1949 Prototype Cadillac Fleetwood Coupe Deville

[@antonioperalesdelhierro5188]

When I was fourteen and at my aunt's wedding celebration at my grandparents place in Casa Blanca, California a black 49 Cadillac Fleetwood pulled up. In it was doña Luz Corral Fierro, General Pancho Villas widow, and my gramp's first cousin, who'd been chauffered by a good friend of hers from Mexican revolutionary days. I hadn't seen her arrive, but the lovely beast was parked in the spacious back yard and I devoured the it with my eyes never having seen one up close. It's one of my favorites.

[@stephenandloriyoung5716]

I'm pleased to see that you don't view it as too precious to drive. Enjoy!

[@johncraig7431]

My Dad was the 3rd owner of this one-of-a-kind car. He bought it in San Diego in approximately 1974, and when he moved back to Connecticut in 1982, he took the car with him. Unfortunately he never restored it as planned. He sold the car in 2012.

[@ampcenter1]

very nice story. thanks for sharing, i am in san diego. currently purchased a 1949 coupe deville.

[@johncraig7431]

@@ampcenter1 Nice! Where about in San Diego are you? I live in Orange County.

[@alanstrong3295]

A real Cadillac. Love that purple color. Take me for a ride!

[@Magnetron33]

Thank you for an amazing and interesting story. I have seen a lot of cars in 65 years, but never one like that. What a beauty!

[@nudaveritas6322]

Speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderfull..............................

[@robertklein9190]

I'll always remember that my fathers friend bought a red 53 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, magical to be surrounded by tons of chromed interior and powered everything. They sure don't make them like they use to.

[@luislaplume8261]

When I was a little boy in the 1960s once in a while I would see a Cadillac like that on the road and many people consider it still modern.

[@johnhiram1207]

So glad it survived and is now loved. WOW gorgeous

[@berthierroussel3272]

O

[@LostNCyberspace]

Amazing car. It's one of those vehicles that is so unique and rare that many regular people never would know about it without great videos like this . Thanks

[@richardmorris7063]

I love Cadillac old & new.On chasing classic cars w/ Wayne Caring he had a31 cabriolt that was as nice as any.The 49 model on Kindigit design another one.I have a 2019 XT5 ,a beautiful red that I've clay barred & ceramic coated myself.I've got the 20" rims that I want to get chrome ones.Its so gorgeous I have people give me thumbs up @ red lights..in an SUV mind you.

[@daleandrews367]

I looooooove the color of this car. It reminds me of a late '60's Chevrolet color they called "royal plum". Sort of a cross between mauve and a lighter shade of lavender. Man, I thought I appreciated old Caddy's but this guy is a FREAK, and I mean that in a nice way.Great car overall, probably better than new in many ways.

Good on you for being so very aware to notice and love the color, Dale. I'm a lifelong car Nut that works as an independent Photographer that specializes in shooting high to very high end homes. I also work a little in Interior Design and color is LITERALLY LIFE to me and verrrry few men have anywhere near the appreciation, interest and knowledge of color as they should. I think the body color reads as a subtle eggplant purple with maybe a double metal flake finish that I find absolutely gorgeous. Utterly stunning car.

[@AxiomRazor]

Think the last time Cadillac offered a color like this was the Amethyst color in the 90s. They have a new Amethyst now but it looks more Plum/Merlot.

[@bigmuscles250lbs]

I had a '57 Chevy coupe. The color was desert rose which looks related to the color on this car top.

[@bobr.6312]

A very special car indeed...congratulations on your excellent restore...

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank You for saving it and posting.

[@tracer740]

Loved and appreciated this offering, Steve. I can recall attending the GM Motoramas in the 50's.

[@Kinseydsp]

Love the old Caddies. My Dad had a 1953 and 1955 Coupe Devilles, and a 1960 and 1962. also.

[@thewiseguy3529]

The most elegant time in American history!

[@joelsacks210]

What a car! And I do not find the music distracting. When Steve is talking the music is decreased so that every word is heard; and when he stops the music comes up. Some people can't seem to use 2 senses at once, I guess.

[@scottbarber6694]

That line over the side windows and down under the rear window came back in the 1957 Buick coupes.

[@kenkw5515]

Fleetwood AND coupe Deville??? That is RARE!!!!

[@kennethconnors5316]

unique and worth learning about for the history

[@markspeer7868]

Terrific car, restoration, and story. Thanks, Steve!

[@jeanpascaud4218]

En 1960 , le directeur du conservatoire de musique de Tours avait une Cadillac . Je crois qu'elle avait 4 portes. En tout cas, elle était décapotable .C'était une pure beauté .

