After wearing some of the most prominent tail fins in automotive history during the previous year, the Cadillac Series 62 got a redesign to begin the seventh generation of production in 1960. While the styling was more subdued than its predecessor, it still looked beautiful in both two-door and four-door forms, just with a lower rear section. The owner of this 1962 Cadillac had a really good vision in mind, but unfortunately, in his three years of ownership, the sedan has yet to be touched, so the wise decision has been made to get this one into the hands of someone with the time and skills to get it back on the road. Barn Finds reader T.J. spotted this one here on Facebook Marketplace in Hillsboro, Kentucky, and we’d like to thank him for providing the tip here! So far, the asking price of $3,500 hasn’t found a taker.
What the seller had in mind here made sense, which was to remove the original powerplant and install an LS engine in its place. Unfortunately, the 390 in the bay is locked up, and while unsticking and rebuilding it isn’t necessarily a bad idea, a more modern transformation seemed like a good way to move forward here. It’ll ultimately be up to the buyer to decide whether to try to keep this one as mechanically original as possible, or to do something entirely different. There’s no information about the transmission’s condition, but I’ve got a hunch it would probably benefit from some refreshing as well.
The Caddy is said to have come from the New Mexico and West Texas territory, with the car described as remaining extremely solid. However, the sheet metal isn’t completely rust-free, as a few close-up photos show corrosion on the left front fender, under the dealer tag behind the trunk lid, and near the bottom of the fenders. Fortunately, most of this seems repairable, so hopefully, none of the panels will require replacement. Another option is to just get this one running first, then enjoy driving it for a while with the patina before doing anything cosmetically outside.
Looking inside, the buyer will face both good and bad news, with the strong floors certainly a positive. The instruments also appear to be decently preserved, but, like many Western cars, the dashboard is cracked from years of sitting in the hot sun. New padding and upholstery will be a must for the front seat, but it’s power assisted, and this one’s also equipped with factory air conditioning. There’s a lot to be done here, but with the fairly solid metal, this one might turn into a rewarding restoration. Is this 1962 Cadillac Series 62 a luxury sedan you’d consider taking on as a project?
I owned one of these back in 1969, just after I returned from Vietnam. Was a damn fine car back then.
Thomas- I also had one in the early 80’s identical to this (but in much better condition). I rebuilt the 390 and added a mild cam and intake, really brought that engine to life! Interior was a light green and in great shape, repainted the car white. It was one of the smoothest driving cars I’ve ever owned.
LS swap?!? Not!!!! lol. More like a body and interior swap with a better car.
why is the first thing an L/S swap. that’s the least of this caddy’s issues. it will cost the ask price to do that swap and for what?
These great Cadillacs came with a very smooth, durable, 390 ci V8 with 325hp. This is the engine I would want to see and barely hear when I open the hood.
Hear, hear.
Every car on the planet does not need to have a Chevy engine shoved into it. 😖
In the movie “The Green Book” two of the co-stars are 1962 Cadillacs in teal green. Driven from The Bronx, NYC to the Midwest, down south, across the south and back up the east coast to NYC.
Really good movie, IMO
It seems the write-up confuses the 1962 Cadillac body style with that of the 1961 model year. It was for the latter year, 1961, that Cadillacs first appeared with much-subdued tail fins.
Hi Angel 😇! Are you doing any better? Sounds like you got a lot
in your plate with no sideboards.
Why use a Chevy when an EFI 500 cube Cadillac mill would do
wonders for everything but the gas mileage. Just my $.02. Anyhow, I gotta get ready to go to
my store 🏬 and see what problems my kids are having. Last night, I had them make a Tic
Tac video where I showed the CEO of McDonald’s how to eat a
Big Arch burger. Not bad for a new burger. It reminds me of a 1968 Big Mac with all that lettuce 🥬, 🥒 and all that other stuff on it. That one was worth an after dinner cigar, but all I had was a
cigarette 🚬. Not cool walking around the store with one of those big dog turds hanging out of your mouth. And yeah, I do like
A good Havana every once in a while but I’ll smoke that at home 🏡.
pop cans