We purchased this car 5 years ago ( on ebay ) and has been kept in a garage and driven a couple times a month since then. In the spring and fall I used to drive this to work once a week when the weather was nice, about 35 miles each way. I now work from home and have a baby on the way so I don't get to drive her as much as I'd like.
This 1952 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe, Cadillac's 50th anniversary model, is 99% original to the best of my knowledge and runs and drives as good as it looks! This particular car comes with a bit of history which was published in cadillac magazine in 2011, telling the story of the original owners of the car. We have a copy of the magazine which comes with the car as well as a car cover and box of spare parts.
The short version of the story is:
The car was purchased in 1952 from a doctor in Millbrae California. After 1 year he traded it in for a 4 door model. The doctors neighbor went to the dealership and bought the car for his wife who had always admired the doctors car. Hazel Chess drove the car until 1990, at 80 years of age she could no longer negotiate the car which has neither power steering or power brakes. Hazel's son Henry Chess had the car shipped to Minnesota at that point and stored it in a garage and used it occasionally. Henry informed the previous owner that around 1978 the car had a valve job performed and a paint job. In 2008 he donated the car to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota. Archie Calise bought the car from a Make-A-Wish auction at which point the car had 122,000 miles. Archie performed $11,000+ in repairs and rebuilds to the car of which I have receipts for. He sold the car through a classic car dealership in Marina Del Rey, CA in 2011 which we purchased the car from.
In the past 4-5 years since taking ownership the mileage reads almost 130,000. I can't locate what the mileage was when we bought the car, but if I had to guess I've only put 2,000-3,000 on the car if that... We used the car in our wedding 2 years ago, and have participated in Encinitas Classic Car Nights often.
The paint looks amazing for being 35+ years old, but is by no means show car ready. The chrome could use some love, as could the original interior which again looks great for being almost 65 years old! ( The drivers side door shows use as does the carpet on the floorboard. ) The interior clock stopped working at some point but I haven't taken the time to look into it. I've seen them on ebay for around $35 if that helps to know.
Check out the video below to hear how good she sounds!