1953 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe

1953 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe

'The Cadillac is a vehicle manifestly intended to cover long distances at a high cruising speed whilst demanding the absolute minimum of effort from the driver and imposing the smallest possible distraction upon the passengers.' It is abundantly clear from the foregoing that Motor magazine found much to commend in the Series 62 Cadillac when testing Briggs Cunningham's personal car early in 1950. Indeed, a Cunningham-entered Cadillac Coupé De Ville finished 10that Le Mans that year driven -in lounge suits - by the Collier brothers.

Although the body style featuring GM styling chief Harley Earl's Lockheed P38-inspired tail fins had made its debut the preceding year, 1949 was nonetheless a landmark year for Cadillac, this season's models being the first to benefit from the company's new 331ci (5.4-liter) overhead-valve V8. Replacement for Cadillac's long-running 5.7-liter side-valve unit, the new engine was untypical in having over-square bore/stroke dimensions and, despite the overhead valve gear, managed to be both more compact and lighter than its predecessor. A maximum output of 160bhp meant that 100mph was within the reach of most models, with comfortable cruising between 80 and 90. Revisions for the succeeding few seasons were chiefly limited to styling changes. Hydraulically operated 'power' windows was a feature of the Convertible and Coupe DeVille by this time, while Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was standardized from 1950 onwards on all Series 62 models. The Series 62 was the larger of the two mainstream Cadillac model lines, being positioned between the 'small' Series 61 and the long-wheelbase Series 75 reserved for the Fleetwood-bodied limousines. The most obvious change to the '53 models was a new grille with integral bumper and 'projectile' bumper guards, surely one of the most dramatic looking front ends ever to grace an automobile.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams