Introducing The Cad-amino - 1959 Cadillac Pickup

I know- we just did a '59 Caddy a couple months ago with a truck conversion! Well, this one is the same, but different...
Someone back in the 80s or 90s started this conversion using the bed and roof from a '59 Elcamino, giving it an almost factory-like profile. The work that has been performed so far looks really good, but for whatever reason the project stopped before completion- I have NO idea what that's like!
The new owner sent it to us to dial in the ride height before it heads down for a bunch of metal work to finish the roof, doors, and quarter panels. Follow along as we install our air suspension system and point out some features of the stock air suspension that was available on these early Cadillacs.

[@g.o.b.2558]

Sweet, definitely going to need an updated on this build 👍

[@MLFranklin]

At first I thought it was a flower car, but it's all custom. Nice work!

[@byrondhouston]

Very interesting creation🤔

[@twistedimages405]

With the way both the Cadillac and the Elcamino have gone up in value since this was started, I can’t imagine another one will ever get built!

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

What too cool!

[@davidronan1677]

That's going to be really cool when you're done 😊

[@twistedimages405]

I'm hoping we get it back here when the sheetmetal work is done- hoping to see it reassembled in person!

[@anthoneyurtz5689]

That thing is so dope Phil

[@bd94s10]

Swwwwwweeeeeet. 🔥 love it… coming from the Lincoln Addict 🔥

[@twistedimages405]

Time to build a Conti-chero! Lmao

[@mikecostello1727]

Damn, I can't wait to see it all finished.

[@twistedimages405]

Same!

[@frankm8533]

Pretty sweet ride

[@Initial_Gopnik]

This is giving me the old "Now to the headlights, it was another sight, had two on the left and one on the right" kinda vibes and i dig it man.

[@twistedimages405]

Ha! Hopefully this one will be all ‘59 once it goes back together!

[@JerseyArtform]

That things cool as hell

[@cliffjamerson3107]

I like it best of luck on the build

[@twistedimages405]

Thanks! It's down getting some sheetmetal work done, then should be heading back up here to assemble a bit more of the drivetrain. Really looking forward to seeing it with bumpers and trim on it!

[@joshtonry4291]

Git er down! Killer sledamino

[@steveconnolly7129]

Cadmino!! Build a 512 to 603,just the compression and the 191 alcohol in the tank

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Have you ever seen the Cadillac Mirage built by customizer Gene Winfield out in California back in the mid seventies and sold by Cadillac . Winfield is still working on customs at 90 years old . He'd be the one to ask about the glass situation .

[@twistedimages405]

Gene is a legend! I’ll have to look up the Mirage

[@snodgress137]

I found two of those mentioned flower cars made from 80s eldorados at auburn auction a few years ago…cool cars!

[@twistedimages405]

Back when I had my Buick Roadmaster I saw a few that had been converted to flower cars- always thought they were neat

[@DroooooopDead]

Dang that looks great

[@markbutler5127]

There was a company called caribou coach builders in california but i don't remember when they started or if they are still in buisness, they converted cads to el cads.

[@twistedimages405]

That’s awesome- I’ll have to look them up. I don’t know who started this conversion but they sure had a lot of time into it.

[@johnkranz4004]

Definitely looks Sweet Nice Job

[@HotRodDad]

I DIG IT!!!

[@richardenright3170]

I like the 😊El Cad Amino?it reminds me of the Johnny Cash song "ONE PIECE AT A TIME" 😊😊

[@eddieburgett9678]

You're doing a fantastic job going to be different

[@twistedimages405]

Different is always fun! Thanks so much

[@SuperSportstudio]

👍 ✌

[@CathyInBlue]

El-Cadilo

[@felixsoto9110]

Looks like an old funeral flower car

[@twistedimages405]

Very similar for sure!

[@upclass7179]

I think it is low enough. They can reach that one inch gap with the right tire.

[@twistedimages405]

My thoughts exactly! A 20 with a small tire or even a stock 15 with a smaller sidewall will get you there

[@UberLummox]

They're not gonna chop the roof down to the height of a hdtp.? Would be so easy to do & look 100 times better. Especially when lowered.

[@twistedimages405]

I haven't talked to the owner or the shop that's doing the metal work, but I'll ask them what the plan is- agree the greenhouse looks tall right now, although the shape of the back window will help lengthen it a little bit and could help the looks as-is.

[@UberLummox]

@@twistedimages405Cool, thanks for the reply. Great work btw!

[@rafabravo6419]

El Cadino

[@fieldcars3301]

Interesting Not to criticize the original concept, but with all that work to the body he may consider lowering the roof height to the coupe(hardtop) it looks a bit tall above the beltline See if you pick it up roll the tape from 26 min Otherwise this could work and I am surprised lol

[@twistedimages405]

Seeing the stock coupe next to it definitely highlights the height of the Elcamino roof. I agree it would probably look a bit sleeker if the roof was brought down, but of course that would necessitate custom rear glass… this version will need custom door glass but all of that is flat which shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. I appreciate your comment- thoughtful and constructive. We’ll see what the owner ends up doing with it- it’ll turn heads regardless!

[@kdsboosted4954]

Agreed it's necessary

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

@@twistedimages405 there are two tricks to the curved glass dilemma when chopping the top on a custom car . First , you create a trough for t sock height glass to fit into and hide the excess or second , they used to mask off the glass with duct tape and cardboard then sandblast off the excess glass . It's food for thought if nothing else . But yes the top needs to come down to the wing window , which will make the fins look even taller .

[@jamesruiz1776]

Ok this is what I’m talking bout .. tru mod N fab. And makes sense not like some them ugly metal sculptures other think is kool

[@twistedimages405]

If everyone likes it you’re probably not pushing the boundaries haha

[@williamlovely450]

keepthose original lower factory bag plates with the big nipple

[@twistedimages405]

I figured someone will need them- I have the front and rear plates and the shock brackets saved to the side for somebody’s restoration project!

[@sasquatchsmith9980]

Cadillac always made these but they were known as Flower Cars or funerals. Nothing spectacular.

[@twistedimages405]

The coach built flower cars (never built by Cadillac themselves btw) were usually on commercial chassis using four door cars as a base- more focus on utility and less on the profile/look of the finished product. This was made by an enthusiast sometime in the 80s or 90s using Elcamino roof and bed components- completely different look and goal versus an actual flower car.