#447936
TexasBuster wrote:Will your car have the extra bars separating the back side windows?
SabaSka109 wrote: Right you are Loren...that's what I meant by the border between the windows and such...I have the trim for it all, just can't install it yet. It would definitely be very cool to have our cars together at some point too...but there's still quite a ways for me to go to get to that point.
#447964
Yes, of course the bars will separate the back windows...I found the only person on Earth who had all of the windows and trim around and between them for sale...

Trust me friends, no detail will be left unaddressed and no part of the project will be left imperfect...I'm very OCD!
#451124
Very cool progress!! I'm happy for you, man! I've been trying to find a '59 for years now. Recently I've tried going to the source
and looking on hearse forums to see what's for sale but they seem to be very, VERY hesitant to sell one of their treasures to
any Ghostbusters fan. Either they won't sell it to any of us or they jack up the price 10-fold.

Good luck with this project- seems like some of the hard parts are already over!!
SabaSka109 liked this
#451134
Thanks Chris. I think the problem with going to a hearse forum looking for one is that the cars that those people have tend to be in really nice shape, and they'd never sell the car to someone who they feel will "butcher" them to convert them into Ecto-1's. The thing is, most people don't realize how much it costs to do this project, and those who aspire to do the Ecto-1 conversion don't have the 100K it takes to do a legit Ecto. I will surely exceed the 100K mark with the way things are going, but to me it's well worth it.

I'm actually in touch with a gentleman who has a 1959 M&M just like the one needed to make the Ecto that will eventually be for sale, but it's all original. I plan to buy it if factors allow, and I would never, ever convert it to an Ecto, I'd restore what needs to be redone and have it all original.

All in all, any 1959 Cadillac, regardless of the model, is a beautiful thing when restored. This car I started with was in great shape (the guy working on it can't believe how little rust and problems there were to start with), but it wasn't being used...I'm bringing it to life in a big (and expensive) way...but yeah, sometimes doing an Ecto-1 destroys a beautiful car that shouldn't have been violated...that is what the hearse people hate about Ecto-1 projects in general.
#451136
Yeah that's true. I respect all cars for what they are. When I was younger
I started liking hearses because of the Ecto-1. I'd never take a car that was
a few steps away from being restored and make it into an Ecto, but the hearse
folks probably still wouldn't see it that way.

Since you're in Bethlehem I hope to see this in person after it's finished. I have a great
appreciation for when a car project of this magnitude is completed correctly
SabaSka109 liked this
#451137
ChrisJL52020 wrote:Since you're in Bethlehem I hope to see this in person after it's finished. I have a great
appreciation for when a car project of this magnitude is completed correctly
You're welcome to come to the Lehigh Valley to check it out...I certainly have no plans of driving it out to Philadelphia (the drivers there are assholes, no offense...haha).
#451139
SabaSka109 wrote:Thanks Chris. I think the problem with going to a hearse forum looking for one is that the cars that those people have tend to be in really nice shape, and they'd never sell the car to someone who they feel will "butcher" them to convert them into Ecto-1's. The thing is, most people don't realize how much it costs to do this project, and those who aspire to do the Ecto-1 conversion don't have the 100K it takes to do a legit Ecto. I will surely exceed the 100K mark with the way things are going, but to me it's well worth it.

I'm actually in touch with a gentleman who has a 1959 M&M just like the one needed to make the Ecto that will eventually be for sale, but it's all original. I plan to buy it if factors allow, and I would never, ever convert it to an Ecto, I'd restore what needs to be redone and have it all original.

All in all, any 1959 Cadillac, regardless of the model, is a beautiful thing when restored. This car I started with was in great shape (the guy working on it can't believe how little rust and problems there were to start with), but it wasn't being used...I'm bringing it to life in a big (and expensive) way...but yeah, sometimes doing an Ecto-1 destroys a beautiful car that shouldn't have been violated...that is what the hearse people hate about Ecto-1 projects in general.

I can agree with them when it comes to taking a fully conditioned car and cutting it up. I'm always hearse-searching, but never for a 59. I don't have the skills or money to restore one, and even if I did, I'm not sure I could justify it. I love Ghostbusters, but it might be too much for me. I'd gladly take a 60's or 70's model car and butcher it up, though. Not quite the same thing, for me.

But projects like yours and Lorens are saving a car, not butchering it. Without you guys and your love of the Ghostbusters, they would still be rusting away on the ground. Hearse owners should at least respect the fact that you're saving the car from death.
SabaSka109 liked this
#451356
I needed a pick-me-up so I just re-read this entire thread. So amazing!

Part of me really wants to see your 60 fins get passed on to someone with a 63 build, then those fins passed on further until...

Too cool, this is such an amazing process!
#451641
I am glad that some people can appreciate how much has been put into this project...I can't convey the hours, challenges, stress, or frustrations in a message board thread. The reason I talk about my car non-stop is because it really has become my life's devotion over the past few years...I can only imagine how overwhelming it would be if I was actually putting in the countless hours of meticulous work in making the restoration & conversion a success (it would be impossible with the way I work even if I had that kind of talent, which I don't).

I actually plan to keep my 1960 fins for some sort of decorative piece in my future garage...then again, if someone had a 1960 and needed them to restore their hearse I'd part with the fins without even thinking twice.
zeta otaku, Boomerjinks liked this
#452235
Alright my friends, an update is long overdue! So, the conversion is officially underway. The rear quarters are being welded on as we speak because they have been restored inside and out. Here are some pictures of the rear quarters undergoing preparation:

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The insides have been coated with a lot of love to prevent future rust issues that most of these cars have...

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NOW THEY'RE READY!!! Feast your eyes:

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Now, of course my buddy Roger wouldn't forget about my fender skirts...they needed a lot of love too and now THEY'RE READY...

