California Car: 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan
Not automatically a Sedan DeVille, the Cadillac Series 62 Sedan was similar but with a few detail differences and it was, of course, a level above the base-level Series 61 models. This one-repaint “survivor” 1951 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan is located in beautiful Corte Madera, California, just north of San Francisco, and the seller has it posted here on craigslist. The seller is asking $5,900, here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
I love the look of this car and can imagine driving it all around wine country, as the seller does. Being in like-new condition would be nice, but a well-worn big Cadillac is unique to see, especially one with only “small rust issues” and having solid floors. The chrome invoice will not be for the faint of heart as I learned just from redoing a small kid’s bicycle in the last year, but those bumpers are in need of help.
I hope the seller has the missing parts, there are a few as you’ll see if you click on the listing and enlarge the photos to see the details. They do have a replacement grille and some other “jewelry”, according to the listing. The Series 62 was introduced in 1940 and stuck around until 1965 when the base model Calais took over. This car was reportedly painted sometime in the 1990s or early-2000s maybe, but it looks pretty good other than faded and/or burnt paint on the top sections.
There’s a lot of work to do inside, all of the soft materials are basically stained, burnt, or ripped, but interior work doesn’t worry me as much as rust work does. A good upholstery shop could have this car looking like new inside again in no time. The seats were supremely comfortable at one time and they can be again, but front and rear, but are in rough shape now. Hydraulic window lifts were optional on the Series 62 Sedan but standard on the Convertible and Coupe.
The engine is Cadillac’s 331-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had 160 horsepower and 312 lb-ft of torque. This engine was reportedly rebuilt by the previous owner, including “modern valves”, and is said to easily maintain freeway speeds. It sends power through a Hydra-Matic Drive fully-automatic transmission to the rear wheels and the seller has no problem driving this car on wine tours or on the freeway. Hagerty is at $11,600 for a #4 fair-condition car so this is a steal at its asking price – although paint, chrome, and a new interior won’t be cheap. Hagerty is at $17,000 for a #3 car, as a reference. Any thoughts on this Cadillac?
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Comments
Price makes me think scam. The interesting thing is that usually scammers have way less in the way of narrative. So points for that
And he must have worn out his wrists hitting that “Caps” button….
I like the convertibles better, but pretty honest car here.
At that price, probably a scam. Answer the ad and you’ll get excuses as to why you can’t see the car and pay in person, and do a little digging and you’ll find the listing in multiple places.
Great writeup, Michelle. As a kid in the 50s, this was a doctor’s car or a banker’s. We had a neighbor down the hill from us, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil, who had a black one of this vintage or so. He made his money in diner coffer machines…CecilWare.
Looking at the instance car, I’m surprised that the dash is so austere looking. My dad’s 54 Chrysler Windsor had a much more artistic (deco) dash than this. I do love the chrome, something never to be seen again on any new vehicles for lots of good reasons, but I still miss it.
Thanks! … er, hey, wait a minute…
Oops. Sorry. Great write up, Scotty.
Ha, no worries, Eric_13cars, I was just kidding. Michelle would have done a much better job for sure.
Ahh! The very first year Cadillac I steered at age 5! I see the orig. fuel filter was removed and a cheap inline one installed and very poorly. Was the electrical system updated from 6 volts to 12 volts? I see an alternator instead of a generator.
I got a 55 Caddy from my uncle who was a dealer in White Plains NY. My first on road car. I took the back seat out and you could sit 6 people in a circle and party. That front bumper was great great at taking down small trees up to 8″ diameter out in the state forest. Yes , it was party time in the 70’s.
As a Cadillac Diva, I have to admit, I have NEVER seen a Cadillac from the 1949 model year forward, with original Cadillac dog dish hubcaps. I never even knew Cadillac made dog dish hubcaps.
Live and learn
There wasn’t a Sedan de Ville in 1951. That model wasn’t brought out until the 1956 model year.
OMG, $5900 is an absolute steal for this baby! It brought back pleasant memories from when I was a pup in the early 70’s. An elderly lady gifted me her ’51 Caddy that had sat withering away for years after her husband passed. After installing all new brakes, brake lines, fuel tank and lines, breathing life into that 331ci along with a new 6v battery, I drove it for about a year. With a terrific low gear, it would smoke any other car off the line. The only problem was brake fluid leaking from the power window lines. (yes, they used brake fluid!). I didn’t care, I had me a cruiser!
Listing update: the seller has removed the ad so I’m assuming someone grabbed this Cadillac. Was it one of you?