CPR restorations take home awards at 2017 Grand National Meet

Not a year passes that classic Cadillacs restored by CPR don't have a big presence at the prestigious Cadillac & LaSalle Club's (CLC) Grand National Meet. This year in McLean, VA was no different and, as usual, projects by Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR) took home top awards.

The CLC is the world's largest and most authoritative member-based organization for all things Cadillac and their annual meet attracts Cadillac owners (and fans) from around the world. While it serves as a fantastic showcase for our completed projects, it's also a wonderful opportunity to reunite with longtime friends and meet new people.

Judging at the CLC Grand National Meet is notoriously difficult and is performed mostly by classic Cadillac owners who know their stuff and examine not only the entire car for correctness and quality but also check the operation of all functions (air conditioning, wipers, lights, etc.. Judging at very few classic car shows is this involved.

This year's meet saw our 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz restoration project take home the Senior

Wreath award in its class. This beauty is owned by a gentleman who is a repeat and long-time customer of ours and this is the third car we've restored for him.

We're also glad he's getting this car back home so he can enjoy some top-down cruising in this collectible classic. Nothing makes our team of Cadillac restoration experts happier than knowing that a car they labored on intensely will be enjoyed on the road and not spend its life parked in a garage awaiting the next concours event.

Also at the meet was a white 1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille that is a perfect example of just how

strong sentimental value is and why it plays an important role in our industry.

This vehicle, with its iconic tail fins was passed on from father to son and was meticulously cared for throughout its life. When the son assumed ownership of the coupe he carried on that tradition and, when it arrived at CPR's facility, it needed only a partial restoration to get it to "Senior" award winning condition.

These two icons of American automotive history were just two of our restorations to be recognized with awards at the 2017 Grand National. Stay tuned for another dispatch about the big meet.

1956 Buick Roadmaster: CPR-completed restoration

1956 Buick Roadmaster Restoration Project

Known for specializing in restoring classic Cadillacs, the CPR team also opens their doors to other

1956 Buick Roadmaster restoration project

makes and models. This 1956 Buick Roadmaster restoration project was sent up from Alabama by a loyal customer for whom they've previously restored two award-winning classic cars. 

Like most low-production cars they've restored, this top of the line model presented more than a few challenges. Finding a pair of exhaust deflectors particular to that model and model year only took many hours of searching and, being the "holy grail" of 1956 Roadmaster parts and quite possibly the last available NOS set out there, they came at a steep price.

But those are the lesser-known expenses involved with classic car restoration. Most think about the hundreds of hours of fabrication, body work and prep but searching for rare parts for a low-production sixty year-old car consumes dozens of hours along. However, that's what is necessary when the goal is a complete and proper restoration that will not only impress the masses but, more importantly, experts who know their classic cars. 

About Cadillac Parts & Restoration

Although Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR) has only been in their new Poughkeepsie facility for about five years, their history dates back to 1984 when Elsa Mauer Nicodemus formed FEN Enterprises. A business that began as a small mail-order restoration parts and supply company quickly expanded into the actual restoration work. 

As the business grew, so did their reputation and an international clientele blossomed and made FEN known around the world as the go-to Cadillac restoration specialists. In fact, some of the finest examples of restored Cadillacs have rolled out of their doors.

CPR is located in the historic Hudson Valley region of New York State and is conveniently located to those traaveling from the New York City area of from New England. Many customers have their projects transported from across the country and not too long ago they sent a 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz back to its owner in New Zealand.

They can be reached at (845) 462-5959 and will be happy to discuss your restoration project. For more information visit their website.

Restoring the Standard of the World - Classic Cadillac Restoration

FEN Enterprises begins Cadillac Restoration Services

In 1984, FEN Enterprises began as a small mail-order Cadillac restoration supplier offering parts and project supplies our of a spare room in the business owners' Hudson Valley, NY home. Not long after, the business expanded into actual restoration work with the construction of a pole-barn on the same property.

