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1931 Cadillac 355A V8
7 Passenger Formal Sedan
w/Dual Side Mount Spare Tires
& Fitted Trunk & Luggage Rack
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Frame off Restoration 2000-2002
SOLD!
INTRODUCTION: 1931 Cadillac Model 355-A formal 7-passenger sedan 134"
wheelbase, 18.5 feet long front bumper to end of trunk, with the quiet and
smooth Cadillac V8 engine of the day, gorgeous maroon & silver paint,
virtually flawless interior, folding jump seats, wood trim & accessories,
dual sidemounts with chrome
hard shell and mirrors, flying
lady mascot for the hood ornament, locking trunk and rack, stunning chrome,
always garaged, original miles, a Cadillac masterpiece, engine rebuilt, no
mechanical problems, no oil leaks, runs and drives beautifully.
CADILLAC STORY: In the mid 1920's, Cadillac wanted to compete with Lincoln, Duesenberg and Auburn for luxury automobiles by acquiring a custom body building manufacturer so, they bought Fleetwood. By 1928 they acquired/owned 100% of Fisher Body. Fleetwood was assigned the task of building their "custom bodies" and they were able to satisfy several different kinds of customers by varying designs above the belt line on basic body shells. Fisher body was now in charge of the rest of production. The longer wheel base was made so Cadillac could offer longer, lower slung body styles. The Cadillac engines had the reputation of running smoothly and quietly. Improvements like a side mounted starter, oil filter, and oil level indicator may sound like standard equipment today but, it was big news in this era. The giant drum brakes were 16" in diameter and the hydraulic shock absorbers and low slung (huge) rear springs gave the "Cadillac-Ride" we are now all too familiar with. The Cadillacs for 1931 featured a completely redesigned chassis that was lower due to divergent siderails on the frame and a change in placement of the rear spring. The body designs of the 1931 models were much lower and longer than in 1930 and it was the first year that the V8 cars had opening doors on the hood.The vehicle was powered by a 353 cubic inch V-8 engine which produced approximately 95 horsepower and was coupled to a three speed, synchromesh manual transmission with a wheelbase of 134". CLICK HERE FOR SOME MORE HISTORY FROM THE CADILLAC/LaSALLE CLUB
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: A scarce and desirable 1931 Cadillac Model 355 V-8 Seven Passenger Sedan. This vehicle has the serial/engine number of 806450 indicating is was built late in the 1931 model year. The body is a Fisher-built seven passenger sedan with the body code 31262 and the body number 600.
Vehicle History:
Owned
for years by the famous Hotel Boulderado in Boulder, Colorado
(see photo to the right, vehicle can be seen parked
in front) before coming to Michigan in approximately 2000.
When it arrived in Michigan, it was fully restored and entered in the prestigious
Meadowbrook Concours d'elegance in
Rochester Hills, Michigan in 2002. After its concours debut, it was put in
climate controlled storage and has not been used since other than an occasional
outing to keep the engine well lubricated. The Cadillac-Lasalle club can
likely provide the original build sheet to this vehicle.
Cosmetic Condition: The vehicle was restored in 2000-2002. It appears to have been a very original, complete and unmolested vehicle prior to its restoration. The body is very solid throughout showing no signs of damage or abuse.The doors open and close well with good alignment, but the hinges and strikers could use some simple adjustment. The body wood appears extremely solid throughout and the body is very tight. The fenders are also very straight and do not appear to have been damaged or repaired. The chassis is extremely clean and shows no evidence of prior damage, rust, high mileage, etc. Today, the car remains in excellent overall condition but could use some finishing. The headlights and horn need to be wired, the doors could use some alignment work, the decorative sill plates under the doors are scuffed and should be restored or replaced. The silver/gray body color is complemented by a rich maroon upper body color and matching fenders. The colors appear much richer in person than they do in the photographs. The paint is extremely nice throughout- I would rate it much better than driver quality but not quite show quality. With some detailing and polishing, it could be brought up to show quaility.There is no paint bubbling, cracking or any signs of deterioration to the paint other than extremely mimimal chipping in the use areas.
Interior: The interior is superb, the previous owner had over $20,000 in the complete interior restoration alone. The interior is in gray fabric which is correct for this period. The seats, door panels, headliner, carpets, etc are all new, very well done, and show no signs of aging. The rear compartment has two folding jump seats which are correct and restored in matching fabrics.The interior lights all operate when the doors are opened. The dashboard has been immaculately and correctly restored and has inlaid wood panels above the instruments. The instruments are original and correct to this vehicle. The steering wheel, pedals, shift and brake levers, etc are in excellent condition. The exterior top insert has been replaced and is excellent condition.
Accessories and trim: The chrome is in excellent condition throughout. No damage to the radiator shell, headlamps, taillamps, hubcaps, bumpers, etc. The car has the extremely rare metal Cadillac sedan trunk, stone guard, Goddess mascot, dual sidemounts with mirrors,Vision-all windshield wiper, inside mount sunvisors, etc.
Mechanical condition: This vehicle has hardly been used since restoration. I have driven the car and the car runs and driveswell. It is an extremely tight car, it does not rattle, steers straight and brakes well. The engine starts easy, makes no noises and doesn't smoke. The cooling system does not leak. The clutch does not chatter and the tranmission shifts easily. The former owner stated the the car was completely restored mechanically, but we have no knowledge of what exactly was done. All six tires are new and the correct 19" wheels are in excellent condition. As with most vintage vehicles, we would recommend that the next owner spend time sorting out and checking all of the mechanical components before any long distance driving. The car has its proper vacuum tank, correct carburetor with the scarce aircleaner, correct distributor, cellular core radiator, etc. The chassis shows very miminal signs of usage and is quite clean throughout. The chassis and suspension components do not show signs of wear or abuse. The actual mileage in unknown.
Overall Condition Comments: This 1931 Cadillac is an excellent vehicle that with minor tinkering can be used and enjoyed in its current condition. Restored by previous owner, this vehicle has some minor finishing work yet to complete. The window risers need R&R, the window shades have not been installed, the horns and lights need to be wired, and the original sill plates are scuffed. It is considered a Full Classic (TM) by the prestigious Classic Car Club of America and would be wonderfully suited for any of their driving events or judge shows. Priced reasonably, I expect it will sell quickly.
Terms of Sale: THIS VEHICLE IS BEING SOLD AS-IS and WHERE-IS, THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES EITHER WRITTEN OR IMPLIED. ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE AND ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Buyer will be responsible for paying all shipping and transport costs though I can help with the arrangements if you like, or even deliver it if in the general area of Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia or PA for $575. Delivery to other areas on East cost considered for an additional fee. For shipping costs to your area, see: DAS Shipping Link (click here). Again, vehicle is sold as-is with no express or implied warrantee.
CAR IS IN EXCELLENT OVERALL CONDITION, RESTORED & WELL MAINTAINED WITH ONLY MINOR FINISHING WORK REQURED.
Thanks for looking!
ADDITIONAL PICTURES 1931 CADILLAC 355-A SEVEN PASSENGER SEDAN |
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