Vehicle Description
1948 Cadillac Series 61
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 1948 Series 61 Cadillac will pull into our showroom
and stop everyone dead in their tracks.
For consignment, the pinnacle of achievement trophy in the form of
a 1948 Cadillac Series 61. 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
Tuxedo Black is draping the miles of steel panels on this big piece
of Detroit iron. On the body work there are a few areas of some
previous patching that have left the body metal bumpy. Chips and
scratches are all over, and 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 and
spot rusting, although it's minimal. Window trimmings abound and
there are some of these trimmings that show rust, and the mounted
glass has become de-laminated. 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 the vertical bars. A
visor in black metal is above the windshield, chrome visors are on
each side window. On the back is the beginnings of a bump up fin
that protrudes from the rear quarter top, and a taillight 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 trim spear just above it that runs to the back of the car.
Wide white wall tires are on all 4 corners, and shiny dog dish
wheels with a center crown badge in a red field make up the
hubcaps.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see gray fuzzy broadcloth in the panel
centers, painted uppers that have power window toggles and a shiny
crank and door actuator. In the gray broadcloth is a brown vinyl
armrest. The driver's door suffers from water damage and staining.
The passenger door in front shows the staining as well, and the
back doors are looking good. 2 long broadcloth benches with tan
striped inserts and gray bolsters sit in tan broadcloth covered
tubs. Extra wide gray piping is delineating the two patterns. The
front bench is slightly soiled and the rear bench has water damage
on the arms and seat edges. Nice dark gray carpeting floods the
floors and in back under the rear bench is a black carpeting.
Upfront the full metal jacket dash is painted brown and is showing
some dulling and wear. A nicer arched speedometer has the steering
column protruding from its bottom and the actual wheel is wood
rimmed with a bullet styled center hub. A radio is in the center,
and a clock in front of the passenger. The chrome on these
appliances is fading and slightly pitted. 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 346ci
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 invasive 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
is put post smooth power, rode like a dream and handled well for a
mass of steel that it is. The wipers did not operate nor did the
horn, but all else is working.
Here we have a fine example of a big Caddy from 1948 with 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.
VIN DECODE
486125927
48-1948
61-Series 61
125927-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.