Cadillac Series 61

1950
Cadillac Series 61
Frame Up Built Series
61 Custom 454 V8
TH400 with A/C

Description:
Specifications454 cubic inch V8
Reinforced frame
15 inch wire wheels
Vintage Air climate system Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission
Modified suspension
Shaved body Ford nine inch rear end
Power front disc and rear drum brakes
Custom interior

Engine : 454 V8
Body Style: Hardtop
Miles : 2219
Stock #133087
Interior Color: Beige
Exterior Color : Red

Certified Price: $69,900  

There’s really nothing like assuming the helm of a 1950s Cadillac, a car from an era where General Motors was at the tip top of their game in terms of both design and performance. Unfortunately, top-notch vintage Cadillacs that are ready to drive AND show are becoming increasingly hard to find. The factory perfect cars are locked in padded garages and only allowed to see daylight during concours level events, and the field dwelling project cars are aging almost as fast as the cost of restoring them is going up. But every once in a while a nice, solid road-ready cruiser like this super cool 1950 Cadillac Series 61 will pull into our showroom and stop everyone dead in their tracks. Combining the best aspects of classic Cadillac style with a whole roster of top notch custom equipment, this classy hot rod is the perfect car for any enthusiast who wants to ooze 50s style, and have the muscle to back it up!

The beneficiary of an exceptionally detailed full restoration, this 1950 Series 61 was completely disassembled, painstakingly repaired and expertly rebuilt to the absolute highest standards. As you can tell from the pictures the car has been nicely modified; and the professional shaving resulted in a slick fuselage which features the kind of show-worthy gaps and solidity only found in ‘lead sled’ luxury cars. Take a close look at the contoured panels and you’ll find exceptionally smooth surfaces in which the metalwork is so well done that it has been rendered practically invisible. Those smooth surfaces make for a super clean body which has been laboriously block sanded and covered in a stunning coat of red paint. To ensure that the red paint would stay vibrant, a tough layer of basecoat/clearcoat was allowed to dry and carefully buffed into a trophy winning shine. The result is one excellent looking Cadillac with no filler, no questionable seams, no bulges, and nothing else that would be any kind of demerit on to its spectacular restoration.

For 1950, Cadillac showcased all-new styling throughout its entire lineup. And everything from this Series 61s expressive grille to its unique tail lights stoked the cars appeal and helped Cadillac achieve its best sales year to date. Up front, a mirror-like chrome bumper leads a gridded chrome grille which peaks between massive guards and clear chrome driving lights. At the sides of that grille, straight streamlined fender trim wraps around the corners of the car under aftermarket headlights; and above that grille, a domed hood flows gracefully to like-new glass that’s framed by small chrome mirrors, stainless wipers and well-maintained stainless trim. Below that glass, browed front fenders wear dent-free chrome trim which continues onto shaved doors, and widening rear fenders incorporate Lockheed P-38 inspired tail fins above stainless rocker trim which outlines good looking fender skirts. At the back of the car, cool showroom fresh tail lights occupy the top corners of the cars angled fins, and a second show-worthy chrome bumper sprawls from side to side below a tight fitting, shaved trunk lid and chrome tag bracket.

Powering this spectacular Cadillac is a 454 cubic inch overhead valve V8 which wears a 10114182 casting number that pegs it as a 1991 or newer big block Chevy. The torque rich engine has been drenched in a nice coat of body-matched red paint which looks right at home next to the cars custom inner fenders and smooth red firewall. Just below the fully finished hood, a nice coat of contrasting silver adorns a 50s Cadillac style air cleaner which sends air into an Edelbrock Dursashine 4-barrel carburetor. At the sides of that carburetor, silver valve covers display traditional red Cadillac scripts above ceramic coated Sanderson block hugger headers; and at the back of that carburetor, a modern HEI distributor sends fire through red Taylor high performance plug wires. The front of the engine hangs a silver alternator and a silver AC compressor on silver accessory brackets just behind a custom radiator shroud which centers a chrome 50s Cadillac script above a modern electric fan. The engine was fully rebuilt at the time of restoration and along with all new ancillary parts, from the carburetor all the way to the power steering pump, was made 100% road ready. The result is a buttery smooth muscle-bound V8 which climbs through the gears with a distinctive rumble that foretells this cruisers custom hot rod nature.

