Having a luxurious Cadillac in the driveway is certainly emblematic of the American Dream. Cadillacs were status symbols and a clear indication to all that you were successful and prosperous. There was no seven-year loans or lease programs to make a new Cadillac affordable to the middle class. If you could afford to purchase a brand-new Cadillac in 1958, you had made it and the rest of the world would know you made it as well.
Advertised as “Motordom’s Masterpiece”, the 1958 Cadillac range featured revised styling, including quad headlamps, more pronounced shark-like tail fins and new ornamentation. The Series 62 was built on the 129.5-inch wheelbase chassis and like all 1958 Cadillacs, came with a 365cid V8 engine. Automatic transmission, power steering and power-assisted brakes were standard on all models. Mechanically the 1958 Cadillacs were unchanged from the 1957 models other than a raised compression ratio (up from 10:1 to 10.25:1) raising power to 310bhp at 4800rpm.
This 1958 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible was commissioned to the noted restoration company Harbor Restoration of Rockledge, Florida by its owner who was very specific on how the restoration should be executed: Make it perfect. Late 1950s Cadillacs are always a challenge to restore as they possess a copious amount of chrome and stainless trim inside and out, numerous luxury power accessories, and vast expanses of sheet metal requiring world-class paint and body skills. All of these things can certainly be accomplished by patient and skillful craftspeople, but due to the time and costs involved, these cars are rarely restored to such a high standard. This Series 62 represents a rare case when someone is passionate enough about a car to have it restored to perfection and also has the means to do it, regardless of cost.
Finished elegantly in its original shade of Ebony, the deep, mirror-gloss black paint competes for brightness with the numerous stylized chrome and stainless trim items adorning its arrow-straight body. The shark-like tail fins that are unique to the 1958 Series 62 models are complemented with a set of correct factory Sabre Wheels that are pit-free and restored to near-perfection. The sumptuous red leather interior possesses all the correct textures, feel and colors of the original design and shows only the slightest indications of use since the restoration was completed. The driving experience is enhanced with a host of factory power accessories that include power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seat, power antenna, pushbutton radio, Autronic Eye, and power closing trunk. Additionally, it is equipped with factory air conditioning – an option not often seen in a 1958 convertible.
Under the hood is a smooth and powerful 365 cubic-inch Cadillac V-8 equipped with the optional and highly desirable 3-2-barrel carburation system with compression ratio of 10.25:1, and topped with a special high-gloss gold air-cleaner. This Eldorado-spec engine was rated by the factory at an impressive 335 horsepower. The engine bay is highly detailed and correct with all the proper clamps, hoses, decals and tags. The same level of detail is extended to the undercarriage and trunk compartment.
The comprehensive, frame-off restoration took many months and countless man hours to complete, costing its owner around $400,000 to achieve perfection. The efforts were rewarded with numerous accolades, including Best in Show and Best Post War at the 2017 Cadillac LaSalle Club Grand National, as well as a Cadillac LaSalle Club Senior Crown Award, an AACA National First Prize Award in January 2023, and Best in Class at the Boca Raton Concours in 2023. If you are looking for the one of the finest examples of a 1958 Cadillac extant, this car is certainly worthy of your consideration.
