Vehicle Description
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 drivetrain 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.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