Take a look under this solid Cadillac and you’ll find a fully sorted chassis that, despite the cars road-ready mechanicals, is exceptionally clean and displays very few signs of wear. While the body was off being refinished, the chassis was treated to an equally comprehensive makeover. The sturdy cross member reinforced frame is the correct shade of satin black, and given its railroad trestle level of engineering, is probably one of the reasons why this car rides so smoothly. The front suspension was completely rebuilt using welded double A-arm components from what appears to be a Camaro or Chevelle, and the rear suspension was rebuilt with traditional two inch lowering blocks. The original four wheel power drum brakes were freshened to as-new condition at the rear of the car and replaced with more reliable power discs up front. And a fresh mandrel bent stainless steel exhaust system, which is complete with muscular glasspack style mufflers and quad outlet exhaust tips, was bolted to the bottom of the Sanderson headers. At the center of the car, a proven GM Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed transmission makes good use of both a remote cooler and a solid Ford nine inch rear end; and at the corners, a set of real chrome 15 inch wire wheels spin Coker Classic 225/75 wide white wall tires around Cadillac center caps. I can’t find any signs of floor repairs anywhere, and since it’s very hard to find replacement pans for these cars, the red fully finished steel you see here is likely OEM throughout. Naturally, new lines, hoses, and a new stainless steel fuel tank were installed during the cars re-assembly, and everything from the fresh shocks to the new wiring looks set to provide years of trouble free ownership.

Inside the car, an attractive red and beige interior perfectly complements the cars exterior paint and manages to appear both sporty and upscale at the same time. Custom leather seats that are both soft and supportive, feature full power adjustment and movable center sections which flip up to provide additional space or down to provide arm rests. The tan carpet, which is bordered by cool mirrored sill plates, shows very little wear. And custom door panels with modern speakers hang below ultra-cool 1950s vintage metal uppers and correct chrome handles. At the top of the car, a custom leather headliner is stretched tight around a modern dome light; and at the front of the car, a fully restored dash houses clear gauges, a correct radio and a clear passenger’s side clock. Neat details abound including: push button start, rear mounted climate controls which pipe in either heat or Vintage Air Conditioning supplied cool air, and a complete remote controlled Secret Audio AM/FM sound system which is set up for both Sirius satellite radio and MP3 compatibility. In front of the driver, a small diameter steering wheel sits in front of billet stalks and billet pedals, and behind the driver a custom paneled and carpeted trunk holds a full size spare tire.

This awesome Cadillac has flat-out blown us all away! The quality of its build had a crowd of us standing around simply marveling at its craftsmanship and attention to detail. It’s spectacular in every way possible, and it will bring a lucky new owner years of pride and enjoyment, both on the road and in the show field!

Specifications:
Basic
Year
1950
Make
Cadillac
Secondary Make
n/a
Model Name
Series 61
Secondary Model
n/a
Vehicle Type
Passenger Car
Hobby Segment
Classic
Mileage
2219
Engine / Transmission
Engine Type
Gasoline
Engine Size
454 V8
Engine Number
n/a
Fuel Specification
n/a
Fuel Delivery System Type
Single 4 Barrel
Transmission Type
3 Speed Automatic
Transmission Spec
Turbohydramatic 400
Transmission Number
n/a
Misc
Entertainment System Type
AM/FM Radio
Battery Location
Trunk
Battery Shut Off
None
Battery Charger
None
Interior
Interior Color
Beige
Seating Type
Bucket
Seat Material
Leather
Shifter Type
Column
Center Console
No
Body
Body Style
Hardtop
Doors
2
Body Color
n/a
Paint Type
n/a
Stripes
No
Chassis
Front Suspension Type
Double A-arm
Rear Suspension Type
Leaf Spring
Axle Specification
Ford 9"
Front Wheel Specification
15X6
Rear Wheel Specification
15X6
Front Tire Specification
225/75R15
Rear Tire Specification
225/75R15
Front Brakes Specification
Power Disc
Rear Brakes Specification
Power Drum
Spare
225/75R15
Exhaust Type
Dual Exhaust
Muffler Type
Glasspack Style
History
Restoration Status
Restored
Mileage Since Restoration
n/a
Awards Summary
three local car show trophies, including one best of show.
Historical Documents Summary
n/a
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