39,078 original miles. The most beautifully preserved and authentic survivor of its kind. Original paint, interior, chrome, engine. Replacement top and serviceables, otherwise totally original and totally amazing.
This might just be the most wonderfully preserved vintage Cadillac we’ve ever seen and we’d wager that it can compete on equal footing with a lot of restored cars in judged competition. As with the best untouched cars, it feels tight, smooth, and confident, traits that are difficult to restore back into a car that has been fully disassembled. No matter how good your shop might be, they aren’t better than the factory. From the moment you slam the door after climbing behind the wheel, this car feels special.
With original paint, you know there’s no nonsense going on underneath. No botched bodywork, no heavy layers of bondo, no rust that is waiting to ruin a new owner’s life. And it would be a crime to even consider repainting this car, because it is every bit as nice in person as it is in photos. Nothing has been retouched or altered, and the reflections you see in the glossy surfaces are 100% legit. No parking lot dings, no scratches from a rake in the garage falling on it, not even the little signs of age that happen when a car is stored under less than perfect conditions. It’s just remarkable.
In the same way, the chrome is exceptionally nice. Even the insanely ornate grille, which is made up of hundreds of individual chrome pieces, is excellent. Yes, under very close inspection you might find a few signs of age, but none of it (none!) requires re-plating or restoration of any kind, just a quick polish and go. All of it is uniformly excellent, and the car shows very well.
The code 28 red and white leather interior was optional in the Series 62, but now that you’ve seen it, it would be hard to imagine anything else in this brilliant white convertible. And yes, like the bodywork, the leather interior is completely original and in fantastic shape. In fact, the leather seats might even look more inviting now with a little bit of time on their side rather than sparkling new. There are no splits or tears, the leather is supple, and all the tufted buttons are still firmly anchored. We suspect that the carpets have been replaced simply because they look virtually new, but then again, look at the quality of the rest of the car. Who can say for certain? The red rubber floor mats are reproductions, but they are the only non-original parts inside the car. The steering wheel isn’t cracked, the chrome bezels on the dash are bright and clear, and everything works: power windows, power antenna, radio, even the clock! Seat belts have been added at some point, which isn’t a bad idea, and there’s a brand new white power convertible top, but the original top and rear window are included with the car—you can see just how good the original was, just a little yellowed by age. There’s also a spectacularly well-preserved trunk, complete with what appears to be the original spare tire that’s never been used.
Cadillac’s 390 cubic inch V8 delivered the kind of horsepower that made even this giant convertible feel quick around town and effortless at just about any speed. There’s an argument to be made that the engine has been painted and detailed at some point, because I’ve never seen a 39,000-mile engine this nice, but then again, I’ve never seen a car like this, either. There’s correct Cadillac Blue paint on the engine itself, a factory air cleaner, correct generator, and all the other little parts that make survivors so special. Most of the nuts and bolts appear to have never been touched by a wrench, confirming this car’s originality. It has been maintained, so things like the belts, hoses, plug wires, and other disposables have been replaced, but they even seem to have kept the original tower hose clamps in place for authenticity’s sake. The big V8 starts easily, idles smoothly, and pulls the convertible around without seeming to work very hard. It doesn’t get hot, the generator makes plenty of electricity, and it generally works the way you want a top-of-the-line luxury car to work. It’s not even much of a leaker, which is shocking given that those are 60-year-old gaskets in there. There’s even a sticker on the door jamb showing an oil change in 1974 at 32,000 miles. Nice!
GM’s bulletproof Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was your only choice in 1960, and its durability is legendary. This one shifts almost imperceptibly at light throttle but snaps to attention when you need to hustle a little bit. Out back there are tall 2.94 gears, so it’s a fantastic highway cruiser designed to hammer across the California desert on the way to Hollywood. The ride is Cadillac smooth and again, there’s just nothing better than an original car when it comes to that taut, well-assembled, supple feeling going down the road. It’s just better. There’s a layer of undercoating that was applied at some point, but it’s not hiding anything and the floors underneath are obviously in excellent condition. It also has a fresh dual exhaust system with an appropriately hushed sound that’s just a little muscular if you’re paying attention. It also has recent shocks and a new gas tank hanging out back, so it has been properly maintained and is 100% ready to drive. It’s finished with a set of gorgeous chrome wire wheels and 235/75/15 wide whitewall radials that look awesome and really give this big boat tidy handling.
This is an exceptional car in every possible way. With the hobby’s newfound appreciation for original cars, this Cadillac sets a new standard. It is just beautifully preserved and has obviously been loved from day one. We’ve seldom seen its equal and if you are the kind of collector who appreciates the feel of an unrestored car, you’ll understand why this car is special. And this is one survivor where you don’t have to put up with deterioration to enjoy that untouched feeling—this car matches up with any restored car you’ll ever see. No disappointments, just the finest 1960 Cadillac convertible you will ever see. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
