We did the full body prep, the motor and trans are done and we’ll pop those in this week at some point. Then wiring. I hate wiring. Just the harness for that car is $8000 and it will take 100 hours. Then trim, glass and interior.
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It's looking good though.
sep 2, 2025, 1:48 am • 0 0 • view
Kind of a labor of love. He’s one of my best friends, he’s had that car 50 years. It was a wreck, rusty, multiple accidents, seized motor etc. At one point kids practiced tap dancing on the roof. He promised his grandma it would stay in the family, so it’s a matter of pride to make it perfect.
sep 2, 2025, 1:53 am • 1 0 • view
To my eye, it's been an excellent start.
sep 2, 2025, 2:00 am • 0 0 • view
Fun project and yes I was showing off the bodywork those cars are so damn hard to get to where they look perfectly straight. They weren’t great from the factory, and black paint is very unforgiving. That car is certainly the most perfect 55 Caddy that exists. I can say that after many, many hours.
sep 2, 2025, 2:06 am • 1 0 • view
I don't doubt it. Funny you mention the fitting from the factory. I think there's a show about some dude who's a MOPAR expert, and he prides himself on IMPROVING the cars as they came out of the factory, with regard to that.
sep 2, 2025, 2:08 am • 0 0 • view
Yes of course. American cars especially came with incredibly bad body panel fit and paint. Certainly every car I’ve built has been much better than factory, and for years car show judges took away points if you exceeded factory fit and finish. Weird.
sep 2, 2025, 2:13 am • 1 0 • view
That IS weird.
sep 2, 2025, 2:14 am • 0 0 • view
I can’t imagine investing so much time and money (that I don’t have) into something old that could be wrecked. Can you insure it for the value spent restoring it?
sep 2, 2025, 2:44 am • 0 0 • view
But it's SOOOOOO beautiful! Also, I'd imagine the act of doing is VERY rewarding.
sep 2, 2025, 2:45 am • 1 0 • view
For me, it would be too hard on my body. I guess Alan is younger than 71 and/or is in better shape than me. If my dad were alive he’d tell me the same thing he did when I was 16 — “if you’re not going to wash the car, at least clean the windshield!” 🤪
sep 2, 2025, 3:12 am • 2 0 • view
Hah!
sep 2, 2025, 3:13 am • 1 0 • view