The 1962 Cadillac

[walyfd]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... sdMwnAgY1i

How a Cadillac was built when it meant something.

[electra225]

GM sure had their scald right on the 1962-'64 "C" body cars. 1962 was the first year of Bill Mitchell styling on Buick, and I assume the same for Cadillac. I don't know who designed the thick "C" pillars on the Coupe/Sedan Deville cars. Buick and Oldsmobile used them as well. Arguably the cleanest, most elegant roofline ever on any car. The part about the video that went a tad far is where they disconnected brakes on one end or the other, then claimed "sure, smooth stops". On an abandoned test track, perhaps, but not when there are ten Hondas on the same road with you. The 1962 Cadillac line was hard to beat or argue with. And, you are right, they wouldn't produce a video like that anymore. Thanks for sharing.....

[William]

Thanks for sharing, Walter, it was cool to see and remember what things were like back in the day. What year did Cadillac stop building them with that kind of quality. And just for giggles, here is the newest Caddy for 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQxt2N2iCk

Bill

[walyfd]

My buddy posted the first version of this video and it was quite poor. Seeing this again is a relevation.

I know I'm a nudge but cadillac, at this time, was quite good. 1962 was the last year of factory fog lamps. It was the introduction of cornering lamps which became a must... and the odd rear lighting scheme.

Honestly, the suspension system is about the best. The 62 is a true driver's car. It's stiff on turns but soft on the road. Not mushy like 66 or 67 cars...

Of course, I'm always amazed by and proud of the explanations of the steps of engine building, triple chrome plating and the painting steps that I still see on my car.

[electra225]

When/why did Cadillac discontinue dual exhausts? I always thought it was chintzy seeing a huge V-8 engine with a single exhaust. Maybe in the 1961 to 1963 era?

[TC Chris]

When/why did Cadillac discontinue dual exhausts? I always thought it was chintzy seeing a huge V-8 engine with a single exhaust. Maybe in the 1961 to 1963 era?

Well, as a long-time fan of dual, exhausts (I switched the Chevy to duals with a J.C. Whitney kit in about 1968), I recognize that while it's cool to see two puffs of moisture and hear the stereo effect, duals also represent twice the replacement cost and are twice as likely to need replacing, at least in cold-weather climates. That's because they collect more condensation, the principal culprit in rotting out exhaust systems. GM used bimetal valves to close off one side during warm-up so the exhaust from that side was directed through the intake manifold, warming up the carburetor faster and opening the choke sooner (beneficial in terms of reducing oil thinning caused by over-rich mixtures). While this was better for the engine, it was worse for the cold-side exhaust durability. I tended to wire them open, because I tried to avoid short trips and to get thjngs warmed up promptly. And a,so because I replaced my own exhausts in those days, which involved renting a lift or lots and lots of #@&^%*!!!! while lying on the ground under the car.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

I would have to replace the resonators on my Buick once a year back in the day. The ones on there now have been there since 1997 and are as good as they ever were. They set right behind the front wheels and took all the road slop. The muffler would last maybe two years. You would have to replace it and the tail pipes in one operation. It cost something like $20 to replace the resonators and maybe $30 to do the muffler and both tail pipes. I put an aluminized system from Kepich Exhaust on it when I restored the car.

[walyfd]

60 was the last year for duals AND the Q engine. Duals are cool but a pita at replacement time. I put stainless on the 57 after 2 other replacements. Sound was different and it had to have added 100 lbs to the curb weight.

GM went on a diet in 61.

[electra225]

Grandpa would bring parts home from "the shop" whenever I needed something. "I never considered myself a thief, but GM wouldn't miss just one little piece", I think is a line from a famous Johnny Cash song. GM must have had as many parts stolen by employees as what they put on cars on the assembly line. Grandpa would "run" starters and generators down the line at "Remy" if he needed one rebuilt. If I got a hole in the exhaust system in the Buick, the part I needed would appear mysteriously in the trunk of this company car. "The company dole" was an expected perk of being a salaried member of GM management back then.

You could get dual exhaust on a Buick from 1956 to 1974. They were standard on Wildcat and Riviera, and on Roadmaster in the older cars. You're right, they were cool but required constant maintenance. If you lived in the rust belt, it was smarter to convert to single exhaust in most cases. The rubber in the exhaust hangers on my Buick had a hard life. When I restored the car, I removed all the rubber and just used metal strap. The exhaust system is so heavy it breaks the rubber straps.