How 'bout an LS swapped 1954 Cadillac

My neighbor restored this 1954 Cadillac in elegant fashion. But the driveline rubs a little bit, so we're going to put it up on the lift and take care of it.
Autronic eye info: www.jalopyjour...

[@VLVADoug]

I had an opportunity to see this Caddy this week while buying a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D from the same owner. This Caddy is spectacular in person for sure. Did you build the car or just do some of the work for the current owner? Did the full restoration and customization take place in Utah with a local builder? Great Work, btw. Fun Video too.

[@some-guys-garage]

I didn't build it. Dallas, who I kind of interview in the video, built it. He hired out a few things, most notably the paint and interior. But he designed it and built it himself. He's currently doing another one for the same owner, but this time it's a convertible.

[@Aztec73]

That's a beautiful Cadillac, The paint in the interior Look awesome #Aztec73

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for the comment. And thanks for tuning in!

[@Aztec73]

@@some-guys-garage You're welcome it was it was my Pleasure 🇺🇲

[@bookofjarom]

Restoration/conversion of a Cadillac: "Cadillactic converter". And obviously a very good Cadillactic converter.

[@Darren51283]

Is it numbers matching? :)

[@some-guys-garage]

Funny you should ask. For the record, law enforcement does not want a freshly stamped VIN on a new frame. No, they want you to cut the VIN plate/stamp out of the original frame and weld it onto the new frame. It's a little irritating.

[@donnasheraden3881]

My parents had a 54 Caddy. Robin egg blue & royal blue top, 2 door. Unfortunately, she had a meeting with two cars & went off to the junk yard. I still miss Jenny.

[@some-guys-garage]

Good memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@Lost10mm.]

Imagine seeing one sitting becoming part of the forest.

[@GunnersCarHole]

I want that in my 4 door 55

[@christophefeu4184]

Please, tell me it' s AI

[@some-guys-garage]

Now that would be cool.

[@slicksnewonenow]

The car is beautiful, but the dash kinda got wrecked.

[@some-guys-garage]

You prefer the stock dash?

[@slicksnewonenow]

​​@@some-guys-garagethe stock dash in most vintage cars is hard to beat... But I think what's throwing me off in this particular car are the (I hate to say it) cheapo looking Vintage Air A/C vents... The white lower dash extension is a bit stark for my taste, I'd have painted it in that blue shade to make it look like it wraps out of the door panels... But of course it ain't my car, so that shouldn't mean anything. Anyhow... Years ago, my whole family was involved in a restoration business that Dad ended up starting from his auto repair business. He had been in the car game since the mid Fifties, so he saw just about everything come and go, and through osmosis, my brother and I saw just about everything, too. Our shop was north of Houston, so we ended up fitting a lot of customer's 40s/50s vintage cars with air conditioning and we would usually forgo using what Vintage Air offered for vents and go grab some vents out of one or another early to mid 60s car at the scrap yard. The A/C vents out of late Fifties through mid Sixties Chevys and Caddies were round chrome deals that would usually fit the curve of the dash in one of those older cars,o we used those a lot. Another really great A/C distribution method was from MOPAR in the mid Sixties... When a customer ordered DEALER INSTALLED A/C, they'd put a chrome, straight line bank of four louvered vents under the center of the dash... The chrome box was about two feet wide and maybe 2 1/4" tall and looked great. Since Dad's pushing 80 uphill and retired, and I'm not really fooling with old cars anymore, I quit actively looking for those kind of parts. But boy, how I wish we would have really stocked up on that type of thing back in the 80s and 90s when it was relatively easy to get our hands on! It seems like everything is so sky high now... And the really cool stuff is non-existent. Oh... Meant to say that those wire wheels are magnificent! They look exactly like the original optional wheels! Cheers

[@some-guys-garage]

You have a discerning eye. Thanks for the thoughts.

[@slicksnewonenow]

​@@some-guys-garagethank you for reading them...

[@albertobusinco3064]

very bad habit of changing the characteristics of the car, this habit is typically American

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that sometimes a purist approach is best. But other times the original characteristics of the car really need to be changed!

[@markbills4122]

How is making a beautiful car safer,more reliable ,more powerful and handle better a bad thing.....?

[@johnfranklin5277]

I personally don't like altering classic cars. My 58 cadillac my parents bought in 1960 is 100 % unaltered in any way, as is my 68 Mustang I bought in 1977. Lifelong Southern California cars in great shape. However, since we are the CREATORS of these vehicles, we certainly have the right to modify them if we want to.

[@ozzymd1]

WHAT ? WHAT DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE CAR BONE STOCK AND GIVE ALL THE FUNDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ? GET REAL , THIS IS WHAT HAVING A CLASSIC IS MAKING IT YOUR OWN !

[@peterhodges6684]

Gorgeous, and dependable..... love the LS !!

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

The stock CADILLAC engine is completely dependable.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

A damn Chevy engine in the finest of cars? Foul.

[@some-guys-garage]

Thank you for your willingness to share straight from your heart. That's a testament to the strength of your character when we consider that most men are afraid of sharing irrational, emotionally-charged thoughts and ideas.

[@memorablerides6807]

Can you provide the information for the guy who miniaturized the autronic eye? I'd be interested in having him do mine in my 56!

