1983 Cadillac Fleetwood

[Kenny Pollock]

I recently was handed down a 1983 Cadillac Fleetwood, it's brown exterior and brown leather interior. It's pretty nice, my dad and I are going to fix it up and restore it into a "pimp mobile." I'm 14 years old, can't drive until a year with an adult.. but that gives me a year to fix it up big time. I want to start with a nice stereo system, but I don't want to do any additional things to the car without redoing/fixing up the interior. The interior is in really good condition, and it's leather.. but it's BROWN! I hate the color, and if I could I would want to save my money. I would be happy with black, but I saw some spray dies, and I'm weary of using it (streaks, not covering full brown, etc.) Can anyone recommend something? Also, if I did get the interior redone (leather) what should I expect to pay? What about something I've been hearing about pleather?

What about the exterior work? I want to paint it but I'm not sure what color. It was suggested candy apple red FADING, but won't custom paint work like that go over $1,000? Anyone recommend a nice color (with pictures of experience using/seeing it)?

What about tires/rims? I was looking for 100-spoke Dayton wheels, but I only find them sold seperately without tires.. anyone know of a good place to buy them in a set of 4 with tires?

Thanks!

[RandomTask]

Seriously?
I have no clue why you would want dayton's on a car. As for color, thats up to you.

I've been trying to find it, but there was an article in one of my hot rod magazines, someone took an '83 fleetwood and converted it into a track car. However this would require you to READ and find out information on how to properly set up suspension as well as make a decent motor for the car. He had a two tone paint job. Black on bottom, silver mettalic on top, with a red pin stripe seperating the two colors. It did look pretty cool, he also had some thrust 5 spoke wheels i believe.

However, you say the interior is in really good condition, but its brown so you want to redo it all. You're 14 years old. Get over it, you were handed a car. If you have all that money to blow, why don't you just buy yourself a different car?

Redoing a cars interior isn't like changing the spark plugs. Carpet, seats, Dash, Headliner, A pillers, B pillers, Steering wheel, etc... To do the none upholstered items, you usually have to paint them, (And not just spray paint, that will chip and flake off). Im talking sand them down, prime them, and paint them. (unless they're leather, in which case you have to get them dyed) You have to redo the seats, (which is not an easy task) and the carpet. usually for the steering wheel, you have to find a replacement, but i imagine with the theme you're going for, just slap on a chain steering wheel and you'll be fine...

In short, your car isn't even worth a grand (and thats with 10k miles in excellent condition through kelly blue book, www.kbb.com) Just drive it, maintain it. People will laugh at you in school for trying to do that stuff to it...

[Bigboat66]

I must agree. Learn to love the brown! Don't piss away your money. Slam the car, gets some pimpin' wheels and put in the stereo and then start saving for a better ride.

For wheels, you might check craigslist.org in your area, if it is available. People are always selling wheel/tire combos, often with good tread and w/o too much curb rash. In my area, Portland, Oregon, there was just a set of Dayton's for sale. Personally, I don't like them, but they do say "PIMP" with a capital P. Depending on how much activity there is, you might find you have to check the site 2-4 times a day to keep up w/the new postings and to jump on any deal.

Good luck.

[uummm]

i also have an 83 fleetwood, if i were you i would just stay with the brown interrior, however on the outside i would go with a nice red color, maybe mecca red would be nice. for a car that old i wouldnt reccomend putting to much money into it because it just isnt worth it and if you go to sell it you wouldnt get it back. as for the rims, personally i would air bag it and put some 20's on it, chrome really sets those big cars off. thats just my opinion though.

[j-stunna]

hey man. ive had two cadillacs and my first was an 83 fleetwood.haha. i wouldnt put too much money into it if it has the 4.1 aluminum block motor. those are no bueno buddy. as far as daytons i personally think you can find a better looking wire wheel for a whole lot less money. the only difference being it doesnt say dayton. you can check ebay or lowrider magazine for good deals. or just check out a local shop or two. my newest cadillac right now is an 81 fleetwood. candy green with a yellow top. tvs in the visors. and 15's in the trunk. all of which are simple. just throwin out ideas for you. you and your pops watch the wiring though and youll be good to roll. as far as interior. if tis clean id work around it. people cant see in limo tint!!haha. itll prolly grow on you. have fun.

[curtis73]

Guys like me would kill for a stock 83 caddy. If you don't appreciate it for what it is, sell it to me. Brown on Brown is a typical color combination that is a sign of the day. Don't try to make it cool, it already is cool. Trust me, I've gotten laid a thousand times because of my 73 impala station wagon that is yellow with a brown interior, but my 96 Impala SS couldn't get me laid by a 60-year-old, even with 17" wheels, a slammed suspension, and killer stereo.

Bling doesn't do it, man. Originality does it. Keep it stock, drive it like a grandfather, and trust me, girls will think you're much more mature than your age.

[STL_TIPN]

I ALSO HAVE A 1983 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD I BOUGHT FOR 350 DOLLARS ITS BROWN HAS A GOOD INT. PAINT IS OK THE PLASTIC STUFF AROUND TAILIGHTS ARE BROKE BUT THE CAR IS VERY GOOD WITH ONLY 47,000 ORIGINAL MILES I ALSO BOUGHT 100 SPOKE DAYTON WIRE WHEELS 17X10 BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PUT THEM ON AND IFANY ONE COULD HELP ME WITH THAT HIT ME UP E-MAIL NO_LMT_101@YAHOO.COM AND DOSE ANY ONE KNOW HOW TO REMOVE THE FACTORY RADIO IF YOU DO E-MAIL ME CUZ IM PLANNING ON INSTALING A HUGE STEREO