Don had a 1960 Cadillac Series 62 that he loved, but raising his family took priority over finishing his dream car. He parked the massive two-door coupe in storage, where it remained for approximately 30 years.
The Cadillac wasn’t forgotten. Don simply had other responsibilities, including helping his children through scouting. Later, serious health problems further delayed his plans to restore the car.
That changed when the crew from WD Detailing arrived to retrieve the Cadillac and give it a thorough cleaning. The team also hoped to get its 390-cubic-inch V8 running again.
In a video published August 29, 2026, the crew documented the Cadillac’s recovery, mechanical surprises, and an emotional reunion that ended with Don behind the wheel.
Thirty Years Waiting
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Removing the Cadillac from storage was the first challenge. All four tires were flat, and although the crew managed to inflate them, the nearly 5,000-pound vehicle refused to roll freely.
With at least one wheel locked, the team used a truck and tow strap to pull the Cadillac out.
Once it reached the detailing shop, the wheels had freed up, allowing the crew to begin cleaning and inspecting the vehicle.
Don explained that his children’s activities had occupied much of his time. About a decade earlier, he underwent heart valve replacement surgery. A subsequent infection affecting his heart required another open-heart operation and a 40-day stay at the Cleveland Clinic.
Despite those setbacks, Don still wanted to enjoy his Cadillac and was planning to build a new garage for it.
A Surprising Discovery
The Cadillac’s mechanical condition turned out to be more promising than its long storage period suggested.
Adam, the team’s mechanic, found that the engine oil looked clean, the belts remained installed, and the engine compartment showed no obvious signs of rodent damage.
After connecting a jump pack, the crew discovered that the engine could turn over.
Getting it to start required some experimentation. They initially struggled to remove old gasoline from the tank, then supplied fuel directly to the carburetor.
Eventually, the crew added five gallons of gasoline to the tank. Fuel began reaching the engine, and the V8 came to life.
The Cadillac’s original 390-cubic-inch, 6.4-liter V8 was rated at 325 horsepower when new, an impressive figure for a luxury automobile of its era.
The engine wasn’t the only surprise. The transmission engaged, and the Cadillac could move under its own power.
However, the brake pedal initially refused to move. After freeing it and adding brake fluid, the crew obtained some braking response. Additional bleeding was needed before the vehicle could be driven.
Decades of Dirt
With the mechanical work underway, the detailers turned their attention to the exterior.
The Cadillac’s towering rear fins, extensive chrome trim, and original paint had accumulated decades of contamination.
The team washed the body, treated embedded iron deposits, cleaned the wheels, and polished the chrome.
Inside, the Cadillac retained much of its period luxury, including a spacious rear bench seat, power windows, and a sweeping instrument panel.
The crew removed the seats to clean the carpets and carefully extracted dirt from the upholstery. Some original fabric had begun deteriorating, so they avoided aggressive brushing that could cause further damage.
Although cleaning improved the interior, the original carpets still showed their age.
The work was primarily an extensive detailing and mechanical recommissioning rather than a complete, ground-up restoration.
One Last Surprise
After completing the work, the team took the Cadillac for a short drive before returning it to Don.
They had deliberately told him that the engine still wouldn’t run, keeping the mechanical success a secret.
When the crew arrived, Don had reportedly been waiting on his porch for approximately six hours.
His reaction was immediate when he saw the freshly cleaned Cadillac.
“That’s the way I remember it,” he said.
He called the results fantastic and admitted he hadn’t expected the car to run and drive again.
Climbing inside brought back memories, and the crew encouraged him to finally enjoy the vehicle he had kept for decades.
The video ends with Don getting behind the wheel and driving away in his Cadillac, something he hadn’t done in approximately 30 years.