For Sale: 1951 Cadillac Series 61 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1951 Cadillac Series 61 4 Door Sedan

"The motorcars of this Series 61 are, indeed, most remarkable. For they offer every detail of Cadillac's thorough going goodness, at a price actually competitive with numerous other makes of cars. In basic mechanical design and quality, in operating economy and, as you can readily see, in beauty, the Series 61 is every inch a Cadillac." From the 1951 brochure.

For consignment, a 1951 Cadillac Series 61 4 door sedan showing 83,178 miles on the odometer, but the true miles are unknown and is retaining its numbers matching engine. While Cadillac has become more mainstream in recent decades and often marketed to a younger audience, in 1951 America, the brand was the cream of the crop lending to the term "the Cadillac of..." when referring to the best of anything.

Exterior
Stunning Exeter Green is presented here in two stage application on this long car, all 17 and half feet of her! Up front, the Cadillac crest, the piercing hood ornament, gaping grille, and massive front bumper with torpedo guards is impressive enough to scatter stickball playing kids from blocks away. From the side, there is no mistaking it, a low spear trim squares the front wheel opening and trails back to the door while a vertical faux vent rides the rear quarter and forms an L shape that hugs the rocker panel, connecting to the trim of the fender skirt. White wall tires add even more class with polished wheels covers with the Caddy crest in red. The rear fender leads to a fin capped by the tail lights, appearing like tucked wings of a jetfighter bookending a prominent, rounded trunk. More massive chrome and torpedoes adorn the back and the curved window assures a bright greenhouse cabin. Metalwork and paint are outstanding and the only imperfection we find are some tiny bubbles at the base of the door.

Interior
We can overlook the missing crank on the driver's door because all of the doors are an amazing and artistic combination of design, materials and color. You've got ribbed stitched cloth, smooth cloth, swirling trim, a painted tan header, and a kick panel lined with polished trim and it's all spectacular. The front bench combines leather and vinyl with mottled inserts framed in smooth tan leather, a robust base, and the pattern is repeated in the rear bench, replete with robe loop, center ashtray, and lots of room. The steering wheel has been leather wrapped and features ivory tips on the spokes which match the handles on the stalks. The patterns on the door flow onto the dash where gold inlays are framed in tan painted surroundings contouring around a chrome framed, arching speedometer and metal knobs around the steering column, all in beautiful condition. The gold mid panel is illuminated by embedded lights in the dash above and houses an AM radio over a grille like speaker and lever guide. An elegant clock greets the passenger while golden brown carpet covers the floor, trimmed with brown stitched vinyl. A light colored headliner shows some patina but is fully intact while the large trunk is finished with loop carpeting and side panels.

Drivetrain
Clean, driver quality conditions prevail under the huge hood where we find the numbers matching 331ci V8 wearing a 2-barrel carburetor, tied to a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission. Power is routed to the 3.36 gears in back and power brakes are equipped as front disc and rear drum.

Undercarriage
Mostly clean conditions underneath with minimal surface rust, no errant fluids, some grime build up on the rear differential, and some flakey rust on the inner rocker panels, not impacting the outer skin. A single exhaust flows through a stock style muffler then travels the distance to the back where a chrome tip expels the gases with some shine. We do note a few rust holes in the tailpipe before the tip of the system that has surface rust throughout. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.

Drive-Ability
This is a big, comfortable car and we welcome the opportunity to take it around the loop, but we note some valvetrain noise, so end up feathering the car a short distance. We note the wipers and radio do not work and also detect a vacuum leak under the dashboard. So, it does not score perfectly but once sorted, this gorgeous car will make any new owner proud. All other functions available to test operated as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

You've arrived! If you drove one of these in 1951or at any time during this era, you were doing okay, or simply wanted to appear that way. Cadillac meant status and these elegant chariots were not typically found in just any old neighborhood. Today, you might see Mercedes, Lexus, or even Bentley filling the role once owned by Cadillac at a time when American cars ruled the American roads. Make an appointment to get a closer look at this Series 61.

516139521

51-1951
61-61 Series
139531-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE NO 51 6169-1951Series 61 Sedan
BODY NO FW2042-Fleetwood Body #
TRIM NO 32-Dark Tan Novelty Cord, Light Tan Plain Broadcoth
PAINT NO 3- Exeter Green

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

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