On the Cadillac forum the go to guy is Bruce, some guys went to the hamb and stayed there. What transmission does that have, how does it drive compared to the Riviera
Hey thanks Ronnie, I talked to Bruce a little over there already in my introductory thread. It's got the stock 4 speed HydraMatic. Well, they're not really the same type of a car. The Riv was pretty harsh with 20" wheels, short tires, and chopped springs compared to these 15" rims and a real deal lowering kit. It still rides like a Cadillac.
Might not make it to the brakes today....got distracted by detailing/polishing the door panels . The door trim came off no problem. Soooooooo much cleaner looking.
Yeah, I don't particularly like the door edge guards myself it breaks up the flowing lines of the car, ANY CAR!!!!
Treated all the leather seats and panels. Fixed the loose trunk V emblem. Took the female for a drive, first time I've really had it out on the highway. Car did great, no hiccups. Washed, Scratch X'd, and waxed it after we got home, removed the skirts and cleaned the rear wheels. Took a little cruise downtown afterward and enjoyed the beautiful evening. Back is killing me now, gonna go light the fire outside in my chiminea and enjoy a beer.
Lucas, you're already putting your detailing touch to it! That car is plain cool! Did you see the Copper Caddy build Dave Kindig did on Bitchin' Rides? I think it was a '60. Had some cool custom touches and amazing craftsmanship, but I still like yours better. Another one, a '59 was done on Texas Metal by Extensive. Another cool custom, but just not my taste. Maybe you can google them or stream the programs, you might enjoy it.
I have seen the Copper Caddy! It's beautiful, I wish I had those guys's skills. Bitchin' Rides is one of my favorite car shows. Haven't seen the Texas Metal car, I can't stand that show but I will google it for sure!
Beautiful car but with that chopped top it looks like it has a shrunken head. It's way out of proportion! I like yours MUCH better Lucas!
Bitchin' Rides is my favorite too. They had some of their builds on display last year in Albuquerque at the Supernationals. Amazing work to see in person!
Polishing exterior chrome. Anybody want to come social distance 19 feet away and polish 74 bullets while I work on the rear bumper?
4-speed automatic. Pontiac called theirs 'Super HydraMatic'. Factory for this period Cadillacs (and select other GMs). Replaced (at Cadillac) with the THM400 in '64. Also can't give the Kindig car a thumbs up. '59-60 GMs don't need and can't pull off more than a 1-inch chop without compromising the proportions, and is a 1-inch chop even 'worth' it? The Kindig car lost some of the bubble top flow when the lid was dropped that much, IMO. Also don't find the scalloped wheel wells to be an upgrade. I don't question the quality of his work, just the aesthetic results of some of the choices. I think the factory touched proportional perfection with more than 1 fingertip in '60 :
I gotta quit following this thread. Every time I open it I get the urge to buy a `60 Cadillac. Not sure if one would even fit in my garage. Is it longer than a standard cab, long bed GMC Sierra? I probably have less than 3 feet to spare behind the truck.
I know, Bill...this car is really nice. Just before Lucas got his, I was looking at one in the Newport RI car museum. I don't know why, but in the pics Lucas is posting, you can't really tell how big it is. The pics here look like 80% scale. I think the sign in the museum said it was 20 feet long. That's like 3 feet bigger than a 70 GS maybe. But, it's a freakin' HUGE car when you are standing next to it. I can't even understand how you could Scratch-X and wax it in a day!
Here's a couple Caddy's I took pictures of at a car show a few years back. Looks like maybe a '59 and a '60.
I agree with Mark above, The chopped top and scalloped wheel wells took away from the car Kindig's did, but their craftsmanship is well done.