Vehicle Description
1949 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special Sedan
There's really nothing like assuming the helm of a late 1940's
Cadillac, a car from an era where General Motors was at the tip top
of their game in terms of both design and performance.
Unfortunately, top-notch vintage Cadillacs that are ready to drive
are becoming increasingly hard to find. The factory perfect cars
are locked in padded garages and only allowed to see daylight
during concours level events, and the field dwelling project cars
are aging almost as fast as the cost of restoring them is going up.
But every once in a while a nice, solid road-ready cruiser like
this super cool 1949 Series 60 Cadillac Fleetwood Special will pull
into our showroom and stop everyone dead in their tracks.
For consignment, the pinnacle of achievement trophy in the form of
a 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood60 Series Special. She will need some work
to bring her back to perfection but not too much to make it cost
prohibitive and you are still able to enjoy and drive this big
beauty in the meantime. You HAVE arrived!
Exterior
Classy Black is draping the miles of steel panels on this big piece
of Detroit iron. On the bodywork there are a few areas of some
previous patching that have left the body metal bumpy. Chips and
scratches are seen on a few of the panels, but for the most part
the paint remains aged but still good. Extra chrome is everywhere
on this body, and it is mostly in good condition with just a few
areas of dulling, although it's minimal. Window trimmings abound
and there remain in very goodcondition, and the mounted glass is
nice and clear with very little delamination. Extra-large bumpers
with vertical protectors that have Dagmars mounted to their tips
are seen on front, and the rear is sans Dagmars and just dressed
with the vertical bars. On the back is the beginnings of a bump up
fin that protrudes from the rear quarter top, and a tail light
occupies this space on the edge of the bump up. A beautifully
rounded rear fender with a skirt has chrome trimming on its leading
edge and a large chrome gravel shield thatdresses the front of the
body bump out. Wide white wall tires are on all 4 corners and shiny
Cadillac wheel covers with a center crown badge in a red field make
up the hubcaps.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see tan fuzzy stitched and buttoned
square panel broadcloth in the panel centers, painted uppers that
have power window toggles and a shiny crank and door actuator. In
the tan broadcloth is a brown vinyl topped armrest. The driver's
door suffers from water damage and staining but the remaining
panels on the other 3 doors are looking good. 2 long broadcloth
benches with tan shadow patten inserts and smooth tan bolsters sit
in tan broadcloth covered tubs. Extra wide brown piping is
delineating the two patterns. The front bench is slightly soiled
and the rear bench has water damage on the passengers lower
cushion. Nice dark brown carpeting floods the floors and in back
the passengers foot rest is also carpeted. Upfront, the full metal
jacket dash is painted a marbled brown and is showing very little
age or wear. A nice arched speedometer has the steering column
protruding from its bottom and is topped with a bakelite rimmed
wheel with a Cadillac center hub. A radio is in the center and a
clock in front of the passenger. The chrome on these appliances is
near showroom and sets off the gold grain dash insert. The
headliner is tan mohair and shows no water damage and looks nice
and tight.
Drivetrain
Heaving the hood which resembles a Trojan helmet we see the 331ci
V8. It is original to this car and has a single 2-barrel carburetor
on top. On the back is a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Way back is a 3.36 rear axle. All clean and looking original and
gracefully aged.
Undercarriage
Up on the lift we see a solid frame and floor pans, but we do
notice some heavy surface rust on the rear of the inner rockers and
the rear filler panel. All else is covered in what appears to be
factory undercoating and road dirt. Front independent coil spring
suspension along with rear leaf springs provide the ride for this
cruiser while drum brakes on all 4 corners. A single exhaust system
is on as is a stock style muffler.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and off to the test track I floated. Here I
experienced the post war smooth power, it rode like a dream and
handled well for a mass of steel that it is. The radio, heater
blower, front power seat, and clock did not operate andthe right
rear power window is very slow going up and down, but all else was
working.
Here we have a fine example of a big Caddy from 1949 with some
prestige of the Fleetwood line and most of its original equipment
on it. Some TLC for the cosmetic aspect will be eventually required
to make it perfect, and a good cleaning will go a long way for the
interior.
496041486
49-1949
60-60 Series
041486-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 49 6069X-1949 60 Series Fleetwood Special Sedan
BODY NO FW7363-Detroit Body #
TRIM NO 46-Tan Shadow Pattern Broadcloth & Tan Shadow Plain
Broadcloth
PAINT 1-Black
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.