1966 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Survivor Buckets/Headrest Garage Find

Description

1966 Cadillac Eldorado Factory Bucket Seats/Headrest/Console!Over 60 pictures belowFeel Free to call me at (253)229-93sevenseven-Oliver
#248 of 2250. Last year for the rear wheel drive Eldorado. I've decided to list my 1966 Eldorado to concentrate on finishing a few other projects I'm working on. I originally found this car near Seattle where it had been sitting in a garage since the 1990's. I purchased the car from the second owner who had purchased it from the original owner when she passed away in the 1990's. The second owner grew up across the street from the original owner and remembers when she purchased the car new. He said everyone in the neighborhood thought "she must be the richest lady in the world". Ms. Jean Zimmerle truly loved this car. There are stacks of receipts showing she drove this car all the way until she passed in the mid 1990's. The front seats are in better condition than the rear seats as she was often seen driving around with her two Poodles in the back. I purchased this car originally for my father who worked in service at a few Southern California Cadillac dealerships throughout his life. My plan was to get the car running and driving reliably and then cruise it down the California Coast to his house. Unfortunately, he is not very interested in the car and rather travel. I love the car but, need the time and space to finish my 1955 Chevrolet and 1959 El Camino. With the options this car has and the bucket seats/headrest, this is easily a $50-$75k car when done. Enjoy it this summer and finish the cosmetics next winter.
This car is loaded to say the least. It has all the Eldorado specific options and then some. This is a very rare car in that it was ordered with bucket seats/console AND HEADREST! I have only seen one other 1966 Eldorado with headrest. It is estimated that less than 30 cars got Buckets with Headrest. Car is equipped with A/C, all power windows including vent windows, twilight, auto dimming, power trunk, power seats, power top, cruise control, tilt, telescopic wheel, AM-FM radio, rear leveling suspension, power antenna, power steering, power brakes etc. This car also has some factory dealer installed items that no one seems to have seen on another Eldorado. There are gauges installed on the center of the dash as well as a multitude of switches that operate several options including an electric fuel pump! I have some documentation in the form of instructions for operating these options. Ms. Zimmerle also had the dealer add door ding protective moldings to her Cadillac.
Mechanical When I purchased this car it had been sitting for 20 plus years. First thing I did was flush all the fluids and lines. I sent the original Carburetor out to Carburetor Connection in Kirkland, WA where they restored the carburetor to original at a cost of $395. I also sent the fuel tank to Performance Radiator where they flushed, pressure tested, and sealed the fuel tank at a cost of $421(pictured below). I then went through the brakes as they were frozen. I installed new shoes, brakes hoses, had the drums turned, and installed a new master cylinder. The brakes now work but, feel like they might need either some adjusting or to just be driven and broken in a little bit. The emergency brake is working as well. The car runs smooth and does not overheat. Sounds great minus a small exhaust leak from the old A.I.R tubes. You can either remove the A.I.R tubes or restore them. The suspension feels good and tight. There are receipts for all new front and rear suspension shortly before the car went into storage years ago. The bushings, shocks, springs all look newer and do not need to be replaced. There was also a receipt around the same time for $1100 worth of electrical work where several of the windows motors were replaced or repaired. Subsequently, all 6 electric windows do work but, some need help going up. I'm sure lubing the tracks would greatly help with this. All the tires have great tread and not dry rotted. The power top is not working but, does go down manually. Twilight still works! Wipers work. A/C compressor froze and was removed long ago. I have included that compressor as well as a replacement compressor than is in good shape and not frozen(pictured below) I was getting this car to the point I could cruise it down the coast this summer. It is close to being ready for that but, I would give it a good once over and get things like the top and radio working first. Runs/drives/brakes.
Paint/Body/InteriorThis Eldorado retains 90% of its original paint. The color is very beautiful and looks striking against the white interior. Ms. Zimmerle started bumping into things in the garage which unfortunately comes with the territory of trying to drive something this long at an advanced age. She had the drivers side fender repainted at some point due to this fact and there are several other dings and bumps here and there. However, the car is remarkably solid for being 50 years old. It has been garaged the majority of its life but, was driven a good 30 years. The fenders, doors, quarters, hood, trunk, and frame are rust free. No bubbles or bondo anywhere on them. The floor pans are all in excellent shape except for the drivers side rear pan has a small area of rust in the bottom of the pan (pictured below). This will be an easy fix and the rest of the car is extremely rust free and dry underneath. I took extensive pictures of the underside showing how clean and dry it is. Most people on ebay do not take these pictures as they're not flattering but, this car is very solid underneath. The mounts are even in good shape. The top does have some damage to it and should be replaced. The top frame is in very nice condition, including the paint. The interior is in decent condition but, does have some wear. The dash is in very nice shape. The front seats have some wear. All the wood panels are in good usable condition but, the drivers side wood panel needs work. The rear seat has more wear than the front seats due to the aforementioned Poodles that enjoyed riding in the car with Ms. Zimmerle.
DocumentationI have the original owners manual, options booklet, and stacks of receipts for this car. I also have the instructions for the rare dealer added options (pictured below). The title is clear and in my name. Winning bidder will be sent the documentation, title, and bill of sale via Fedex upon receipt of payment.
I have sold a few of my personal vehicles on ebay over the last 15 years and have always had pleasant transactions. I go out of my way to take pictures and in depth descriptions to make sure the new buyer is as excited as I was when I bought the car. I can store the car up to one month. If you are an overseas buyer, I will deliver the car to Port of Tacoma or Port of Seattle for free. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (253)229-93seven seven-Oliver