Vehicle Description
1962 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special
After the excess of fins which had distinguished Cadillacs only a
few years before, the Sixty Special reflected not only Bill
Mitchell's more subtle design themes but also a return to the
original thoughtful and refined design concepts which had
characterized his original 1938 ground-breaking design.
Unmistakably Cadillac, the four-door hardtop Sixty Special carried
a more formal c-pillar treatment with small louvers and a smaller
rear window balanced by triangular quarter windows on the rear
doors.
For consignment,a restored and owned previously by a restoration
company in NJ, (Hiberion Auto Restoration/Bob Turnquist), who
restored the car then sold it to a previous owner, and now in the
hands of our consignor. All the main power windows work, (although
the vent windows are a bit lazy and need some oomph applied!). Two
tone glorious paint, and fins that are beginning their decline,
this long and luxurious land yacht is a head turner to say the
least. Back in an era where status was measured by the inch, and
gas was like pumping water, it speaks of excess, although
tastefully.
Exterior
Dual dual headlights flank either side of an egg crate grille, and
are mounted in deep chromed bezels. These and the grille float
above a large shiny bumper with turn signal lights embedded into
each corner, and wrapping around the front quarters. On the wide
hood is a chromed V and just above a Caddy badge all in chrome.
Straight steel panels are bathed in Maize, (pale yellow), which
shows a few repairs and some touch ups. Gaps are well minded for
large panels, and a black painted hardtop is shading the
passengers. Not 1 but 2 trim spears adorn the sides of this luxury
vehicle, and 4 doors hide under the black roofline with vent
windows on each corner. The back of the car is this writer's
favorite Caddy design with just a hint of finnage that houses
vertical tail lighting as the fins can't inward to the rear
chroming. Here backup lighting and a round reflector are embedded
in chromed squared off ovals, which flank either side of a ribbed
trunk roll pan. A thin shiny bumper is attached below and also runs
the width of the car on the bottom. One look at these rear quarter
tops with their tail lights and you will know exactly which Caddy
this one is, hence why I like it so much! Wheel coverings are
turbine style blades emanating from a central hub with the Caddy
badge and some yellow paint has been added to the negative space
between the turbine blades. These blades cosy up to a deep dish
shiny edge trim ring and are all wrapped with whitewall tires.
Maybe I'll run into you at the 19th hole and we can have a
drink?
Interior
Large doors swing smooth like safe doors and have white leather
uppers with a large framed in chrome wood burl panel. This serves
as the door pull. A litany of toggles in the armrest operate the
glass, and a joystick moves the exterior mirror. Inside nicely
preserved bench seating using smooth Fawn leather bolsters and just
inside their piped edges is broadcloth in lighter Fawn, complete
with more buttons than an old shoe. In front is a standard GM dash
design with horizontal speedo in the center of the driver's view,
and some round deep inset gauges and a clock on either side. Other
controls are in a horizontal bar below the speedo. On top of the
padded dash is a headlight sentinel which detects oncoming cars and
dims the high beams automatically because after all pushing that
metal mystery, (to any but boomers), button on the floor is so
pedestrian. A sleek caddy steering wheel in two tones is fronting
the dash and I see AC venting all about this cabin. Warm gray
carpeting covers the floors and is in good condition. Also above is
a warm gray broad cloth headliner with tight panels. Take me to
your leader...or at least pout to dinner!
Drivetrain
Under that big hood in a completely restored and shiny and clean
engine bay, sits a factory numbers matching 390ci V8. There is a
single 4 barrel carburetor atop, and a HydraMatic 4-speed automatic
on back. A 2.94 gas saving, (like you care you own a Caddy!), rear
axle. All looking great under this bonnet.
Undercarriage
No surface rust here, just a nice heavy coating of rustproofing,
and no signs of any road dirt even within reach of my eyes as I
peruse this undercarriage. While looking I can also catch
independent coil springs up front, and 3 link with coil springs for
the back, providing the smooth riding. Power drum braking and a
clean rust free stock exhaust is on.
Drive-Ability
Sometimes I tell people I have the best job in the world. I get to
drive this stuff! And this one did not disappoint as it fired right
up, ran smoothy and silently, shifted without even a glitch, and
came to a fine stop in the panic mode. As noted the front and rear
vent windows were less than slow, they did not function at all, and
I couldn't get the high beams to stay lit.
Plenty of WOW factor in this restored beauty. Wonderfully tasteful
design, iconically Cadillac, and full of luxury and conveniences.
Turn the key and drive off and forget about the other half lives,
as when inside this beast you are on the OTHER half of the other
half, go it?
62M131078
62-1962
M-Fleetwood 60 Series Special
131078-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
05E-5th Week May Build
STYLE 62 6039-1962 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special Sedan
BODY FW12028-Fleetwood Body #
TRIM 65-Fawn Cameo Cloth, Fawn Leather
PAINT 45 10-Maize, Ebony Black
ACC
E-Soft Ray Glass
K-Air Conditioning
Y-6 Way Power Seat
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.
