Last year, I found an interesting out-of-print book on automotive design at John R. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit. The book was titled The Art of American Car Design: The Profession and Personalities, and the author was an architectural historian and professor named C. Edson Armi. Mr. Armi interviewed most of the big names in styling from the 1930s to the 1980s, and in his discussions, he made it very clear that there was one car that he was particularly impressed by: the 1948 Cadillac. Looking at this Sixty Special above, brought to us by Barn Finds reader Curvette, it’s easy to understand his fascination. In a deep hue called Madeira Maroon, this Cadillac (which is located in Longview, Washington) appears to be a tremendous craigslist bargain at $18,500.
The 1948 Cadillac was a bridge between generations. It was the first year for the Lockheed P-38 Lightning-inspired tailfins, which would eventually grow to absurd heights by 1959, and it was the final year of Cadillac’s venerable 346-cubic-inch L-head V8. It still produced its traditional 150 horsepower in 1948, and it was still optional with GM’s famous Hydra-Matic, one of the only fully automatic transmissions available at the time. The seller says that this Cadillac “runs and drives good,” as it should with a claimed 96,000 miles on it. Everything under the hood appears to wear the sign of good maintenance, although a few commenters may have a thing or two to say about the universal radiator hoses.
The Sixty Special, also referred to as the “Cadillac-Fleetwood Series Sixty Special” in sales material, was special even for a Cadillac. The upholstery matches the Fleetwood patterns shown in the sales catalog, and the seller says that the interior is “exceptional.” The power windows even work, and this is good, because they used hydraulic cylinders to raise the glass. The same system was apparently also used to operate the standard power seat. Any leaks in this system would seemingly spell disaster.
It’s easy to spot a Sixty Special when it’s parked near its lesser brethren: it has a 133-inch wheelbase compared to the 126-inch wheelbase of Series 61 and 62 models. It also has special trim (less of it, actually), including those bright hash marks on the C-pillar and the curved molding that blends into the rocker trim from the rear door. It all adds up to a very stylish Cadillac, one that is very much worthy of admiration by experts in the arts. Besides, where else can you buy a classic from an accepted master for $18,500?
WOW!Just WOW. I NEVER cared for any Cadillac of any year. (1950 Convertible being the exception) But this car just has a, presence !
Wayne I agree WOW!
I can’t believe how much early Cadillac luxury and style in excellent condition you are getting here for the price. I sure wish I had more garage space.
It sure would be a great looking car to have a take out for people to see how big it is.
I agree, this is one fabulous automobile. I wish I had a place to keep her too, and that she was still in AZ.
Simply gorgeous
In 1948, there was no better way to tell the world, “I’ve arrived!” The same may be true today.
I believe the “hydraulics” on these cars used brake fluid. Damage from leaks has been cited as a major reason these cars were junked.
It’s always nice to see any automobile (especially an CADILLAC) one year younger than myself, A Vintage 1947 ROLLS CANARDLY! Yeah I Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next! And I’m surprisingly still here, driving my Town Car on to VERSAILLES! What say others? Especially members and friends of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY?
Is this the Driving Miss Daisy car?
No. The first car (backed over the hill) was a late 40s Chrysler. The next (and first with her Chauffeur) was a 1950 Hudson. The next was the black 53 🤔 Cadillac, all the others were Cadillacs. Nice to see Greekboy is here and knows about Miss Daisy!
No. The first car (backed over the hill) was a late 40s Chrysler. The next (and first with her Chauffeur) was a 1950 Hudson. The next was the black 53 🤔 Cadillac, all the others were Cadillacs. Nice to see Greekboy is here and knows about Miss Daisy!
I could just sit in my garage and look at this car all day. What an amazingly beautiful piece of art on four wheels.
Be still, my beating heart!
I’ve always liked these cars since I was a kid. There’s just something about them that makes you wanna go buy one– or
build one to your wants and needs if you can find a good shell
cheap enough. Other than the scary hydraulics these cars had, I
can’t find anything else that would scare me away from owning one– restomod or not. Haven’t seen one up close since the late ’80s though. That car was very tastefully done as a restomod being totally stock outside while using a 455 cube GM engine and a T-400 tranny for
power. It was painted silver grey
with Tru Spoke wire wheels wrapped in Vogue tires. Thankfully, all the hydraulic functions were swapped out for
modern and safer electrically run
parts instead. Yeah folks, this would most definitely be the car for me. But make mine charcoal
grey metallic with wire rims, dark
tinted windows, A/C, and a decent stereo with Syrius XM radio 📻 Now THAT’S a classy
Cadillac!
Even after owning a ’63 Fleetwood for several years, I missed the fact that they sported those chrome hashmarks on the roof as a sign that they were Fleetwoods, even long ago. This car is gorgeous.