This is the best example you'll ever find in the survivor/preservation class for a 1949 Cadillac Limousine. It came in Tyrolean Grey with Grey Bedford Interior. 75% of the original paint is still on (the other areas have been matched) and is now held on with clear coat. 75% of the original upholstery is there and in good condition, excepting for a new headliner, new leather bench seat for the chauffeur, and new front carpet. Although 525 examples of this model limousine were made, only about 2% or 3% of those had the manual 3 speed transmission, meaning that only 10-15 of these vehicles were probably ever manufactured. There are only 9 of this model car listed in the Cadillac/LaSalle directory, and this is the only manual transmission version known to survive. Over the last 10 years or so, all pistons and rings were rebuilt, connection rod bearings (not main bearings as it wasn’t needed), heads reconditioned, valves rebuilt (no springs needed), new timing chain, rebuilt carburetor, rebuilt generator, rebuilt starter, rebuilt the fuel pump, re-did the radiator and put new hoses on, new heater hoses, detailed engine (with removing), cleaned the oil pan, rebuilt the entire hydroelectric pump (all cylinders in all doors are new, including the divider window, all hoses replaced, new Dextron II fluid put in). In 2013 at the Grand Nationals of the Cadillac/La Salle Club, this matching numbers car won 2nd place. It won a 3rd place at the All GM show in Van Nuys, California in 2014. I'm the fourth owner and the car is based in Los Angeles, California. I've had the car for about 7 years but the wife is tired of cars in the driveway and has decreed that this one must leave the garage and the pickup truck must now be parked in the garage in its place. I have done some additional minor maintenance over the past year or two including a new battery tray, replacement of broken glass and tail light jewels, new hood springs, running board restoration, fixed horn and reinstalled missing horn parts, some minor rewiring, steam cleaning of the underside, a vacuum hose replacement, etc.. The car, quite simply, drives like a dream and brings smiles and thumbs up from everyone who sees it. |