want to buy this car but need help.....

D

Donna Cardia

OK I know I need to invest in the black book but right now I have a lead on a 61 Cadillac Ambulance and before it slips through my finger I need some help. Here is the one I want to buy:

Is anyone in Oregon??? If you are would you be willing to check this thing out? I have 35 pics and can post more but I know its a Superior.....missing rear glass (not curved), side flat glass and windshield



advice is really welcome, am I going to be spending years finding parts?

also I am looking at this Miller Meteor on ebay, would the glass on the side be transferrable between the two?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0459&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT#v4-37
 
A few things jump out ,rear loading door glass is gone curved I be live 61-to 64 ? Superior .The fender skirts are missing only thing that fits is 61-62 CC or 61-62 Limo skirts . Front sheet metal looks iffy , only fender and hood that interchange are 61-62 CC or limo.61 tailights are CC only the lens will interchange with regular Caddy but the light pod is CC only here is a back pic of my 61 . Here is a back pic of my 62 same glass. Anything can be saved with time and money. The only glass that will interchange with the M-M is the windshield. Hold out for the best coach you can afford ,that bargain price becomes bitter after thousands of dollars of work and you see no real progress.:myopinion:
 

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Daniel Scully said:
Windshield ,is the only thing that will interchange.
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Thanks I read it wrong. So basically I am now thinking I should still get this superior but hold off on the M&M.

I know the floors need patching but the door sills are pretty good, is there anything else I should be looking at?

It looks like there was lights and or a siren on the roof, how would I know there was another panel on the roof that is missing?
 
Just my opinion. I am currently working on restoring a 1959 Caddilac Hearse. The car was a driver when I got it. It is a money pit! Over $30,000 investment and it is still in the body shop. The only reason I am do this is because the 1959 S&S 3-way is my dream car. My honest opinion is...you can find a restored car that will sell much cheaper than restoring this one.
 
Bill Carlin said:
Just my opinion. I am currently working on restoring a 1959 Caddilac Hearse. The car was a driver when I got it. It is a money pit! Over $30,000 investment and it is still in the body shop. The only reason I am do this is because the 1959 S&S 3-way is my dream car. My honest opinion is...you can find a restored car that will sell much cheaper than restoring this one.
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see and a 59 is my dream as well, but I have a soft spot for the 61 too, the price on this is reasonable so thats why I am considering it

the body is really not that bad from the other pics, I am just more worried about the glass pieces
 
Just remember glass can be made and it doesnt cost as much as people think. That includes all the rare curved glass that everyone is worried about.
 
Casey Lockhart said:
Just remember glass can be made and it doesnt cost as much as people think. That includes all the rare curved glass that everyone is worried about.
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that is something to think about, have you had curved glass made? just something to keep in mind. Other than getting it transported to Chicago I would at least like to get the glass in
 
Just remember glass can be made and it doesnt cost as much as people think. That includes all the rare curved glass that everyone is worried about.
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Do you have a source to repro glass? That would be a great help on a lot of this hard to find glass.

A friend has a 63 high top for sale ,it is a project but has 0 rust in it . A few pics if interested send me a PM or djscully@charter.net and I ,ll give you the contact # and I have more pics.Thanks
 

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I would strongly suggest that you not purchase this car until you physically look at it yourself. Based on what I can see from the 2 pictures that you have posted, it is going to need a lot of work. Possibly more work than you are prepared to spend on this particular car. For starters, the glass is going to be a difficult item to source, I suggest that you research this on your own before purchasing. If you contact Al Smith at Pilkington Glass (1-800-848-1351) he can give you all the costs involved. He is also a member of this website, and knows professional cars very well. He has helped other PCS Members many times in the past. The next item is the drive-line. Do you know if this car runs and moves under its own power? If not, it might be as simple as a new battery and a tune up. It can also be as catastrophic as needing an engine rebuild ($4 - 5,000) and a tranny rebuild ($1500+).. Add in the cost of rebuilding the braking system ($1000 - $1500), and the list can go on. Just think of the cost of painting this car.. Today, a gallon of automotive paint can cost as little as $300 and as high as $1000 a gallon. If there is rust in this car, and these cars were very prone to rust, then you are looking at a major expense. For every bit of rust that you can see, there is a lot more hiding where you can't see it. I believe that you would be better off looking for a running, driving car that is in better condition. I have been in this hobby for over 50 years, and I know of a lot of people that believe that they can bring a car back that is a poor candidate for restoration. I can also tell you that very few of these people ever see it through to the end. Most times they get discouraged, or run out of money trying. Don't let that dream lead you down the path of financial disaster.
 
I agree this is going to be A LOT of work. I have been building cars since I was 9 and have taken on tasks similar to this. Although I have never tackled a procar. If I could fly out to Oregon I would, but that is just not an option with the time off work right now. Thats why I was seeing if anyone here was out there.

I think by biggest concern is the glass and transport fees. I will call Pilkington Glass and see what they say, this would be a determining factor as well.

There is a motor and trans with the car, and it currently does not run. However worst case if I cannot get this motor to turn I have spare cadillac engines/trans I could swap out if need be.

