Ep 12. Cadillac Coupe
- TV-G
- March 5, 2014
- 43 min
Wheeler Dealers season 10 episode 12, titled "Cadillac Coupe," follows hosts Mike Brewer and Edd China as they take on the task of restoring a classic 1968 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. The car, purchased for $11,000, is in rough condition, requiring a lot of work to get it back on the road.
As always, the pair begin their process by assessing the car's condition and identifying the areas that need the most attention. This includes a large dent in the hood, rusted body panels, and mechanical issues such as oil leaks. They decide that the best course of action is to tackle the bodywork first before moving on to the engine.
Edd gets to work on the body, using a combination of filler and sanding to smooth out the dents and rust spots. He also removes the dented hood and replaces it with a new one, greatly improving the car's appearance. Meanwhile, Mike searches for parts and accessories to replace any broken or missing components, such as the Cadillac emblem and chrome trim pieces.
Once the bodywork is complete, the focus shifts to the car's engine. The 472 cubic inch V8 is in decent shape but has a number of issues that need to be addressed, including a worn timing chain and malfunctioning carburetor. Edd sets to work rebuilding the engine, replacing parts as needed and fine-tuning the carburetor to get the car running smoothly.
One of the most challenging aspects of this restoration is finding replacement parts for the Cadillac. After all, this is a fifty-year-old car, and some parts are simply no longer available. Thankfully, Mike and Edd are able to hunt down the parts they need, including a new ignition switch and fuel pump.
Throughout the episode, Mike and Edd work closely together, bouncing ideas off each other and collaborating to solve problems. Edd is particularly skilled at explaining the technical aspects of his work to Mike (and the audience), making the restoration process both educational and entertaining.
In addition to the restoration work itself, the episode also features plenty of test drives and road tests, as Mike and Edd take the Cadillac out for a spin to see how it handles. They note that the car's size and weight make it a bit unwieldy on tight turns, but overall they're pleased with how the restoration has turned out.
Ultimately, the episode shows just how much work goes into restoring a classic car like the Cadillac Coupe de Ville. But thanks to Mike and Edd's hard work and expertise, the car is transformed from a rusty old wreck into a stunning vintage vehicle that's sure to turn heads.