What is this? Original or Fantasy? 1941 Cadillac 62 Opera Coupe Series 62

[MikeGerman]

Hey guys, can someone tell me if this is original or "selfmade" like Bob's Coupe?
At least the Chassis. If this is original, shouldn't the front seat be leather and has a split window?
I saw a four door, but a two door?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/cadillac/62/2183718.html

Thanks for your Information, maybe this might be interesting for someone else.

Best, Mike

[Steve Passmore]

Looks like it started as a 60S from a custom shop?

[BJM]

It seems to me the seller is avoiding confirming it’s simply a custom job   Otherwise, if it was a Darrin or such that provenance would be front and center with documentation or a badge. 

[76eldo]

If it's a CCCA Classic as the ad states then it had to be built by a recognized coachbuilder.  My guess would be Boehman & Schwartz.

Brian

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Where to start... First of all, look at the windshield. I'm pretty sure it's a 60S. If so, the antenna "should" have been on the cowl, (unless the dealer added the radio when they used the fender location.) Then the front fender would have looked a lot better without the V-16 spears. No crest on the door sills, please. It looks tacky. Ditto the crest on the skirt. I believe it is a 60S as the door sill plates are 60S ones. No, they are done in the correct pattern but done on a metal brake. THAT'S why the crest was put on it. Also a brake was used for the tops of the doors instead of the original wood. And isn't the opera window direct from a 1973 Mark III Lincoln? If it's a CCCA classic it's only because ALL 1941 Series 62/60S cars are.

I've seen the car before on the Forum. It was "almost" superbly done. I think if one of the body builders had done it, they would have advised the owner to delete the tacky things I mentioned above. I would imagine that Eddie's Kustom Kar Shoppe did it. They didn't look for things that are still relatively easy to find. Especially as with the body work, there would have been some major expenses. Paying AllCads for sill plates should have been a drop in the bucket, especially as they shouldn't have spent the money on the V-16 spears...

[harry s]

I think that car might have been at Hershey a number of years ago.    Harry

[35-709]

If you go by the VIN number, that is a 60 Special.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I just thought about the "why" of the custom door sills. They needed "longer" ones since they made it into a coupe. One would think they could have found a classier spot to take pictures also, instead of "out behind" Uncle Jim's farm buildings.

[Bob Schuman]

Looks like someone spent much money/effort/time to screw up what had been one of the prettiest sedans ever built, at least in my opinion. The car is obviously a 41-60S from its appearance and VIN, but the engine compartment is a mystery to me. The engine and radiator look to be 46-48 Cadillac, no big deal there, but the left side air duct in the inner fender was not used before 1942, and the plumbing on the firewall looks similar to the Hydro-Electric system for the windows and front seat, first used in 1947.  The door panel photo shows a manual window crank, so what is that tubing on the firewall for? The front fender spears from another series of 41 Cadillac and mixture of fender skirt trim do not enhance its looks at all. Too bad Johnny Cash is gone, this would fit his song perfectly.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Bob caught me up on the fender spears. They are all the same length and 38-40 Series 90 are varying lengths. Also, I think that the stone guards are Series 62, not 60S. 60S ones have the coarser ribs. The oil filter should have a royal blue body and an orange top. No label on the air cleaner. And why, oh why didn't they use the smaller (and correct) optional lamps in the corners of the "C" pillar? That original dome lamp is another thing that looks dorky. When something is installed that close to a major "sight" item like the door opening, something with a parallel line should be just that. Parallel, not vertical.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

This is a prime example of the old adage:  You can
spend a fortune on a restoration, but the neglect of
small details really kills it.

In this case, considering all of the sheet metal work
and fabrication probably well over $150k was spent.
It's an interesting car, but no Cadillac person will
ever come near it.  What were they thinking?

Mike

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

Whatever class it has is ruined by those seventies opera windows. They totally ruin the look. If you take them away, the profile looks a lot like the pre-war Lincoln Continental, minus the rear tire. I always suspected that the rear roofline of the 60 Special was borrowed by Bob Gregorie for the Continental coupe. This car confirms that.

[Virgil Perkins]

First saw this car at  2014 Fall Auburn and took photos. It sold at the 2015 Fall Auburn for $37,950 (lot # 7051)