1948 Cadillac Fleetwood

Fleetwood Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

486014025

Gasoline

1948 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan I am offering for sale with NO RESERVE a beautiful 1948 Cadillac Series 60S Fleetwood Sedan from my collection. This example presents beautifully and is painted in the uncommon and desirable color "Cavern Green." The paint code "3" on the data plate shows this is the original color. When viewed from a short distance the car looks almost perfect. No dents, no rust, no signs of damage. The exterior bright work is in generally excellent condition. The front and rear bumpers are in great shape with no pitting. Most of the remaining exterior chrome trim has little or only minor pitting. The only noticeable pitting can be seen on the hood ornament. Recently all ten chevron "slashes" on the sides of the roof "C" pillars were removed and replated at a cost of over $1000.00. The distinctive stone guards ahead of the rear wheels have been restored and the alternating white painted "stripes" renewed. Note there is a small dent on the right stone guard. The odometer shows less than 33,000 miles and I have no idea how accurate this is. Please do not assume this is the correct mileage because I not making that assertion. The body is solid with no sign of rust. Nor is there evidence of prior body repairs. No body filler. The only rust is limited to the housing surrounding the front left turn signal. The housing unit could be easily and inexpensively replaced if the new owner wishes to do so. Most of the rubber weatherstripping throughout is in good condition or has been recently replaced. All rubber around the windshield sections and rear window panels is new as is the rear bumper gasket. All replaced weatherstripping is correct and was sourced from Steele Rubber Products Co. The Fleetwood rides on nearly new Coker Classic radial tires. The front sombrero wheel covers are in good but not perfect condition. The rear wheel covers, barely visible behind the fender skirts, are intact but not in good condition. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this car is the originality of the interior. The trim code "49C" on the data plate shows the Cadillac was originally upholstered in green bedford cord fabric with black leather bolsters. Sixty-three years of exposure to sunlight has faded the wool bedford cord to a soft gray-green. The leather has a mellow patina of age with some surface cracking but is in generally supple condition. Some seams have separated but the upholstery is remarkably intact. The head liner is original and nearly pristine. Carpeting has been replaced. The entire interior was recently professionally cleaned with a gentle carbonated water process used to clean delicate museum textiles. Though clean, the interior does show signs of wear and there are some water stains; about what one would expect in an original bedford cord interior of this vintage. Mechanically this Sixty Special is in good condition and has been "sorted" from stem to stern. A partial list of mechanical components that were repaired or replaced during the sorting process includes all new belts, rebuilt water pump, new fuel pump with electric auxiliary fuel pump installed. New optima battery. The steering gear box was completely rebuilt by Lares Corp. in Cambridge, MN. The radio, speedometer and clock were all removed from the car and restored professionally. The radio now plays beautifully and the speedometer is accurate. The clock has stopped working again and I have not looked into the cause. The ammeter (battery) gauge, fuel gauge, temp. gauge and oil pressure gauge all function normally. Windshield wipers work fine with new blades. The heater is not working. This car is equipped with the famous (infamous?) Hydro-Lectric power windows and seat. Anyone familiar with this system knows it is problematic. No exception here. All four window cylinders have been replaced and most of the electric window switches have been rebuilt. The original brake fluid in the system has been replaced with non corrosive transmission oil. At this time all windows are operating fine. The right rear window has stopped working from the right rear door switch but the window can be raised and lowered from the master switch panel on the driver's door. Power seat works normally. PLEASE NOTE: Before the brake fluid in the Hydro-Lectric system was flushed and replaced with transmission oil, the cylinders in three of the doors leaked with the result that there is some paint "bubbling" at the bottom of both right doors and the rear left door. Though not overly visible, the new owner will likely want to repair this. I have included a close up photograph of the paint damage. All lights work including turn signals. Brakes are good. Horn works well and is LOUD. Hydra-Matic automatic transmission shifts reliably and smoothly. The car does not drip any fluids and there is no black smoke. The legendary 346 cid L-Head V-8 engine is remarkably quiet and smooth and starts easily. In short, this is a handsome, solid, mechanically reliable example of one of the most stylistically notable postwar era American cars. 1948 Cadillacs are famous for their design, influenced by P-38 Lightning aircraft, and feature the first examples of what would become the best known design cue of 1950s automobiles......tail fins! The 1948 Cadillac Series 60S was the flagship of the Cadillac line and is recognized as a Milestone by the Milestone Car Society. I am not a dealer and collect American cars, mostly from the late 1940s - early 1960s. I am an honest guy and have done my best to describe the condition of this Cadillac as fully and accurately as possible. Any errors in description are not intentional. I would encourage you to examine the car in person if you are interested in buying it. I live only 20 minutes from a major airport (Raleigh-Durham, NC "RDU") and would be happy to pick you up if you fly in to see the car any time before the auction ends. I am also happy to cooperate with any independent inspector you hire. Note: I am selling the car without reserve. Simply stated, the bidding will start at one dollar and the high bidder at the end of the auction will be the new owner of this Cadillac. I do reserve the option to end the auction early. I ask that the high bidder make a $1000.00 good faith payment via PayPal or wire transfer within 48 hours of the end of the auction. The balance will be due by wire transfer or certified check within 7 days of the auction's end. I will accept as payment only US Dollars. Shipping is entirely the responsibility of the buyer. I am making no guarantees of any kind either stated or implied. As I said, I've done my best to describe the car's condition accurately, but various components of old cars can always fail unexpectedly. If you have questions, please email them and I will respond promptly. If you are serious and would like to discuss anything about the Cadillac, I'll send you a telephone number to contact me. Good luck, and happy bidding!