[@bradbates2339]

A few of these post-WWII Cadillac videos popped up here on YT recently, but this is certainly the most unique and the only one I've seen from Canada. I'd like to know more about his huge collection of other cars. This one is pretty amazing and the interior especially looks ahead of its time for 1949.

[@stevebiesiadabada6669]

The Cadillac is Beautiful, I really like this

[@robertcallahan4065]

Another innovative feature in '49. Cadillac I believe was the first to have plastic taillight lenses whereby all the competitors were using ruby glass taillights. Plastic didn't go industry wide until '53

[@monoped8437]

i truly appreciate that they left the interior as it was designed.

[@HLife719]

A wonderful work of art! Not just the car itself, but the whole story surrounding it. Fascinating, that GM still has the documentation on the car, drawings and plans for the custom parts, and their willingness to support you in your fine effort in bringing it back to its original brilliance. It’s easy to understand, that cars are ‚referred’ to you - a wise decision. Any more anecdotes and details on the car would be most welcome to know. Now I know the interior color I will chose on my next restoration. Thanks for sharing.

[@biarritz59]

really great " one of ". Love the style, thanks for sending these videos Steve.

[@mikerafone4736]

this joins cadzilla at the top of my caddy list

[@MrShockingBlue]

Como um automóvel manufaturado, pode representar tão bem, a elegância, o bom gosto e o requinte, presentes em uma fase de ouro, da indústria automobilística americana ?????? É demais da conta !!!!! Uma jóia, feita pra poucos, mas de inegável beleza, potência, e design caprichado !!!!! Coisa de loko !!!!!!

[@johnnyohness]

OMG......I can't believe it. What a Georges Caddie. I am a Caddi fan but never knew there was ever a Coupe Deville Fleetwood. Most of these one offs get crushed. What a beautiful specimen of American automotive art. When is the Amelia Island Auto show?

[@MarinCipollina]

Cadillac actually brought back the Fleetwood coupe for a couple years in the early 1980s; they're kind of rare, but impressive in their own right.

[@frankwood7878]

THIS CADZILLA IS SUPER DUPER GORGEOUS. I WOULD CRUISE THIS CAR ALL DAY 🌞🌌🏞🏜 EVERY DAY. LOVE THE COLORS & CHROME ON THIS BABY

[@vinny57ish]

That is truly one very nice car .

[@melgoy2094]

WOW, never knew. its not a car its art. Sold my 49 to buy a 50 Coupe devil. Though 50 was the shit this is special

EXQUISITE.....from bumper to bumper. And that body color is STUNNING!!!

[@jakespeed63]

I was there!! My close friend had his 1961 Cadillac Convertible on display, alongside it. Stunning Automobile 😎👍🏆❤️

[@guycraig2030]

A true beauty,,put it in a vault...

[@jamiecampbell3068]

Man .. .. where did that color come from ??? It's obviously not in the 1949 Cadillac paint charts. I love it.

[@mikegehre570]

Gorgeous car! Love a ride

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

THAT'S A CAR! Not like today's Cadillac. BE-U-TEE-FUL!!!

[@mikesharkey2405]

If you look closely you can see design hints that carry through to today

[@kevinmacnally5096]

What a gorgeous automobile!

[@martytruelove5026]

That is a Super designed car,NICE....even the colour.

[@jeanpascaud4218]

il étair également ancien "Prix de Rome", compositeur et organiste.

[@asa1973100]

It’s magnificent

[@throughmyeyes9940]

all around class act, thanks

[@SuperBooboo02]

wow what a beautiful Cadillac....

[@cocopublicnews6766]

Harley damn he was a great man he could have started his own car company and wrecked

[@burtonburrus5049]

Nice! Thanks for Sharing!

[@dannmarceau]

My grandmother had a new '64 Coupe De Ville, then they ordered a new '72 Gold/White top, they went to Detroit? and grandpa paid for it with the silver he had saved for years.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Godzilla,shes a show stopper.Absolutely Gorgeous.!!!

[@UberLummox]

Notice it has the smaller rear window from the limousine. Truly a 75 Series Coupe DeVille one-of-one! Sure would love to have seen it before restoration.

[@mikedrown2721]

The top looks like the 1950 to 1953 Cadillac and Buick

[@UberLummox]

@@mikedrown2721 Oh yeah. Good observation. And the grill looks like a '50 Cad grill.

[@randallfrank5682]

The Cadillac name @ 6:45 in the video is not straight, just past the second "a" the line goes up. I have to wonder why, especially with the amount of money, time and effort that went into this restoration. I know, I'm a nit picker. It is a beautiful car though. Thanks for showing us.

