- Seller: Bob S (Contact)
- Location: Cary, North Carolina
- Mileage: 999999 Shown
- Chassis #: 5362106048
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 331 cui V8
- Transmission: Hydra-Matic
Cadillac styling from the early 1950s had a presence few cars could match, and this 1953 Cadillac coupe has the kind of lines that make these cars worth saving. Long, low, and formal without losing its glamour, this Cadillac appears to be a stalled restoration project with several expensive pieces already addressed. Located in Cary, North Carolina, it is now offered at auction with a clean title and a reserve.
The car is identified as a 1953 Cadillac coupe, body style 6237, and is powered by a 331 cubic-inch V8 paired with a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The seller states that the engine was rebuilt, but later overheated after completion. It has now been sitting for nearly 35 years, so bidders should assume the drivetrain will need inspection and recommissioning before any attempt is made to run the car.
A major selling point is the trim and plating work. According to the seller, most of the plating has already been completed, including stainless trim, with much of it currently stored inside the car. The bumpers are installed because they are difficult to transport separately. The Cadillac also has a new windshield, new taillight and backup lenses, hubcap-center parts, a set of wire wheel covers, and other replacement items included.
The photos show the car stored indoors and wearing older pale paint with visible age, dust, and project wear. The body appears largely complete, with the front and rear bumpers in place and the grille and front trim all present. Some exterior trim is off the car, and the next owner will need to inventory the included parts carefully before continuing the restoration.
Inside, the Cadillac is clearly a project. The photos show a disassembled and aged cabin, with loose parts, worn upholstery, deteriorated soft trim, and areas needing full restoration. The steering wheel, dashboard, and major interior structure remain present, but the interior will require significant work before the car can be considered complete.
The engine bay appears mostly complete, and the seller notes that the transmission and power steering were resealed. Power steering is a huge plus and a desirable feature on a large 1950s Cadillac like this. Because of the long storage and the prior overheating issue, prospective bidders should plan on a full mechanical inspection, including the cooling system, fuel system, brakes, transmission, and engine condition.
This Cadillac is not a quick weekend project, but it has several important things going for it: desirable early-1950s Cadillac styling, clean title, 331 V8 power, Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering, new windshield, included lenses and hubcap parts, wire wheel covers, and a substantial amount of plating work already completed.
For someone looking to finish a classic Cadillac coupe without starting from a stripped shell, this 1953 Cadillac could be a worthwhile foundation. It will require patience, organization, and restoration experience, but the finished result would be an elegant postwar Cadillac with serious presence.
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