You are correct, sir -- the first half of the 1950s saw the most beautiful Cadillacs ever designed (yep, the 49 was like a homely adolescent, hinting at beauty but not achieving it). My father bought a 1950 black Cad in 1957. It's still in our family! I drove it from age 16 to 30 and plumb wore it out, gave it to my brother, and he spent a good many years restoring it in his garage. Today when I ride with him in it I feel like I'm in a Fourth of July parade with people pointing and thumbs-upping and smiling. I'm working on him to do his own video of him driving it around town.
I was raised in a Chrysler family, my first car was a DeSoto, and the neighbor across the street liked his Cadillacs, we compared our 1956 cars his Cadillac did have the light dimmers that my Chrysler didn't have but my Chrysler had power disc brakes, a gasoline heater that gave instant heat, the phonograph, and electric wipers that didn't quit when you stepped on the throttle! Both cars had air-conditioning, power windows, steering, brakes, and seats search tuned AM radio, but so did Ted's Chevrolet. In 1956 we had to have the cars greased and the oil changed every third tank of gas, that's why all gas stations had lifts or pits to change oil. They are delightful to look at but I prefer new cars with directions, stay in lane and heads up speed control!
The FIRST car I ever brought on my own, I was 22 and it was in 1958, was a sky blue 1953 Coupe De Ville in Anchorage, Alaska...... Absolutely loved that car and still do......... Wish to hell I could afford to buy one today.................... A '53 model Caddy is still in my mind one of the most beautifully designed cars ever................................................................................
As similar as the '53s are to the '50-'52, the '53 has some significant advancements that the previous year's didn't have. It had some internal engine modifications that increased horsepower to I believe 235. It also shares the new 12 volt electrical system with those in Olds and the Buck V-8s for '53 which gave it much great cranking power. '53 was the second year for power steering as standard equipment. Also, the new Dual-Range Hydra-Matic, an option in '52, became standard equipment in '53, which also included a highway friendly 3.07 ratio instead of the 3.36. The Dual Range allowed you to place the transmission in 3rd gear, indicated by the hash mark to the right of Dr range, to cut out one of the shifts that some drivers found annoying. Sadly, in August '53, the brand new Hydra-Matic plant in Livonia, MI burned after some transmission fluid caught fire--they almost had it out but ran out of fire extinguishers. For the rest of the year, Buick's Dynaflow was adapted to Oldmobiles and Cadillacs (called Turbine Drive in Cads because of the negative connotation), and the 3.36 ratio replaced the 3.07. It was a jerry-rigged design at best and I've heard that it tended to vibrate and just be unpleasant compared to the Hydra-Matic. They didn't put in Dynaflows into the Eldorados. I can tell from the way yours sounds and the brief glimpse of the quadrant that yours has the Hydra-Matic. They had production up and running again by '54. Six people lost their lives in the fire and it is still the largest industrial fire in American history.
Your comments are very interesting. I want to add some more. The Cadillac V8 engine with overhead valves introduced in 1949, has 331 cubic inches and 160 H.P. . This engine remained unchanged until 1951: 160 H.P. and two-barrel Rochester carburetor. In 1952, the 331-cubic-inch engine had 190 H.P., with a four-barrel Rochester carb. When I was a child, my father had a 1952 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special. That car already had the Hydra Matic dual Range, with 12 friction discs instead of 8, which allowed the transmission to be set in third gear. Another very important accessory was the autronic eye, which dimmed the lights at night when a vehicle approached from the opposite direction. In 1953, the 331 engine had 210 H.P. Only in 1954, the 331 engine reached 230 H.P. I once read a magazine that contained all the technical characteristics of American cars from 1954. I think it was a Car Life magazine. Here the Cadillac is indicated as the fastest of the American cars (116 miles per hour), the second to cover the distance of a quarter of a mile, surpassed only by the Buick Century by a tenth of a second, I believe with 17.9 seconds . I did not know the seriousness of the fire at the Hydra Matic plant in August 1953. But I remember seeing here in Chile several 1953 Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles with Dyna Flow transmissions. They were slower to accelerate than Hydra Matics. I've never seen a Pontiac Dyna Flow. It seems that there was not. Hudson and Nash Ambassadors using the Hydra Matic, between September and December 1953, were equipped with the Studebaker automatic Drive transmission (Borg Warner).
