I hope that this thread won't be one too many build threads on CHR, and that despite being a four door that many of you will help me out anyways. I will include pictures with my pleas for help and while I may not have alot of expertise to share I am looking forward to sharing my progress. My philosphy on this build is to keep it on a budget and do much of the work myself. Eventually, the goal is to have a resto-mod car that I can fit two car seats in and take the familiy to car shows and on trips. Other than a lowered stance, nicer paint, and some subtle body mods it will look fairly stock.

The project is a 1937 LaSalle built by Cadillac. I purchased the vehicle two years ago at the Scottsdale, AZ Goodguys event. It had been someone's long neglected project. The previous owner scavenged much of its upgrades from 1971 BBC Camaro. The front and rear suspension was upgraded and the car was set up for a BBC. At some point the bodywork was done to the point that it was ready paint, however paint never happened. But a bunch of dents from shop equipment and 5 years of Arizona weather did happen. The frontend included a power steering box and all the linkage. Oddly, when I decoded the rear it comes up as 2.73 non-posi rear. I had hoped/assumed that it would be a taller gear posi unit considering it came out of a big-block Camaro.

I have been working on it since I unloaded the treasure trove of unknown parts from its empty shell the first day it was delivered. Here is where it stands today. I cleaned it out and inventoried the parts and found most of what I really needed: headlight buckets, trim, handles, locks, window regulators, etc.

Engine: I got a hold of a 92 Suburban that had some right front damage. It came with a 454 BBC backed up with a 4L80E transmission. I stripped the Suburban for anything I might ever use again. Especially the wiring from tip to tail and the computer. Since installing the engine I mounted an aluminum radiator from Speedway. I should mention that I have taught myself how to weld using a MIG flux core or gas unit. I have never hooked up gas, I am just using wire. There was no radiator supports on the car so I rigged some mounting tabs directly to the radiator shell. The metal on this old car is so thick that I have no concerns with burning through. You will also notice from the pictures that I freshened up the look of the engine with a rattle can overhaul.

Steering: I wasn't sure I would ever get this thing to steer, but my persistence paid off. I first cut out a previous failed attempt to route the steering and through the miracle of Borgeson joints and the steering column from the donor Suburban it now steers. A little too well in fact. Currently the wheels contact the frame if I turn too far. This will certainly be a future topic of discussion.

Brakes: Just getting started. I have mounted an underfloor brake booster and have thought a lot about what parts I need, but that is as far as I have gotten. The fronts are disk brakes from the donor Camaro and the rears are the Camaro's drum brakes. I look forward to your assistance in tackling this project.

Fuel: Still musing over some ideas for the fuel cell/tank.

Electrical: I am hoping/praying that I can make the wiring from the Suburban work.

Body: Much of the body work is done to look presentable and prevent additional deterioration. As I finished a panel I shot it with Black flat rattle can primer. I have deleted the original taillights, filled the holes and will mount 41 Chevy units in the bumper. I am also hoping to use a 40 Ford taillight as a third brake light. Originally the LaSalle had decorative Chevrons on the trunk lid. The previous owner deleted the fender filler cap and put a flush fuel door on the car. The originally four piece hood has been welded together and now tilts forward. I do have the hood sides, but my patience for bodywork ran out before I got to it.

Interior: What interior? The car had been gutted of its interior but at least they saved the headliner bows and the window garnishes. Since buying the car I picked up a set of 2004 Olds Bravada seats: power, heated, leather,and the front seatbelts are built in to the seat. Wiring these is something I fear greatly.

That's the important stuff about the car. A little about me. I am younger guy, 32, with a beautiful wife and a great little boy (15 months old). We live in Glendale outside Phoenix, AZ and I am a car nut. You may notice the Cobra in the background of pictures as this thread proceeds. It is a fun little car and although I always intended to build one myself, I was made an offer I would have been stupid to refuse. We have had the Cobra for about 4 years. Technically, the Caddy is my wife's car and when it comes to the appearance of the car all the decisions are her's. However, I know her well enough to know how the car should run/drive in order to keep her happy. It needs to start everyday, hence the TBI engine and auto tranny.

Tomorrow I will post my first quandary relating to the rear suspension, but until then here are some pictures from deliver day to the present.

By the way, did I mention that the body was recently removed from the frame and to the disgust of my neighbors is again back in the elements parked in the backyard.

delivery day 10 cropped comp.jpg

engine 1.JPG

Before Disassembly.JPG