I guess the price is so good, and the ones I have seen lately are title-less...this one does come with a title.
 
No ones saying GO FOR IT ! for a reason. They have all likely been down that road. Unless it is a running car (and could even use a few things), you are looking at a lot of time and huge money.

Paul has spent the most time trying to explain it. I would re-read that post for sure a few times.

My suggestion is to wait, save your money and one will come along.

Darren
 
Oh I have my ears open to all of you replies, and really appreciate all of this. This is one of those scenarios where I will have to weight all my options, this just seems like one of those where I question if I pass will I kick myself for it later.
 
Donna: If I could echo wise voices to your post, take your time! If this is not just the right car, that you can see and determine for yourself, don't rush.
 
This is where I differ from everyone else. I have restored many many cars over the years both in full professional custom shops and in my own garage. My self it doesnt cost half of what people quote for restoration, of course I do all of my own work including drive train rebuilds, paint, and body work. But thats me. So you need to look at what your ability is for restoration work versus what work you would have to have some one else do for you. Its when you have to farm out the work that cost all the money but if you can do 99% of it your self then you just need to determine if its something you want and are willing to take on. As for glass, call around because there are a lot of glass companies that can make the glass you need. I have had custom glass made for cars I have built and it wasnt no $1,000 plus. Curved glass is just flat glass that has a bend in it. I swear I need to open a shop so everyone can start getting better prices for their restorations.
 
or let us in on your source for remaking curved tempered glass. that one alone would save us all a mint.

but as for this 61 if they gave it to me for 500 bucks I would have to think about it. the low top would be the only thing that would save it for me. for all the reasons stated. but then again there not making any more ambulances on the car chassis. so one can go for it. the only thing that will fit on it are superior parts. except the front end and that is CC only as stated. if it's a car you can get running and you can do most of the work your self I would guess you better have 10,000 set aside. unless you want to do the plating that's necessary on one of these years of superiors. we have sent out 64 pieces of die cast on this one here and remade 21 pieces of stainless steel. with another 40 still here to polish and about 25 pieces a aluminium to polish also. then there is the interior. body is pretty much a snap. the top is all fiberglass as is the filler from the center door to the rear bumper. don't see any really bad places on the body its self the usual rust in the corners of the doors and the engine compartment is a lot of pieces bolted together but a dry Oregon car may be good there. so if you want it and like to rebuild I say go for it. but I will say you can buy a ready to go car cheaper.
 
As for my source for getting curved glass made, I dont remember who we used but I know it was a normal auto glass shop that was able to make it. Like I said one would need to call around to find out who in their area can make the glass. As for being able to buy a car cheaper thats running and already restored than one that needs it confuses me. I have to try really really hard to come close to $10,000 to put in to a car. Look at the two cars I have and I can pretty much guarantee that it wont take no 10K to restore them. But once again thats me and each person has different skills than the next person.
Rare glass is like a rare fender, they can be made. The only difference is the you can cut weld and make new pieces for a hood or fender. As for buying the car or not is really up to you and your money and how much time you want to spend on it.
 
Not the glass thing again......

Glaspro in Santa Fe Springs, CA made the curved rear window for my 59 Eureka. They don't deal with the general public, only established auto glass shops. I found a nearby shop that had dealt with them in the past. Total cost, installed, was $458.00 in 2001. That's for safety glass, not tempered. I have to believe tempered would be less, but there's no way to know which type this car used until you examine the rubber it was mounted in.
 
I have a car friend in Costa Rica that has had custom automotive glass made in small runs a few times (that I know of) over the last 15 years. As an example, a batch of 10 windshields was offered to US club members for under $180 each, non-inclusive of shipping. This particular windshield has since been reproduced by another in TN, remade in China. The price is now $350, picked up in TN.

So there are options out there. Used to have the Costa Rica info that was lost when an old computer crashed. Can inquire further once necessary.

Donna, there have been 2 identical '61 Superior Royale limo styles that have sold in the last 6 months that were both closer to you (TX and CO), better restorable conditions, and possibly cheaper - $1200 and $1500 respectively. $1500 example also had a broken rear window, which has since been acquired. New owner passed on a window offered for $400 (which may still be available) before locating a cheaper one. How about making your photo album public to see what else that Superior may need?

Also helped part an identical Superior end of last year and posted pics on this forum. The carcass was being used as a donor to restore another. It also had a broken rear window but am fairly certain between the seller and buyer many good usable parts remain.

TRANSPORT: This is for everyone. For open transport, call Martin @ 720.280.1010. Company (American Limited?) based in CO, goes all over the US, personalized service, small rig able to get into tight spaces. You will receive the BEST price. Advertised rates when we last spoke (about a month ago) had increased to .75/mile. I've used Martin a few times and have his number in my phone. Inop, oversize, etc. not an issue. And if you're willing to wait a few weeks, the price drops further when his trips are strung together (personally experienced under .60/mile and another referral has too). If you prefer wasting an afternoon calling around instead - your choice.
 
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