Summary

Resto-Mod powered by a 502/461hp Chevy crate engine mated to a GM TH400 transmission. Custom-built by Randy Church Restorations in St. Charles, MI.

Details

This stunning 1948 Cadillac Series 62 mild Resto-Mod was based on the first postwar Cadillac to feature the P38-style tail fins. Only 5,450 of these convertibles were made. The car started as a rust-free original purchased in 1996, in San Carlos, CA, from the original owner and was custom-built by Randy Church Restorations in St. Charles, MI. All the original mechanicals were removed, and the body was stripped to bare metal, then all of the chrome was replated. The headlights were frenched and the exterior door handles, emblems and trunk handle were shaved. The car was finished in Glasurit base coat/clear coat in Radiant Midnight Blue. The electric solenoid-operated doors can be opened four ways: key fob, hidden buttons under the dash, manual levers next to the seat bottoms and hidden pull handles under the car. The trunk is opened by an under-dash button or a manual pull lever under the rear bumper. Modern Cadillac 40/60 split seats, adjustable steering column and matching spoked steering wheel are provided. A new 502/461hp Chevy crate engine with a Holley Street Avenger carburetor, custom headers, vintage Cadillac script polished aluminum valve covers and custom matching air cleaner were installed, along with a GM TH400 automatic transmission and a Chevy 10 bolt posi-traction rear axle. There is a modern custom aluminum radiator with an automatic electric fan. Wiring was redone and was converted to 12 volts with an alternator. The smooth firewall and engine bay were custom-fabricated and painted to match the exterior. A new gas tank was also provided. Brakes were replaced with modern GM discs at all four corners, and the front axle, steering and suspension were replaced with those from a late-model Camaro. Automatic air suspension was added at the rear. It has a custom-made tan canvas convertible top with the original-style small glass rear window and custom tonneau cover. The top and carpeting were just replaced in November 2022. The top, seats and all four windows are power-operated. The split windshield glass was replaced with modern safety glass, a third brake light was added to the license plate frame as an added safety feature and modern seat belts were installed. Vintage BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires were provided on original rechromed wire wheels. The dash is the completely stock-looking original, but with modern Dakota Digital gauges with LED displays in the same spaces where the original analog gauges used to be. The original push-button radio was maintained, but the internals were converted to AM/FM with a 10-disc trunk-mounted CD player.