When the dramatic all-new 1948 Cadillac hit the streets, it created a phenomenon that practically defined the 1950s: the tailfin. Pundits expected Cadillac to lay back in 1949 and ride the huge popularity of the new design, but instead they took a massive step forward and introduced the thoroughly modern short-stroke overhead-valve V8 engine. It was several hundred pounds lighter than the flathead V8 it replaced, made more power and torque, got better fuel economy, and was designed from the start to take advantage of higher octane fuels that were promised in the years ahead. In short, Cadillac set themselves up for success in a very big way and as a result they practically owned the luxury car market in the 1950s.

This 1949 Cadillac Series 62 convertible coupe was the most stylish and technologically advanced car you could buy in 1949. The heartbreakingly beautiful bodywork introduced in 1948 continued, right down to the P51-inspired tailfins. This is a life-long California car that shows just over 41,000 original miles, a figure we have no reason to dispute given the condition of the major components under the skin. It has been recently and comprehensively restored, including paint, chrome, interior, and mechanicals, although there was no need to remove the body from the chassis. It is equipped with an extremely rare dealer-installed continental kit which has been on the car since the day it left the showroom, which gives it a distinctive look that harmonizes well with the tasteful tailfins. Exactly 8000 Series 62 convertibles were built in 1949, making them quite rare, and by combining what is arguably the most attractive car of the period with the most advanced engine, you end up with a very special automobile indeed.

Repainted in a color that’s pretty close to the car’s original code 22 Fiesta Ivory, this Cadillac is simply stunning in person. That California sheetmetal needed nothing beyond some block sanding to look fantastic and while the body was completely disassembled for paint, they made sure that every nook and cranny was prepped and painted properly for a uniform look. Then it was all carefully reassembled so everything fits neatly with excellent gaps. The doors open and close effortlessly, the hood is massive yet unlatches and swings open without a fight, and the trunk lid, even with the spare tire attachment, fits quite well. Finish quality is superb, with a ripple-free surface that was clearly blocked, sanded, color sanded, and buffed before being reassembled and it simply glows in the sunlight. The dour gray color in our photo studio makes it look like it glows, and that’s not too far from the truth. This car stops people in their tracks when they see it.

All of the chrome was refinished as well, and the detailing is exceptional thanks to the work of renowned craftsmen at Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome Plating. Show-quality workmanship manifests itself everywhere on the car with crisp features and a deep, unblemished shine in every piece. The bill for all that work was enough to buy you a new BMW 3-series, but it makes the car special. The stainless fender guards and spears, the jet-inspired hood ornament, and the massive grille and front bumper all look spectacular.

The bright red leather interior is also how this car was originally equipped. Everything you can see or touch inside is new, including the glove-soft leather upholstery, the carpets, and the door panels, which capture the original look perfectly. The steering wheel was re-cast and is exactly the right color, neither too yellow nor too white, and it matches what appears to be the original shifter knob for the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. More expensive chrome work on the dashboard and handles ensures that the interior is just as stunning as the bodywork, and the two-tone black and yellow treatment of the dash itself gives it a very uniform look. Rebuilt gauges show crisp faces and bright markings and they’re all fully functional, and the odometer was not reset to 0 as is customary with a restoration, but rather left to continue accruing mileage from day one. Of note, everything in this car works, including the power windows, the power seat, the clock, the radio, and the windshield wipers—the only thing we haven’t tested are the windshield washers, but that’s only to avoid scratching the windshield glass. A tan canvas convertible top was fitted over freshly chromed top bows, and the tan is the only deviation from the original specifications—this car originally had a black top. In back, the trunk was properly restored, although a trip to the detail shop last year resulted in a lost trunk mat and side cards, pieces that should be relatively easy to replace (correct reproduction materials are available from SMS Auto Fabrics).

For motorists, the joy of this car lies under the hood, where you’ll find the all-new 331 cubic inch OHV V8. While both Cadillac and Oldsmobile introduced their new powerplants in 1949, the Cadillac is notably more powerful, making almost 20% more horsepower from an engine that was only 9% bigger. With 160 horsepower and 312 pounds of torque, it makes the big Series 62 convertible feel downright light on its feet and there weren’t many cars in 1949 that could keep up with it. This is the car’s original, numbers-matching engine and it was completely disassembled, balanced, and rebuilt to stock specifications during the restoration. It starts easily with just a little prodding of the accelerator and needs no electric fuel pump for assistance. It quickly and easily settles into a smooth almost imperceptible idle (factory recommended idle speed is just 375 RPM!) and is so quiet that when you stand in front of the car all you can hear is the gentle woosh of the cooling fan. Out back there’s a pleasingly hushed V8 burble from the tailpipe and on the road, the snappy performance will make you smile. Correctly detailed in Cadillac Blue engine enamel with white lettering on the valve covers, the engine bay is bright, clean, and well-executed with the only demerits being modern worm-drive hose clamps instead of the original wire-style, an easy issue to fix. The engine has so few miles on it that the engine enamel has not yet burned off of the exhaust port areas and the manifolds are unmarked. All the wiring is new, the hydraulic systems for the top, seat, and windows have been rebuilt, and the finishes used throughout the engine bay are correct.

The engine is backed by GM’s famous Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission, and in a car like this, it’s really the transmission you want. Manual gearboxes were still available in 1949, of course, but with the Hydra-Matic you also got a set of 3.36 gears out back, making this a superlative 70 MPH highway car that will tour cross-country without complaint. As I mentioned, this is a California car, so there was no need to pull the body off the chassis for the restoration, so it is still pretty original underneath. Clean, but not detailed to the level of the rest of the car. However, it was dusted with a light coat of undercoating for a uniform look and there is nothing to hide, as all the factory seams, body mounts, and panels are clearly visible. The transmission and rear end were rebuilt, the brakes and suspension were rebuilt, the exhaust system is new, and just about everything else relevant to the operation of the car was removed, cleaned, rebuilt, and reinstalled. The only other deviation from factory specifications are those gorgeous Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels from a 1953 model, but they look so right that nobody will complain, and with 235/75/15 Coker wide whitewall radials it is a superlative road car.

For enthusiasts who like to drive, there are no other cars of the 1940s that are as road-worthy as this one. With modern performance and the most attractive styling of the immediate post-war era, these cars are always in demand. A stunning restoration of a car that will deliver years of happy motoring and could easily be taken to show condition with little more than a weekend’s worth of work. It is truly worthy of the phrase “The Standard of the World.”