| Author | Message | ||
     Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Grand Master Username: soviet Post Number: 796 Registered: 2-2013 |
I live almost a three hour drive from Bowen where I work as a bus mechanic. Where I live the humidity in summer is not that bad and during about 5 months of the year the weather is totally perfect. But in Bowen there is mad weather. By 8 am in the morning the humidity is at an insane level and a bandana to stop the sweat running into your eyesockets is essential. Forget overalls they are too hot. I use jeans with suspenders and t-shirts. By 11 am a cool breeze usually comes in and is most refreshing if you haven't just run out onto the highway and got skittled to get away from the humidity. Another annoyance is Telstra's totally hopeless coverage in a town the size of Bowen. Telstra is Australia's premium telecom and is like the banks ie it only cares about profit margins. There are blackspots all over Queensland where your mobile phone is totally useless but Telstra would have you believe they are doing their best - BULLOCKS! I will be free of the hideous humidity in three years when I retire permanently to my country lair but I often think that I should not complain and think about some of you other chaps that live in the UK or North America in the winter. Not much fun to be had working on your car out in the open when its zero celcius I guess. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 667 Registered: 11-2015 |
Vlad, Sometimes it's colder. Today won't even hit 0C and I have to do the car trailer shuffle. Wouldn't be so bad but one of the cars is my second diesel rabbit. It likes the cold less than I do. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 1781 Registered: 4-2016 |
Ross Send us all a video when it’s “real” cold and you are out and about. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 671 Registered: 11-2015 |
 putting on 2" hitch  loaded caddilac | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Grand Master Username: soviet Post Number: 798 Registered: 2-2013 |
Ross what a super cool old Caddy. They sure build those to last! That's a very rare car too, I am guessing from memory that only around 800 where ever built. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 672 Registered: 11-2015 |
Then there was the fire ....  | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 1786 Registered: 4-2016 |
Great set of pics Ross. Doesn’t look to cold..... lol | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Grand Master Username: soviet Post Number: 801 Registered: 2-2013 |
The photo does not show a lot of fire damage Ross but fires are one thing that can make cars unrestorable. What are you going to do with this monster other than tow it around in winter of all times? | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 673 Registered: 11-2015 |
It's getting a gm 454 with a th475 so it was moved to where the engine is. Eventually I will make a UTE or convertible out of it. Both mean stiffening the frame so it's 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. The fire wasn't bad, but maybe a good idea to unhook the battery after you drive up the trailer. | ||
| Vladimir Ivanovich Kirillov Grand Master Username: soviet Post Number: 805 Registered: 2-2013 |
From memory Ross, these Cadillacs have a full length very solid chassis. I realise some say that there is strength in the roof when its a attached but the chassis is so strong I don't think you would see any flex in it if you cut the roof off and park a Mack truck on top of it. But Ross honestly if you make a convertible out of it it would be far longer (2 feet plus) than the same year DeVille convertible. so you could get a pair of deville coupe or convertible doors and move the turret back and weld up the real doors. You could really look like King Billy if you did it right. But then if you turned it into a ute that from a country and western point of view would mean riding spurs, tussells and having rockabilly cranked up on the stereo constantly with the mandatory ten gallon Texan hat. Not sure how that would go down in Mass. but you would sure be popular with the horsey set in Dallas. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 674 Registered: 11-2015 |
Vlad, Very good points. That year did have an "X" frame so it's a little odd structurally, but I think it would do with some frame sections inside each rocker panel. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 692 Registered: 11-2015 |
Vlad, I decided to go with the UTE. Hard to believe, but. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Cadillac-Commercial-Chassis/332506534377?hash=item4d6aef11e9:g:jDoAAOSwzRlaS8ma&vxp=mtr | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 433 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi Vlad Funny I was a bus mech/auto-electrician too for 13 years, in the summer I once passed out with dehydration wearing overalls (glass roof!) ,then in the winter my purple fingers would hurt trying to work on them. I hate busses dirty smelly things, once described as large aluminium vehicles for transporting fresh air lol Good luck with them Mike | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 1390 Registered: 4-2009 |
the best way of dealing with heat and humidity whenever I work on my cars in the summer is to have a shower whilst fully dressed in coveralls and that is a guaranteed way to stay cool. A wet hat also works wonders. Ross, I am also working on a two Caddy project. I have bought a 59 and a 95 and am making one very nice car out of the two. The body of the 59 and the chassis/mechanical gear of the 95. Should be a great daily driver. | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 703 Registered: 11-2015 |
Omar, Nice, the 54 and 59 are THE years for Cadillac. That should be a great car. Please post some pics. I personally would have done a 48 Cadillac and an 84 in honor of George Orwell. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 1393 Registered: 4-2009 |
 | ||
| Mark Luft Prolific User Username: bentleyman1993 Post Number: 160 Registered: 10-2016 |
I see grand possibilities........ | ||
| ross kowalski Grand Master Username: cdfpw Post Number: 704 Registered: 11-2015 |
Omar, That will be a great daily driver. Is it front wheel drive? Looks to be in pretty good shape, is the interior good as well? Do you need any parts I might have something. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 1394 Registered: 4-2009 |
Thanks guys. I think this car will be amazing. the real 59 that i have is bouncy and doesnt have good brakes or torque. That is why i decided to buy another 59 to convert to a hybrid 59/95. The 95 car drove beautifully and has all you can ask for from self levelling suspension to ABS brakes to cruise control and so on. The car was a real pleasure to drive. The hybrid will be such a lovely practical daily driver that i cant wait to get behind the wheel and drive it. I have needed to stretch the new chassis by 6 inches to make the 59 body sit on it. The car is rear wheel drive (that is why I chose the 95 as the donor car). I will post more photos at some stage when I get closer to completion. The car will be painted pink when finished. |
