Well used the shop vac on the Caddy's floors today and now their gone.Cool....I think?By the way that little job burnt my vac out.Looks like besides the floor pans (front/back)the toe boards are F'ed up as well.The parts car has toe boards that still have factory grey paint on them,so thats lucky.Out of all the interior the seats are the only thing worth saving unfortunately,not a crack in those bad boys and the springs will work for now as well.This is slowly but surely becoming huge.Now to get those seats out ought to be fun.
This is going to be a fun build for you. Glad to see you getting started. Dont forget about that beautiful truck though, it may feel left out haha.
Fun build is an understatement most likelyDon't worry I treat the truck very well.Just set the timing and got it cleaned up for the big weekend.Some how I also have to find time to lower the wifes Fairlane too.
OFF WITH THE OLD!Not bad for a couple of hours in the 100 degree sun.Didn't get too lucky with bolts coming off,so the cutting wheel on the grinder sure did come in handy today.One more fender and the hood to go.Thats going to be this weeks goal.
Wow. I'm normally not one to get too excited over a build, but this is gonna be awesome! Love it! Keep us updated!
just saw this post. what a find! I applaud you for digging in the way you have. Im stoked to see more pics. keep em coming
Im guessing you're referring to the weight of the seat.no real surprise here.So far there is nothing light weight on this car that Ive messed with so far.Im having fun though.
thanks for the words guys.I need the encouragement,I almost traded this thing off a couple of weeks ago.Im sticking with though.
Javier, Wow, you have accomplished a major step with that front end work! I feel your pain, though. The enormity of it can overwhelm. Hang in there and just remind yourself that you have the most outrageous American or for that matter global icon of automotive styling...Harley Earl's swansong. And it's a HARDTOP which means true air conditioned cruising on two living room couches. There will NEVER be anything to compare to it! I have many car projects but my 59' is taking the longest. I got so sick of it that I covered it up a year ago to just take a break from it and worked on a couple of other cars of mine. Now the fun is back in it again. You might consider a cover even if it's just for a couple of weeks because every time you look at it your mind goes to work. Chuck
thanks a lot chuck.I'm still in the middle of the front end work,but slowly but surely its getting there.send me some pics of your 59 if you feel like it. I've come to the realization that this will take a long time,but in the end it will be worth it.And yes a cover in on the store list.
Well I got the drivers side fender off with ease today and started cleaning up in the engine compartment and suspension.All was going well until I decided to move inside the car and take the back seat and rear carpet out.It is a new can of worms.This is a real rust bucket.Looks like all the floors,rockers,toe boards and tranny tunnel need replacing.Some floor braces will have to be made as well.I don't think they repop those braces.The back seat is past the point of restoration,the springs were all rusted through or gone.The trunk is going to be another project in it self.Talk about a ton of bicks.Its hot as hell , I'm broke and this project is turning into quite the undertaking.Here are some of todays pics.
Javier, I feel your pain, man! That's tough. I remember you saying your parts car still had factory paint on the toe boards. I hope there is more you can cut out of it to help with. You've probably already done this but if not I'd sure jack that thing up and use a flashlight to make sure the frame is solid enough to make this worth your time. Don't forget to look at the top and inside of the frame rails along the inside of the rocker panels and all the body to frame and suspension to frame attach points. I hate to say this but If you're already broke you need to seriously reconsider this unless you've got good metal working skills & tools. But it's too hot man! I can't even think about that level of work in this heat. I'd cover it up and wait or you'll end up hating it. Chuck
Thanks,Im taking all that into consideration.I'm pretty sure the frame is o.k..it looks good and even the exhaust is still there.Im think the majority of the problems are due to water coming in through cracked windows and bad rubber seals.this car wasnt over any grass or weeds and it was on blocks thankfully.There is alot of mold all over all the interior which also helps this theory.But no matter what this has become HUGE.I'll deal though.thanks
Aww man, that thing is in horrible shape. You should let me take it off your hands. haha. Nice score and congrats. From the pics it looks very solid! I've always wanted one, but I'm sure my wallet will never allow it.
The good news is that floors are not all that tough to repair, even for a beginner. Be sure the frame is solid and hopefully the rockers will also be solid. If you can get your hands on a complete unrusted floorpan from a donor car, so much the better. Even if it's from a 4-door you can cut it up to get the panels you need. As has been suggested, just take your time...especially in this heat! Plan ahead and do one section at a time. You can use mostly hand tools to cut the old floor out and prepare the donor floor panels to go in. Any voids can be filled with patch panels cut from the skin of the donor car to keep from having to buy new sheet metal. You don't have to be a metalworking genius to get this job done. Lap the seams wherever possible and make slices wherever needed to get everything to line up. You can use pop rivits to hold the patch panels in place until you find a friend who will bring his torches over and weld it up for you. A gas welder will work just fine and don't be afraid to "heat and hammer" to get the parts to fit and the gaps to align. It doesn't have to be beautiful this time around, it just needs to be done strong! This is not to say that you should be sloppy in your workmanship, but don't hold back just because you can't butt-weld and metal-finish the floors the way the professionals do. Replacing rusted out floors is a great learning and skill-building experience! Take advantage of it. Once you've got the floors done you'll be ready to tackle the exterior bodywork. By the way, that is going to be one absolutely spectacular car when it's done! Good luck...and drink lots of water!
Thanks MissysDad1,thats a lot of helpful advice.I appreciate it.Yeah this is a project that will require a lot of my patience,so I'll get back at it and take it slow.I have a friend here in town that l can supply me with new flooring material.I'll be doing all I can do myself and for sure learning a lot along the way.Thanks.There will be more pics up soon
Looks a lot like my old Cadillac.....rust everywhere I looked...floors, rockers, trunk, inner panels.... It's pretty depressing at times... but if you can work through it one section at a time, things will slowly start to come together.
Your the man Javier! I know how it feels when you lift those carpets to see whats underneath and find nothin.......my hearse was just as bad when I got it. It's that feeling of knowing your so far in and it makes no financial sense but god damn it i'm gonna save this thing that makes us all the same here.....I'm sending you moral support across the interweb from CA man........these big old works of art need saving and it's guys like you that make that happen. keep it up mate!
Thank you.Yeah the more I talk about it and have friends come look at it, the recovery plan is being layed out, and its starting to make sense.one piece at a time ,right?Ill begin again tomorrow and hopefully have some more photos of the rusty carnage.
Well despite the excruciating heat I was able to remove the front and rear seat and all of the interior panels and headliner out of the Cadillac today.Now that I have it all out and can see everything Im starting to see what I need to do next,which is mainly remove a ton of bad sheet metal and leftover flooring out of this thing.Here are some pictures from today.
The Jalopy Journal
