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I've always wanted a coach and finally had a deal fall into my lap I couldn't refuse. A '96 Cadillac with the LT1 Vette motor and 53K miles on the clock for less than 3 grand!
Mechanically, it's almost perfect (as a 53K mile car should be!) needs brake rotors but that's it.
Cosmetically, that's a different story.
I've been a car guy all my life and seen PLENTY of used cars.
However, I'm completely boggled at how in the world an otherwise great car could have so many little things broken, removed, loose, etc.
Virtually everywhere you look, something minor needs fixed!
All of the interior door pull panels are taken loose, drivers door pull was in the console with one of the pins that holds the handle to the panel is missing. That's a typical example!
Rearview mirror missing, fuse panel cover is broken, drivers door controls were unplugged, pax side tail light, the bulbs and harness were laying inside the fender, not plugged into the light housing, rocker trim loose, wheel well moulding loose, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc!
I think it all stems from an ultra crappy paintjob.
poor masking, I think they hashed the panels and trim trying to remove and replace them, paint is flaking under the hood, the whole deal.
Good news is that pretty much all of the Eureka parts are there, no missing trim or chrome bits - the interior is all good, but the panels are popped loose and need reinstalled properly.
Soo anyway, I've been working for a couple of days just putting everything back together and the car keeps reluctantly giving up it's surprises.
A Casket key in the overhead was the start.
Last night after I got the drivers door panel put back in properly and got all of the controls wired and working right, I was able to move the power seats up. Underneath them, there were some surprises waiting....
Owner's Manual - great find, then....
Several funeral programs (to be expected), copies of a couple of death certificates (again kind of expectable) then I found the bag...
Underneath the back of the passenger seat, tucked way up in there was a little velvet bag about the size of pack of cigarettes, full of something. I poured some of the contents into my hand and yup, it appears to be someone's ashes.
Sooo back to the project, everything is going well.
I need to find some of the aluminum blocks that rivet to the side of the car and the trim snaps to if anyone knows where to get them I'd be grateful!
Also any info you can give me about the ride, PLEASE do!
I just figured out it's a Eureka last night.
Like I said, longtime car guy (I built the Jeep in the pic among others), total noob hearse guy and learning as fast as possible!
Here's a few pics..
Mechanically, it's almost perfect (as a 53K mile car should be!) needs brake rotors but that's it.
Cosmetically, that's a different story.
I've been a car guy all my life and seen PLENTY of used cars.
However, I'm completely boggled at how in the world an otherwise great car could have so many little things broken, removed, loose, etc.
Virtually everywhere you look, something minor needs fixed!
All of the interior door pull panels are taken loose, drivers door pull was in the console with one of the pins that holds the handle to the panel is missing. That's a typical example!
Rearview mirror missing, fuse panel cover is broken, drivers door controls were unplugged, pax side tail light, the bulbs and harness were laying inside the fender, not plugged into the light housing, rocker trim loose, wheel well moulding loose, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc!
I think it all stems from an ultra crappy paintjob.
poor masking, I think they hashed the panels and trim trying to remove and replace them, paint is flaking under the hood, the whole deal.
Good news is that pretty much all of the Eureka parts are there, no missing trim or chrome bits - the interior is all good, but the panels are popped loose and need reinstalled properly.
Soo anyway, I've been working for a couple of days just putting everything back together and the car keeps reluctantly giving up it's surprises.
A Casket key in the overhead was the start.
Last night after I got the drivers door panel put back in properly and got all of the controls wired and working right, I was able to move the power seats up. Underneath them, there were some surprises waiting....
Owner's Manual - great find, then....
Several funeral programs (to be expected), copies of a couple of death certificates (again kind of expectable) then I found the bag...
Underneath the back of the passenger seat, tucked way up in there was a little velvet bag about the size of pack of cigarettes, full of something. I poured some of the contents into my hand and yup, it appears to be someone's ashes.
Sooo back to the project, everything is going well.
I need to find some of the aluminum blocks that rivet to the side of the car and the trim snaps to if anyone knows where to get them I'd be grateful!
Also any info you can give me about the ride, PLEASE do!
I just figured out it's a Eureka last night.
Like I said, longtime car guy (I built the Jeep in the pic among others), total noob hearse guy and learning as fast as possible!
Here's a few pics..
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