I just looked at a 1949 Cadillac 7523X. I verified it was a 1949 by visually confirming the dash as 1949 and 2. the data plate on the firewall stated 49-7523X and I am a Cadillac 75 series fan and pretty familiar with the limos. This one had a Cadillac flathead motor. So, is there any chance at all that Cadillac put a few flatheads in 1949 75 series cars or, as expected, is this a replacement motor?
This is - by the way - a very rough car, one of 595 made and the 1st one I have seen in person (1949) He has had two low ball offers of $200 for it. I thought it was a $500 car just 'cuz about any complete old car is worth $500 to me.
I have looked at a 1947 75 series and a 1941 67? 139 inch wheelbase car. This 1949 had real wood garnish inside ont he doors - in bad shape but still there. The grille was dented and all of the pot metal trim was bad. Windows left open, etc.
I have been there, and looked through the same pair of rose colored glasses you are looking through. Of the three, the 1941 Series 67 might be the most valuable. All are CCCA Classics but unfortunately, they all will need a ton of $s thrown at them. The one you inquired about sounds like parts only, and not many of those. The "real' wood's surface is a DINOC decal, and not a veneer, so don't let that fool you. I'd keep looking.
A '49 Cadillac with a flat head V8? Somethin's wrong. The 1949 75 cars had the new engine. Now, I'm wondering what the suffix: "X" means on the body plate. It's really mystifying if the body style shows 49-7523, and it has the '48 engine. Even if you're not going to buy it, it would be interesting to find out what this is all about.
The instrument panel changed with the model year, so it would be interesting to know what that is like.
The 'X' was used to indicate the presence of the hydro-electric system to power the windows and front seat.
I agree that something is not right with a flathead in a '49 75.
Jeff
Thanks for the quick replies. Yes, I did notice the hydraulic (or power) windows. The doors were a mess. The power window switches were there but yanked away from what was left of the door panels. The rear windows were power and it was wierd not seeing handles. I'll try to attach a photo.
Bryan,
It would be interesting to know the engine number of the flathead V-8. If a 1942 through 1948 engine, the number will be on a machined pad at the front of the block, right side, just behind the water pump. If 1941 or earlier, it's stamped on the block. left side behind the head, parallel to the dash. That number will tell us more about the origin of the engine. Please post it if you can.
Bob Schuman
Just a quick note to say that a 1949 Cadillac 75 is not a CCCA classic; only the 41-48s are.
Correct. I think the CCCA was pushing it going to 1948. BUT the Flathead being retained from 1946 to 1948 did it. Industry trends in 1949 including the Cadillac OHV V8 was just too much to even consider the 75 series, even though it was unchanged. I owned a 1948 series 75 with division window, if only lng enough to flip it - and I found the dash unattractive. The large drum was not a personal favorite. The 1949 Cadillac dash ranks among my all time favorites because of it's simplicity combined with that smallpiece of jewelry in the middle.
I am very happy to locate this car but very disappointed it is in such rough shape. IF it had manual windows and seat that would make a small percentile difference. The dash was very (surface) rusty. Seats just a mess. The trunk has not been opned in years according to the owner.
One more photo -