West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional and great daily driving and virtually all original and rust free example of this 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special in beautiful original 'Corinth Blue' color paint with a 'Gray Shadow Broadcloth' interior, Hydra-electric front seat, power windows, rocker panel molding, rear fender skirts, directional signals, dual downdraft carburetor with automatic choke and it's original AM radio and 331/160HP V8 engine!
Recently purchased from long-time storage and obviously always garaged with a reportedly rebuilt engine and transmission and new paint and interior prior to being stored in 1993. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely original, solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously an always primarily cherished 'Garage Queen'. Please note that the car's original 'Corinth Blue' color repaint does have imperfections in the form of some peeling and paint chips etc and there are some small door dings in the body (see photos below) The original 'Gray Shadow Broadcloth' interior has been nicely reupholstered and has a matching headliner.
The 331 V8 engine runs well and this particular car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow - a truly remarkable daily driver considering it's age! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car is an absolute pleasure to drive! As previously stated, the car's engine and transmission have been reportedly overhauled prior to long term storage and only recently the car had a full service and tune up with a new battery and complete new brakes.
The '48 Cadillac's had new postwar styling with the first tailfins. Tailfins were inspired by the vertical stabilizers of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane and at first were just small bumps on the rear fenders but they would grow to the legendary great heights of the late 50's Cadillac's symbolizing this era of classic American cars. Fins not only became a long standing Cadillac hallmark but were copied world wide. In 1949 Cadillac's were powered by a new overhead valve V8 that would influence American engine design for the next 30 years. The overhead valve engine allowed higher compression ratios in order to take advantage of the new high octane fuels developed after the second world war. The first year of the pioneering 331 cid overhead valve V8 put out 160HP whilst the 346 cid L-Head flathead engine it had replaced put out 10 fewer HP and was 200lbs heavier. This new V8 made the Cadillac one of the fastest car's in America in it's day. These were solid and very well built cars with all the luxuries one would expect for it's day and are one of the great postwar American designs and a high demand collectible widely recognized for their excellence.
This is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving example of a very original 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special in great driving and looking condition and a great candidate to restore for the Cadillac enthusiast!
