Get under the skin of this 1960 Cadillac, and you’ll find an incredible array of modern touches and upgrades, all of which keep the classic style wonderfully intact. Now, the Roadster Shop is profiling the custom build in the following video.
The first thing the Roadster Shop addressed was the 1960 Cadillac’s ride and handling. This thing absolutely had to have a “floating-going-down-the-road feel,” as expected of the luxury marque, but with the performance and handling of a modern vehicle to boot. To that end, the Roadster Shop went with its Ride Line chassis, which includes custom independent front and rear suspension, with a narrower front and rear cross member, longer control arm spec, and longer shocks paired with longer and lighter springs.
Outside, this 1960 Cadillac keeps the original style more or less factory, with a sleek silver paint job and head-turning Bill Mitchell-era lines. In keeping with the theme, Roadster Shop went to Evod for a set of Cadillac hubcap style wheels, which offer similar styling as the classic Caddy, but are sized at 18 and 19 inches in diameter. This allows the clearance needed for larger Brembo brakes, while white wall tires complement the look. The ride height was also lowered by several inches.
As for the engine spec, this 1960 Cadillac is now powered by an LS3 V8 topped by a Magnuson supercharger, with output rated at a stout 859 horsepower and 739 pound-feet of torque. To keep the proper under-hood look sans plastic, Roadster Shop grabbed the original Cadillac valve covers and adapted them fit onto the LS3. There’s also a new engine cover that is designed to look like the original air cleaner. It’s a clever solution, and looks amazing under the hood.
The LS3 connects to the rear wheels through 6L90 six-speed automatic from Bowler Performance, providing smooth shifts for easy around-town motoring.
Moving into the cabin, JK Automotive is responsible for the one-off interior, installing period-correct GM fabric that works amazingly with the silver exterior. The cabin boasts a laundry list of custom touches, including new wood panel, polished trim, and digital instrumentation.
Check out the full build in the nine-minute video below:
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Comments
Very cool and another fine example of keeping the custom industry/hobby alive.
Cadillac convertibles always had leather seats. Lowering looks like the springs are shot to me. The side trim would be better off gone than several inches too low. The new engine sounds fun, but why tinker with styling perfection?
Cadillac convertibles always had leather seats. – So what? This one is custom not a restoration –
Lowering looks like the springs are shot to me. – Your boomer is showing –
The side trim would be better off gone than several inches too low. – Well, that’s where the factory installed it –
The new engine sounds fun, but why tinker with styling perfection? – what does the engine have to do with styling?
Seriously, I’ll never understand the need to publicly display how much of a narrow minded curmudgeon you can be. If it’s not your particular taste, STFU and move on. Nobody asked you….
Willy T – Isn’t it a ‘car’mudgeon? Also, can we be friends?
Thx for the feature y’all! This Caddy was a fun one – hope you all enjoy it.
Harley Earl is spinning in his grave.
Would love to see vintage Cadillacs restored to showroom condition; ’67 Eldorado would be nice.
Harley Earl would love this too
Reading the comments I realized this…people have no clue about the automotive custom industry. Harley Earl pushed for lowered cars in the 30s and built very custom cars as well. Study the individualization of mobility…it goes back to the chariot days. I am a 4th gen customizer and know this hobby/industry well. No, it is not for everyone and that’s what makes it unique. I appreciate originality and I’ve hand pinstriped hundreds of factory restored classics, carriages, buckboards, 500-year-old hearses, etc., so I get the complaints about this wild Caddy. Coming from a family that began hardcore custom coachbuilding in the 19teens doing high-end cars and Cadiallcs, I’ve lived a lifestyle that will not die.