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. As a kid our consignor dreamed, as he sat on his Columbia bike of having this car ever since he saw his girlfriend's grandfather cruise through town in a car like this. This long steel slabbed body, fishtail rear quarters, and all its accoutrements weighs nearly 4,500 pounds! As 1 example of only 20,000 built in 1953 will have you take on the persona of an instant celebrity.

ExteriorMeticulously cared for since day 1 we see laser straight panels bathed in stunning and befitting Tuxedo Black. This paint consignor states is mostly the original finish and shows some faults, mainly in door gaps and door edges where we see some rust bubbling. 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 pitting and beginnings of rust are 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 chrome run the length of this car. The rear has a wide bumper which stretches from quarter to quarter, and sports dual "Dagmars" as well. Inset into the bumpers are dual exhaust tips around which chrome remains just perfect. Wide polished trim surrounds the windows of the passenger compartment, and this car is bottomed off with 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.

InteriorSimply 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 FrigidAir A/C controller, and just below that is an aftermarket FM band radio. 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 some slightly soiled gray square pattern vinyl and another wire wheel Coker spare tire.

DrivetrainA 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 Hydromatic transmission. A 3.07 axle is on the back. Just a wonderful presentation of originality under the hood.

UndercarriageThe condition underneath can be described as well taken care of, with minimal surface rust, sound X frame, and a nice light spray of undercoating. 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 idols.

Drive-AbilityWords 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. Unfortunately, a few electrical circuits were found to be on the fritz, and these include the radio, odometer, clock, AC blower, and the power windows will not rise.

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. Yes, it has its faults but that's why we call it original! You have definitely arrived when you pull up in this fine automobile.

VIN DECODE53606215853-195360-Sixty Series62158-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGSTYLE NO 53 6019X-1953 Sixty Series Fleetwood SedanBODY NO FW11969-Fleetwood Body #TRIM NO 71-Light & Dark Gray Plain BroadclothPAINT NO 1-BlackACC H-HeaterE-EZ Eye GlassK2-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.