[@glennspears839]

Yes, I noticed it too. I don't think the script is designed to be "curvy".

[@michaelbenardo5695]

This car was built on a Fleetwood 60 Special chassis, not a limousine chassis.

[@FIGHTSEEN]

Gorgeous car...but the '49 ragtop has my heart.

[@improperbostonian6722]

New cars are so cheaply made this 1949 Cadillac makes them look even worse. What detail built solid, with a amazing paint job.

[@jettrink7510]

The wheel covers are the best design ever.

[@vinny57ish]

I think that Cadillac Fleetwood was also a popular choice among many Capo dei capi's in the mob. They certainly were a car all in their own. Ciao.

[@ElCid48]

Lincolns too. You could hide a few dead bodies inside those trunks. LOL!

[@jeanpascaud4218]

Non c'était une 2 portes. Un modèle Eldorado des années 1955. J'adorais les ailes à l'arrière.

[@Totto1944]

My great-uncle always had either Cadillacs or Lincolns. They were beautifully built solid cars that smelled great! Cadillacs had the nicest ride, but his '62 Continental was the most spectacular of them all. My new Mercedes is great, but. . .

[@mike8989ful]

Can you discuss the "Telephone control" I have never seen or heard of it.

[@acquanellaogbemudia9930]

Awesome

[@russkingston5137]

I believe the driver side rear tail lamp is hinged. So as to reveal the gas cap! This is an old memory, so I could be wrong...

[@marccrotty8447]

russ kingston I have seen that feature as well. This Caddy could have it. Wow. What a car!

[@russkingston5137]

@@marccrotty8447 3 years ago I bought a 1999 Seville. Put a remanufactured engine in it. Along with about another $15,000 in replacement parts. She is beautiful, and runs like new!

[@marccrotty8447]

@@russkingston5137 While not as interesting, I bought my wife a new 2013 ATS with 3.6L. It has run (just about) perfect for 7+ years. All around good car.

[@russkingston5137]

@@marccrotty8447 What a good husband! Hope that Caddy lasts long enough to pass on to your family. In other words, a VERY long time!

[@BobCalNor]

The cars of the 40's and 50's had such nice proportions compared to the land yachts that followed.

[@peloi111]

You can't understand the " land yachts that followed" if you don't understand where they came from... :D

[@tonyd9455]

Must be nice to have that kind of money to have a car collection that big. I live paycheck to paycheck.

[@caribman10]

Yeah, and....? You an=in't the only one, buddy. Just the only one to say so. Lesson?

[@Pisti846]

Confusing. You say this car is built off the convertible, which had a 126" WB, yet you say it has the limousine chassis, which has a 136" WB, how can it be both?

[@gloidl]

Great car and video!

[@2right4words]

the hood ornament, looks like the robot from iRobot

[@martincubano8305]

EL CADILLAC CONVERTIBLE. DEL AÑO 1949

[@MrGGPRI]

Nice to know these cars survive and with someone with the means to do correct restorations. The dual-quad engine however looks suspiciously like a late 1950's setup.

[@daleandrews367]

I started to say something but now that you mention it, it does look rather like a more modern intake and general assembly. But if we are to believe what he maintains about the car, then it's an originally offered item.

[@biggreentruck4907]

Considering that this is a prototype, the engine may have been an experimental design, that didn't actually see production for a few years. What one bean-counter is inclined to trash, another bean-counter may be inclined to allow. Many awesome ideas that pop up in concept cars, are killed off by bean-counters with no vision.

[@brendagarb1547]

Beautiful! My first car was a '51 coupe deville. I love them all!

[@robertcushman7002]

beautiful car!, but the finest Was the fast back...... cheers 🐒🍾🍾🍾🏳️‍🌈

[@scootergeorge9576]

Lilac Cadillac!

[@UberLummox]

Hard to believe it's on a Series 75 Limo frame. I'm very familiar with proportions on these cars and I don't even see it. WOW is right!

[@biggreentruck4907]

Yep. I wish that I had a coupe built on a limo chassis. That's awesome. Bet you could get 4 6'6" adults in that back seat, comfortably.

[@jameswalton9062]

Must be nice to have money to buy these cars. Grew up with these cars. Dad had many of them.my oldest a 53 chev first car 57 Buick special. I am 7o an had over 7o cars.

[@eddonich7611]

Lucky man!

[@peterp.7761]

it started its life as a convertible.. also, it's built on a limo chassis so it's longer than all the others. Does this mean that convertibles in general were longer than other coupes?

