This Saint Petersburg, Florida classic needs a big drink from the Fountain of Youth. Rescued from a fern-filled yard, this 1949 Cadillac Series 62 convertible sat abandoned for some time, but maintains most of its original equipment, and if you’re into “patina,” this Caddy has it in spades. The listing here on eBay features a “Buy It Now” price of $18,000, and bidding has risen beyond $6000 with the reserve not met.
I’ve helped a good friend with his ‘49 Cadillac Sedanette for years, and these cars boast a unique presence, blending muscular authority with polished post-war elegance. Beginning in 1948, this fresh design made a statement in its day, including the introduction of this fin style that graced Cadillacs for years.
High style continued inside with the art-deco instrument panel and interior. The band of painted wood-grain wrapping around from the dash to the door panels, similar to this 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400.
Cadillac’s new-for-’49 overhead valve V8 made a class-leading 160 HP from 331 cubic inches (thanks to hemmings.com for some details), making more power and weighing 200 lb less than the engine it replaced, and later versions were punched out to displace as much as 429 cubic inches. Not only was the engine a gem, but GM built a fabulous four-speed automatic transmission, the pinnacle of luxury. Other features included separate rear seat heat courtesy of dual heater cores and fans under the front seat, and a hydraulic system to power windows, seat and top. While it would be glorious to see this car restored to immaculate perfection, it would be fun to drive it rough for a while first, so folks could appreciate its history. What would you give for this forgotten slice of America’s finest?
Wow, what a discovery. I can imagine buying a house with an overgrown back yard and finding something like an Austin Marina or Ford LTD but this era Cadillac set the tone for post war styling for many years. Taking inspiration from the P 38, one look told you what the car was. I’m sad to see it in this condition but Florida cars tend to rot from the top and being around such lush vegetation it probably stayed wet. I see a big job there.
Ok, what were the fans under the seat for? AC? Heat?
Dissipates the farts, cause rich peoples sh1t don’t stink.
Hi Mike – Rear seat heat. It’s a whole second heater core (larger than the radiator on some cars) with blowers under the front seat. My Dad’s ’53 Buick Roadmaster had the same thing – pretty neat. Probably helps stave off overheating too by adding to the coolant capacity.
There is a lot of rust here that you do see and even more that you don’t .
Right…The seller claims the floors are solid but fails to provide pics of the floors and trunk…Color me skeptical.
I have a lot of memories when it comes to the 49 Cadillac . I helped my dad restore 2 of them.
First off, I am a Cadillac fan. This vehicle would be gorgeous if completed. Second, buy your self a brand new mig welder. Buy your self 3 sheets of sheet metal 4ft.x4ft. Dismantle and label every single part. Get a guy to remove the body off frame, engine and tranny out. Get the same guy to sand blast for 3-4 days with about 500 lbs of sand, not cheap. Or you can go to Ebay item #202238197219 and buy one already done correctly. With the chrome, interior, engine, tranny, prep for paint and body repair, you should have about $52000.00 in it if done correctly before purchase. My advice buy the one on Ebay. Just my opinion.
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I think after completed it should look like this. Ebay item #202238197219, Cadillac convertible.
Would be a fun project if you have unlimited funds to throw around ! Man I hate those Continental kits 👎
Not really, the e-bay Caddy is about five years newer than the featured car…
I am reminded of Jeff Foxworthy saying that “if you mow your lawn and you find some cars then You Might Be a Redneck” :-)
Then to add to that…. “If you list the vehicle for 18 thousand and it’s a rust bucket convertible which needs much assistance then your looking for a trailer upgrade.”
Good luck… and mow more abandoned house lawns to find abandoned cars more often… :-)
Not 1 shot of the undercarriage. That’s a pity bc condition below will dictate a lot of value.
Its hard to imagine the lack of undercarriage pictures is an unintentional oversight.
Steve R
With all the saltwater rain they get there, I’d be surprised if it has any floors left.
We had a contractor who bought a house to refurbish.
When they cleaned up the backyard,they discovered an MG TC.
Amazingly, it was still in really good shape.
The seller of the property got the car back.I saw it on the
back of a tow truck,& was amazed on how good it looked.
Unless this particular car holds some sort of sentimental value, you’d be better off buying one already restored. You’d have more into it than it’s worth.
Goes to show you, some people have too much money I guess. Only way I’d take on such a project is if I could get it for $1.00.
Even then, I’d have to think long and hard about it.
I’m thinking that the new owner is going to have a case of buyers remorse.
$18K as a BIN price?!
You know, I might have been born yesterday, but I wasn’t born last night!
Another one of these cars that a person thinks “how could this happen”.I wonder in the early 70s what condition the car was in.A high dollar car when finished but junk in my eyes…
I wonder what just the chrome plating bill would be?
If it’s really your passion to have a 49 Caddy convert, then get a decent western 2 door parts car and let the parts switching begin. Been there with a 51 convert. It WILL be a long journey but worth it if you have the skills and the endurance. Check for the convert frame rack. If aluminium corrosion is really bad you may want to back off this project. That be would be my only worry. Cadillac convert frames are tough to come by.
Full restoration plus some more up-to-date changes: suspension, brakes, 3 point seat belts, stereo, a/c, etc. Just to make it safe enough to drive in today’s traffic….on sunny Sunday afternoons.
In the early 70’s I was donated a 51 Caddy hardtop that had sat behind a widow’s home for several years after hubby passed. After rebuilding the brakes, new fuel and brake lines, new 6v battery and a major tuneup, it ran like a champ. Low gear was awesome, would squeak the tires with ease. No park, had to leave in Reverse when shut off. Hydraulic windows and seats were leaky, car always smelled of brake fluid. Sadly the body and chrome was all pretty rough, beyond my abilities or billfold at the time. Traded for a ’68 Chevy Caprice. Not sure I got the better end of that deal, but a great memory from my 20’s!
I usually prefer restoration, but I like this one crusty.
Make it roadworthy and have fun.
This obviously is beyond saving despite it’s valuable nature. I want to know who will pay 18,000 for metal on the precipe of dissolving into oxide dust? This is way crazier than any P car bubble….waaay crazier.
.This car is over-priced by $17,500.