The Classic Car Appraisal Service carefully examined this 1948 Cadillac series 75 Fleetwood 7-Passenger Sedan on July 22, 2018 in order to make a determination of its current retail market value.
The odometer on this black exterior with tan wool interior Cadillac shows 19,202 miles.
Amenities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: 346cid/150bhp flathead V8 engine; Hydra-Matic transmission; hydraulic brakes; full gauges; front and rear clocks; wipers; fender skirts; power windows; rear seat heater, and the original AM radio with fender antenna.
The tires are new Califorinan whitewall radials in excellent condition, all mounted on Cadillac
painted steel wheels with full wheel covers.
MECHANICAL: We started this vehicle and drove it a few miles. We found that the freshly
rebuilt and tuned engine started easily and idled smoothly. The freshly rebuilt transmission and clutch work very well, and it shifts easily, while the brakes pull the car to a straight stop. The steering is smooth, easy, and tracks straight down the road. The amp gauge showed charging, while the oil pressure is very good, and the temperature is normal. Everything is newer or rebuilt on this car, and it is in excellent mechanical condition. We found that even the power windows, clocks and radio are all in working order.
EXTERIOR: The exterior physical condition of this vehicle’s sheet metal is very good to
excellent, with no dents, dings or rust, and all the body panels are original to the car. There is a small amount of body filler spread over the metal to smooth the whole body out. The car was repainted its original colors during its restoration. It is in very good condition, but has a few nicks and chips on the edges of the panels around the car. It was professionally done, and buffed to a mirror finish, with no “orange peel” or dust in the paint. All the chrome trim and bumpers have been re-chromed and polished, and the chrome is a high quality job. The stainless trim is very good, but not buffed to a high shine, and has a few dimples in the running boards. The windshield appears to be new, but the original vent windows are separating and
one has a rock chip. The body seals, rubber and wiring are all new.
INTERIOR: The new tan wool upholstery on the seats, door panels and headliner is in excellent condition, and was professionally installed with a correct style of material. The new carpets are excellent. The new “woodgrain” paint on the dash is excellent, as well as the condition of the steering wheel, gauges and chrome trim. The wood trim has been refinished to a perfect, high-gloss condition. The “fit and finish” of the interior is excellent.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT & TRUNK: The engine and engine compartment are restored, but not detailed to “show condition”. The car has been driven very little since restoration, and shows only minor use, but has some dents in the air cleaner and a small amount of corrosion on the radiator support. The porcelain on the restored manifold has no cracks. There is no corrosion or surface rust on the metal or bolts, and the frame and splash pans are clean and painted. There is a new wiring harness. The trunk paint and new mats are new, and in excellent condition, but the spare tire is older and doesn’t match the four on the car.
CHASSIS: The undercarriage had been cleaned and painted, but not restored to “show” condition. It has a small amount of surface rust on the frame, and is showing some wear and a few chips from use.
The exhaust system is in excellent condition.
The 1948 Cadillac 75 series was produced in five different body styles, and Cadillac produced only 499 of these 7-Passenger sedans. They had a factory base price of $4,999, but this car was purchased at the end of the model year with a large discount, as the new body style was coming out. This car is a very good example with a recent restoration.
We use Old Cars Price Guide, Hagerty, NADA, CPI and CCMR price guides, along with Barrett-Jackson auction, Mecum auction, RM auction, Hemmings websites and our 30-plus years of experience to form our opinion on value. Our compensation for this report is not contingent upon the valuation of this vehicle.
