CPR’s Cadillac Restoration Testimonials

Our Customers on Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR)

For almost three decades we’ve built quite a reputation and there is nobody better suited to sing our praises than our satisfied customers. Many are return customers to Cadillac Parts & Restoration for whom we’ve restored several of their cars. Many are also by way of word-of-mouth and referral.

We appreciate all of our customers and are grateful for their patronage and loyalty. We wouldn’t have received all of our accolades without their continued support.

Gary Christensen – 1962 Eldorado & 1972 Coupe deVille

“Working with Frank and his crew at Cadillac Parts and Restoration has been a terrific experience.  The work they did on my ’62 Eldorado turned out great.  The team went far beyond “just enough”, going the extra mile to ensure that the results were perfect (and addressing some things that I didn’t even know were missing).  Of equal import is that CPR was extremely reliable, straightforward, and easy to work with.  Frank was great about sticking to the scope of work and making sure the priorities were understood.  He kept his word, communicated often and completely, and made sure that my experience was hassle free.  Given the complexity of my life and the time limitations I face regularly, that I had no controversies whatsoever with CPR was a dream — one that I don’t see very often from other companies.”

Joe Medinosky – 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Joe trusted his beloved 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville to the Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR)  team. The vehicle holds a special place in Joe’s heart and sought out the best in the business to restore this classic. Through regular maintenance and proper storage, the vehicle didn’t need a frame-off restoration. However, extensive work was performed on the engine, mechanicals, suspension, interior, body and paint. The result, an A.A.C.A. Junior & Senior First Place winner as well as winner of best in category awards at the Hemmings, Greenwich (CT) and Fairfield (CT) Concours d’Elegance shows. You can see more about this classic on our show winners page.

“Elsa Mauer and her staff at CPR are the most professional, honest, and dedicated group of people I have ever run across.  The experience I had in having them restore my fathers 1959 Cadillac was outstanding.  Elsa and her talented group of craftsmen not only restored my Dad’s car, they became a part of it!” – Joe Medinowsky

Andy Daubenspeck – 1936 Coupe & 1940 Convertible

Andy was so completely satisfied with our team’s work, he had perform the restoration work on both of his Cadillacs. The work began while we operated under F.E.N. Enterprises and when we formed our new company, Cadillac Parts & Restoration, he stuck with us.

Andy’s coupe has won numerous Concours d’Elegance and national awards, including prestigious A.A.C.A. and Cadillac & LaSalle Club titles and continues to wow the crowds wherever it is shown. Read his testimonial below and, we must say, the feeling is mutual.

“I have been associated with Cadillac Parts and Restoration since 2000 when they were known as FEN. They have restored two antique Cadillacs for me (a 1936 coupe and a 1940 convertible) and done extraordinarily fine work from plating to painting to upholstery. I appreciate the way they have always worked within my budget and schedule to produce excellent results—my 1936 Cadillac coupe has won multiple national-level awards and is still being shown. Above all, they are wonderful people to work with!” – Andy Daubenspeck

Peter Liberti – 1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille

Peter is from upstate New York and has a strong affinity for his 1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille. Even over the phone, you can hear in his voice just how fond he is of this iconic American classic car. When the original 390 motor started to tire, he brought it to Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR). We rebuilt the motor and refreshed the engine compartment. When the work was completed, he had this to say:

“They did my complete engine restoration. Brought an exhausted engine back to life! Absolutely excellent work…no one can top these seasoned professionals who also live and breathe Cadillac!”

Update: We finished other planned work on Peter’s 1959 Cadillac restoration project and he had more to say about CPR:

“Frank, Elsa, and team did absolutely outstanding work. They are artists. The many, many items of work they did has brought the car to showroom new. Engine is stronger then before and purrs like a sewing machine. Interior: my God. It puts every single new car of the past 30 years to absolute shame.”

Darlene P. – 1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

This 1960 Cadillac Coupe de Ville has been in the same family since new. Although it began it’s life in California, it now resides in New York State. Although this classic didn’t undergo full restoration it did receive a engine compartment restoration and a lot of much needed maintenance and repair. We also supplied and installed a difficult to find New old stock rear quarter fender molding. Darlene was pleased with our work and provided this testimonial:

“The Lake Placid local repair place tried to get things fixed and it took sometimes two years to get a part working again. Then my son discovered CPR. Last year it was towed there, diagnosed, and over this past summer everything under the hood was repaired or replaced. and painted the original color. Now the car drives like a dream. I am not ashamed to proudly show strangers, commenting on this beautiful car, under the hood where it looks like it just came out of the showroom.”

Bill Renda – 1963 Cadillac deVille Convertible

Bill is an experienced classic Cadillac owner and loves his red 1963 Cadillac deVille convertible. He was searching for an experienced team to perform maintenance & repair services on his classic and settled on Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR). Based upon his comments below, he’s quite pleased with our performance.

