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

The first thing to do to determine the exact model is to ask the seller for a picture of the body builder data plate that is mounted under the hood, usually on the left inner fender or the firewall. While under the hood, ask for a bunch of condition photographs. Make sure that the radiator, and engine accessories are all there. Even though they are not impossible to find, they are expensive to buy.
I would also put some experienced eyes on this, even if you have to pay a insurance adjuster for a report. I would rather spend $200 up front and pass on a car than have a couple of thousand dollars into a car that isn't worth much more than the value of scrap. I would run out of fingers and toes if I were to count all those that have made this mistake in the past. The way that I would approach this is to decide how much money I am willing to waste, chasing my dream car, only to find out that I just bought a nightmare. You need to think this out clearly, and not be rushing in thinking that this is the last one on this earth.
 
My opinion

As many of you know, I've had quite a few procars over 21 years of collecting. In the end, I've come to realize that, if at all possible, it's FAR preferable to buy a more expensive car that needs verrrrry little work, as opposed to a fixer-upper as I see here. You will have years and gobs of money into it, and not enjoy it one bit until it's on the road and driving. If you can afford it, buy a much nicer car that you can enjoy NOW. Good luck! Just trying to help...... Tom

www.bippusautostorage.com/cars
 
Tom Hoczyk said:
As many of you know, I've had quite a few procars over 21 years of collecting. In the end, I've come to realize that, if at all possible, it's FAR preferable to buy a more expensive car that needs verrrrry little work, as opposed to a fixer-upper as I see here. You will have years and gobs of money into it, and not enjoy it one bit until it's on the road and driving. If you can afford it, buy a much nicer car that you can enjoy NOW. Good luck! Just trying to help...... Tom

www.bippusautostorage.com/cars
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Very well spoken Tom. :my2cents:
 
Donna Cardia said:
Other than the glass what would be a hard items to find???
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Basically anything past the front clip. These cars were handmade by coachbuilders and rarely are two alike, unless ordered that way. I have seen parts from one coach not fit another one that is the same model because one person may have had to modify a part slightly to get the final fit.
Some parts may be impossible to find, for examply I need a couple trim pieces for my 49 S&S and have been searching since 2003 with no luck. When they build only a couple hundred of these a year there really isnt a big stock pile of parts.
If you want a near show car you will spend alot, even if you can do the work yourself. Look in my photo album at my 49 S&S, running driving, no rust, undercarrage like the day it was new. The members here that have seen it will all tell you its a nice car, but I estamate it will cost me about $15,000+ to get it to my standards.

Just something to think about.
 
Paul Steinberg said:
The first thing to do to determine the exact model is to ask the seller for a picture of the body builder data plate that is mounted under the hood, usually on the left inner fender or the firewall.
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My Superiors each have build plates on the vertical portion of the front passenger door between hinges. Fairly certain the '61 parted in TX last year had the same location. A friend who sold the other TX '61 Superior ($1500) had the build plate on the driver side firewall. A '62 Superior Royale limo style Zach had in CO had the build plate back on the passenger door sill. Starting late-'40s to '60, Superior had plates in the passenger door opening. Be sure to check both areas as I don't know when the location change became permanent.

UPDATE ON '61 IN CO: I've been told second hand the deal fell through and indeed this white coach is still available. Attempting to confirm. Also relayed the rear door glass is broken.
 
be sure and check out the vendors area here. when any of us find a good vendor we post there name and number in that forum. you have the normal sites for parts each of them is better in one area then the other. Rubber the right way, Restoration Specialties and USA parts supply ltd are ones I use a lot but never pass up anyone's free catalog. get use to referring to the car a commercial chassis not a cadillac and you'll find stuff that will fit it. still a lot of parts can be gotten at the locale parts store. just refer to it as a caddy there not a ambulance and look for the CC part. then there is e-bay. that place has been a god send to all of us old parts swappers. just be sure "you " know your car and what it takes. don't expect the seller to. of them to even know what they are selling. we all have stories of parts gotten wrong and parts passed up along with the good buys. all part of of the fun of working on a old car. you got to enjoy doing things like that and spend a lot of time swapping stories to got the most out of the hobby. last of all you need to be inventive. these are custom made cars each one run out of the factory was different then it's nabor on the line. but each one uses parts that resemble the factory car. so say the door moldings will be made of the same stock as the caddy. just a different size. you may have to buy two and cut and splice them to get one for your superior. but if I'm working on a Miller of a different year. I really can't take you by the hand and lead you to the vary part your missing on your Henny 10 years older. ask question but don't expect the answer right away. most of the time we are so wrapped up in the one we have that we can't see the rest. there a money pit you have to want one to have one. the cherry car will only appear juts after the project car is dropped off in your driveway. don't be afraid to pass your project on and grab the complete one. if there is one more car up for grabs in the same year and modale as yours a parts car some times helps. but I always find the same thing wears out on all of them. the only difference is rust and whats left of the interior. I'll offer all I know here http://www.dropshots.com/jer57747
some times it helps some times not but we have torn apart a few superiors and there construction is basically the same as is there trouble spots. each car has it's own unique things but the big pieces fit the same. like I said they don't make any more of them so saving one is good. just don't be afraid to make your dream car a parts car if it looks like to much when you get it home. there are a number of members near you some get on the site some don't get to know them threw club activities will get you a lot more personal help then anything else. good luck
 