[@some-guys-garage]

Ok. I finally had a chance to connect with him. He's open to it, but would rather not have his contact information on a public forum. Is there a direct message function on KZbin? How can we share contact info without public exposure?

[@memorablerides6807]

@@some-guys-garage Im not sure- does he have a website I can visit or an office number? I understand the need for privacy.

[@kdsboosted4954]

Very cool 🤙 I have a twin turbo 54 coupe

[@some-guys-garage]

Very nice!

[@albertobusinco3064]

Hello, I know, but usually steelring wheel and weels are changed in USA On my 1956 Fleetwood I only changed breaks with disc breaks... but all the style is like the age of the car. I know, I am European and Europeans are more attentive to maintaining the correct historical elements. Thanks for your answer Alberto

[@some-guys-garage]

Very nice. I suspect it also has something to do with the intended usage. This caddy is a daily driver.

[@johnfranklin5277]

Hello from California. Like you, I keep my classics absolutely stock, as they came from the factory. I have my parents 58 Cadillac they bought in 1960 when I was just 1 year old, and my 68 Mustang I bought in 1977 while in High school. Both are still on the road, and in great condition. My mechanic has been trying for years to let him put electronic ignition, an alternator, and electric fuel pump on the Caddy, I just keep saying NO! LOL. Nothing irritates me more than seeing modern updates under the hood of very old cars. Cant deny though this fellow has done an amazing job with this beautiful Caddy. If he would replace the original steering wheel it would definitely look better to me. However, its great he's made this a daily driver, and may inspire other people to get into classic cars !

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for tuning in. Thanks for sharing.

[@slicksnewonenow]

@​@@johnfranklin5277hiya John- I grew up in a restoration shop and have been screwing around with old cars for about 40 years... I know a lot of guys who are also real sticklers for things LOOKING original, like I am... But I have to admit that even though a points ignition and a mechanical fuel pump is sufficient, a Pertronix electronic ignition and a good electric fuel pump makes these old beasts twice as reliable. I've even "gotten okay" with (gasp!) LS engine swaps! Believe it or not, these things go from 250 horsepower and 10 mpg to 400 horsepower and 21 mpg just like THAT. Granted, those LS engines are as ugly as homemade sin.... But from a driveability standpoint, they can't be beat. Interior modifications, however, are an entirely different story... Tilt columns, ugly steering wheels and digitized gauges will never, ever make it into anything I ever build...NO SIR. And whoever ever got the idea to put modern, high back bucket seat interiors with full length, two foot tall consoles in these old rides... Well, let's hope that I never meet the guy.

[@FrisellFan01]

what a work of art! ......

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks, man

[@donnasheraden3881]

She's beautiful!!!

[@some-guys-garage]

Thank you

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Mindless destruction.

[@some-guys-garage]

That is so profound. Almost poetic. Your clearly innate ability to articulate your position so eloquently is leaving me awe-struck and speechless. Thanks for sharing.

[@ericdelisle2191]

No chevy engine in my Cadillac!

[@some-guys-garage]

Now that is an interesting perspective. You sound like a man of principle. I like that. But you do know that the LS comes stock in modern Cadillacs (and in most GM vehicles for that matter), right? In other words, you can think of this LS as a modern Cadillac engine. Just sayin'.

[@ericdelisle2191]

@@some-guys-garage You can whatever you want! It’s your car after all! I just prefer keeping my cars the way they were built! Especially if it’s a rare antique Cadillac!

[@starxlr7863]

@@ericdelisle2191 I must agree as a Chevrolet engine has become way too common. Honestly it would have been best to keep the original 331 V8 as these are great engines. If I were to ever drop in a newer engine into one of my older Cadillac's, it would be a Cadillac engine only. The LS or LT is from Chevrolet, it is not Cadillac by any means.

[@markbaptiste1869]

Can you share the information on the photo Eye 👁️ Please 🙏🏿

[@some-guys-garage]

Well, I'm not sure exactly what information you're looking for, but you might start with this: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/great-info-on-the-autronic-eye-guide-matic-lots-of-pics.580437/

[@xylohsilverhair1715]

How can I get a copy of the autronic eye cpu improvement? I am restoring a 1956 Coupe, and also doing an LS swap too. Lovely video guys!!!

[@some-guys-garage]

Take a look at this: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/great-info-on-the-autronic-eye-guide-matic-lots-of-pics.580437/

[@xylohsilverhair1715]

@@some-guys-garage There is no redirect on his link... But I can call him if his number is still current. Know where I can get the proper windshield wiper upgrade to electric? I have not had a chance to even TEST mine yet to see if it even works.. But I wanted to have the electric wipers locked and loaded so if the vacuum ones didn't want to function anymore, then I would still have a no stress plan b available. 😁

[@DanTheManIOM]

wow, a lot of work, and it's making my head hurt !

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@johnfranklin5277]

And around 70.000 dollars if not more.

[@codmoor1]

@@johnfranklin5277 - just a little more 🙂

[@tornadosimon1570]

Grat work, it' astonishing!!! This mean that good old Cady or other cars can be retrofitted with modern technology but keeping their original style. So cool👍👍👍!!! P.S.: I'm in love with '50s Cadys thanks to the comic XENOZOIC TALES and the CADILLACS & DINOSAURS franchise!!!

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@brianbloom1799]

Beautiful Car, Great restore and upgrade Guy's

[@some-guys-garage]

Thanks!