[@slicksnewonenow]

@Peter P. Nope... The standard ragtops were the same wheelbase as the coupes and sedans. The Fleetwood 60s and Fleetwood 75s were longer by about 3 and 8 inches, respectively... And a lot of one-off Show Cars were built on longer wheelbases back in the day for "effect". It is a beauty, no?😉

[@peterp.7761]

@@slicksnewonenow it's fantastic..

[@billdescoteaux]

Did I notice power vent windows (as well as the side windows) on this car?

[@slicksnewonenow]

Yes... They're probably hydraulic power, at that!

[@FloridaClay]

WOW

[@2mikelim]

If it were built in 49, it would have the cool green tinted windows would it not? I've seen 49 cads with tinted glass which should surely mark the advent of tinted glass on american cars.

[@truettneathery4358]

The original FinTail !!!!

GM have always used Cadillacs as guinea pigs for the simple reason that people who could afford them didn't keep them for long so they were out of warranty rapidly. This is especially true with paints.

[@donnebes9421]

That rear window setup is really cool looking. Do any of the glass sections open? Great video!

[@jeffyork5766]

I was wondering that as well.

[@ericculver1718]

Who did the music for this?

[@TheLAboy777]

he's started looking like his car :)

[@Ravidshaw]

>...true right?! weird and funny....surreal...cheers from Toronto!

[@modernist2628]

Bit like the dog-dog-owner theory.

[@kertmustapha2367]

It came with seat belts and it is all stock???

[@ericdillon7467]

They used to auction off my boss hog Whitehouse car, I heard.... The God Father

[@EricJamesHanson]

a treasure...

[@jasonhatfield4747]

It's pronounced "rest ration" not "reest orration"

[@mikepetroff4240]

Great show. My family owned a 1949 Caddy convertible. What I don't understand though is that I'm almost certain the one-piece windshield was not introduced by Cadillac until 1950. Could it be that you have a 1950 rather than a 1949?

[@andrewjaskot9686]

It’s a prototype.

[@davesandler448]

The background music on this vid is TOO LOUD. It should be WAY quieter to not compete with the speaking.

[@wordsmith52]

yep - these people need to decide whether they are making a video about automobiles or music...

[@barnesjohn7657]

Dave Sandler : looking though all the nice replies - then yours Pathetic - thanks for nothing

[@barnesjohn7657]

wordsmith52 just enjoy it. Please This is not a video on our despicable, un-American, illegitimate fraud in the White House. trump the perfect failure, not just in America, but in the world .

[@danielboone72]

Nah, it’s fine.

[@jesp999]

how did that telephone work?

[@wickedhouston5538]

its the original iphone

[@ContinuousRefinement]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4OXmaKJnZWCotU

[@Johnnycdrums]

Probably like a marine telephone for boats and ships at sea.

[@mullerm62]

This was never a Fleetwood sub-series. It was Series 62 CdV.

[@tracer740]

... except for this model.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

DeLuxe!

[@Tearsandbjs]

Such an awesome & amazing guy, very cool and articulate though....... maybe one of his friends could help him out with how to pronounce the word restoration???

[@gregbenwell6173]

How do you Re- stir- rate a car???

[@tracer740]

... very, very carefully!

[@randyfitz8310]

You don’t rest!

[@ericdillon7467]

See! This guy would love to have an autographed by the Devil (God) Presidential Kings car, he had one! Boss Hog of the Whitehouse

[@sargeGXP]

1 outa 4 or 5 ? Of this same car? Or just motorama?

[@andrewjaskot9686]

American only just motorama

[@HowardLuken]

And now GM and Cadillac are crap. I'm stuck with a 2013 Cadillac XTS that has cost me thousands in repairs and I still owe money on the damn thing.

[@specialized29er86]

A beautiful dash that one, our 54 has such an ugly dash that were going to fit latter models dash.

[@ianmynard431]

it not a coup... it is a coupe... as in coupay...

[@UberLummox]

Since the '50s or so we in the US call it a "coop". The English language changes from place to place. Even in England itself. Why don't the English still speak Old English? It's the same thing except for a certain reluctant (to be nice) few who argue it.

[@ElCid48]

He's in Canada.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

@@UberLummox Coupe is french word

[@UberLummox]

@@V8_screw_electric_cars Good to know, thank you! I think most words were originally French, German, and Latin, of course. But it seems like the English take special pride in busting Amaricans in the nuts about language. Even in the US, the "American" dialect is constantly changing, and staunch Englanders don't seems to want to admit that very same thing happens in England. Seems like a silly, childish thing to fight about to me.