1941 Cadillac Series 62 Deluxe Convertible Coupe

Description

I have owned this 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe since 1998. I am a long-time member of the Cadilllac-LaSalle Club, the Classic Car Club of America, and the Antique Automobile Club of America. The car runs and drives very well, it has really been a joy to own for the last twenty years. We have moved to a house without a garage, only a carport, which is why I’m finally selling the car. I haven’t had the time lately to enjoy it, so with much regret I’m letting it go. This is a fine example of one of the most collectible cars of the 20thCentury, widely hailed as one of Cadillac’s finest years of great design. In addition, this color combination is spectacular and rare, and always gets compliments.

This Cadillac was born in Detroit on January 20, 1941, which was also the day of President Roosevelt’s third inauguration. This convertible coupe is #1328 of a total of 3,100 built in the 1941 model year. The build sheet shows that it was ordered painted in Monica Blue Metallic (Paint Code 57), with a tan top, and the optional two-tone blue and buff interior (Trim Code 86A). It was also outfitted with Royal wide whitewall tires, a radio with vacuum-operated antenna, Deluxe automatic heating system, and an accessory package which included a vacuum-operated windshield washer, full wheel discs,and license plate frames. This Cadillac came with the sturdy 346 c.i. flathead V8, with standard three-speed transmission. The car left the factory February 13, 1941, headed for Wheeling, West Virginia, to the account of Bruce H. Seabright, a Cadillac-Oldsmobile dealer. Whether Seabright was also a distributor, I’m not sure, but very shortly afterward, the car ended up in San Francisco — the call letters on the radio are for San Francisco channels, and when restoring the car, I found a brass 1941 San Francisco dog tag, a hat check ticket from Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco, and most interestingly, on the back of the speedometer there is writing in black crayon: “Fairmont Hotel Garage, Thurs 8pm.” I have no idea what that might mean. It has spent its entire life in California, and now is in Palm Springs.

It has Year of Manufacture 1941 California license plates, which were new old stock when I put them on almost twenty years ago.

The mileage now reads just over 76,000 miles, which is possibly accurate. I bought the car in Orangevale, California, from a man named Reid Bell, who said that he had obtained it in 1965 from a man who restored high-end Cadillacs and Packards, telling him the car was an excellent, low-mileage example. Mr. Bell had the Cadillac repainted in Antoinette Blue and reupholstered the interior using navy blue vinyl. Because he also collected vintage Mercedes and Spartan trailers, the Cadillac was apparently seldom used: When I bought the car in 1998, there was a maintenance sticker from 1978 indicating the mileage was 69,633. The mileage in 1998 was 69,755, showing the car had only been driven 120 miles in twenty years. I have since put about 7,000 miles on the Cadillac.

When I got the car, I drove it for a year or so, going through and maintaining/restoring much of the systems (rebuilt carburetor, fuel pump, water pump, brakes and brake lines, etc) while I gathered material to give it a cosmetic restoration, which took place in 2000. I ordered the build sheet from GM which revealed the original color palette. The engine compartment has not been cosmetically restored, and as far as I know, the engine has never been apart. I have preserved it while maintaining it mechanically.

The car was restored to the original Monica Blue metallic, a magnificent color for the car — a deep, rich sapphire blue, it really enhances the already majestic lines of the car. A two-stage Glasurit acrylic urethane paint was used. I ordered the correct two-toned interior from Jenkins Interiors of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, known for their authentic detailing and excellent materials and craftsmanship. This included the all-leather seats with the correct pattern, colors and grain (including the correct solid blue rear seat), the leather door and side panels, and wool carpeting. Jenkins also created the tan Haartz canvas top, which included the three lead-filled chrome trim strips, which are often missing on restored cars, but which add a level of authenticity and beauty. The top also features the often-missing stainless clips which hold the rear window taut while the top is up, see photographs. The trunk has also been restored in the correct materials.

This car has the chrome and enamel Cadillac crest and wings emblem on the deck lid. Though coupes and convertible coupes typically omitted this detail, this crest was on the car when I bought it, so I retained it. I like the way it looks. Cadillacs from 1941 had some of the most elegant jewelry of the period, and work to enhance the sophisticated pre-war Art Deco detailing.

Much of the chrome was replated, and the dashboard was restored to the original pattern of burled walnut. The radio was sent out to be retrofitted to play both AM and FM and is connected to a six-disc CD player that works on the 6 volt positive-ground system. The CD player is hidden in a storage compartment in the trunk and operates using the car’s radio and speaker using a small remote control which I keep in the ashtray. There is nothing much to hear on AM, and I loved playing swing music appropriate to the period. The antenna is not connected to the radio, nor is the vacuum operated antenna functioning, I have only played CDs. The vacuum-operated power top goes up and down smoothly.

All the rubber and glass were restored in 2000 (with correct date-stamped LOF glass), and the car was rewired with a period-correct reproduction wiring harness. The undercarriage was also cleaned and undercoated,there was no appearance of rust.

As I have said the car runs and drives very well, and is an immaculate example, but as with any car restored several years ago, it isn't without its flaws, which I will try to honestly and accurately describe. There are three photos in the listing, please let me know if you would like to see more photographs of anything.

• ·The front passenger fender has a minor scuff and a very tiny dent, it’s challenging to photograph, but I tried.
• ·There is a small blister in the chrome on the passenger side vent window frame.
• ·The convertible top has shrunk a bit where it meets the body at the back. It should be slightly loosened and reattached.
• ·The paint where the body meets the top of the deck lid has a minor spot of crackling, probably where old Bondo was used.
• ·The differential leaks, the pinion seal should be replaced.
• ·As is typical of most flathead V8 Cadillacs of this vintage, it tends to be difficult to start once it’s hot. There are multiple philosophies on how to fix this, but it hasn’t been an issue for me, it is slow, but has always restarted.
• ·The gas and temperature gauges are temperamental.The driver’s side is the only wiper hooked up, but I’ve never driven it in the rain, so I’ve never turned it on. The clock doesn’t work.
• ·The heater hasn’t been hooked up as long as I’ve owned the car.

Terms of sale:

I have accurately and honestly described the condition of my 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Cadillac convertible coupe ‘as is’ at the time of the listing. However, the car is sold to you ‘As-Is’ with no warranties expressed or implied, in which by your purchase, you agree to these terms and conditions. Please let me know if you have any questions prior to the end of the auction.

I have a clear California title in my name.

A non-refundable down payment of $500.00 via PayPal is due within 24 hours of your purchase. The remaining balance can be wire transferred and must be issued no later than 3 days from your purchase. A cashier’s check or personal check must clear before transfer of title or pick up of car.Shipping of car is the responsibility of the buyer.

Serious inquiries only. Please feel free to call, text or write with any questions. I have many more photographs which can be furnished upon request, and I’m happy to take more photos of anything not represented here.

Thank you, Steven – 213-364-3577

The car is in Palm Springs, California.