@@santiagorubio833 Thanks, Santiago, for the nice info! That's right, '52 was the year the Dual-Range Hydra-Matic was introduced, but it was an option and a standard transmission was still, well, standard. In '53, all Cadillacs had the Dual-Range standard equipment and the manual was no longer offered. That fire was such a shame, even if "only" six people were killed, I'm sure it devastated their families. It is still the worst industrial fire in the nation's history. Altering the Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles for the Dynaflows was jerry-rigging at its best. The '53 Dual-Range also included a 3.07 axle which gave relaxed, quiet revs at highway speeds. It was replaced with a 3.36 axle in Dynaflow equipped Cadillacs. That's noisier but not nearly as bad as the 4.27 axle that replaced the 3.73 used in the Series 75 limos, making them virtually useless except for funerals or parades. Pontiacs received Chevrolet's PowerGlide in place of its H-M. That Hydra-Matic was the best in the industry until Chrysler developed its three-speed TorqueFlite in '56--it would take GM eight more years to come out with its own version in the Turbo Hydramatic 400.
Just sold my 30,000 mile '53 series 62. It had the fog lights, original seats covered since new and dealer installed truck mounted ARA air conditioning...24mpg with A/C on at 70mph.
@@Messi_GQAT I wish I could say what year Cadillac I like best. For me, it varies with every decade. I like the 1949-1954. I like the 1959, I love the 1962 and 1964, and 1969
@@jasoncarpp7742 i also find it hard to decade what cadillac are my favorite, because they make very good cars (not morden cars tho) i think my favorite is the cadillac's who are made in the 50s
The '53 Eldorado Convertible was a limited edition. Only 532 were hand made . Similar to the '57 and '58 Eldorado Brougham. 400 in 1957 and 304 in 1958 .
Beautiful car and color! I've owned a '53 Series 62 Coupe for 30 years as of 12/8/19--you can see three videos of it on my channel that I don't use anymore NDrLoR. Does yours have the Dynaflow (Cadillac called it Turbine Drive) or Hydra-Matic? The H-M plant burned in August, '53, and Olds and Cadillacs received Buick's Dynaflow and Pontiacs Chevy's PowerGlide.
Adams response: "This is cool. He's referring to the transmission. It's a hydra-matic. I think my Dad told me about the fire. The car doesn't have a "Park" function, even though it's fully automatic".
@@Dimension150 By far the better of the two transmissions. The adaptation of the Dynaflow on such short notice was a jerry-rigging affair at its best, and it's noteworthy that none were placed in Eldorados. It also necessitated the changing of the axle ratio from the economical, quiet 3.07 used with H-M to the noisier 3.36 to make up for the torque converter slippage of the Dynaflow. H-M finally got a Park position when it was redesigned for the '56 model year.
Just spoke to Adam. He appreciates your interest in the car, but at the immediate moment the car is not for sale. But should it go on the market, he'll gladly reach out to you. Thanks
@@choward5430 It's a Series 62 sedan. I like the Series 62 because it did not have the trouble prone hydraulic electric window system called Hydrolectric because it uses brake fluid and the cylinders in the doors will eventually leak and take paint off the rocker panels. This was the last year the hydraulic system would be used and they're standard equipment on all Fleetwoods, Coupe deVilles, convertibles and Series 75 limos, optional on all Series 62 models. Electric window operation began with the '54 redesign and they are absolutely bulletproof, even at this late date.
You are correct, sir -- the first half of the 1950s saw the most beautiful Cadillacs ever designed (yep, the 49 was like a homely adolescent, hinting at beauty but not achieving it). My father bought a 1950 black Cad in 1957. It's still in our family! I drove it from age 16 to 30 and plumb wore it out, gave it to my brother, and he spent a good many years restoring it in his garage. Today when I ride with him in it I feel like I'm in a Fourth of July parade with people pointing and thumbs-upping and smiling. I'm working on him to do his own video of him driving it around town.
You know you're old when you can remember these being seen as the norm back in the day.
I have had a ton of Cadillacs over the years, I still have a couple of Broughams, I also have a 1953 Packard.... those are all great cars....
2 queen's out for a Sunday drive. ...lmao 🤣
Perfect 👌
GREAT VIDEO, LOVE YOUR PERSONALITY !!!
Thanks! Adam and I had fun making the video. Alas, he sold the car last year.
@@Dimension150 OH, OKAY, THANKS AGAIN, LOVE TO SEE MORE LIKE THIS !!
I was raised in a Chrysler family, my first car was a DeSoto, and the neighbor across the street liked his Cadillacs, we compared our 1956 cars his Cadillac did have the light dimmers that my Chrysler didn't have but my Chrysler had power disc brakes, a gasoline heater that gave instant heat, the phonograph, and electric wipers that didn't quit when you stepped on the throttle! Both cars had air-conditioning, power windows, steering, brakes, and seats search tuned AM radio, but so did Ted's Chevrolet. In 1956 we had to have the cars greased and the oil changed every third tank of gas, that's why all gas stations had lifts or pits to change oil. They are delightful to look at but I prefer new cars with directions, stay in lane and heads up speed control!
