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I bought a 1961 Cadillac Eldorado GM factory custom off craigslist

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Nads, Sep 17, 2012.

  1. The Skylarks will rock. Yeh, we had a cap down here for the '68 Monaro that was prone to flying off, courtesy of weight- related issues.
     
  2. Nads, I'd like to join the chorus of thanks for documenting all your work. What a great story! The hub cap solution looks like it will be equally outstanding compared to the rest of your work, and this fine specimen.
    I noted you thought the "Original" style caps would probably be for static display only, and I understand that given the level of cost and effort to reproduce them. I'm sure you're aware, and maybe you are already considering it, but have you considered incorporating something like the wheel cover locks Cadillac and other GM's included for their heavier fake wire wheel covers? They may at least allow a "parade pass" with these "one of a kind" beauties? <o:p></o:p>
    Keep up the great work!
     
  3. Much drooling going on over my keyboard! Following this build is very cool and informative. It's a great thing you are doing to keep this car as close to what Cadillac built in the first place.
     
  4. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    I got one cap assembled, not polished yet but man is it heavy.
    [​IMG]
     
    Greenblade likes this.
  5. attitudor
    Joined: Sep 28, 2004
    Posts: 3,098

    attitudor
    Member
    from Finland

    Thar's one amazing car. You're doing good work. Thanks for sharing.
     
  6. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    Thanks for the support fellas, I can't believe I'm attempting to scratch build hubcaps, I'm a sucker for punishment, I just put one up against the wheel and man it does look pretty sharp. I wish there were fewer blades, 14 per cap is a lot.
     
  7. Hyfire
    Joined: Jun 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,232

    Hyfire
    Member

    You're talking about 1961 here.... More is better!

    Did you notice the car has 2 sets of fins. :D
     
  8. impressive work on the several pounds hubcaps, Nads! i'm tryin' to imagine the face of your tire partner while you tell him to make a high speed balancing on only the caps! :D i stay tuned, have a nice weekend,


    Carsten
     
  9. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    I know they're only kinda close but they'll work, I'm going to screw them through the center of the original caps so that they can be removed and installed instantly for show display, they really are too heavy to run. Now I've got to polish and assemble them all, I'm in for some serious work.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Greenblade and kiwijeff like this.
  10. Hubcaps are looking good.Nice work Nads
     
    Greenblade likes this.
  11. AMcA
    Joined: Nov 24, 2012
    Posts: 14

    AMcA
    Member
    from Chicago

    Wow, we see Nads himself! So that's what a lucky guy looks like.
     
  12. This is extremely cool.
     
  13. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    That ain't me, that's my pal JT, I remain a mystery.
     
  14. Hey Nads...as the '61-62 caps are kinda scarce, and the '63-'64 caps are a dime a dozen (and ugly) and the same kinda thing, would you rather use some of the '63-64 caps?

    I happen to know someone with waaaaay too many of 'em. And, I'm using '54 Cadillac caps on my '63, so they won't be missed.
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Being a "H.A.M.B." runs in my family. Wish I had more spare time to help with this resurection. None the less, glad to assist when I can.
    This transformation is pure insperation, to move forward with my own projects.
     
  16. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    Todd, these are 1962 caps on my car, I don't mind sacrificing them, they seem to be everywhere on ebay.
     
  17. nice find autorama car!
     
  18. No worries, Nads...

    They were impossible for me to find for my '62 when I was looking...just thought I'd offer
     
  19. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    Dude, you have helped immeasurably with all my projects.
     
  20. mart3406
    Joined: May 31, 2009
    Posts: 3,055

    mart3406
    Member
    from Canada

    Ditto on that! Great work on an
    amazing and unique car!.Keep
    'er coming! A question too. I know
    you're nowhere near far enough
    along with the hard parts of this
    restoration, to consider this kind
    of stuff, but all the GM show cars
    I recall seeing at various shows
    and displays 'back in the day',
    if the hood was ever open, all had
    a bunch non-stock chrome parts
    on the engine and under the hood
    - most notably the usual, chrome
    plated valve cover and air cleaners,
    but also, stuff like pulleys, cooling
    fan, water pump, and various
    brackets etc. I guess there's no way
    of knowing if your particular car might
    have been done up like this when it
    was first used on the display circuit,
    but later on when everything else on
    the car is done, I think it'd be a cool
    and not inappropriate upgrade and
    just a bit of "icing on the cake". Any
    plans for some stuff like this, later on?

    Mart3406
    =================
     
  21. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    The stuff under the hood is 100% stock, it was never dolled up with chrome, this car was yanked off of the production line and customized after the fact
     
  22. go man go

    the son in law is investing in a 3d printer oh the possibilities
    ...hmmmm we will see where this leads
     
  23. swissmike
    Joined: Oct 22, 2003
    Posts: 1,297

    swissmike
    Member

    3-d printing is a great tool and is evolving fast. I had parts in plastics, aluminum and stainless steel printed for prototypes. Metals require special heat treatment after sintering and warping is an issue. Something as big as a hubcap would be extremely pricey in metal. I paid $1000-2000 per piece for small 3"x8", basically flat parts.
    Plastics are cheaper, and there are options to chrome plate or metal plate to strengthen plastic SLA parts.
    Most printers would have a hard time accepting the size of a hubcap.
     

  24. thanks for the heads up i am anxious to get toplay
     
  25. stealthcruiser
    Joined: Dec 24, 2002
    Posts: 3,748

    stealthcruiser
    Member


    Ya' shoulda' sprung for some Titanium......... :D
     
  26. Too much weight can become an issue. It will affect the wheel balance and / or it could fly off and tear up the wheel openings in the process.
     
  27. They're for show only Bomb, as Nads mentioned earlier.
     
  28. I missed that Peddro.
     
  29. HamD
    Joined: Mar 3, 2011
    Posts: 298

    HamD
    Member

    Nads,
    I watched "The Help" last night (not my choice) and I paid way too much attention to the wheels on the blue Cad convertible, thanks to you. You're a bad influence. Don't change.
     
  30. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Got yourself a sweet set of Sputnik space caps there!

    Those earliest b&w photos show that car in a very bright gold (silver?) and it really shows off those gorgeous lines well. I don't know what your future plans are for the car, but man I'd like to see it in that flattering color again.

    What a sweet find. Tonight is the first time I've gotten to read the entire thread and I am super impressed with the car and the work you're putting into it. You're doing a great job.

    My dad just painted his '64 CDV this week and I really love those long low lines. GM built those cars completely different (better) than any old Chevrolet or BOP, that's for sure.
     

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