1949 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special Sedan

There's really nothing like assuming the helm of a late 1940's Cadillac, a car from an era where General Motors was at the tip top of their game in terms of both design and performance.  Unfortunately, top-notch vintage Cadillacs that are ready to drive are becoming increasingly hard to find.  The factory perfect cars are locked in padded garages and only allowed to see daylight during concours level events, and the field dwelling project cars are aging almost as fast as the cost of restoring them is going up.  But every once in a while a nice, solid road-ready cruiser like this super cool 1949 Series 60 Cadillac Fleetwood Special will pull into our showroom and stop everyone dead in their tracks.

For consignment, the pinnacle of achievement trophy in the form of a 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special.  She will need some work to bring her back to perfection but not too much to make it cost prohibitive and you are still able to enjoy and drive this big beauty in the meantime.  You HAVE arrived!

Exterior
Classy Black is draping the miles of steel panels on this big piece of Detroit iron.  On the bodywork there are a few areas of some previous patching that have left the body metal bumpy.  Chips and scratches are seen on a few of the panels, but for the most part the paint remains aged but still good.  Extra chrome is everywhere on this body, and it is mostly in good condition with just a few areas of dulling, although it's minimal.  Window trimmings abound and there remain in very good condition, and the mounted glass is nice and clear with very little delamination.  Extra-large bumpers with vertical protectors that have Dagmars mounted to their tips are seen on front, and the rear is sans Dagmars and just dressed with the vertical bars.  On the back is the beginnings of a bump up fin that protrudes from the rear quarter top, and a tail light occupies this space on the edge of the bump up.   A beautifully rounded rear fender with a skirt has chrome trimming on its leading edge and a large chrome gravel shield that dresses the front of the body bump out.  Wide white wall tires are on all 4 corners and shiny Cadillac wheel covers with a center crown badge in a red field make up the hubcaps.

Interior
A swing of the doors and we see tan fuzzy stitched and buttoned square panel broadcloth in the panel centers, painted uppers that have power window toggles and a shiny crank and door actuator.  In the tan broadcloth is a brown vinyl topped armrest.  The driver's door suffers from water damage and staining but the remaining panels on the other 3 doors are looking good.  2 long broadcloth benches with tan shadow patten inserts and smooth tan bolsters sit in tan broadcloth covered tubs.  Extra wide brown piping is delineating the two patterns.  The front bench is slightly soiled and the rear bench has water damage on the passengers lower cushion.  Nice dark brown carpeting floods the floors and in back the passengers foot rest is also carpeted.  Upfront, the full metal jacket dash is painted a marbled brown and is showing very little age or wear.  A nice arched speedometer has the steering column protruding from its bottom and is topped with a bakelite rimmed wheel with a Cadillac center hub.  A radio is in the center and a clock in front of the passenger.  The chrome on these appliances is near showroom and sets off the gold grain dash insert.  The headliner is tan mohair and shows no water damage and looks nice and tight.

Drivetrain
Heaving the hood which resembles a Trojan helmet we see the 331ci V8.  It is original to this car and has a single 2-barrel carburetor on top.  On the back is a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission.  Way back is a 3.36 rear axle.  All clean and looking original and gracefully aged.

Undercarriage
Up on the lift we see a solid frame and floor pans, but we do notice some heavy surface rust on the rear of the inner rockers and the rear filler panel.  All else is covered in what appears to be factory undercoating and road dirt.  Front independent coil spring suspension along with rear leaf springs provide the ride for this cruiser while drum brakes on all 4 corners.  A single exhaust system is on as is a stock style muffler.

Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and off to the test track I floated.   Here I experienced the post war smooth power, it rode like a dream and handled well for a mass of steel that it is.  The radio, heater blower, front power seat, and clock did not operate and the right rear power window is very slow going up and down, but all else was working.

Here we have a fine example of a big Caddy from 1949 with some prestige of the Fleetwood line and most of its original equipment on it.  Some TLC for the cosmetic aspect will be eventually required to make it perfect, and a good cleaning will go a long way for the interior.

496041486

49-1949
60-60 Series
041486-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE NO 49 6069X-1949 60 Series Fleetwood Special Sedan
BODY NO FW7363-Detroit Body #
TRIM NO 46-Tan Shadow Pattern Broadcloth & Tan Shadow Plain Broadcloth
PAINT 1-Black

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.