1960 Coupe de Ville

[Janelso]

Does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster from a 1960 Caddie, probably the same as a 1959. Does the top pad have to come off? Or can it be done from below?

[SDBRODT]

Originally Posted by Janelso

Does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster from a 1960 Caddie, probably the same as a 1959. Does the top pad have to come off? Or can it be done from below?

During the mid-1970's, while employed at an Oldsmobile dealership, I removed a Guide-Matic Power Headlamp Dimming Control from a 1960 Cadillac Sedan. The entire top of the instrument panel was removable on that model and access to the controls was great. Incidentally, I used that Autronic Eye for many trouble-free years on my 1967 Jeep Pickup Truck...all of my friends thought at first it was a radar detector !
That unit had the one-year-only "Safety Salute" 2-stage dimming feature. It worked great, and was a real safety feature on a vehicle that had a standard transmission.... I didn't need an extra foot for headlamp dimming!
Best of luck with your Cadillac project !
Scott

[Janelso]

Thanks for the response. My Caddie has the auto dimmer also, and I think that it works. It will dim the lights pretty much all the time, is it possible to turn it off? Do you remember if removing the dash pad will expose the instrument cluster for removal? Jeff

[SDBRODT]

Jeff: It's been a long time since I had that Cadilllac dashpad off, but I am almost certain that the instrument cluster was exposed for servicing the units. I remember also removing the clock from the '60 dash cluster when I had the top of that instrument panel off. As far as the Autronic Eye, I believe that if you rotate the sensitivity control that says Near/Far all of the way to the left (counter-clockwise) the automatic control is turned off and you can then manually control the dimming with the footswitch. My eye had the word "off" lettered in the casting. It was unusual that only Oldsmobiles had an on/off switch marked "Autronic Eye" and then later "Guide-Matic" built into the headlamp switch. That control rotated to "on/off" and was ahead of the headlamp switch escutcheon and beneath the headlamp pull switch.
Take care!
Scott

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by SDBRODT

Jeff: It's been a long time since I had that Cadilllac dashpad off, but I am almost certain that the instrument cluster was exposed for servicing the units. I remember also removing the clock from the '60 dash cluster when I had the top of that instrument panel off. As far as the Autronic Eye, I believe that if you rotate the sensitivity control that says Near/Far all of the way to the left (counter-clockwise) the automatic control is turned off and you can then manually control the dimming with the footswitch. My eye had the word "off" lettered in the casting. It was unusual that only Oldsmobiles had an on/off switch marked "Autronic Eye" and then later "Guide-Matic" built into the headlamp switch. That control rotated to "on/off" and was ahead of the headlamp switch escutcheon and beneath the headlamp pull switch.
Take care!
Scott

SDBrodt, your advice is on the money I worked for Cad Mtr Car Div in the 60's through the 70"s as a troubleshooter in Brooklyn and Manhattan, even owned a 60 Coupe, wish I had it back.

[SDBRODT]

MAXWEDGE: Oh how hindsight is "20/20"... those were magnificent automobiles! With the years of experience that you had with Cadillac, you've certainly forgotten more than I will ever learn. I was employed at an Oldsmobile Dealership from 1973 through 1988 when the owner retired. He had his agency from 1933 to 1988 and sold the business after he experienced several strokes at the ago of 82. We learned after his death that he was the longest franchise holder with Olds under its original owner...there were older agencies, but they usually had been handed down through relatives, or sold and the original name was retained... not in this case..... Too bad GM announced that milestone after he had passed on.
Anyway, because we were rurally located, and the closest Cadillac dealer was about 25 miles away, we did a lot of Cadillac service and stocked a lot of Cadillac parts so that we didn't have to run.
I worked with two Olds technicians who really put me through the ropes in the Service Department... I obtained more information from their experiences than when I went to the training centers.... one tutored me on "Comfortron" Climate Control for the 1960's models until I learned everything by memory... gosh, we used to even diagnose over the phone to other service departments.
Around 1974, when we were sitting in line for gasoline, we had traded in several Cadillacs that widows had continued to maintain... all were nice, but wound up in the "back row" where no one wanted them. "I" decided that I wanted a '60 Coupe deVille that was lavendar with a white top.
AC, Cruise, Autronic Eye, Signal Seeker, power windows AND ventipanes... the works! I made this announcement at home, and being 18 and under the legal age back then, Dad still called the shots!
"You are NOT going to park one of those monstrosities in front of this house!" was the statement, AND THAT WAS THAT !
Years went bye, and that Coupe along with 2 1959 flattop sedans and a 1962 Park Avenue sat just rotting away. I can remember when they were towed away... A total of $ 25.00 was the agreed on price for the 4 Cadillacs.... enough materials to now build 16 or more automobiles !
I still tease Dad when we see those cars at shows today !
Godspeed !