The FIRST car I ever brought on my own, I was 22 and it was in 1958, was a sky blue 1953 Coupe De Ville in Anchorage, Alaska...... Absolutely loved that car and still do......... Wish to hell I could afford to buy one today.................... A '53 model Caddy is still in my mind one of the most beautifully designed cars ever................................................................................
Yes, I agree. Styling was good for all the '53 GM cars.
Great car a great owner!
As similar as the '53s are to the '50-'52, the '53 has some significant advancements that the previous year's didn't have. It had some internal engine modifications that increased horsepower to I believe 235. It also shares the new 12 volt electrical system with those in Olds and the Buck V-8s for '53 which gave it much great cranking power. '53 was the second year for power steering as standard equipment. Also, the new Dual-Range Hydra-Matic, an option in '52, became standard equipment in '53, which also included a highway friendly 3.07 ratio instead of the 3.36. The Dual Range allowed you to place the transmission in 3rd gear, indicated by the hash mark to the right of Dr range, to cut out one of the shifts that some drivers found annoying. Sadly, in August '53, the brand new Hydra-Matic plant in Livonia, MI burned after some transmission fluid caught fire--they almost had it out but ran out of fire extinguishers. For the rest of the year, Buick's Dynaflow was adapted to Oldmobiles and Cadillacs (called Turbine Drive in Cads because of the negative connotation), and the 3.36 ratio replaced the 3.07. It was a jerry-rigged design at best and I've heard that it tended to vibrate and just be unpleasant compared to the Hydra-Matic. They didn't put in Dynaflows into the Eldorados. I can tell from the way yours sounds and the brief glimpse of the quadrant that yours has the Hydra-Matic. They had production up and running again by '54. Six people lost their lives in the fire and it is still the largest industrial fire in American history.
Your comments are very interesting. I want to add some more. The Cadillac V8 engine with overhead valves introduced in 1949, has 331 cubic inches and 160 H.P. . This engine remained unchanged until 1951: 160 H.P. and two-barrel Rochester carburetor. In 1952, the 331-cubic-inch engine had 190 H.P., with a four-barrel Rochester carb. When I was a child, my father had a 1952 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special. That car already had the Hydra Matic dual Range, with 12 friction discs instead of 8, which allowed the transmission to be set in third gear. Another very important accessory was the autronic eye, which dimmed the lights at night when a vehicle approached from the opposite direction. In 1953, the 331 engine had 210 H.P. Only in 1954, the 331 engine reached 230 H.P.
I once read a magazine that contained all the technical characteristics of American cars from 1954. I think it was a Car Life magazine. Here the Cadillac is indicated as the fastest of the American cars (116 miles per hour), the second to cover the distance of a quarter of a mile, surpassed only by the Buick Century by a tenth of a second, I believe with 17.9 seconds .
I did not know the seriousness of the fire at the Hydra Matic plant in August 1953. But I remember seeing here in Chile several 1953 Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles with Dyna Flow transmissions. They were slower to accelerate than Hydra Matics. I've never seen a Pontiac Dyna Flow. It seems that there was not. Hudson and Nash Ambassadors using the Hydra Matic, between September and December 1953, were equipped with the Studebaker automatic Drive transmission (Borg Warner).
@@santiagorubio833 Thanks, Santiago, for the nice info! That's right, '52 was the year the Dual-Range Hydra-Matic was introduced, but it was an option and a standard transmission was still, well, standard. In '53, all Cadillacs had the Dual-Range standard equipment and the manual was no longer offered. That fire was such a shame, even if "only" six people were killed, I'm sure it devastated their families. It is still the worst industrial fire in the nation's history. Altering the Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles for the Dynaflows was jerry-rigging at its best. The '53 Dual-Range also included a 3.07 axle which gave relaxed, quiet revs at highway speeds. It was replaced with a 3.36 axle in Dynaflow equipped Cadillacs. That's noisier but not nearly as bad as the 4.27 axle that replaced the 3.73 used in the Series 75 limos, making them virtually useless except for funerals or parades. Pontiacs received Chevrolet's PowerGlide in place of its H-M. That Hydra-Matic was the best in the industry until Chrysler developed its three-speed TorqueFlite in '56--it would take GM eight more years to come out with its own version in the Turbo Hydramatic 400.
Nice! Lovely car. Got one from 1951 myself. Carl, Sweden.
So cool 🇺🇲
Just sold my 30,000 mile '53 series 62. It had the fog lights, original seats covered since new and dealer installed truck mounted ARA air conditioning...24mpg with A/C on at 70mph.
