1956 Cadillac Superior Funeral Coach Restoration

Hi All,

About a year and a half ago, I became the proud owner of a '56 Superior 3-way Landau funeral coach with ~51K miles. This is my first adventure with a professional car, and also with an antique car, although I'm handy with antique Harleys and Triumphs.

Since I bought her, I've rebuilt the brakes, upgraded to a dual-chamber master cylinder & 9" booster, with a ~4.75:1 pedal ratio (in a completely bolt-on and fully-reversible-to-stock way), and rebuilt the original engine and transmission. She starts, runs, shifts and stops like a champ!

Now it's time to turn my attention toward body work, paint, and (the part about which I'm most excited,) restoring the interior. I want to do the most faithful restoration I can achieve (and afford). So far, I have found "parts and service" manual reprints from Faxon covering '50-'53 and '57-'58 Cadillac Superiors, but nothing for '54-'56. Any photos, parts/service/sales literature, etc. that you can provide are well appreciated! If you're working on a similar coach and need pictures of something in particular, let me know and I'll post them here.

I know I'm missing a few bits and pieces on the interior. Most notable are the entire casket table and hardware, which I'm told are mostly the same for Superiors from the mid '50's into the '70's. Some less common I'm missing are the curtains and any associated trim/hardware, and the interior catches for the side doors (attached to the mound).

I'm taking the car to my painter tomorrow to have the roof redone...its dented pretty badly (as though some kids, goats, or something trampled all over it), and has some surface rust, but the texture of the original krinkle paint is still visible.

The main body of the car is pretty solid overall; the only really bad rust is in front of the rear wheels. The rear door and both rocker panels have some pinholes that will need some patch metal, too. There's one large dent/crease in the left rear quarter panel, and probably a dozen or more assorted small dings.

I've come to know that the dark green body with dark green & gold interior is a rare color scheme, and it may be a shame to change it...but I picture the body in glossy black, and the interior dark grey & dark red / burgundy. Does anyone know what interior color options were available for '56 Superiors? I'm not planning on selling the car, but does changing the colors hurt the value, or is it just a matter of preference?

Now a little history: the coach has "City of Tripp" on each side door in red & white; it's is a small town (only 630 people today) in South Dakota. There's also plus-sign-shaped cross on each door, which might indicate that it was used by the city coroner / M.E.; I guess it could have served in some ambulance duty...but it's configured only a hearse and not a combination.

I found a South Dakota registration receipt from 1974 in the glove box, so maybe that's about the time it was retired from service. It ended up in California at some point, and was last registered there in 2003. Then it somehow found its way up to my hometown in Wisconsin, where I found it in October 2012 while visiting for a wedding. After a couple months of haggling with the seller, I still paid more than I wanted to and had it shipped down to Texas. It arrived in my driveway New Year's Day of 2013, and I've been ate up with it ever since!

Now a few pics!

As found:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jbh7ukzg03taszb/IMG_0010.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xrxm88hnttqxv0k/IMG_0011.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fhghbfbenilsvz/IMG_0014.jpg

A few of the interior, trying to make an assessment of what was there, and what is missing:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5rjwy8cyp058fxc/IMG_0715.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7p8decau11yivk6/IMG_0719.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbhkjbt8t20hr7o/IMG_0720.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p3cxes3jbnn8h7j/IMG_0722.jpg
Not shown, but I have what I believe to be all the aluminum trim pieces and window bezels.

Here's the brake upgrade:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0192.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0193.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0196.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0199.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0202.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0206.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6y4qbk01nm2dge/IMG_0207.jpg

The engine before rebuild...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ejesamlvx4t2pqj/IMG_0016.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5hpmt5jsut8mzzn/IMG_0017.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kbppkt4m3ii2266/IMG_0018.jpg
...and after (I know, I still need to paint the air cleaner cover!):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gno0g95r533p5zx/IMG_0410.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xlrgw44xydux778/IMG_0411.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a33w32reue6kbid/IMG_0412.jpg

Finally, here's the location of one of the door catches I'm missing:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gc2tofkcu5l648/Missing door catch.jpg

Thanks in advance for all contributions to this thread; I hope it will be a great learning experience for myself and others!

Now THIS is the kind of post I like to come here to read!!!!!

Tim, future value is irrelevant. You're not chopping it or doing irreversible damage; you're restoring it as best as you can afford to. As far as the new color combo that you like, well, you're the guy who worked hard and paid for it, so the coach is yours to do as you please. The green and gold is very different and cool, but if having it re-upholstered in maroon and grey is what you want, do it. having had a beautiful '56 Superior myself with that color combo, I can tell you it's a knockout!

Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as there are ALWAYS complainers no matter what you do.

So long as YOU are happy with YOUR hearse, than that's all that matters.

You're definitely on your way.

Thanks for the encouragement, Bryan!

You're right, "future value is irrelevant"! After paint, I'm almost positive I'll have more into the car than it's worth. But all the hard work fixing her up, and all the fun I have driving her are what it's about!

'52:



'53:



'54:




'55:




Two potential parts units currently that I'm aware of. Email (not PM) for location of dark green '56 posted in Bryan's thread. It may yield curtain hanging hardware. (Time permitting, will look through micro ScanDisc cards for interior captures.) Then this '54-'55 is at Desert Valley Auto Parts Casa Grande location. Kurt Arends purchased rear loading door glass since capture was taken and other parts may have already sold as well. Russ Austin viewed in person and might relay more about interior configuration/condition.



