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Details
1949 CADILLAC SERIES 62 SEDAN
Chassis No. D 496284386
Dark green with two-tone broadcloth interior
Engine: overhead valve, pushrod actuated V8, 331ci., 160bhp at 3,800rpm; Gearbox: Hydro-matic automatic; Suspension: independent front with coil springs and shocks, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
The American automaker had flourished in 1946 and 1947 utilizing their slightly modified pre-war designs. In 1948 the Cadillac Motor Car division of General Motors decided to unveil its first post-war styling changes. Aside from the new beautifully redesigned automobiles they produced, the luxury division of General Motors introduced one of the most revered design concepts to ever grace a modern road car, the tailfin. Though they were tastefully understated on the 1947 models, the concept was now put into mass production and the response was overwhelming - little did they realize how influential the subtle styling introduction would come to be. Cadillac had planned its attack on the luxury car market very well and by 1949 they were ready to introduce their next major change that would be equally memorable.
The stylishly crafted 1949 Cadillacs debuted the new overhead valve, short stroke, high compression V8 engine. The brilliantly designed motor had been on the drawing board since the late 1930s. The combined commitment of staff engineer Harry F. Barr, engineering Vice President Edward N. Cole and Cadillac Motor Division General Manager John Gordon to the project was evident in the final result. It was the model to which so many cars would be compared. For the Cadillac designers, the engine was manufactured and designed to allow for routine improvements and developments to be added annually. The successful styling of the 1948 cars did not necessitate any major body styling changes and as a result the cars remained largely unchanged for 1949. It was truly a milestone year for the American luxury automaker as they produced their 1,000,000th car. It had taken Cadillac 47 years to produce 1,000,000 cars, however, it would take only nine more years to build the second million. From the array of body choices available on the 1949 Cadillacs, it was the Series 62 Sedan that was the most popular, selling well over 30,000 examples that year. With impressive sales figures behind them, Cadillac took hold of the luxury car market and maintained their strong market presence annually.
The Series 62 Sedan on offer here represents one of the best selling examples from the historic overhead valve debut year. It is finished in a stately dark green and features a two-tone brown broadcloth interior. The current vendor purchased this car a little over two years ago from its California owner and has recently redone the entire brake system and rechromed the bumpers and some of the light bezel trim. The paint is in good overall condition and shows only minor bubbling in some limited areas. The engine bay and motor are reported to be in presentable original condition, and the car's interior is described as being in excellent overall condition. These stately Cadillac Series 62 Sedans are superb examples of the early 1950s American auto industry. They offered buyers the best in style, engineering and more impressively, performance as it would be only one year later that Sam and Miles Collier would pilot a 1950 Cadillac to a very respectable finish at Le Mans. In our opinion, this watershed design year car makes a sensible and affordable addition to any well thought out 1950s collection.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Chassis No. D 496284386
Dark green with two-tone broadcloth interior
Engine: overhead valve, pushrod actuated V8, 331ci., 160bhp at 3,800rpm; Gearbox: Hydro-matic automatic; Suspension: independent front with coil springs and shocks, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
The American automaker had flourished in 1946 and 1947 utilizing their slightly modified pre-war designs. In 1948 the Cadillac Motor Car division of General Motors decided to unveil its first post-war styling changes. Aside from the new beautifully redesigned automobiles they produced, the luxury division of General Motors introduced one of the most revered design concepts to ever grace a modern road car, the tailfin. Though they were tastefully understated on the 1947 models, the concept was now put into mass production and the response was overwhelming - little did they realize how influential the subtle styling introduction would come to be. Cadillac had planned its attack on the luxury car market very well and by 1949 they were ready to introduce their next major change that would be equally memorable.
The stylishly crafted 1949 Cadillacs debuted the new overhead valve, short stroke, high compression V8 engine. The brilliantly designed motor had been on the drawing board since the late 1930s. The combined commitment of staff engineer Harry F. Barr, engineering Vice President Edward N. Cole and Cadillac Motor Division General Manager John Gordon to the project was evident in the final result. It was the model to which so many cars would be compared. For the Cadillac designers, the engine was manufactured and designed to allow for routine improvements and developments to be added annually. The successful styling of the 1948 cars did not necessitate any major body styling changes and as a result the cars remained largely unchanged for 1949. It was truly a milestone year for the American luxury automaker as they produced their 1,000,000th car. It had taken Cadillac 47 years to produce 1,000,000 cars, however, it would take only nine more years to build the second million. From the array of body choices available on the 1949 Cadillacs, it was the Series 62 Sedan that was the most popular, selling well over 30,000 examples that year. With impressive sales figures behind them, Cadillac took hold of the luxury car market and maintained their strong market presence annually.
The Series 62 Sedan on offer here represents one of the best selling examples from the historic overhead valve debut year. It is finished in a stately dark green and features a two-tone brown broadcloth interior. The current vendor purchased this car a little over two years ago from its California owner and has recently redone the entire brake system and rechromed the bumpers and some of the light bezel trim. The paint is in good overall condition and shows only minor bubbling in some limited areas. The engine bay and motor are reported to be in presentable original condition, and the car's interior is described as being in excellent overall condition. These stately Cadillac Series 62 Sedans are superb examples of the early 1950s American auto industry. They offered buyers the best in style, engineering and more impressively, performance as it would be only one year later that Sam and Miles Collier would pilot a 1950 Cadillac to a very respectable finish at Le Mans. In our opinion, this watershed design year car makes a sensible and affordable addition to any well thought out 1950s collection.
WITHOUT RESERVE
Special notice
This lot has no reserve.