Vehicle Description
Beautiful older restoration with brand new interior finished in
2020. Outfitted for touring with Borg-Warner overdrive, turn
signals, and trunk. Bulletproof reliable, fast, comfortable tour
car that's welcome almost anywhere! Restored twice in its 90-year
lifetime, this Cadillac wears an AACA National First Prize badge
from 1963, when it was first refinished. The two-tone black and
gray finish is quite correct and gives the Town Sedan an
appropriately elegant appearance that isn't too stodgy or
conservative. The paint on the car today was probably applied in
the '80s and remains in very good condition, although it is no
longer in show condition. Red accents are a wonderful touch and
dual sidemounts give this car the same presence as its larger
siblings. All the chrome was surely refinished in the '80s as well
and is holding up very well, with sharp details on the castings and
very few signs of age. Accessories include a radiator guard, single
Pilot Ray up front, trunk and trunk rack in back (with a second
accessory trunk), and metal sidemount covers. It's an extremely
handsome car. The comfortable interior is all-new, a $10,000
restoration finished in summer 2020. Attractive gray Bedford cord
and wool broadcloth upholstery and fresh carpets give it a very
authentic look. Standard controls include headlight and throttle
levers on the steering wheel hub, along with the usual spark and
choke knobs on the dashboard itself. You may also note the large
knob just to the left of the steering column as well as the
trigger-like device on the shifter-both for the operation of the
Borg-Warner overdrive unit mounted amidships. For touring, this car
also includes aftermarket turn signals that utilize the fender
lights and taillights for visibility, and in 1931, the windshield
wipers were electric, so they're reliable. The back seat is
spacious and just as beautifully trimmed and the doors feature
restored knobs and handles that sparkle against the fresh
broadcloth. There are few cars better outfitted for vintage touring
than this Cadillac. Cadillac's familiar flathead V8 engine was
revised for 1931, now displacing 353 cubic inches and making 95
horsepower. New engine mounts similar to those used on the V16 made
it even smoother than before and the intake was now fitted with a
silencer/air filter assembly. Rebuilt during the '80s restoration,
it starts and runs superbly and has been a reliable tour car for
decades, never failing to finish a drive. It remains almost
completely stock under the hood, including the ultra-rare bakelite
distributor cap-the only notable modification is an electric fuel
pump in place of the original vacuum tank. It works rather well,
insuring fast starts and practically eliminating vapor lock. The
engine bay is tidy, albeit not detailed for show any longer, but
all the critical parts are there, including the rare carburetor
cover and aluminum cooling fan. That driving experience is enhanced
by Cadillac's industry-changing synchromesh 3-speed manual
transmission, which shifts as easily as any modern gearbox. Clutch
action is light and there's enough torque to make most downshifts
unnecessary. This car has also been fitted with a Borg-Warner
overdrive unit that neatly integrates into the factory torque tube
and provides a 30% overdrive so car cruises at 65 MPH with ease.
Better yet, the overdrive is 100% mechanical, so there are no
electrical issues, no solenoids to fail, and no control switches to
add complexity. A fantastic upgrade that completely transforms the
driving experience-it's always relaxed and cruises effortlessly.
The suspension is remarkably supple, abetted by the long 134-inch
wheelbase and leaf springs that were wrapped in metal gaiters for
the first time in 1931, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. The exhaust
has a great V8 sound that's still Cadillac-appropriate and the
4-wheel brakes are massive and effective. Six red wire wheels were
refinished a few years ago and fitted with 7.00-18 Firestone wide
whitewall tires. Extras include the aforementioned spare trunk,
jack assembly, a lot of freshly re-chromed handles and knobs,
service records, and more. Early '30s Cadillacs are wonderful cars,
and this car's overdrive transforms it into a legitimate high-speed
cruiser that can run with the big boys. An extremely high-quality
restoration that has aged appropriately and has been properly
maintained makes this car versatile, welcome at shows but at home
on the road. Reliability is excellent and it's remarkably easy to
drive given its size and weight. It also offers a known history
dating back nearly 60 years. Just a fantastic all-around Full
Classic that is ready to enjoy immediately. Call now! Harwood
Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional
inspections of any car in our inventory prior to purchase.