In Good Company: 1941 Cadillac Convertible
Somewhere in Riverside, California, there’s a barn loaded with interesting cars. The yellow Cadillac on the left is listed on eBay, but there are lots of other interesting cars in that barn. The seller purchased 25 of them, including two of these 1941 Cadillac convertibles, a 1941 Fleetwood Cadillac and series 62 Sedan, a 1950 and a 1953 Cadillac coupe, a 1952 and a 1953 Cadillac convertible, a 1965 and a 1966 Cadillac coupe, 1963 and a 1964 Cadillac coupes and convertibles, as well as 1967 to 1972 Chevy pickups and a Suburban.
Here’s the Caddy droptop in all its dusty glory. It was last registered in 1984. The front will look a little strange or perhaps a lot strange to those well versed in things Cadillac. The grill and bumper are from a 1947 Cadillac. It runs and stops well and there is said to be very little rust. Most of the chrome looks OK except for the bumpers. The condition of the leather upholstery under the seat covers is unknown but the door panels and much of the interior appear to be in usable condition.
The door panels look a little plain, but that’s actually the original style. There’s no word on the condition of the leather upholstery under the seat covers, but it’s probably not good. That appears to be worn carpet on the floor and not rust.
It’s messy in there, but that 345 CID V8 flathead runs. A good cleaning would be a good start.
Here’s the Cadillac outside after a bath. With a bit of work, this old droptop could be driven without extensive restoration. The paint could be polished out and the bumpers re-chromed. The seats likely need expensive reupholstery and it needs new carpet but the rest of the interior looks OK. The top is usable and might look OK after cleaning but it has shrunk and needs replacing. Bidding is already over $25,000, though, so after spending this much for a car, folks are usually thinking of expensive restorations options. The best examples of these convertibles for big money. The 1941 model was a one year only design and they only built a few hundred convertibles so collectors don’t have many to choose from. It would be nice if the buyer keeps it as original as possible and drives and enjoys his lovely old Caddy but it might just become an over-restored trailer queen.
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Comments
Wow, that’s some find! Looks like it was put back on the road around 1968, judging by the license plate.
it looks like one to clean up, get mechanically sound and drive…
It runs very nicely
Smooth down the road
Previous owner titled it in 1970
Last registration was 1985
Even the top works
Nice find.
Finally, someone cleans up and washes their barn find before putting it up for sale.
Steve R
Just under 4 days left before the hammer drops and the bidding has already topped $25 grand. There’s a good chance that number will double when the auction ends.
Great Jessica rabbit car!
It’s not a 41. It’s a 42.
Thanks, that explains the grille. I have been involved with cars for over 60 years, including a lot of concours judging. I have never seen or even heard of a 1942 convertible, but that sure explains this car. I learned something NEW today
Never heard of a 1942 convertible? I’m confused, then. So where did all those 1942 convertibles like the pretty red one above and all the ones at auctions and car shows come from? Somebody been smokin’?
And, not a 1941? The 1942 to 1947 is a COMPLETLY different design than the 1941. For example, the front fenders go halfway across the doors and the trim is all different. This one does have the rounded 42 to 47 rounded style grill as I said, not the pointy 41 style.
Yeah, you’re right. 42 the fenders flow into the door. So it appears they either hacked in a 42 grille or perhaps used the front clip from a Fleetwood series 75? To be honest, I just saw the picture and jumped right to the comment. I know a guys with a 42 Fleetwood thats what this one reminds me of so thats why I said that. And it doesn’t look like mine
Comment back to David Frank …………. What I should have said was that I had never seen a 1941 Cadillac convertible body with a 1942 grille. Yes, I HAVE seen lots of complete 1942 Cad converts. The reference to “smoking” was unnecessary.
Wow! What a beautiful convertible!
I need to be more clear and not try to be amusing. “The front will look a little strange or perhaps a lot strange to those well versed in things Cadillac. The grill and bumper are from a 1947 Cadillac.”
I should have just simply stated the fact that its a 41 with a 47 grill.
It is a 41
With a later grill and bumpers
Trailer Queen.
Why does the image of Paul Lynde pop in my head.
Sure looks odd with the later front grille and bumper but I like it
That is the first thing I noticed, being a former 1941 60S Fleetwood guy. And I DON’T like it. Why was it done I wonder. The 1941 grille is much classier.
Hey guys it’s a Johnny Cash Cadillac edition. Neat old bus in any event.