“I brought my 63 convertible to Frank Jr. and was very nervous at first, you see I’m from Connecticut and there’s no place in my state I trusted so here I am in another state leaving my car with people I don’t know and I was nervous to say the least.

Frank was very open and very comfortable to work with and I was given weekly updates.
Frank went through my car with a fine tooth comb and presented me a report on its needs which I was able to pick and choose what I wanted done and was very comfortable working with his crew, and may I add Frank would contact me with any problems or changes before he did a thing.

My car was there for most of the winter months as I added things to get fixed, I must say I’ve had many show cars over the years so I’m well versed to shoddy work and I was amazed at the detail and quality that was done, amazing job guys!

I checked out many other customers’ cars while there every week to check on mine and I was dumbfounded at the perfection I seen and not only was I thrilled with my car when I got it back but I made a great friend whom I will have for life.

And yes I will be bringing my car back this fall for more detailed work on it, thanks Frank and crew for restoring MY standard of the world, it was refreshing doing business with people who delivered to the nines.”

WOW! Bill is a loyal CPR customer and sent us yet another testimonial. We’re speechless!
April 2022 “I will start off by asking a question, how many of you have had your car at a resto shop only to have it turn into a nightmare?

How many of you have been overbilled, underdelivered, or just plain disappointed by the work performed?

I was in the same boat for years and when I bought my 63 Caddy I was lost as to where to get work done on her.

I knew without a doubt she needed an engine rebuild but who the hell was I going to trust?

I talked to several shops and was not impressed. I even received a recommendation from a trusted engine rebuilder on who to use for removal and installation but he faded out like a shooting star. I was checking out every conceivable place I could find only to sit down in disgust at the end of the day.

I remember coming home on a Friday and looking through Hemmings and there was an ad for Cadillac Parts And Restoration (CPR) and I gave it some thought, I then went out to my mailbox and there was my first copy of Self Starter (a Cadillac LaSalle Club publication) and as I was thumbing through it looking for somebody to fix the clock on my dash there was an ad for CPR again. So, I called and talked to Frank and he said ship it up anytime and I’ll check it out. But as I thought about it more I figured he’s only an hour and twenty minutes away why not just drive over and pop in?

So, the next morning there I am unannounced of course and Frank looked at the clock and said “not a problem.” He then proceeded to spend his valuable time showing me his operation and how they did their work, I was impressed, he gained my trust that day.

A month later I brought him my car because it had a skip in number 7 cylinder. He evaluated the whole car and told me the cam was shot but he also didn’t rope me in like other repair facilities. Frank explained it was okay to drive for now and I should drive it for the season and decide if I like it, or even want to keep it. He even said I should really get to know the car before I make that kind of commitment.

All I’m going to say is after 4 years of returning there with my car every year for other work to be done, I’m still impressed and have become very good friends with Frank and his family and have yet to be disappointed in anything his team of professionals does.

Its refreshing to have anything done to high standards in this day and age where people just slam things out and at CPR they don’t rush anything to cut corners, it’s done right every time.

Thank you, Frank, Christina, Elsa and Mark, for the time and caring you not only put into the cars you service but also the client, you have turned my Cadillac experience spectacular.

Bill Renda
Lifetime client and friend”

Joe Mortell – 1960 Cadillac Coupe deVille

Joe is a loyal customer who drives his low-mileage and mostly original 1960 Cadillac one hundred miles each way to CPR for maintenance and repair. When he was ready to enter his classic for the stringent judging of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club’s Grand National Meet, he sent his car to CPR for engine compartment restoration and some other work listed below. The result, a prestigious First Place, Senior award. Below, see what Joe had to say about CPR:

“I first met Frank at a Grand National Cadillac event back in 2013. His superb 1959 Coupe De Ville was parked next to my 1960 Coupe Deville. At that time, my correct odometer reading was 29,845 miles and of course is an original survivor. Frank gave me his business card should I need to have anything done to improve my car.

Well here it is 2018,and I have been going to Frank for the past 5 years. He has made incredible improvements to both my engine bay, transmission, exhaust system, and complete overhaul of front end, brake system and brake lines and not to mention incredible attention to the clock, window washer motor and radio as well.

What is there to say? No one can care for any Cadillac owner’s pride and joy as well as Frank and his team. Being in the Luxury Automobile Business for 50 years, I can attest to love and concern he gives to each of his projects. I always drive 100 miles each way just have an oil change when need be (and of course admire his current projects undergoing restoration.

May I strongly suggest you visit him or call him to discuss any concerns you may have in regard to your classic car before you settle for second or third best to take tender loving care of your car.”     

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