1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe for sale

$60,000

Click here to view photo album

Features include:

Power windows
Power seats
Power convertible top
Power antenna
AM push button radio
Hydra-Matic 4 speed automatic transmission
Driver's side spot light

As many upmarket automakers struggled to retool for civilian production after the end of World War II, Cadillac emerged as the new leader in the American luxury market, in terms of both style and power. Visually, the fully restyled 1948 models featured sleeker envelope-type styling, smooth front fenders and less pronounced rear fenders. The company's cars continued to feature Harley Earl's emerging tailfins, inspired by the Lockheed P-38 fighter aircraft and inside, the fully revamped interior benefited from a new instrument panel design, door moldings and trim.

Recognized by the Milestone Car Society as a Milestone Car, the 1949 Cadillac featured a four speed Hydra-Matic transmission, and a new, more powerful, smoother, high compression, overhead valve V8 engine that would dominate the North American market for the next quarter century. Mechanix Illustrated called the '49 Cadillac "America's finest automobile to date" and said that it had the "acceleration and flash of the finest imported racing cars. And it climbs hills like a gazelle."

While Cadillac offered no fewer than four series in its landmark 1949 model year, the Series 62 Convertible Coupe stands out as a collector favorite. This particular example is an excellent car that displays a pride of ownership. A true survivor car, this is an unrestored, original, three-owner car with 76,000 documented, original miles. Other than the typical normal wear items, the convertible top has been replaced and the original steel wheels & hubcaps were replaced with Eldorado wheels; both of these were done by the first owner some time prior to 1972. Originally purchased in Florida in 1949, it changed hands and came to Canada in 1972. It was purchased by its current owner in 1995 and is now available for purchase once more. Lovingly cared for by all three owners, this car has even been serviced by the same mechanic, a former GM dealership shop foreman, for the past 37 years.

Sheaf of maintenance receipts and shop manual are included with the car.

Body and Paint:

The Cadillac black paint is 99% original, with the only known touch-up done to the Dutchman Panel (the piece between the trunk and the interior) during the initial ownership. Overall, the gloss black paint shines like new with virtually no patina and, as you will see from the attached photographs, the clarity of the reflections in the finish is amazing. Even the doorjambs show virtually no paint loss from the past 60 years of use. Any imperfections in the paint are minor, but a few to note are as follows:
    The driver's side trunk lid has three thumbprint-sized spots where the paint has thinned over the years.
    The paint under the 'V' of the hood is showing minor surface rusting.
    The crease in each of the front fenders has had some paint loss along the very outer edge due to an overzealous buffing.

1949 Cadillac Convertible

The tailfins; the identifying symbol of the Cadillac marque until 1964, were introduced on the 1948 Cadillac. A nice touch of refinement was the fuel filler opening that was concealed underneath the hinged left tail light lens, which swung upward to reveal the gas cap.

The body panels, including the fender skirts, are all original and virtually dent-free. The doors, trunk, and hood all open and close as smoothly as expected of a Cadillac with virtually no paint wear along the contact points. The trunk lid even sports the original, factory-installed (albeit, well-worn) rubber. The only two areas showing the effects of time are the front quarter panels and the front edging around the rear wheel wells. The front quarters are solid, but are showing some bubbling under the paint on the lower portion just in front of the doors. The lower edge on the front of each rear wheel well does show some rust damage where the fender skirts attach. The rest of the wheel wells are solid and damage-free.

Chrome and Trim:

All of the exterior chrome and brightwork are original pieces and are dent-free. The front and rear bumpers show some minor surface scratches, but otherwise have a beautiful shine to them. The wrap-around section of the passenger-side rear bumper does have some first layer scratches as shown in the photographs. The Cadillac Goddess flies beautifully from atop the hood, shining brilliantly in the afternoon sun. All major brightwork pieces are free from pitting and show well.

Undercarriage, Suspension, Frame, and Tires:

Solid and rust-free, the underside of this car is in remarkable condition. Even the gas tank and straps are without damage or wear. All components are in proper working condition and there are no areas of concern. The undercarriage features an independent front suspension with coil springs, a live rear axle, with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Due to the low mileage and infrequent use of this automobile, there has been some fluid leakage and there are sections of the undercarriage that show as wet as a result of this.

The period correct wide whitewall tires are in near perfect condition with no cracking or flaws and very little wear. Due to the age of the tires (approximately 15 years), replacement would be a wise investment for safety reasons.

Engine, Transmission, and Drivetrain:

The 160 hp 331 cubic inch engine starts easily and runs flawlessly. With the hood closed, a barely audible gentle purr is all that can be heard from under the hood. With a turn of the key, the engine breathes to life with little effort and runs nicely. The V8 of 1949 was designed to cool easily and ran with a smaller radiator than its predecessors. The previous owner found that fuel evaporation could be an issue in parade situations and so, rather than replace the existing fuel lines, tinfoil was added to protect the fuel from the heat dissipated from the engine. The engine block and valve covers still sport the original paint with no signs of fluid leaks on the top of the engine. As stated earlier, due to the infrequent use of the car, there signs of fluid seepage around gaskets on the underside.

The Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission shifts gently and without effort. The shift between the four forward gears is Cadillac smooth.

Convertible Top:

The convertible top was replaced by the first owner some time prior to 1972. It is still in good condition with only one tear near the snap on the driver's side rear corner. The top mechanism functions as expected with no jerkiness or trouble spots noted. The chrome mechanism on the driver's side is in good condition but the chrome on the passenger's side is showing some surface pitting.

Interior:

The dash, featuring the optional push button radio (with functioning power antenna), shines brilliantly with only one small paint chip under the Cadillac emblem. The interior chrome maintains its original shine and all gauges are in working order. The clock, however, shows the correct time only twice a day.

On one particular drive to being serviced, it was noticed that the speedometer cable was drying and the needle was acting erratically. A momentary 'spin' resulted in the speedometer needle coming free of its chrome base. The top of the needle still resides within the instrument cluster and has not been lost. The speedometer and odometer continued to function properly so that there were no unregistered miles on this car.

The red leather seats feature broad piping to offset the square design on the door panels. While the leather does show signs of aging, these original power seats are still incredibly comfortable to sit on when cruising down the highway.

The power windows each have individual controls, plus the master control for the driver. All four windows operate smoothly.

The Drive:

Now, this is where you know you're in a Cadillac! The engine whispers quietly and produces a beautiful, quiet, exhaust note at speed. The radio works, but the real music is that Cadillac sound. With the top down, you'll long for the open road and the wind in your hair. The breeze from this Caddy is gentle and the car has a quiet ride that is second to none. No bumps, no squeaks, no rattles, no surprises, and no unidentifiable noises. The British magazine The Motor declared in 1949 that, "…the car offers astonishing value for the money. It has performance which few makes can rival, even fewer surpass, a general silence of running which many will consider unbeaten, and an ease in driving."

More than just a luxury car, the 1949 Cadillac is also famous for being the very first Motor Trend Car of the Year. An excellent example throughout, this Series 62 Convertible Coupe can be driven and enjoyed with confidence at today's highway speeds. Given its dashing styling, formidable V8 power and rich appointments, it is an outstanding vehicle by any collector's standards.

Disclaimer:

Although I have described this car to the best of my ability, it is the responsibility of the buyer to ascertain the condition of the car prior to purchase, either by a personal inspection of the vehicle, or by examination by a third party. The car is sold as-is, where-is and carries no warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied.

This 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe is located in the Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada area. For further details or to schedule a viewing of this fine automobile, please contact Steve Clements via the "Contact Us" link located at the top of the page.