|
1962 Cadillac Coupe DeVille "Nick"
390 CI V-8/325 HP Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Vents, 6-way Power Seat, Autronic Eye, A/C, Padded Vinyl Top, Signal-Seeking AM Radio w/Power Antenna |
 |
| Download .PDF Resource Files at right | 1962 Cadillac Brochure | Spare Parts |
| May 23, 2026 - Nick's clock stopped working - it was not keeping time anyway. However, I had a freshly rebuild quartz conversion in the new parts. The clock was the fastest and easiest 'fix' I have ever made - you rotate the clock counter-clockwise and undo the two wires (power and light socket, hook the wires to the new clock, and reinstall with a twist. I had to use an oil filter wrench to get the clock out, but it was removed easily and the new one one popped right back in. Besides working, the new clock also has bright hands instead of the slightly yellowed ones in the old clock. The new clock doesn't 'tick' like the old one, but is supposed to use only a fraction of the power. I went to a Cadillac Club meeting today and discovered the blower fan doesn't come on for the defroster. Something lese to look at, I guess. Also discovered that the dash lights don't work. |
 |
 |
May 22, 2026 - The sending unit and the gaskets arrived this morning and I went over to pick them up. The sending unit cured the issue with the oil light (on the right). I not only had the right sending unit socket, but knew where to find it! The sending unit in the car looked new, so I suspect it was replaced and was either no good out of the box or soon after. Anyway, I have a working oil light now. If I can get the cornering lights working, everything will be functional! |
| May 21, 2026 - I noticed the indicator light for the left turn signal was not working. The socket for the bulb had come apart! I pulled the contact through the socket, then glued the base back in position. I ended up having to put a spacer under the spring to get enough contact pressure, but I have an indicator again. I also replaced the air filter. Tracking down an issue where the oil pressure light never came on, the sending unit is bad. I have a new one coming tomorrow. Also, should get correct Cadillac blue engine paint today, and have ordered valve cover gaskets. |
 |
 |
May 16, 2026 - Nick appeared in his first show under my stewardship, and was joined by Alphonso's 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood. The car ran great, and the changes to the cooling system brought the general temperature of the engine down to the bottom of the normal range. The car got a lot of attention, and was a surprise for those who know me and saw I had a Cadillac. The 4th Annual Spring Car Show sponsored by Rummel's Automotive and New Life Church drew 115 vehicles, and enjoyed perfect weather. No trophy for Nick, but he got to see his 'brother' 1959 Cadillac get a 'Best Build' award. |
| May 15, 2026 - I made a few fixes in the engine bay today. The radiator cap was wrong, so that got replaced. Then I cleaned the overflow tank and redid the hoses - I don't think it was working since the overflow was full and the radiator need some added to bring it up. There was a kink in the overflow line that probably prevented coolant from returning. Then the windshield washer bottle was being held in place by a hose clamp and the transmission cooler was held in by white cable ties. I used a heavy black cable tie to make a more proper bracket for the washer bottle, and also to be a less intrusive holddown for the cooler. Then some low-gloss black paint on the radiator. I plan to take the car to a show tomorrow - the 1959 Cadillac is supposed to be there, so I can get an image of both cars for Tom. I ordered the correct Cadillac dark blue paint for the valve covers and engine block today, and will get new valve cover gaskets O'Reilly's when the paint comes in. |
 |
 |
 |
| May 14, 2026 - A busy day for the Caddy. I started with the quick and easy job of removing the blade-type shutoff switch. Although it can be a good idea if the car is stored, Nick sits in my garage and (so far) has been run at least every two days. Then I discovered my new license plates had been delivered, and set about mounting them. That turned out to take way more time than expected, mainly because I forgot that you are supposed to undo the front license brackets before you remove or install new plates. After that I dragged out my pressure washer and hit the engine bay. Lots to detail there, but at least the dirt is gone. I also replaced a dead horn so the car is two-tone again. Then I gave the car a good bath and towel dried it, so that all I have to do is clean the chrome before a show Saturday (Alphonso is bringing the 1959 Cadillac so both of Tom's cars will be there!). | |
 |
 |
 |
May 13, 2026 - I took Nick out for a long ride today - first to Mom's, then out to Dan's, then out to Richard's. Then to Harris-Teeter and then to Cracker Barrel, and finally back home. Probably the most the car has been driven in one day in years, But he ran perfect, cold A/C and even tunes on the radio. I filled up (gulp) and set the trip odometer, and made an entry in the logbook that prior owner Tom started in 2002. His first entry had Premium fuel at $1.59 a gallon. The previous tank was filled on December 27, 2025 at 14,580 miles. I filled up ($4.84 a gallon) at 14,758 miles and 17.3 gallons, for an average mileage of just over 10 MPG. Since the average new was about 9.8 MPG, I am hoping I might even get 13-14 on highway trips! Nick is not an economy car - but then, he never was! |
| 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. |
 |
 |
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. |
 |
 |
| 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! |
 |
| 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.) |  |
 |
 |
| 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, | |
 |
 |
| 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! | |
 |
 |