"FEN" made their big splash in the classic Cadillac community with their 1955 Cadillac Eldorado

1955 Cadillac Eldorado - the restoration project that helped
make FEN Enterprises' name

restoration project. The brilliant red classic was dubbed "Bad Girl" due to the challenges presented to the restorers but the end result was a masterpiece. As their completed projects garnered top awards, word spread and the business outgrew the pole-barn and soon moved into a building that formerly housed a health and racquetball club.

The new facility allowed the family-owned business to satisfy the growing demand for their classic car services and business grew at a rapid pace.

"FEN's" Classic Cadillac Restoration Gains Media Attention

The automobile restoration industry is vast but its circles are small and it was inevitable that press and media outlets would begin to notice this small but mighty team of craftsmen. Among the publications that wrote about FEN Enterprises was the industry's most influential, Hemmings Motor News.

Nicknamed the "Bible of the Collector-Car Industry," Hemmings featured the "FEN" team in a fantastic article about their classic Cadillac restoration success titled Restoring the Standard of the World. The article garnered much publicity for the niche business and placed their name into international prominence.

Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR)

Times and situations change, and with that, businesses evolve. Today, the "FEN" team operates out of a new restoration facility in Poughkeepsie, NY and works under the name Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR). Still conveniently located to both the New York metropolitan area and New England, their team continues to produce the world's finest examples of restored Cadillacs.

There can be no greater evidence of their continued commitment to excellence than their
showing at the 2017 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National Meet where four of their restoration projects took home First Place awards in their respective classes.

Classic Cadillac owners interested in learning about CPR's restoration services can visit their website at www.cprforyourcar.com or give them a call at (845) 462-5959. They've had the same telephone number for about thirty years and would be glad to speak with prospective customers about their goals.

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Seville restoration project

This acclaimed 1958 Cadillac Eldorado restoration has earned First Place awards in every show and

concours event in which it's been entered. It is quite possibly the highest-awarded car of its type and serves as an excellent example of how talented the Cadillac Parts & Restoration team is.

Quality and correctness abound in this classic and if you're looking for this level of restoration, then give the Cadillac restoration experts of CPR a call at (845) 462-5959 to learn how they can assist you.

1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille: CPR-completed restoration project

No matter the condition, the 1959 Cadillac commands a lot of attention at car shows. However, the largest crowds will always surround nice original or properly restored examples. When it comes to 1959 Cadillacs, CPR's Cadillac restoration specialists are the team to turn to.

One example to look at is this highly-awarded 1959 Cadillac restoration project whose sentimental value far exceeds mere trophies. Of course, the rarest and most-collectible 1959 models is the Eldorado Biarritz. This 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz restoration is stunning and offers its owner much pride and many miles of top-down driving enjoyment.

Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR) is located in Poughkeepsie, NY and is an easy trip from NYC and other northeastern U.S. locations.

1959 Cadillac - restored by CPR

Press Coverage: Cadillac Parts & Restoration

The Cadillac Parts & Restoration team has been restoring cars for over thirty years and have earned

quite a reputation for professional and correct completed projects. While CPR is quite well-known in classic Cadillac circles, new aficionados enter the community every day. For those not very familiar with our history, this nationally-syndicated article about our Cadillac restoration tradition is a good start.

CPR's Founder and President - The Cadillac Restoration Queen

Elsa Mauer Nicodemus has been a fixture in the classic Cadillac community since 1984 when she founded FEN Enterprises. In no time, her company earned international recognition as one of the premier restorers of America's premier luxury automobile.

The success of her business generated much media and press attention and it was popular regional lifestyle magazine Hudson Valley that dubbed her "The Cadillac Queen." Read the article and learn much more about her Cadillac restoration history.

Elsa Mauer Nicodemus - The Cadillac Restoration Queen

1956 Buick Roadmaster restoration

As the name implies, Cadillac Parts & Restoration specializes in Cadillacs. However, we've produced award-winning restorations of many makes and models. Pictured below is a 1956 Buick Roadmaster convertible restored for a loyal and longtime customer. 

