Top Manual

I got a used copy of the 1971 Folding Top 'B' & 'E' Convertible Styles supplement for the 1971 Fisher Body Service Manual.

Shortly after I bought the Eldorado, I read on message boards that it was very important to get the body service manual, one of the primary reasons being that it has a section on the folding top mechanism. (It also has a lot of info on the windshield wiper system, electrical system and seat mechanism, among other things).

Unfortunately, its section on convertible tops only applies to the 'A' bodies, which used an older hydraulic system to raise and lower the top. It has nothing in common with the motorized system on the Eldorado, which is an 'E' body.

I found this supplement at www.factoryautomanuals.com, and it was less than $10 with shipping. I just took a quick glance at it today and it looks like it contains lot of very helpful info about how to adjust and test the mechanism. This is going to be an invaluable resource for me and I'm really glad to get it. Here is a sample page:

Top Troubles

The top on this car has never worked perfectly for me - it always needs some babying to get it to go up or down. At the least, this puts a lot of stress on the rear window. The rear glass was broken out when I bought it because it wasn't closing right and was bending the glass. I tried putting some Lexan in there figuring that was bendable, but I was in a rush one day and when I put the top down it bent the Lexan right in half and cracked it.

Anyway, last weekend, the top got hung up half-way down. Found some time to look at it today and the problem had gotten worse - it wasn't moving hardly at all.

I took a look at the mechanism (after taking out the back seat again) and found that one of the cables that pulls the gears to move the top had broken. You can see the end that fits into the motor has broken off:



This isn't an expensive part - $35. It should be here next week.

So, hopefully this will get the top working again. I'm a bit concerned that there is some binding in the mechanism that led to the torque twisting off the end, but I'll have to wait to get everything back together to investigate.

Why?

So, why would I buy huge, gas-guzzling, money-sucking car like this?

The simple answer is: Because I've always wanted one.

When I was a kid, one of our neighbors bought a brand new white Cadillac Eldorado convertible with a red interior. I don't remember the year exactly, but it was probably a '76. He used to take us kids for rides in it occasionally. Here is a photo of a similar car:



Ever since I've been fascinated with the Eldorado convertibles made from 1971-76. I've always wanted one (and by "one" I mean "several"), but I could never justify spending the money. And if I had been thinking rationally, or told my wife about my plan, then all sorts of good reasons would have been presented to not buy this car.

After all, I know nothing about automobile repair, am not mechanically inclined, do not have an "awesome set of tools", don't have extra money to spend on repair or restoration, don't have time for a hobby and don't have space for it.

Every few years I'd surf around the web and kind of check out Eldorados. I saw a lot of info about problems with these cars, and it seemed like ones for sale were either fully restored and very expensive, or junkers that were good only for parts.

Anyway, I was looking at eBay a few months ago, and this baby popped up in the Atlanta area. It needed work, but ran, had most of its parts, fairly new tires, wasn't outrageously priced...

So, with the economy in a downturn, I felt it was my patriotic duty to spend money rescuing this fine classic American automobile.

At this point, I'm really happy that I did. I love driving this car - it fits me. Being a big guy, this car is just my size. I can stretch out, lean back and cruise in comfort.

I do feel guilty that I haven't yet put a coat of wax on it, put new shocks on it, or checked the rear brakes. And I'd really like to get it repainted, but this will all happen in time. I doubt I'll ever restore the car - I like to drive it and I plan on keeping it road-worthy, but to spend beaucoup bucks beautifying a car that is driven regularly and not garaged isn't in the cards.

This is my dream car and I wish I had bought one sooner - 'cuz now I'd have two! So, yeah, its silly to indulge in this, but I highly recommend giving in to frivolous feelings, if only for the big smile it puts on my face.

Photo

I've been busy so I haven't had time to do much with the Caddy lately except drive it. Probably just as well - it has been so hot here, working outside would be no fun.

Here is a cellphone photo with downtown in the background.