I know I'm late getting into this discussion (I had a class this week and didn't have time to check in here at all). You asked for opinions and you're getting them.

I have to agree with the folks like Tom who've said to look for something in good shape. I put a lot of money into the restoration of my Packard. I think it would have been cheaper to have someone build a new one from scratch, I don't know.

I do know that what is worse than spending a lot of money to restore a car completely, is to spend a lot of money, then run out of money, and have gotten only halfway there. Now, you end up with a half-restored car and no money, and you can't sell a half-restored car. Quitting in the middle because you run out of money (or patience) is worse than never buying or working on the car at all.

BUT....

Certainly, the cost to restore a car decreases as your own ability to do the work yourself increases. The more you can do, the less you have to pay someone else to do. So now, the "cost" isn't money, it's time, skill, and patience. And as I said above, you can run out of patience as easily as you can run out of money.

The car in your photos is restorable. Anything really is restorable, with enough money and enough time. Some people have more of these things than others. (Personally, I have no skill, no time, more patience than I ever thought, and apparently just enough money to have gotten my Packard done.)

So if you feel like you have enough money, enough time, enough skill, and enough patience to see the job through to the end, then you should go for it. It'd be a very nice, and unusual, pro-car. But the worst thing you can do is get partway through and have to quit, then all the money and time have been wasted.

Only you know the answer here. Good luck!
 
Thats some of the best advice I have ever seen on here. For once some thing that isnt one sided (weather from potential buyer or some one giving advice).:specool:
 
GUESS WHO GOT A PRO-CAR???????????

ME!

After a nice short drive to Colorado and back (from Chicago) I am not the proud owner of the 61 Superior pictured on page 3 of this forum :)

I will post pics later, just too a little too tired from the trip
 
Congrats

Congrats Donna,
Just have fun w/ the resto & enjoy. Mine is taking forever (years) but I would not trade the experience or the uniqueness of the vehicle. Don't get frustrated, just remember that each little thing you do on it is one step closer to your dream. See it completed in your mine's eye and work towards that.

Nice ride to start with and thanks to Atti for the save.

P.S.
I am not the proud owner of the 61 Superior pictured on page 3 of this forum
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??? Were you a bit excited when you typed this or just exhausted : )>
 
Donna

Way to go girl ! Looks like a much better start !

I love the 61's with the round light out back under the eyebrow and fin !


Keep track of what it takes to get it on the road in parts, time and money.
Most people don't but it would be a good thing to do so you can pass on the info to help someone else in the future.

Another thing that should be a must is, take lots of photos from the day you get it, all through the restoration process and the day you drive it for the first time. Digital makes that cost almost nothing at all but it is worth a lot after its done and you can't go back or see what it was like when you first got it. Makes a great photo album at shows as well.

Way to go to Attila for his help too.

Take your time and enjoy the time getting it back on the road so you are proud of the results in the end.

Looking forward to seeing it at a meet in the future !

Congrats,
Darren
 
Congrats Donna!! I too am the proud owner of a 60's Superior, and it appears they are, or where at some point similar in color. Good luck with the restoration.
 
3 pointers to remember...........

And 86 year old friend, who has been in this hobby since before it was a hobby, told me 3 things which still are true:

1. Don't buy the 1st car you see, just because you are looking for one.....

2. Spend more up front for a more complete car. It is cheaper in the long run, and you can start enjoying it sooner.

3. Many times, the best car will be the least expensive car.............

Something to keep in mind...........................
 
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