. Would have been WAY better, and, my 6.0 already had the PS pump with the extra port. Sigh...

Maybe I missed it, but did you build your own harness?

Brian

 

Nice Car!

 

I don't remember what I paid (but VERY reasonable) to Wait4me Performance, but they did the PCM tune/flash for like 180 and cut away my extra wires off the original factory harness for like an extra 60. I had to buy an OBDII connector and install it for future diagnostics made easy. I then made custom length front O2 sensor wires and spent about 3 hours on my living room floor laying out and taping the harness. I then bought 4 different size wire looms and added those for additional heat protection and tapped the ends and joints where they met each other. This is the cheapest way to go. If you start trying to buy (let alone find) all the connectors you will need to make you own, it comes out cheaper to buy a used one and even pay these guys to "trim" it way down for you.

 

Just an FYI. The chassis is different between the coupes and the verts. The vert chassis has a much thicker X. It's almost twice as thick as the coupe chassis. This was obviously done to increase the rigidness of a convertible body. As mentioned, even with the thicker X. The factory verts still had a lot of flex to them. I'm curious to learn how flexible your ride will be when complete.

 

Not to hijack, but 20 years ago, I cut the top off a perfectly good Sedan DeVille, shortened it through the rear doors, made it a 2 door, and converted it to a convertible. To say that my engineering skills at the time were lacking might be generous, but the car had no cowl shake, handled well, the doors opened and closed

I say, cut the tops off, convertibles are more fun than a dumpy old coupe or sedan.

Brian

perfectly with the jacked up at either end, or in the middle. I think this build will be just fine!

 

Pay attention to security at the new shop... Too many break-in threads in the HAMB already. Webcams if you can swing it so you get pics of what's there when you aren't.

 

Thanks for the tip! I got a spare computer from my father-in-law and the video card for cameras from a friend. Now I just need to order a couple cameras and will be rolling. Also, the shop does have a gated yard with 10' fence and barb wire on the top so that helps too. But def going with a couple cameras. Thanks for the extra push.

 

Brought the Caddy over today! Hoping work on it will commence once I get some time in the next few weeks.
To do list:
Cut and mount rear convert trim
Shorten gas filler 1/4-1/2"
Chop convertible frame
Section 2 1/2' out of window frame
Finish rust repair
Secret project on original gauges (Need to source gauge clusters from 54'&56' Cads)
Finalize and execute modification to side trim
Smooth fire wall
Finish welds on rear license french
Modify rear bumper with purchased donor bumper
Finish trunk weld up around bags
Install front bags
= This should occupy my next few months and get er closer to paint and interior!