Vehicle Description
Stunning frame-off restoration by well-known restorer. Multiple
award winner, including AACA Grand National First Prize. Beautiful
color combination. Only test and tune miles since completed. A
fantastic Full Classic convertible ready to show or tour!Cadillac
was at the top of their game in 1940 and the Series 62 convertible
coupe is a great example that combines elegance, luxury, and
sportiness in a way that was hard for other manufacturers to match.
Finished in stunning Italian Cream with a red leather interior,
this 1940 Cadillac is anything but subtle. But it's a sophisticated
look and a favorite of the restorer, Doug Seybold. Finished in
2016, the car proceeded to collect every award imaginable, up to
and including an AACA Grand National First Prize, a testament to
the quality of the work. The car remains show-quality throughout,
including spectacular paint and bodywork, brilliant chrome, and
superior fit and finish. The doors swing open and closed on
well-oiled hinges and you'll note that the body lines are exacting
with no issues with panel alignment. Details like the fender
ornaments and grille, which are notorious for pitting, are in very
good to excellent condition and all the stainless trim was polished
to match. Rubber items are all new throughout and even the glass
was replaced so it's crystal clear in every direction. Accessories
include a front grille guard and dual side mirrors, making the
Cadillac stylish and easier to drive in today's world. This is a
really appealing car.Exterior notes: Excellent throughout. No
damage noted. The red leather interior accurately duplicates the
factory's shiny leather that was a little stiffer than today's
hides. The pleated seats show only the most minor signs of use,
some light wrinkles that add to the appearance rather than detract.
The body-colored dashboard and chrome window garnish moldings are
correct for a convertible (closed cars had woodgraining) and makes
the interior bright and airy even with the top up. All the plastics
were restored, including the lovely ivory steering wheel and
various accessory knobs. The gauges were all rebuilt and are fully
functional, as are the radio and clock. Cadillac-logo pads on the
pedals are a nice touch and it has been fitted with matching floor
mats bound in the same leather as the seats. For cooler nights,
there's a dealer-installed heater/defroster unit under the dash and
1940 was Cadillac's first year for front and rear turn signals,
actuated by a little toggle switch on the left side of the steering
column. The back seat is spacious enough for real-sized adults and
looks to have never been used. Overhead, a black canvas top is
power-assisted, making this a very modern-feeling convertible. The
car includes a matching black canvas boot, but for some reason the
snaps were not installed, so that's one small detail for the next
owner to address (I'd wager we were the first to actually put the
top down on this car). The trunk is correctly finished with grained
fabric and includes a full-sized spare tire assembly.Interior
notes: Beautiful upholstery. Crisp gauges. Top fits very well but
needs a bit of assistance when going down to avoid pinching the
fabric. Boot has no snaps, can't be installed. Wipers and cigarette
lighter not tested to avoid damage.With the V16 out of production,
the only engine available was Cadillac's robust 346 cubic inch
flathead V8. Impeccably smooth and torquey, it really made the V16
obsolete. Renowned for its reliability, there's a reason '40s
Cadillacs are such popular tour cars. Fully rebuilt and with just
test and tune miles, it's a superb runner. It starts easily thanks
to an auxiliary electric fuel pump and settles into a purring idle
that sounds muscular and smooth. It pulls the sleek ragtop around
without much effort and will happily cruise all day at 60 MPH. It's
properly detailed in corporate green engine enamel with correct
porcelainized manifolds, and details like the hose clamps,
fasteners, and accessory finishes are correct?there's a reason why
this car won all those awards. The transmission is a 3-speed manual
that shifts smoothly with a tight feeling to the linkage that's
difficult to replicate during a restoration, and with 3.90 gears
out back it's an energetic performer around town. The suspension is
GM's familiar setup with coil springs in front and leaf springs in
back, and the ride remains luxury car smooth at all times. Steering
is surprisingly light for an unassisted system, another testament
to the quality of the restoration, and the brakes are powerful
enough for the car's performance. Obviously everything underneath
the car is new and you can see that the floors, rockers, and frame
are in fantastic shape so they must have started with quality base
stock. A new exhaust system offers just the right soundtrack, and
it sits on painted steel wheels with correct 6.50-16 BFGoodrich
Silvertown wide whitewall tires.Mechanical notes: Starts and runs
great. Idles well, drives nicely. Optima battery and auxiliary
electric fuel pump. Some splashes of dirt on the undercarriage but
could be removed in an afternoon. With nearly $200,000 spent on the
restoration at one of the best-known 1940s GM restoration shops,
this beautiful Cadillac is ready to continue earning trophies or
entertain its owner on tour. The color combination is simply
stunning and the proven Cadillac hardware under the skin makes it
one of the best pre-war road cars you can own. Call today!Harwood
Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional
inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.