Beautiful looking Cadillac! This was when Cadillac cars had style. 🙂
Agreed
@@Messi_GQAT I wish I could say what year Cadillac I like best. For me, it varies with every decade. I like the 1949-1954. I like the 1959, I love the 1962 and 1964, and 1969
@@jasoncarpp7742 i also find it hard to decade what cadillac are my favorite, because they make very good cars (not morden cars tho)
i think my favorite is the cadillac's who are made in the 50s
@@jasoncarpp7742 Elvis Presley gav her mother a pink 1955 cadillac fleetwood
@@Messi_GQAT I agree. I'm not a fan of cars of any make that has been offered in the last few years.
The '53 Eldorado Convertible was a limited edition. Only 532 were hand made . Similar to the '57 and '58 Eldorado Brougham. 400 in 1957 and 304 in 1958 .
Loved this! Although....I don’t hate 49’s. My preference has always been for a 56. This year is smaller, so more drivable. Hmm...
Beautiful car.
I. Miss. My. 53 caddy. It. Was. Black
beautiful love to own one
A series 62 sedan !
We had a red 1959 Coupe DeVille in my wedding.
I love the flag you see at the beginning of the video.
Thanks Jason, yes we do like that flag :-)
@@Dimension150 I didn't notice the flag the first time I watched the video. But when I watched again, I noticed. Where is this located? 🏳️🌈
@@jasoncarpp7742Jason we are in Seattle, WA. I'm Colin, btw.
@@Dimension150 Nice to meet you, Colin. I know where Seattle Washington is. I was born in Seattle and grew up east of there in Kirkland.
@@jasoncarpp7742 That's great Jason. A few months ago I followed Adam over with the Caddy to Kirkland to have some work done on it over there.
Lindo carro.
Beautiful car and color! I've owned a '53 Series 62 Coupe for 30 years as of 12/8/19--you can see three videos of it on my channel that I don't use anymore NDrLoR. Does yours have the Dynaflow (Cadillac called it Turbine Drive) or Hydra-Matic? The H-M plant burned in August, '53, and Olds and Cadillacs received Buick's Dynaflow and Pontiacs Chevy's PowerGlide.
I believe so, but I will pass your question on to Adam. It is a beautiful car and I was proud to shoot the video of him and his Cadillac.
@@Dimension150 Thanks! If it is Dynaflow, the transmission quadrant will have a "P" or Park position.
Adams response: "This is cool. He's referring to the transmission. It's a hydra-matic. I think my Dad told me about the fire. The car doesn't have a "Park" function, even though it's fully automatic".
@@Dimension150 By far the better of the two transmissions. The adaptation of the Dynaflow on such short notice was a jerry-rigging affair at its best, and it's noteworthy that none were placed in Eldorados. It also necessitated the changing of the axle ratio from the economical, quiet 3.07 used with H-M to the noisier 3.36 to make up for the torque converter slippage of the Dynaflow. H-M finally got a Park position when it was redesigned for the '56 model year.
Need some hiway driving.
I wonder what model year did the Fleetwood 60 Special got a twelve-volt electrical system?
34Packardphaeton to my knowledge 53 was the first year for 12 volts in Oldsmobile’s and Cadillacs
1955 was the first year for 12 volts in a Cadillac
@@tonyrockinfifties5208 no 53 was.
@@erichanson3961 Thanks for your correction.
@@morganbrowning867 and Buick V-8s. Pontiac and Chevy had to wait until '55 and their new V-8s.
Cool car. The steering wheel needs to be adjusted, sorry I can't take my eyes off that.
You're referring to the 'angle' of the steering wheel? Yes, I noticed that as well. Adam never seemed to mind.
Is this Fleetwood for sale?
C Howard Adam is "supposed" to be selling it, but taking his time. I can ask him again. We are in Seattle, btw.
Thank you! I thought this was a Fleetwood. Nevertheless, I'm still interested. Please advise.
Just spoke to Adam. He appreciates your interest in the car, but at the immediate moment the car is not for sale. But should it go on the market, he'll gladly reach out to you. Thanks
Thank you!
@@choward5430 It's a Series 62 sedan. I like the Series 62 because it did not have the trouble prone hydraulic electric window system called Hydrolectric because it uses brake fluid and the cylinders in the doors will eventually leak and take paint off the rocker panels. This was the last year the hydraulic system would be used and they're standard equipment on all Fleetwoods, Coupe deVilles, convertibles and Series 75 limos, optional on all Series 62 models. Electric window operation began with the '54 redesign and they are absolutely bulletproof, even at this late date.