1951 Cadillac series 62 sedan
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HIGHLIGHTS
- Owned by Paul Rodgers of Free, Bad Company and Queen+Paul Rodgers, from 1978 to 2003
- Comprehensively restored in 1987/88
- Long-term ownership
- Low mileage
- Drives impeccably
THE APPEAL
Cadillac’s luxury car range continued after the war with the third-generation Series 62. The lower sleek lines, luxurious cabin, tons of chrome embellishment and a new OHV V8 power-plant offered all the comfort and performance the American buying public could wish for.
The forerunner of the Coupe de Ville and Cadillac Eldorado, this tasteful sedan (along with the convertible and Coupe models), is a Detroit masterpiece and represents the pinnacle of automotive design and advanced engineering by Cadillac during the 1950’s.
Having enjoyed a passenger ride to the photoshoot location, we can report that the V8 soundtrack is impressively quiet and smooth with good acceleration and indiscernible auto-gear changes. The naturally soft suspension, comfy bench seats and opulent interior add to the wonderful experience.
This immaculate and beautiful show-stopper comes with an interesting provenance and has clearly been cherished by the current owner for the last twenty years. Prior to that, it spent over 20 years with one of the true heavyweights of Rock n' Roll, Paul Rodgers, the unforgettable voice behind the bands Free and Bad Company as well as sharing the stage with Queen for 5 years. That's quite the provenance.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Imported into the U.K. in 1972
- Interesting provenance
- Car club awards
An accompanying H.M. Customs and Excise document shows us that this Cadillac was imported to the U.K. on the 28th May 1972, by it’s first owner, the late Hon. Alan Clark, MP, although was not registered until the 4th March 1977.
Singer, song writer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Rodgers of Free, Bad Company and Queen fame, was the second custodian from the 5th September 1978. The car featured on the 1979 Bad Company album cover 'Desolation Angels' and other promotional material.
Paul Rodgers later commissioned a comprehensive restoration in 1987, which included a bare metal respray, which still shines-through today.
Owned and enjoyed by an American car enthusiast since the 1st January 2003, this amazing car has been a regular at local car shows and will be sorely missed, but is destined to make way for other ‘fun’ cars.
Looking online, this Caddy has passed every (exempt) MOT since 2006. The last time it was presented for MOT was in February 2012 at 17,171 miles. It is (exempt) taxed until February 2023.
The V5 is present along with restoration invoices, two Shop Manuals, magazine and newspaper articles, a copy of the Bad Company album and British Tour guide, and three Classic American Automobile Club awards.
THE INTERIOR
- Trim No. 44
- Classic 50’s design
- Great upholstery
This glorious and tasteful interior is a fine example of Americana styling. Created by Fleetwood, the bronze painted steel dash, door tops and gold panels are a work of art and the instrumentation and chrome switchgear look amazing are in great condition.
A wonderful gear selector indicator surrounds the centre of the ivory-rimmed steering wheel, and a handle is located to the left for directing the door-mounted Sealeo spot light. The owner informs us that all the electrics are operational except the radio and clock.
Driver aids include light power steering, and interestingly, a rear screen demister (mounted in the boot). The fabric and leather trimmed upholstery, door trims and carpeting is in fantastic condition and the roof lining appears to be original with a subtle degree of patina.
The window winders and door handles operate well and the doors close with a reassuring ‘clunk’. Rear window vents (or ‘Ventipanes’) should keep rear passengers cool.
Opening the trunk reveals a huge original-looking carpeted space, the spare wheel, with an older Avon tyre, the correct jack and two road-legal number plates (just in case!). The boot floor appears very solid.
THE EXTERIOR
- Beautiful styling
- Excellent body and paintwork
- Shining chrome
Bodied by Fisher, the stunningly beautiful lines of the Series 62 Sedan are perfectly set-off by the two-tone green coachwork - a dark metallic green roof and Cadillac light green.
The bodywork is extremely straight, shut lines are good and the bare-metal restoration has obviously stood the test of time really well. Despite it’s size, you’d be hard pushed to find any significant scratches or damage to the paintwork on this 126-inch wheelbase Caddy.
Door bottoms, wheel arches and rear wheel spats show no obvious signs of bubbling, and are all very acceptable. The indulgent chrome work is pure 50’s Americana and is also in great condition, with just the odd degree of tarnishing, most notably to the quarter lights.
The lights and windows appear undamaged and the emblems and badges are intact and fine. The concealed flip-up fuel filler cap was actually an after-thought by General Motors designer Harley Earl, but is actually a neat touch.
Peering underneath, the ladder chassis, mounting points, floors, suspension and brake components look sound, despite some surface corrosion where the underseal has flaked off.
The original 15” painted steel wheels, hubcaps and beauty rings are presentable and are shod with older General radial tyres with a decent level of tread remaining.
An invoice from George Ray Coachworks, Surrey, outlines the restoration work that was carried out between 1987-1988. (see photo).
THE MECHANICS
- Silky-smooth V8
- Well maintained by friend
- No service history
Under the hood we find the silky-smooth Cadillac 5,737cc OHV V8. This 5-bearing small block unit offers around 160bhp, has a single-barrel Carter carburettor and is mated to a bullet-proof 4-speed Auto Hydra-Matic transmission (as fitted to the U.S. Stuart Light Tank).
A standard points distributor is in place along with a factory specification 12-volt Delco-Remy dynamo and glass-bowl fuel pump. Believed to be the original engine, it has been regularly serviced by the owner’s friend at his local garage for the last twenty years and although the mileage cannot be verified, it has no known issues.
The 12” drum brakes, steering and front coil suspension and rear leaf springs are said to function effectively although the owner tells us that a recurring MOT advisory suggests that there is some play in the king pins - but some thick grease usually resolves this!.
Whilst not restored, the engine bay, seems sound enough and could be improved if you wish.
SUMMARY
This Cadillac Series 62 is a stunning example of ’50’s Americana, is one of Detroit’s finest, and will definitely turn some heads wherever it goes.
It also boasts a rock-star provenance and will waft you down the highway in luxurious comfort - and as the owner points out - “it’s so easy to drive - it drive’s itself really”.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1951
- Make Cadillac
- Model Series 62 Sedan
- Colour Green
- Odometer 21,201 Miles
- Engine size 5737
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Emsworth
- Location Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
36
bids
- TO•••• £22,000 31/10/22
- ma•••• £21,500 10/10/22
- No•••• £21,250 10/10/22
- ma•••• £21,000 10/10/22
- No•••• £20,750 10/10/22
- ma•••• £20,500 10/10/22
- No•••• £20,250 10/10/22
- ma•••• £20,000 10/10/22
- No•••• £19,750 10/10/22
- ma•••• £19,500 10/10/22
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