Pride, perfection and passion are what make a vintage car restoration for Rossmoor resident Jerry Cochran and his 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
With the only one of 4 red models in existence, out of 704 cars totally ever produced, Cochran will be showing the American classic for the first time at the Concours d’ Elegance Car Show in Dana Point this Saturday.
Pride, perfection and passion are what make a vintage car restoration for Rossmoor resident Jerry Cochran and his 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
With the only one of 4 red models in existence, out of 704 cars totally ever produced, Cochran will be showing the American classic for the first time at the Concours d’ Elegance Car Show in Dana Point this Saturday.
“It’s my passion,” said Cochran. “I’ve been restoring this car off and on now for the last 20 years, and it’s finally finished.”
Originally sold for $13,000, the car is now worth “something in the 6 digits,” according to Cochran who bought it for $5,000. He refurbished the vehicle from custom tires all the way up to its brushed aluminum closed hard top, literally replacing and refinishing every single nut, bolt and screw.
“This is a very unique car, and was considered very luxurious in its day,” he said. The 4-door car comes complete with perfume from Paris, compact and lipstick for the ladies, and a place to pour “jiggers” for drinks for the men. With genuine fur carpeting throughout the floor, automatic door locks, air-ride suspension, and automated trunk open and closing feature, it was considered top of the line in its day.
Cochran learned to refurbish cars as a young man from his father, who was also mechanically inclined. “I told my dad that I would one day own this car,” he said. Not only did he restore the body completely, Cochran rebuilt the high compression 365 cubic inch V-8 engine as well. It currently has only 110 miles on the new motor, and had 52,000 miles on it when he originally purchased it.
“It was a good California car that was very rough,” said Cochran. “All the parts were here, but the car was barely running when I first got it.” “My goal with this car was to make it as perfect as possible, and that’s why it took so long to finish.”
“It’s my pride. It’s absolutely the most precious thing I have other than my family and health,” he said. “It’s a one of a kind car, and I can’t wait to get it to the car show. I think it will be a hit.”
Cochran, 67, who works as a food broker for Acosta Sales and Marketing, has lived in Rossmoor since 1975 with his wife Judy. He and his wife enjoy driving and traveling around the world with their Chevy Corvettes. He intends to never sell the Cadillac, and intends to keep it for his family. He has one son, Jerry, and two grandchildren, Julia, age 12, and Marcus, age 5.
The 30th anniversary Dana Point Concours d’Elegance will take place on June 23-24, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point. For more information visit www.danapointconcours.org.
