After the war, Cadillac was ready with a wide lineup of big, powerful luxury cars that were completely redesigned in 1942. As a result, they still looked fresh, although it’s unlikely that a car-hungry public would have cared. Post-war Cadillacs also benefit from wartime development of the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, which was used in a variety of tanks on the battlefield, proving their durability. This particularly 1947 Cadillac Series 62 sedan is the recipient of a very expensive restoration that has already won a lot of awards, including CCCA, CLC, and AACA trophies and badges. It has been driven about 10,000 miles since it was finished, and it is now a spectacular tour car that's reliable, smooth, fast, and comfortable. Without a doubt, 1940s Cadillacs with Hydra-Matic transmissions are still some of the best-driving old cars you can own.

The paint and bodywork on this big sedan are still exceptionally nice. The color combination is Pinehurst Green over Cavern Green, and Cavern Green is so dark that it almost looks black. It's just beautiful in person. We can find few notable flaws in the paint, all four doors close with that solid sound, and the giant clamshell hood swings open remarkably easily. The two-tone paint job is quite lovely in person and is a correct choice for 1947 (although it is not this car's original combination). We have extensive photos showing that this car was a complete, solid, running, driving car when the restoration started, so no major metal surgery was required and the result is a very tight car that feels sturdy and tight going down the road. No patches in the floor or trunk, 100% solid rockers, and no issues in the doors. We aren’t sure where this car spent its life, but it was well away from snow and salt.

The chrome was restored at the same time, and you can imagine what an expensive proposition that might be on a car like this. The bumpers, grille, emblems, and window surrounds were all refinished, and the stainless trim pieces were polished to match. Cadillac script adds a hint of elegance and the cloisonne badges front and rear are bright and crisply rendered. Someone spent a lot of money to make this car look this good.

But the interior is really why this car is special. Just look at it! I want to live in that back seat, which is more inviting and luxurious than most living rooms. Correct tan Bedford Cord with leather piping is sophisticated and comfortable, offering an upscale look that isn’t over-wrought, just elegant. Custom carpets with matching bindings were created at the same time, along with a taut wool headliner and sun visors piped in more leather. All the woodgrained surfaces were restored and the effect is very convincing, and the plastics are reproductions, including the steering wheel, shift and turn signal knobs, and brake handle. Everything works: gauges, clock, radio, power antenna, and apparently even the windshield washers, although we have not tested them—the collection from which this car originates is owned by a VERY fussy guy. Twin under-seat heaters keep it nice and warm inside on cool fall tours and that back seat is luxurious enough that you expect to be called, “Sir,” whenever you’re back there. Cadillacs are wonderful tour cars in part there's a huge trunk in back, and this one features correct upholstery, a full-sized spare, and jack assembly in its own custom leather pouch.

Cadillac's 346 cubic inch flathead V8 really needs no introduction, and after the war I'd argue they perfected it. Smooth, torquey, and utterly reliable, it's hard to come up with any complaints. I've had several and I'm consistently amazed by their ease of use. This one starts quickly and easily (although like all Cadillacs, it cranks a little slowly) and it idles almost imperceptibly. The engine bay is nicely detailed with correct finishes and hardware throughout and there's a back-up electric fuel pump for priming and a hidden electric cooling fan for warm weather. Even the original wrapping on the exhaust down pipe was duplicated to control underhood temperatures. There are, of course, some minor signs of use, but it remains an engine bay you can be proud of and mechanically, this car is so well sorted that we’d trust it on almost any journey.

The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was battle tested during the war and came out better than ever. Shifts are notably smoother than in earlier Cadillacs and the grinding going into reverse gear has been eliminated. On the road it's unobtrusive and utterly invisible, as good as any modern gearbox, making this a car that any driver of any skill level can quickly master. But the real advantage of the Hydra-Matic is the 3.36 gearset out back, allowing effortless 70 MPH cruising without overdrive. It's almost not fair to drive a car like this on tour because it's so modern in everything it does. Brakes are effective, steering effort is modest, there’s a newer exhaust system, and it sits on steel wheels (painted in the previous owner's trademark style with a red outer rim) with fresh 700R15 Diamondback (Yokohama) wide whitewall radials.

Documentation includes extensive maintenance and restoration receipts, correspondence between owners dating back decades, and a large collection of photos showing the car before, during, and after the most recent restoration.

It's pretty. It's comfortable. It's fast. It's bulletproof reliable. If you could have just one car for everything, there's a good argument to be made for a 1940s Cadillac. Of course, this is a CCCA Full Classic, so it's welcome at all of those events, and if my own experience is any indicator, you'll look forward to long road trips more than most old car guys. Look at the quality of this car, which shows in every way, and you’ll realize that few affordable cars like this are bigger bargains. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.