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1962 Cadillac - any driving experiences out there?

520 messages,  Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 6:30 PM

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Messages Page 49 of 52

#481 of 520 well by ghulet

Jan 25, 2003 (4:58 pm)

Those pictures aren't the most detailed, but it looks generally nice nonetheless. I'm not sure if it's me or the car, but in the photo showing the right side of the car (pic on the bottom left), it looks like there might be some rust and/or bondo on the bottom (like under the door). Like I said, I'm not sure, but it looks a bit 'ripply'.
 
I do like the color, also, though I'm wondering if it's factory correct. The white interior is a bonus, at least to me. How is this car equipped (i.e., does it have a/c, climate control, tilt, power vents)?

#482 of 520 by wq59b

Jan 25, 2003 (5:18 pm)

PARM: Whoops- I should've specified. My '59 is a Buick, an Invicta. It's a 2-dr hardtop. I never cared for convertibles because-
 
1.) all convertible tops look OK at best and terrible at worst in my eye. They don't have any styling & look too after-thought-ish when up. And you DO have to drive with them up sometimes!
 
2.) I would feel cheated to not get the airy & elegant 2-dr hardtop roofline (and all the extra stainless, don'tcha know!!)
 
3.) The headaches of restoring and/or maintaining a convertible's hydraulic & electrical systems, pus the top material itself, is a major hassle & expense not in the least worth it in my opinion.
 
I've ridden in a number of vintage convertibles but I still don't want one myself.

#483 of 520 by parm

Jan 26, 2003 (8:09 am)

wq59b: Getting a car like this would be a toy to be driven only on nice days. So, to me, getting a convertible is what makes it fun. If I wanted to cruise in a hardtop, I could take my Intrepid out for a spin and get the same experience (and be far more comfortable doing it). For these reasons, the top-down styling is a non-issue for me. Plus, a convertible holds it resale value far better than a hardtop.
 
A guy I know once told me, "If it's not a convertible, it's a parts car." For this genre of car (ie., a big toy), I tend to agree - but, readily recognize that not every one does.
 
If I was getting one of these as my daily driver, then I probably would rather have a hardtop. But, if I was getting it as my driver, I'd want to upgrade the brakes to discs.
 
ghulet: According to the ad that accompanies the photos, this car is pretty well loaded to include a/c and the fairly rare cruise control (though I doubt I'd trust it). It shows it being equipped with dual exhausts which I'm 99.9% sure wasn't available from the factory back then.

#484 of 520 Parm... by isellhondas

Jan 26, 2003 (9:53 am)

Well...I don't like it.
 
To me, it looks like a cheap repaint over bondo.
 
Of course, I could be wrong. With photos, it's hard to tell.
 
I know, the color of a car is subjective. I don't care for the green and I think it'll make the car hard to sell both now and later on.
 
You asked!

#485 of 520 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 26, 2003 (12:33 pm)

Well he's asking eldo prices for a deville...he's an easy $4K over the market for an "older restoration" (read "issues").

#486 of 520 by parm

Jan 26, 2003 (4:05 pm)

You guys are picking up the same flaws with the body panels (ie., bondo, waves) that others (on Cadillac message boards) have found as well.
 
Sounds like I should stay away from this car - at least for anything more than $9K.
 
The '66 Electra I'm looking at (waiting for the seller to return from vacation) is infinitely better.

#487 of 520 Forging on ahead here by parm

Mar 06, 2003 (4:00 pm)

Here's a '64 Cadillac convertible that the seller has made numerous Ebay attempts to sell.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- - =2406020813
 
It's been a few months since his last attempt. I think the previous high bids were in the $7,500 to $8,000 range.
 
This car is no prized pig, but it might be a good candidate for the "drive the hell out of it" type of purchase - but only if it could be purchased sensibly.

#488 of 520 parm... by isellhondas

Mar 07, 2003 (9:00 am)

It kinda looks like a roach from the photos. That dark blue with a RED interior doesn't cut it too.
 
Lets see now...they are killing this board on the 31st. We don't have much time left to help you!

#489 of 520 I know! Time's a waste'n! by parm

Mar 07, 2003 (11:55 am)

Actually, I'm in limbo on a very nice '66 Electra convertible. Due to weather and scheduling snafu's, the appraiser has not yet had a chance to do his inspection.
 
Had a minor hiccup with the appraiser a few weeks age. I somewhat had to twist his arm to take on this appraisal assignment because he was afraid of alienating his crowd of regular customers. In other words, I think he is in agreement with my value estimate (I supplied him with ton's-o-market support) which is about $2K less than the sellers. But, for only $2K difference, he was afraid to "pull the trigger" at my value fearing honking off the seller thereby having a rippling effect in the local Buick club community up there.
 
As a real estate appraiser, I was rather floored by his perspective. Appraiser's are supposed to call them as they see them regardless of who is offend. Believe me, I've offended plenty in my career. But, in the long run, my clients appreciate this.
 
I finally had to tell him that the seller will not be obligated to sell the car at the appraised value. Once he heard that, he took a different view and agreed to do take on the appraisal. Of course, I'll not be very willing to budge off my figure - assuming that's where the appraiser comes in. On the other hand, I'm somewhat leery as to how ethical this guy is based on this scenario. But, given the lack of qualified car appraisers in the area where the car is located, I don't have too much choice.
 
We'll see.

#490 of 520 any pictures? by ghulet

Mar 08, 2003 (10:31 pm)

I'd love to see some of the Electra, if you can, Parm.
 
I rather like that DeVille, though I'm a bit perplexed that it has a tilt wheel and power vents but no a/c.

Messages Page 49 of 52

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