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1953 Cadillac

Fleetwood Sedan

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Body Color
Black
Stock
3412
Engine Size
331 V8
Transmission Type
4 Speed Automatic
Vin
536062158
Miles
59,795
Drivetrain
RWD

1953 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan

1953 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan

The Fleetwood Body Company of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, was founded by Harry Urich in the nineteenth century. It began as a small community of craftsmen founded by Henry Fleetwood, Esq. of Penwortham, near Lancaster, England, (the Fleetwood family flourished in England in the 17th and 18th centuries). The rich traditions of 300 years of coach-building that the Fleetwood Body Company applied to its work on cars secured for it a high reputation in automobile circles worldwide by the 1920s. Coachwork was built by Fleetwood for a variety of luxury brands through 1924. GM, having bought both companies, named the Cadillac Fleetwood in honor of this early coach building company from Pennsylvania, and the town bearing its name...Fleetwood.

For consignment, a real stunner Series 60 Special Fleetwood Cadillac. This long steel slabbed body, fishtail rear quarters, and all its accoutrements weighs nearly 4,500 pounds! As 1 example of only 500 built with factory a/c, this “Boss” of Cadillacs in 1953 will have you take on the persona of an instant celebrity.

Exterior
Meticulously cared for since day 1 we see laser straight panels bathed in stunning and befitting No. 1 Black. This paint consignor states is mostly the original finish and shows some faults, mainly in door edges where we see some chips and touch-up. The remainder of the finish has aged well, with a few areas of respray. Simply a ton of chrome, all nicely preserved from the massive front bumper complete with its protruding “Dagmars”, toothy grille, and fantastic turn signals which have ribbed bezels that wrap around to the front quarter. Just a bit of aging is noted on this chrome. A beautiful trim spear runs from just above these massive bezels to the end of the front door panels. A vertical panel picks up midway into the rear doors and begins the slight flare of the rounded fishtail finned rear quarter panel. Wide rocker covers in polished stainless run the length of this car. The rear has a wide bumper which stretches from quarter to quarter, and sports dual “Dagmars” as well, which is exclusive to the longer Fleetwood Sedan. Inset into the bumpers are dual exhaust tips around which the new chrome shines deeply. Wide polished trim surrounds the windows of the passenger compartment, and this car is bottomed off with correct Kelsey Hayes 40 wire spoked wheels and wrapped in wide wide whites from Coker. Plenty of Cadillac badging in your grandmother's handwriting is attached to this car, letting everyone know you've arrived.

Interior
Simply amazing with its amalgamation of textures and curves we see a horizontal strip of green ostrich skin that has the power window toggles and a wing window crank inserted. The lowers are a mixture of darker tan fuzzy broadcloth with a leather topped armrest. On the bottom is a strip of light brown carpeting. For the chairs we see some lighter tan broadcloth with tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters. All this is encircled by dark gray wide piping, which is the same for the rear bench, which has a fold down central armrest. These benches sit in a metal gray tub on the bottoms, and float in a sea of tan carpeting. Feasting on an abundance of metal, chrome and more ostrich skin the dash like the seats is original. we see a gray dash topper, a strip of the ostrich, which is interrupted by the arched speedometer and radio, and then some black painted metal with vertical ribs in chrome. Just below hanging from the center is the Frigidaire A/C controller, and just below that is an aftermarket FM band convertor. The beautiful dash is fronted by an equally beautiful original steering wheel. The headliner is pristine and is also light tan broadcloth. Back in the trunk we see the original slightly soiled, gray square liner and another wire wheel Coker spare tire.

Drivetrain
A flip of the massive hood and we see a slightly patina royal blue painted block 331 cubic inches of V8 topped by a 4-barrel carburetor and is backed by a 4-speed automatic Hydramatic transmission. A 3.07 axle is on the back. Just a wonderful presentation of originality under the hood.

Undercarriage
The condition underneath can be described as well taken care of, with minimal surface rust. Independent suspension and coil springs make up the front suspension, and leaf springs are mounted to the rear of this car. Drum brakes for this big baby, and Smitty mufflers give it a 50's style gurgle as it idles.

Drive-Ability
Words like glitz, glamour innovation and prosperity come to mind when entering a car of this magnitude. Extreme comfort abounds and a turn of the key allows the V8 to come to life and begin our test drive. What a smooth ride she produces, with plenty of power and a near perfect cruiser with nary a squeak or rattle. Noted is a rare A/C option installed as well as power windows and power steering make it a very easy car to drive despite its massive size. Seller states the a/c blows cold on R134 and the heater works well. The odometer, radio and clock do not function.

One cannot begin to imagine what it would cost to duplicate an example of this magnitude of originality with years of good maintenance and plenty of TLC. It should be noted that this rare Cadillac has always been garaged, fully serviced, and regularly driven. You have definitely arrived when you pull up in this fine automobile.

VIN DECODE
536062158
53-1953
60-Sixty Series
62158-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 53 6019X-1953 Sixty Series Fleetwood Sedan
BODY NO FW11969-Fleetwood Body #
TRIM NO 71-Light & Dark Gray Plain Broadcloth
PAINT NO 1-Black
ACC
H-Heater
E-EZ Eye Glass
K2-AC With Roof Vents


Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.