This is a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 sedan, it doesn't snuffle, it doesn't rattle, and it doesn't vibrate. It hums beautifully, it glides over pavement, and the superstructure of the bodywork feels like it was carved from a single ingot of steel.
The light green portion of the bodywork (which is code 17 Forest Green over Gloss Green) has been repainted, work was well done, because there's no obvious line between the finishes and no glaring color change.…
This is a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 sedan, it doesn’t snuffle, it doesn’t rattle, and it doesn’t vibrate. It hums beautifully, it glides over pavement, and the superstructure of the bodywork feels like it was carved from a single ingot of steel.
The light green portion of the bodywork (which is code 17 Forest Green over Gloss Green) has been repainted, work was well done, because there’s no obvious line between the finishes and no glaring color change. It has a wonderful soft gloss that was contemporary Magic Mirror GM enamel from the 1950s and the pastel paint looks fantastic on anything with fins. The sheetmetal underneath is in fantastic condition, with four doors that open and close with precision, closing tightly without a major slam and sealing up admirably, even for a car now celebrating its 63rd birthday.
Of course, on any 1950s car, the chrome and stainless trim is the real story, and there’s a lot of it on this big Cadillac. It’s all in fantastic condition, with bright, clear chrome, shiny stainless, and few signs of age. Looks pretty much as new from the famous “Dagmars” up front to the jet-inspired intakes on the rear doors to the rear bumper with built-in exhaust outlets. Tinted glass was an option, so the windows have that Sof-Ray blue/gray/green tint that defines GM cars of a certain age, and all the glass is original.
Code 56 is Light Green Bedford Cord and Dark Green Plain Broadcloth upholstery. It’s beautifully trimmed and the seats, door panels, and headliner are original and in outstanding condition, with only some light discoloration on the driver’s seat to give away its age.
The instrument panel is fully operational. Everything in this car works the way it should: the windows all power up and down quickly, the clock ticks away reliably, and the signal-seeking radio. Some primitive-looking seat belts were added at some point (they look like vintage airplane buckles), which is a good idea for safety and the trunk is properly outfitted with original burlap-style fabric matting. There’s also a vintage bias-ply tire and wheel assembly which might just be this car’s original spare.
Horsepower of 210 from the 331 cubic inch OHV V8, original and numbers-matching engine and it has never been out of the car or opened up, with factory Cadillac Blue engine enamel on the block and Cadillac-logo valve covers, and it still carries all its original hardware, from the familiar A/C air cleaner to the new 12-volt generator. Twin canisters for the oil filter and power steering reservoir dominate the top of the engine bay, the engine has been properly maintained all its life. The plug wires are new, the power steering lines are new, the radiator hoses are new, there’s an electric fuel pump that runs as soon as the key is turned, and after a second or two of priming, the car starts easily and settles into a smooth idle. That’s a correct Carter WFCB 4-barrel carburetor under the air cleaner and it never gets fussy, hot or cold, which is one of the best things about a low-mileage survivor: they just work like they should.
Fitted with Buick Dynaflow transmissions, carries a tried and true dual-range Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission. With reassuringly firm shifts, it works properly and gives the big car the moves of something weighing far less. The suspension is taut and firm but not harsh.
With power steering and power brakes the car handles wonderfully in traffic and out on the open road. The exhaust system is partially original, with both mufflers and one of the resonators having been replaced in the not too distant past. Brakes are smooth and strong and those chrome wire wheels look beautiful against the light green paint. New 235/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall radials have been fitted.