1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz restoration project

Cadillacs of the 1950s remain very popular and make up over half of the projects that enter the restoration facility of Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR). Within the classic Cadillac community many owners are particular to a certain year. One of our customers was a 1956 guy and below is the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz restoration we performed for him.

Each Cadillac model year has its peculiarities and challenges, in particular, the rare and low-production Eldorado examples. So when it comes to restoring your classic Cadillac it makes sense to select a provider whose team has specialized in Cadillacs since 1984 and have produced many award-winning vehicles.

If you own a classic car, give CPR a call at (845) 462-5959. They've had the same telephone number for over thirty years and will be happy to discuss your restoration project.

Cadillac Parts & Restoration on FB

Classic cars fans around the world use Facebook to satisfy their hunger about everything related to the hobby and, when it comes to classic Cadillacs and Cadillac restoration, CPR's page is one to follow.

If you're considering restoring your classic Cadillac, visit our website at www.cprforyourcar.com or give us a call at (845) 462-5959. We've had that phone number for over 30 years and would enjoy discussing your project.

1950 Cadillac restoration project currently underway at CPR

Hemmings Motor News and Cadillac Parts & Restoration

Hemmings Motor News (HMN) has earned its moniker of "The Bible of the Collector Car Industry"

and, going back to the start of our "FEN" days in 1984, we've been proud to associate and advertise in HMN. Aside from the extensive and wide-ranging classified advertising, Hemmings monthly editions include well-written articles about classic car restoration.

Our team has been featured in HMN numerous times including this article about our Cadillac restoration expertise. After reading the article, you can visit our website at www.cprforyourcar.com to view past and present projects.

Restored 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz by the CPR Team

1959 Cadillacs are a favorite of the Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR) team and when a rare and highly-collectible Eldorado Biarritz rolls through the doors the excitement level rises. Only 1,320 of these prized models were made and far fewer exist today so their restoration presents challenges beyond those of a typical project.

Since the team's beginning in 1984 (FEN Enterprises) they've restored many 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz's and it's become a specialty of theirs. They have the craftmanship and model-specific knowledge required to correctly restore these cars so their owners can not only show the vehicle with pride but enjoy many miles of top-down cruising.

Considering a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz restoration, give CPR a call at (845) 462-5959. They've had the same telephone number for over thirty years and will gladly speak to you about your project.

1936 Cadillac V8 - restoration by CPR

This stunning 1936 Cadillac V8 restoration was performed by the classic Cadillac professionals at Cadillac Parts & Restoration (CPR). The owner is a keen Cadillac aficionado and trusts CPR to store, maintain and transport this multiple award-winning classic.

This is not the only Cadillac the car's proud owner had the team restore as they also brought back to life his 1940 Cadillac back in their FEN Enterprises days.

Elsa Mauer Nicodemus formed FEN Enterprises back in 1984 and the company quickly earned a reputation for its professionally and correctly restored classics. Operating under a new name, Cadillac Parts & Restoration, the team remains and continues its renowned work at its new restoration facility in Poughkeepsie, NY.

1959 Cadillac Restoration Projects by CPR

Dating back to CPR's days as FEN Enterprises, their talented team of professional restorers have produced many stunning examples of completed 1959 Cadillac projects. With their iconic tail fins, the 1959 model year is among the most collectible classics produced by Cadillac.

Below are a few examples completed by Cadillac Parts & Restoration.

1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille - multiple award-winning classic that turns heads wherever it travels.





1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz - classic color combo of white exterior and red interior. Its owner has

enjoyed many miles of top-down driving behind the wheel of this beauty.







1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Restoration - the stunning Argyle Blue metallic paint just explodes in

the sunlight. There weren't many produced in this color and this car draws crowds and wins trophies wherever it is displayed.







Visit Cadillac Parts & Restoration to learn more.