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Here are some pictures of the finished rear quarter panels just prior to welding being started (sorry, I know the one is blurry)...

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Once welded, Roger will sand everything down and make it look like this baby was always a 1959 Cadillac...I have taken a dead 1959 Deville and a dead 1960 Miller Meteor and had someone make me a living 1959 Cadillac...do you know how cool it feels to say that?

What's even funnier is that I took a dead 1961 Miller Meteor to make my car an ambulance (using the window borders and glass)...but that process hasn't happened yet...it's next on the agenda.


Until next time...

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#452262
You know, I realize it's inherent and I don't have to say it, but can I just say that I freaking LOVE Ecto-1 and I grow more and more excited (I'm so freaking excited!) just thinking about the times that await. THIS IS SO WORTH IT.
#454255
Well, first off, finding a 1960 Miller Meteor is as difficult as finding a 1959. On top of that, simply changing the fins is not accurate...the rear of the 1960 quarter panels differs from a 1959...so the entire rear bumper is different too. Also, the whole front end differs in regards to the fenders, grill, and bumper.

All in all, it is extraordinarily expensive to do this and do it right...believe me, I have personally fully-funded this project, aside from the gurney, which my dad bought for me as a birthday present (I obviously have the coolest dad ever). From what I gather, nobody else has gone as far as I have with this, and I honestly can't blame them, but simply grafting 1959 fins onto another car just doesn't get the job done the way an Ecto deserves in my opinion.
#454332
yeah ive already looked into all that I was just being general, we own a body-frame-paint shop we can get it done no problem we've cut cars in half put them back together built race cars and street rods just a matter of finding the cars and parts as u said lol if I found somthing like that unrestored 60 that bobs prop shop had and a basket case 59 coupe that would be perfect lol otherwise I was thinking about taking a coupe and give it a nice ecto paint job and adding some tasteful accessories to it wouldn't look good with as much crap on the roof like the mm's do but something lol
#454529
SabaSka109 wrote:From what I gather, nobody else has gone as far as I have with this, and I honestly can't blame them, but simply grafting 1959 fins onto another car just doesn't get the job done the way an Ecto deserves in my opinion.
Sometimes it's hard to pat yourself on the back, it feels awkward and self-serving, but when the accomplishment is so huge that you know you really earned it DO IT. You have earned it.

Yes, you are the only one I know who's gone to this length, especially the part about how you need to change the inner part of the rear body to accommodate the different '59 bumper and lights. I've seen a few cars that weld on the fins but it ain't the same, is it? Having gone down the long road you've been, you would now know this better than anyone here. You really did go to every length to turn this into an indiscernable '59. When you're done I seriously doubt any Caddy specialist will recognize it as a modded (other year model) Caddy. I respect your pursuit of perfection.
#454714
Over the top, out of this world cool. No way I would ever take on a task like that which makes me appreciate the quest even more. To say nice job doesn't even cut it. That is going to be studio quality or better!
User avatar
By SabaSka109
#458178
Hey guys,

I've been tied up with a lot of things (some good, some not so good), but one of the things that keeps me going is the Ecto project. I will have an update soon once I have more photos - I've got some new ones, but I'm waiting for a few more before I share them.

The 59 fins are welded on, and the engine has had an official run-through by a mechanic. All of the bearings have been replaced with new ones because the engine sound a bit clunky when they fired it up in the engine well (the damn thing runs good though...CHEVY BIG BLOCK BOYS).

Some of us just got back from DragonCon in Atlanta and we had a blast. I had the pleasure of seeing Loren's Ecto (beautiful) and this motivates me even more to assure my car exceeds all expectations...considering the couple hundred reference photos I have of everything from my California trip in May I think it'll be easy to exceed them too! I can only hope that a lot of you get to check it out when it's done...one big group celebration in Pennsylvania (start saving money for the trip!).
Dan AKA, Chace, Fifthrider and 1 others liked this
User avatar
By SabaSka109
#458202
Dan AKA wrote:Going to have to be there for it's official celebration.
Uh, yes...I will fully expect you up here...both when the car arrives, and when the Ecto conversion is complete...preferably a few times during the Ecto-ification too.
XxEctOxX liked this
#462137
Well, I'm happy to say that my car has officially become Roger's sole focus. I have been dishing him plenty of funds to work with so that he can work on it exclusively, and I'm hoping to have a ton of additional photos soon.

Here's a shot of the driver rear quarter panel welded on...all of the previous pictures were of it lined up but not actually welded (things had to happen internally before the final weld that were time-consuming).

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Now, you all realize that the outside grafting looks legit...but don't worry, I made a point of how the internal welding and final appearance is just as important (and, thankfully, Roger has a friend with a real 1959 M&M for reference).

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You probably can't tell, but that's damn close to how it's supposed to be shaped...and it will be precise when he's done.

Also, the rear bumper on the movie car has a very unique step in it...one that I have never seen anywhere else. Loren has an actual step bumper on his Ecto, but the one on the movie car is different (I think it was modded from the bumper that Loren has into what it is now). That being said, I did manage to get some good photos and measurements of the step when we were out in California so Roger has the information to work with...

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And the step being produced from my reference photos...

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Until next time, the process continues!
jackdoud liked this
#462593
WOW.

Today I got some photos of the driver side quarter panel welded and worked on...and I have to say that I am so ridiculously pumped...

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It looks flawless! I don't think anyone would even know it was welded if I hadn't posted pictures before this!

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Look at that! Just look at that! I am in love!

And, as I found out today, it won't be long until the passenger quarter panel looks the same...

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It is now welded too!

SHIT IS GETTING REAL.
zeta otaku, jackdoud, Dr. Stantz Jr. and 1 others liked this
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