1933 Cadillac 355C Town Sedan - SOLD
     
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This was obviously one of those cars that always enjoyed proper care, and there’s absolutely no evidence that it was ever rusty or damaged.

If you have any questions about the quality of Cadillac motorcars during the Classic Era, look no further than this lovely 1933 Cadillac 355C Town Sedan. It’s simply exquisite in every way, from the elegant bodywork on the long 140-inch wheelbase to the delightfully ornate woodwork inside to the silky smooth suspension and drivetrain, there’s simply nothing about this car that doesn’t exude elegance. Specially built for the Cadillac display at the 1933 New York Auto Salon in Brooklyn, it’s loaded with every feature and option Cadillac offered at the time and thanks to a show-quality restoration and absolutely astounding preservation, it remains a top-quality show and tour car that will surprise you with its sophistication.

“Town Sedan” was Cadillac’s name for the familiar club sedan, a close-coupled 4-door with blind quarters and a built-in trunk. Arguably the most desirable of the 4-door body styles, it was the first of the familiar 3-box design, which might be why it’s so pleasing to the eye, even today. The restoration was completed in time for the 1978 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it placed third in its class (it was invited back in 1980, where it once again earned a third-place ribbon), and it was correctly restored in Rhapsody Green with Billiard Green wheels and pinstripe. These are the car’s original colors, as shown on the build sheet that accompanies it, and the finish is wonderfully authentic. There’s a brilliant shine but not the hard shine of modern 2-stage urethanes, so it’s very correct. Workmanship is exemplary with doors that fit properly and a hood that glides open on well-oiled hinges. This was obviously one of those cars that always enjoyed proper care, and there’s absolutely no evidence that it was ever rusty or damaged. The chrome is, of course, exemplary, with much of it being refinished again in 2007, and the gold goddess hood ornament and matching Cadillac crest were typically reserved for V16 cars, but this car proudly wears them to make an impact at the Auto Salon. Other options include dual sidemounts with metal covers and mirrors, a trunk rack, and the Pilot Ray lamps up front. The only notable demerit might be the grille insert, which is likely original and not restored, but that’s a pretty small nit to pick—on a lesser car it would surely go unnoticed.

Perhaps the car’s most remarkable feature is the interior, which is 90% original. The carpets have been replaced and we’re guessing that the front seat has been reupholstered, but the rest appears to be vintage 1933 General Motors stitch work. The materials are an exact match in terms of both color and texture and if not for the impossibly good condition of the driver’s seat, we’d certainly believe that it, too, was original. You will also note exquisite original woodwork, including the German silver inlays in the dashboard, details that are often missing in restored cars simply because leaky windshield seals resulted in the wood being damaged. The window surrounds are wood, not painted steel, and you’ll have to look very, very closely to even see where they join. The lovely veneers on the window sills are blemish-free, and all the hardware and knobs were fully restored using correct materials. By 1933, interior designers were focusing on the driver, with the gauges moving to the left, a full array of lovely cream-faced dials with ornate art-deco lettering and tiny, delicate indicator needles. All of the gauges are fully functional and there’s even a dial that indicates the position of the adjustable shock absorbers. The steering wheel is substantial and has the usual headlight and throttle controls on the hub. As a car destined for the Auto Salon, it is also equipped with an early AM radio, which includes the control head just to the left of the steering wheel, plus the speaker box and tubes underneath. Under the hood you’ll find a chrome box that says “Ekton B Eliminator,” which houses a tiny electric motor that powers the radio’s high-voltage generator, replacing, of course, the Ekton B battery pack used in 1932. We have not tested the radio, as I’m not interested in potentially damaging it, but given the condition and quality of the rest of the car, I presume that it is in operational condition as well.

Despite the nomenclature, the flathead V8 displaces 353 cubic inches, not 355, and it was Cadillac’s mainstay throughout the early 1930s. It’s incredibly smooth and idles so perfectly that you may not notice that it’s running, even when you’re standing right next to it. The engine was rebuilt and has perhaps 5000 miles on it, and in 2007 the manifolds were removed and re-porcelainized so it has a highly detailed look under the hood. The matching porcelain-covered cylinder heads were surely an effort to dress the engine up to match Owen Nacker’s lovely OHV V12 and V16 powerplants, but the V8 has a functional look, a machine-like combination of polished enamel, chrome, cast aluminum, and copper, all giving it a wonderfully mechanical look. Pull the choke out a bit and it fires almost instantly and as I said, it idles imperceptibly. With 115 horsepower, it’s as powerful as any of its early ‘30s peers, and it does have a wonderful V8 exhaust note under load.

Cadillac invented Synchromesh, so the 3-speed manual transmission uses it to make gear changes effortless and clash-free and clutch action is light. The maintenance notes that accompany the car show that in 2007, the original 4.60 gears were replaced with 3.90s, making this a comfortable 60 MPH tour car. Brakes are powerful drums at all four corners and the suspension is supple in a way that few other cars of the era could match, assisted by the imperfection-smothering 140-inch wheelbase. The undercarriage shows only minor signs of wear and use, but could easily be detailed to a very high level with a weekend of elbow grease. Six new 7.00-17 Lester wide whitewall tires were fitted 500 miles ago and the lovely wire spoke wheels are trimmed with chrome trim rings and enameled V8 hubcaps.

This wonderful Cadillac is nicely documented with its original build sheet showing that it was, indeed, destined for the Brooklyn Auto Salon, plus maintenance and service records dating back more than a decade. There are also photos and two third-place ribbons from Pebble Beach, and yes, third place may seem ho-hum, but remember: it was PEBBLE BEACH! Other awards include its National Senior First Prize from the CCCA, National Senior from the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, and an AACA National First Prize. This is unquestionably the finest example of its type.

Built in the height of the Classic Era and showcasing perhaps the finest combination of sophistication and “old car” feel, this Cadillac is simply remarkable in every possible way. Whether it is destined for show or tour duty (or both), its combination of quality, elegance, and mechanical prowess make it ideally suited to any old car activity. We’re sure that you’ll love it as much as we do.

Vehicle: 1933 Cadillac 355C Town Sedan
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 112077
Odometer Reading: 86,039
VIN: 3000367
Engine: 355 cubic inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Gear Ratio: 3.9
Wheelbase: 140 inches
Wheels: 17-inch wire wheels
Tires: 7.00-17 Lester wide whitewall
Exterior Color: Rhapsody Green
Interior Color: Tan broadcloth
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