Also, Darryl Thompson used to own a '53 Superior Landaulet endloader that had a fairly intact original interior and may have pictures.

Atilla, that green and grey interior on that '52 is a honey! Where is that coach these days??

Great info, bro! Thanks for posting!

Attila, FAN-TASTIC! Thank you, sir!

'54 Bryan. Hopefully another member can fill details in. I can add that it was for sale prior to '09 (as that's computer these were saved in). Want to say location was Pacific NW for some reason - might be way off. Remember thinking price was about top dollar at time, $3k-3500 maybe? Haven't seen it surface since.





Aussie site member John Marsden literally just beat me to finding this original '55 Superior Landaulet 3-way outside Cortez, CO a few years back and bought it. (Four Corners portion of US is one of the very best to buy restorable vehicles out of for those unfamiliar.) His is also missing table. Wish all coaches that turn up were as rot free however. Personally much prefer chasing missing parts than dealing with rust issues. You may want to drop John a line asking for interior shots. He probably has more. That's John in my captures. Great guy.

Congratulations, Tim, on not only finding a spectacular car but in taking on the restoration. My PCS friends know that I'm partial to originality, and that would be my recommendation for your paint job. But it's your car, so the choice is yours. I'm particularly fond of your improved master cylinder setup. I have a master cylinder for '62 Cadillac, first year for the twin chambers, that I plan on installing in my '60 Eureka (green photos attached). Best of luck with your restoration. I'd love to see it finished some day. I'll also attach a photo of the way I found my '54 Eureka, for some inspiration.

WOW!!! Great work on the '54, Tom! Definitely provides inspiration and motivation! The '60 is sharp incredibly sharp, too; did you do the resto on that one, too?

The pinkish looking 54 is also in Australia now I am pretty sure - I have seen pics of one here that came via Canada that looks like the same car. My 55 is still missing the back window glass if anybody has a spare?

very nice! I don't think I've ever seen a master brake setup like that. Love the air cleaner, and the rest is " style", Cadillac style.

This should be some good reference!

http://public.fotki.com/cadcliff/1956-cadillac-hearse/

Nice! Thanks, Bryan! That is a beautiful car, inside and out. I really like the gray paint and burgundy upholstery. Seems like the asking price might be about 3x too high though, huh?

I'm beginning to think end loaders were a bit more common than 3-ways for '56 Superiors; does anyone have the numbers? End loader vs. 3-way, Landau vs. Limo vs. Moderne, etc.?

And has anyone used this stuff for a krinkle top? Says it requires a top coat...

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/smm-39854

a good brand name they have been making automotive products for a long time. the spray bomb has been the only way your could get wrinkle from them. nice to see it in quarts now. follow the directions on the can to get the engineered effect. but now me I would get one to play with first. 44 bucks is not bad. check what it is at your locale paint supplier first to save freight charges.

Bryan Moore said:

This should be some good reference!

http://public.fotki.com/cadcliff/1956-cadillac-hearse/

Click to expand...

More (and higher res) pics before CadCliff's acquisition of this significant '56 collection here:

http://www.cadillac1956.eu/hearse2.html

[Hover over Special Types drop box across header to see other '56 procars represented.]

Thanks, John; I'll send the SEM link over to my painter; maybe he can do a test panel. Kind of a shame that is requires a top coat, 'cuz the texture on the original surface is ULTRA fine wrinkles...seems like a topcoat would just smooth it over. However it turns out, I'll post some "after" pics. Here's a "before":

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r1vh3vpp4i0fqdc/Photo Jul 28, 6 36 08 PM.jpg

For size reference, if memory serves it's a 5/16" bolt (1/2" head).

the original krinkle finish was just sprayed over ba metal. that is of course why the never lasted. I would guess that primer or the top that is one there would fill the bill. that looks to be the hole for a removable light.

Hi everyone; I haven't been on in awhile, but the wrinkle paint on my roof is done!!!

Well, kind of...

My painter did a great job on the body and prep work, but used the SEM texture paint (as in the link above from Summit), without trying a test panel first...

It turned out a lot more like thin bedliner, or a satin black with some orange peel. It looks good, but bears no resemblance to the original, wavy, fine wrinkle finish. Now I have lost the originality and don't know what to do.

I bought a can of VHT Wrinkle Plus engine paint, did a test panel and brought it to my painter as an example of how it should look. It is a little coarser than the untouched original paint on the tops of the doors, but I would be happy with it.

Obviously, the entire roof can't be painted effectively with spray cans. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/71xbbccfzam8ugy/IMG_9201.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f3mb9z8qmm3r52t/IMG_9202.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n6j93o4ppuisgnr/IMG_9203.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nn2ohnt6dpgy6ec/IMG_9204.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/weiqr4g76nh6tsz/IMG_9205.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u8394zgr3g3abzj/IMG_9206.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5duvsiuiz4obnm/IMG_9207.JPG?dl=0

I have had good results with the engine paint I posted the link to. I see east wood offers it in gt now to. but I'm guessing that it got thinned to much.