| 1974 Cadillac “Eldo-Camino” Unique – 1 of a kind – Incredible survivor! Saw this baby on resting out in dusty-dryNevada.
Previously used as a parade-leading eyecatcher.
It had a pair of huge air-horns atop the cabin roof, lights all over, and an array of noisemakers under the hood. Some people call these parade-cars, flower cars, or funeral cars.I'venamed her"Eldo-Camino"!
After pressure cleaning about 50# of desert dust from the frame and undercarriage, I was surprised to see just how nice and well preserved this car was.The bed conversion was mostly intact, although the fiberglass was weather worn in some areas.The car's body was wonderfully intact, only a couple of minor smooshes.
All the original rubber bumper fillers were shot, typicalafter all these years.
So to bring this car back to shiny life has truly been a labor of love! The 500ci motor’s top end was removed and40+ years of sludge were cleaned out.New lifters, gaskets, oil pump,timing chain & gears, seals, etc. were installed. Additionally the motor got pulled, the pan removed, anda bunch of sludge debris in the oil pickup and pan were removed. The original points & condenser distributor was upgradedto GM’s period-correct HEI electronic ignition.Apparently 1974 was a change-over year for ignition systems, this car just missed the cut.Rebuilt the QuadraJet carb,installed anew fuel pump,water pump, anda pair of thermostatic controlled electric fans to replace the mechanical fan.
The front end got a complete make-over includingupper/lower ball joints,sway bar links, front shocks,front drive transaxles, transmission output seals,pitman arm, and 2loaded front brake calipers.
Replaced the original rearair shocks with new, although the original air-tank, leveling valve, etc. was toast and had to go.There’s a fill port just below the license plate. Now for the body work.First task was to remove those hideous horns and lights. (See original picture!)Cleaned out all sorts of horns and other noise-makers from under the hood.Aside from a couple of above mentioned minor smooshes, all the panels were incredibly straight and rust free. No rust. Anywhere!
The fiberglass bed area was loving restored by my friend John, a master-fiberglass-tech at nearby Boston Whaler. He brought the bad spots under control, added wood where necessary, and even re-did where the fiberglass meets the metal both on the roof and along the sides.Check out those original body lines!
My other friend Ritchie, a life-long old-school body-man, took care of the minor body work, and gave her a new coat of paint.FYI, the paint is Chevrolet White, #11.Afterwards, John added the pinstripes.
Other things John and Ritchie did: Install all new bumper fillers (now made in ABS plastic); Installed new outside window seals, installed new door-seal rubbers, repaired the access door to the trunk area, addinga couple of marine stainless hinges. Interior wise, a new headliner was installed along with redoing the original 60/40 seat and the door panels. There’s still some fabric updating work left to be done behind the frontseat. Electric 6-way driver seat works fine.
4 new whitewall radialtires andalignment keeps this car rock-steady on the road. Next on my list (if Idon't sell it) is a dual exhaust, both pipes slash-cut and exiting justbehind the rear wheel There are still some fiddly issues to deal with:
Speedo not working,may just be a cable.Radio and dash lights not working. A/C system is complete but control needs attendtion.Missing the chrome ring around the antenna (I took it off, I know it’s around here somewhere!).
One of the Coolest things this car has is a car phone. With a dial. Yep, bet you haven't see one of those (see pic)! So, that’s my story. Probably some things I forgot.
If you want a real fun ride that getsloads of looks…this one’s for you!
CleanFlorida title. Even comes withthe originalblue California plate.
(Oh, yeah, you want those old horns and lights? you got 'em!) I have 'tons' of original and progress pictures which I will include on a disk to the lucky buyer. It would be nice to have someone love this car as I have, and continue the work of restoring this beauty to full functionality.
Questions? |
