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Restoration Story In October 2003 by invitation of my Brother, Jim, I attended an Auto Auction in Milford, Ohio. One of the 35 cars for sale was am rusted old Cadillac sitting under a tent next to a rusted REO touring car. From what I knew, the old caddy looked complete, but in sad shape. In 1975 the elderly previous owner, August Hoffman of Loveland Ohio bought the car from a local salvage dealer, Ira Perry. Ira's family had stored the car in barns since 1922. As Ira remembers, with some input from his brother, his father bought the car from the Sheure's in Morrow Ohio in 1922; the year of Ira's birth. |
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The Sheure's worked for the Morrow Packing Company, Morrow Ohio; as evidenced by the business card above. When the Cadillac was first pushed in a barn by Ira Perry's family in 1922, it was not in running condition. Ira's father and brother bought the car with the intention of restoring it. Instead, it was stored in Loveland until 1975, when it was sold to Hoffman. In January 2003 the Cadillac was taken to Gary Funkhouser Of Vintage Motorsports Services Inc. who masterfully orchestrated the disassembly and rebuilding of the car. |
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Research started with Cadillac Historic Services in Michigan. The original data sheet showed the car was shipped to the Cadillac Auto Co. of Cincinnati Ohio. Extras included a prest-o-lite tank, and a windshield . The car had standard royal blue body finish, black fenders and cream wooden wheels, but without the optional nickel-plated brass. The horseless Carriage Foundation Library supplied manuals, parts lists and brochures. An inventory of the car showed the following missing parts: speedometer and front oil side lamps. After market front doors had been added and the original intake manifold/carburetor replaced at some point. EBay was a great place for finding missing items. George Kaforski of Plano Illinois, a Brass Era Cadillac expert, rebuilt the engine and supplied an original carb/intake manifold. He also provided much information and advice. |
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The wooden wheels were rebuilt by Calimer's Wheel Shop in PA. The top oak bows and metal sockets were reproduced by Oak Bows in PA. Metal work and fabrication was spearheaded by Ted Jamison of Beavercreek Ohio. Steve Lutz of Spring Valley did a great job of painting. The wood body was my job; replacing the wooden ash flooring, filling rotten framing and repairing cracked veneer on the front seat backs. A new mahogany dash board and under seat doors were fabricated. |
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The tufted leather seats and the top were by Joe Smith (D & D Restoration Covington, OH). The project was finally brought together and wrapped up by Jacob and John Aldridge of Aldridge Restoration. Our first showing was at the Dayton Carillon Concours D'Elegance, September 14, 2004. The car won "Best of Class, Antique through 1924" and the "Col. Edward A. Deeds Judges Choice Award". Our second Appearance was at Cincinnati's Alt Park Concours D'Elegance June 2009. The third show was the Louisville Concours D'Elegance October 2009. There the Cadillac won "First Runner-up, Brass Era, pre-1916, 30 HP and over.
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