Work is now underway on our Cadillac

Work is now underway on our 1971 Cadillac Eldorado. First things first we need to empty the car of all loose and removable components. As she has been sitting in the corner of a working barn for the passed 8 years everything is covered in a thick layer of dust and grime.

Before we can get too involved it is best to remove everything we can see and clean up so we can fully assess the extent of the work required on this restoration.

Identifying our Cadillac

From the chassis plate under the engine bay we can now officially identify the car and get an insight into it’s origins.

According to an online source the meaning of the Cadillac chassis plates are as follows:

First Digit:

Code – 6

GM Division – Cadillac

Second Thru Fifth Digits:

8169 – Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham

8247 – 2 dr. Calais Coupe

8249 – 4 dr. Calais Sedan

8347 – 2 dr. Coupe DeVille

8349 – 4 dr. Sedan DeVille

9347 – 2 dr. Fleetwood Eldorado Hardtop Coupe

9367 – 2 dr. Fleetwood Convertible

9723 – 4 dr. Fleetwood “75” Sedan

9733 – Fleetwood Limo

9890 – Commercial Chassis

Sixth Digit:

Code – 1

Model Year – 1971

Seventh Digit:

Q – Detroit, MI

E – Linden, NJ

Last Six Digits:

Production Numbers – 100001/^ 421298

So the origins of our car are as follows:

6 – Cadillac

9367 – 2 door Fleetwood convertible

1 – 1971

Q – Detroit MI

421298 – Production number