In 1949 the one millionth Cadillac rolled off the production line, and the stunning Series 62 Club Coupe or Sedanette was born. Handsome and quick, with Hydra-Matic transmission, curved windshield, and hydraulically operated front seats and windows, it was a complete revelation. As Cadillac ads boasted: “The new Cadillac is not only the world’s most beautiful and distinguished motor car, but its performance is a challenge to the imagination.” The American Dream and the finest era in American cars began with the 1949 Cadillac.
Designed in secret by Harley Earl and his styling team at designer Frank Hershey’s farmhouse near Detroit, the 1948-1949 Cadillac launched a new post-war design era and introduced the first tail fins on cars inspired by the Lockheed P-38 aircraft. The rear fins became a Cadillac trademark and would reach a titanic height on 1959 models.
With an aura of the classic “boattail” the series Sixty-Two Fastback was among the most graceful and significant cars of its era, retaining its crown as the "Standard of the World".
The 1949 Cadillac was not only a revolutionary design but also employed significant mechanical updates that truly moved the industry forward, ushering in a new era of more powerful overhead valve engines. The new engine was a 331cu.in., 160 horsepower, overhead valve V-8, which reduced weight and increased horsepower over the previous flathead V-8 engine. The 1949 Cadillac was the fastest American production car and was advertised as having the most advanced automotive engine in the world.
All these predicates brought to the 1949 Cadillac the first Motor Trend “Car of the Year” award and many racing victories on NASCAR and the first Carrera Panamericana road race win in Mexico.
RB Collection is proud to offer this historic, unique, and meticulously restored 1949 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Club Coupe Sedanette, VIN#496215154, with Lucerne Green Metallic (n° 16) paint over special order (convertible) Tan and Brown leather interior (n° 61), HydraMatic transmission, special steering wheel, license frames, wheel discs, white sidewall tires, glare-proof mirror, windshield washer, back-up lights, automatic heating system, Cadillac radio, vacuum aerial, and outside mirrors.
This piece of history was sold new to a banker in Soldier, Iowa for $3,695 from Wright’s Cadillac Oldsmobile dealership in Onawa, Iowa. The first owner proudly owned this unique Cadillac for nearly 40 years before passing away and the family selling the car to an electrician in nearby Omaha, Nebraska who owned the car for nearly 20 years. Again, the car was sold by the family only after the owner passed.
The current third owner, a prominent collector of historically significant cars, bought this unique car and commissioned Borneman’s Restorations and Customs in Pottstown, PA to a concours level factory correct restoration. The restoration process is fully documented with pictures and all invoices available.
The restoration presents in gorgeous condition having seen no use since it was completed. This unique Cadillac has only been driven to concours and special events. The beautiful Lucerne Green Metallic paint presents in pristine condition. The presentation of each detail, including the engine bay, is what one would expect from a top of the line restoration, with gorgeous paintwork, excellent gaps and authentic detailing from front to back.
The special-order interior was perfectly crafted with correct quality leather as well as beautiful restoration of the steering wheel and knobs. Everything was carefully researched and restored to as new operating condition including the radio with tubes, vacuum antenna, mechanical clock, trunk tools and bumper jack.
Completing the unique features of this car, the sale includes the original 1949 Cadillac sales brochure, dealer sales order, Cadillac Owner’s Manual, owner identification card, warranty, welcome letter from the Cadillac general sales manager, and the original Motor Trend Magazine – November 1949 (first Car of The Year).
This spectacular Cadillac has been featured in many magazines as: Hemmings Classic Car, March 2019, “Superb Sedanette” and Antique Automobile-Official Publication of the Antique Automobile Club of America, March/April 2019, “1949 Cadillac” (back cover picture).
Also, this unique vehicle is probably the most awarded Cadillac with the following awards and honors including AACA Grand Nationals 2020 First Place Award:
This iconic Cadillac is a historic automobile and deserves to be part of the best collections in the world, the sale being a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most significant automobiles of American auto manufacturing history. Contact Alex Ruozzi for more information on this very unique automobile.
