1958 Cadillac Series 62 Hardtop Sedan - 44K Miles From New - Totally Original

It's only original once. as they say. And amongst the plethora of under and over-restored classic cars. it's a real pleasure to find something so utterly original and unmolested as this fifty-five year old Cadillac Series 62. Today an all-original ‘survivor'. with a genuine patina of age. is often more appreciated than a fresh ‘out of the box' restoration.

The 1958 Cadillac epitomises the flamboyant. jet-age inspired styling of fifties Detroit. It comes from an age when America was giddy on post-war success and leading the world in technical innovation. As America's most prestigious manufacturer. this was a machine that told the world you'd made it; a car that would have slotted perfectly into the highly charged world of the TV drama. Mad Men.

Our Cadillac is all original and has covered just 44k miles from new. It has never been painted or welded or taken apart. The body is finished in Acadian Green with an Alpine White roof with matching green cloth interior (code 37).

The paintwork has the most amazing patina from 55 years of sun and over polishing. fading through to the primer in places. The chrome is excellent and the interior has survived remarkably well with no tears in the sumptuous bench seats. Everyone who has seen this car agrees that it would be a crime to paint it. however that's a choice for the next owner.

Underneath it's totally solid with no rot or previous repairs.

Under the bonnet. even the slip of paper on the slam panel detailed the dealer the car was originally delivered to remains intact.

Inside the boot. the factory trim remains in remarkable condition with no rips. tears or damage. All the original jacking equipment and instructions survive too.

Apparently. this Cadillac was bought new in 1958 by a minister in Pennsylvania and kept until his death after which his wife kept the car locked in the garage until around ten years ago.

After a long lay up. the car was thoroughly recommissioned by its previous owner. The engine has received a new water pump. fuel pump. hoses and ignition system. including a hidden conversion to electronic ignition. The radiator has been flushed and pressure tested. The exhaust has been replaced from the manifolds back.

Naturally the braking system has been fully rebuilt with a refurbished power brake assembly. new shoes. wheel cylinders and lines.

The car comes with a full set of workshop manuals too.

On the road the Cadillac is both a surprise and a delight. The big V8 starts instantly and runs sweetly and smoothly. not leaking or burning any oil. as you'd expect with the mileage. The four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission shifts imperceptibly and the brakes perform better than expected. There's plenty of power and performance (it's faster than most British sports cars of the period) and is happy cruising above the legal limit.

This Cadillac would look the part at Goodwood. towing a period race car. or loaded up with six passengers and their luggage heading for the sun. Or simply cruising to the pub on a summer's evening.

Please visit www. attingtonclassics. com for more/larger images.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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