Well, I have been silent and its just been so busy. I also spend alot of time doing deep thinking on what to do with this project, I have so many ideas on.
Over the summer I have driven it at least every other day in Omaha traffic, and on a few trips. It has to je the easiest car to drive in the city you can buy from the era! It’s rather zippy with that 3.8 V6 under hood, I know people have had difficulty with the metric 200 that backs my little motor but let me say, it is very interesting. It offers very tight shifts, this thing gets up and GOES for what it is. No difficulty there.
What it needs alone as is:
1. Weatherstriping
2. New engine. Aside from running great it has blow by, which is acceptable for now but, I want a different engine anyway.
3. Rear bumper mounts. Mine currently are temporary, the mounts were previously removed.
4. Bumper rechrome. I believe once I have a few modifications done to them I will wrap them in a vinyl.
5. Brake work, just from age
So that isn’t entirely exhaustive but you get the idea. Aside from that the interior is good, and the car is rather solid
So here’s my plan as of now going forward.
1. Upgrade to 15 inch wheels with 5×4.75 hubs, commonly found on S10 pickups. (Completed)
2. Starting with trim i have outfitted it with 1980-81 deville hubcaps. Being a Callias I will assume it should have deville spec trim.
3. Tires, upgraded to 215 75r15 tires, Brand is Ironman, they look similar to the original tires that were supplied (Unitoyal seal) without the seal. The ride is further improved by this upgrade also.
4. I purchased a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan header panel with dual headlights, this is in the process of being modified to be more cadillac like and less obvious if possible. I figure a A/G body Cadillac would have dual headlights
5. I’m in search of a idealy 1981 Cadillac Seville with blue stripe pattern interior with the V8-6-4. I will mate the engine to the metric 200, performance will be interesting with such a tight and economic lock up transmission, of course I will look into upgrades. The ability for it to bolt up with BOP pattern and mounts makes the swap alot easier. The harness and everything will be a pain but worth it, the swap itself made easier by past G body fans documenting cadillac 500 swaps.
5.1, the interior front seats should swap over in the Callias without swapping the rear seat (ideally). Alot of interior trim, steering wheel, and exterior parts will be an easy temransfer not to mention fun.
6. Looking at the rear I think I will be using 1976 Buick Regal filler panels to achieve affordable fins without to much body work. Hopefully I can do something along those lines to differ it from its A/G body stable mates
7. Maybe if I fan find the bits a vinyl top, but I will be using a period correct 81 blue color from cadillac to blend without having to do too much with door jams
8. Looking into having motors put in the rear windows, making it the only A/G with roll down windows. Very possible having it apart, I need the rear window vent motors as well.
80s Cadillac Utopia 