1953 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Chassis No: 536263346
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Property of the President of the Californian Cadillac Owners' Club for many years

- Reputedly treated to over $25,000 worth of parts, materials and rechroming since 2011 but associated invoices lost

- Desirable specification includes: power steering, autronic eye, (green) tinted glass throughout, power brakes and power windows

- Offered for sale with the very apt UK registration number '53 CAD' (currently on a retention certificate)

Styling and horsepower were the watchwords of '50s American car design and no examples epitomised the thinking more than the voluptuous Harley Earl-penned Cadillacs. For the lower, sleeker body of the Series 62 model introduced in 1953, the effect of the distinctive tailfins that had been the company's hallmark since 1948 were heightened by: a redesigned grille with heavier integral bumper and tapered dagmar-style bumper guards, prominent headlamp eyebrows, smoothly curved one-piece rear window and a fresh design of full-size chrome wheel trim. Power for the 1953 Coupe de Ville was provided by a 5.4-litre (331ci) V8 of 210bhp output and having one parked on your driveway would have set you back $3,995 - the total production run for that year was 14,550.

Finished in Black over Yellow with Green leather and cloth upholstery, this particular example is deemed by the vendor to be 'highly presentable' and in 'good running order'. The Caddy's impressive specification includes the following desirable extras; power steering, autronic eye automatic headlamp control, (green) tinted glass throughout, power brakes and power windows. Sadly all its paperwork was stolen en route to Europe, but when previously viewed it apparently confirmed that in excess of $25,000 had been invested in parts, materials and re-chroming alone since 2011. The car resided in Southern California from the '80s until venturing across the Atlantic, and for a long time was owned by a retired aircraft engineer and President of the California Cadillac Owners' Club who carried out all the technical work himself. The highly appropriate registration number '53 CAD' forms parts of the sale, though the number is currently on retention rather than attached to the car itself. Examples of '50s automotive Americana don't come much bigger or more imposing than this.