caddyolds convertable

Found a trashed '59 olds convert. Body is rusted beyond anything. However, the top is in one piece, the windshield frame and trim are good. Cylinders and all mechanism are there. Now the big question........ I have a '59 Caddy series 62 hardtop. Always wanted a convertable, but the prices scare me. Are ya with me? can I remove my top and w/s frame and transplant the Olds top , trim ,boot area, and make things fit? I was told it would. Am I over my head, is this a dumb idea? Huh? What? Norm

 

Yes, you can.........by that I mean, they will fit.......whether you can.....well??? ......

The good thing about this swap is the GM "X" frame.......it's already in place on both cars, the hardtop and convertible. I don't know if there are other reinforcements in/on the frame or if it is thicker on 'verts, but for the most part they are more alike than different.

Ther may also be some body reinforcement pieces to watch for that differ between hardtop and 'vert.

Seems to me somebody here on the HAMB was doing this kind of conversion. Suggest you do a search and take advantage of their experience.

Best wishes with this.......sounds like a LOT of (work!) fun!


Ray

 

It should fit, more or less. In 1959 all GM cars were built off the same body shell. Different fenders and trim but basically the same body.

Whether you can pull the job off or not I don't know but a talented and experienced body man could do it.

The windshield frame bothers me,especially the stainless chrome trim. If you could find an Olds convertible windshield frame you should be in business.

Don't forget, convertibles have a lot of extra reinforcing in the frame and body to compensate for the lack of bracing from the top.

 

I think that in 1959 the doors on the hardtop models of all Buicks, Caddys, Olds and even Chevys were the same. Not sure about the convertibles, though. I'd check into that before starting. If the hardtop and convertibles share the same doors, you should be good to go. If the convertible doors are shorter or longer you'll have to make adjustments to the top. Frame wise you may find that what you need to add to your Caddy can also be found under the Olds. Remember that Olds was always the test vehicle for the next year's Caddy: The 1948 Olds had the first OHV. Caddy in 1949. The Toronado preceded the front wheel drive Eldorado, etc.. Best of luck!
Chuck

 

Oldsmobile got the OHV V8 in '49 models, same as Caddy.

Doors on 2 dr Hdtp and Convertible are the same length.

 

I've done this with a '69 Skylark convertible and a '72 GTO hardtop, worked real well, but takes a lot of planning, a lot of bracing, and DON'T s**** the convertible shell until you have everything together. Bring the whole car home.

But yeah, it will work. Contact Boomosby here on the HAMB, he's got a couple '59 Caddy convertible conversions in the works and he knows really well what interchanges and what doesn't, he'd be the guy to ask.

I have a '55 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer convertible and a hardtop shell that I plan to make into one car at some point in the future. It's a big job, but 50's convertibles don't come cheap, so it seems like it's worth it.

I think Big M is doing something similar with a '59 Plymouth Fury as well.

 

Good news on the doors! The Olds did beat the Caddys with the first OHV...barely but only by releasing it at the end of 1948: http://theoldmotor.com/?p=76495 My dad was an engineer @ GM in the 50's and told me about the Olds/Caddy relationship. Lots of stories. He once test drove a disguised 1959 Chevy 4 door for a couple of weeks to see how the 3-2bbls on a 348" would do in winter. My step-mom refused to ride in it because it didn't have hubcaps.

 

If the Olds is a 88 the top might be too short for the caddy but if its a 98 then it should work.

 

A 98 should work. Boomosby did a thread on the conversion of a 4 door caddy to convertible caddy a while back. Lots of good information and cites to other threads on the subject. Major difference is you have a 2 door which makes the conversion easier, but its still a lot of work.

 

Seems doable but still a lot of work. Worth it if your going to build a custom but it will never be a vin correct convertible. If you really want a stock convertible that bad you might consider selling the hardtop and putting the money towards a basket case convert, using the Olds as a parts car.
Chuck