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1962 Cadillac Coupe DeVille "Nick"
390 CI V-8/350 HP Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Vents, 6-way Power Seat, Autronic Eye, A/C, Padded Vinyl Top, Signal-Seeking Radio |
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| Download .PDF Resource Files at right | 1962 Cadillac Brochure | Spare Parts |
| May 11, 2026 - Nick came with a half-dozen spare hubcaps and I bought two more. So why invest in a set of 4 more? These were all factory painted Sandalwood Beige, and though they were missing the center emblems, were shiny and correct. I just got them in today and swapped out emblems from poorly repainted or wrong color hubcaps. The finished hubcaps are almost as good as the ones on the car. I can try repainting those that are the wrong color later, but I now have spares! Also, I drove the car to Mom's yesterday and tried the A/C for the first time. Cold air and no stumble or noise from the engine. |
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May 9, 2026 - I found a part I actually needed on eBay! The spare tire cover plate was present but the 'J' hook and wing nut were not. So I found a set on eBay and got them installed today. Just a little thing, but it is correct now. |
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| May 7, 2026 - Things are already starting to show up from eBay. Hence the eBay purchase, And Nick came with several parts that were much nicer than what was being used. Case in point is the steering wheel emblem, which was crazed. I found a perfect emblem in the parts trove, though the outer rim had a small blemish. One Phillips head screwdriver later and the perfect emblem now has a perfect base, and both are installed. Same for a perfect turn signal lever which replaced one that had light pitting of the chrome. I got lucky with both the storage and the car covers. The garage is just long enough to allow about one inch between the Cadillac and the back wall, bumpers that actually over lap a bit between the cars, and another inch at the back for the garage door. The Mercury's car cover was too long and a new car cover included in the Cadillac's parts was too small for Nick, I swapped them around and now both cars are covered and happy. ADDENDUM: I pushed the Cadillac all the way forward to the wall (Carpeted) and pushed the Mercury back so that is just clears the garage door, and I can get between the cars! Yes, I have to turn sideways, but it is still a victory! |
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| May 5, 2026 - Sorting Stuff - Besides being huge, the Cadillac came with 30+ years of stuff in the boxes the prior owner received them in. With all of the other cars having their 'stuff', I needed to consolidate as well as find out what I had. Now I know what anyone buying one of my cars goes through. The prior owner bought just about everything he could for the car, hitting eBay and Rock Auto, as well as Cadillac specialty shops and auto restoration stores. And after a while you forget what you have already bought. So I have 4 new fuel pumps, 4 instrument clusters, 15 oil filters, 5 air filters. 4 fuel filters, two full sets of tune-up parts, switches (5 headlight switches), heater and AC switches, wiper switches, a new car cover still in the bag... you might get the idea, It was enough to fill the back of a van. I have been sorting and listing all of the parts via Word file with numbered boxes. However, it should all be done tonight, and the Caddy is indoors and covered. The car displaced the Nash, which is now staying with Patricia, a 1954 Packard Patrician. (Bella, the 1941 Packard, is up on the lift with boxes of Cadillac parts underneath.) |  |
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| May 4, 2026 - Mine! I printed out the necessary forms last night and went over to DMV this morning. About 30 minutes later the car was titled and registered in my name. I added it to my Hagerty insurance last night. I cleaned the whitewalls, then started driving. First a visit to Jere, who got a ride. Then off to a nearby friend, and then to Mom's. I made a detour to the Chesapeake City Park for some nice pictures. Finally back to the house, where I have started sorting parts. So far I have one full city garbage can and three file boxes of sorted parts, with a few more to go in the main garage, and then all the big boxes Chip lugged into the 2-car garage, | |
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| May 3, 2026 - Cadillaced! - I picked up another car today, but this one is special for several reasons. First of, it needs almost nothing - all systems are good, engine was rebuilt less than 14,000 miles ago, new tires, new battery, even a full tank of gas. Second, it is a top-of-the-line 1962 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, the best you could buy from GM at the time and probably the best American car on the market. I have rarely had anything quite so fancy or luxurious. But the real reason is that is was free. Yeah, FREE. The owner is moving and after months of trying to sell this and a 1959 Cadillac with nary a nibble, he decided to give the cars away. He has had this one for more than 30 years, and had it professionally restored. Bought because it was the same year and model to one his Grandfather (Nick) had when he was a kid, the car is a beautiful Sandalwood Beige metallic with a black padded vinyl top. This is the car's original color, though a prior owner had painted it white (bleh). I spent most of this evening cleaning out the glove box, trunk, and removing seat covers from the perfect upholstery. I have a big job ahead sorting through 30+ years of eBay and other purchases that came with the car - finally, someone else who does the same thing I do! | |
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