Al and Kathy Longley
Kathy Alan Clark & Al Bob Campbell, Duane Warren, Al & Dick Moeschter
All these photos are from the 2004 Grand National held in South Bend, Indiana
1947's 1st Place Trophy & Badge
Back Garage w/six collectables in it
1951 Lincoln movie studio car only slightly used, the original unused spare and the jacks still in it's box.
One of three of Al's Pontiacs, a '53 Of course you must have a restored tractor
Al & Kathy's '56 Coupe DeVille resides in the front garage, available for regular use, it has working AC of course.
Below, Car as shown at The First Fifty Show in the Spring of 2005 Kathy at Grand National 2004 Kathy at Mancinis, Spring 2005
Two of
the truly Car Crazy members, Al & Kathy Longley, and their four acre vehicle
ranch in Dayton, MN. Al's interest in cars was from a historical standpoint i.e.
he's interested in the history surrounding these old cars and their historical
significance.
Al's had many many cars, currently he's got seven "Old" cars and Kathy has a new
Lincoln. The collection starts with a '47 Cadillac Convertible, next there's a
'51 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, then a '53 Pontiac Convert, followed by a '56 Pontiac
drop top, a '56 Cad Coupe Deville, a '68 Bonneville Conv. and a '72 GTO Judge.
All these cars are show able, under reconstruction or "Original." Most have a
considerable amount of "Original" components even if Al; has freshened up a few
items, like paint.
Every one of these, and many more cars owned in the past, is a story all by
themselves, but, we're here to learn more about the '47 Cadillac Convert. See,
Al & Kathy just won 1st Place in the Seniors Judged Class at the
Cadillac/LaSalle Grand Nationals. They got a nice Plaque plus a badge, see
pictures. This is quite a feat as other of our club members won't even enter
their cars as the judging is so stringent. Congratulations to the Longley's
Al found this car in the Self Starter (the national Cadillac/LaSalle Club
newsletter). It was in Toronto Canada and Al bought it over the phone without
ever seeing it in person. He sent a $1000 down payment and got pictures in
return and then finalized the deal. This was in 1997. Al went out and trailered
the car home in Mar. (or so depending on whether Al or Kathy is telling the
story)
The guy who had it had started restoring it but basically Al brought it home in
boxes. The motor (which Al did over) brakes and front suspension and some
plating had been done. After finishing up another project, Al started on
restoring it in ninety-eight. (Al restores in the winter and plays with his toys
in the summer.) Al had the body mounted on a rotisserie, plus his in-floor
hydraulic car hoist aided in the finest detailing. The car was finished, except
for the interior, by the spring of 2003 and the first major show for this
handsome yellow 1947 Convert was the 2004 Grand National in South Bend, IN. In
fact there have been only 16 Mlles put on the car since restoration was
completed.
Obviously it was trailered to Ohio. Behind their Motor Home in their 25'
enclosed trailer the Caddy made the trip without incident. The first night they
stayed in the Motor Home with the car in the trailer in a lot next to the show
until a security guard wakened them at 3 in the morning. The next few nights
they stayed in a nearby campground. They also had a '72 Eldorado there that Alan
Clark drove down for them. It was sold within an hour and a half of being
displayed and sent to Sidney Australia. See, told you every car has a story
behind it.
On the way down, Al lost his gas cap but as lucky as he is he found it on the
way back home a week later. Not so lucky was Alan Clark who drove the '72 Eldo
down for Al & Kathy. After parking the car in Chicago while he flew out east to
a meeting, it wouldn't start. Alan bought a new alternator that never got
installed because as t turns out the battery cable was loose. Maybe the Chicago
folks were trying to steal it. Regardless, Alan won the "Hardship" award for his
efforts.
Al has multiple garages. (see photos) Starting with the front garage was Kathy's
Lincoln, a friends V12 Packard and Al's '56 Cpe Deville, a beautiful, mostly
original car with working AC, so, its the ride of choice on hot summer day's
outings. In the business end of the garage, an addition Al added on behind the
attached front garage, sat Al's '47. As you might guess, a great deal of
"Detailing" was involved in producing this 1st Place winner. As mentioned
before, this detailing was aided by the in floor hydraulic hoist.
Notice the "Wedge" of hardwood Cadillac supplied with each car. This was to aide
in the safely jacking of the car in the event of a flat tire. It even came with
instructions on the proper placement of the block as pictured in the trunk of
the '56.
In one of the "Back" garages other cars are stored including: the GTO Judge with
it's 482 HP/580 Foot Lbs of torque (Al's foray into the drag racing world), the
'53 Pontiac Convert - simply beautiful, the '51 Lincoln once owned by the movie
studios and used to pick up executives, guests and stars at the airport. This
car is totally original including the jack in the trunk still being in it's
original cardboard box. The next car was the '68 Bonneville Convert which is for
sale someday. In the corner was the '56 Pontiac Convert which is in process of
being refinished and a friend's '40 Chevy.
In yet another garage he restores old tractors, the Ford pictured he uses around
the ranch, and rebuilds engines for others. The building also houses some of his
spares like a Cadillac dual quad intake manifold complete w/carbs. Thank You
Kathy and Al for allowing us a glimpse into your world.
by Roy Boone, Herald Columnist & Club Webmaster