On the Road: Stunning Cadillac restored with love – and $300,000.!!

'Over the top' Caddy was a lucky online find for this classic car restorer

Automobile customization and restoration takes plenty of blood, sweat, tears – and cash. Often, the original builder doesn’t make much money, if any at all, when the vehicle is later sold.

When Craig Phillips of Lacombe, Alberta, bought this 1949 Cadillac Series 62, the car came with a shoebox full of receipts.

“It was a real high-dollar build,” Phillips said. After he’d added up the invoices, he found there was close to $300,000 invested in the car. He added, “This thing was over the top.”

Phillips didn’t pay anywhere near that much for the car, a vehicle he found for sale online after being introduced to the world of full-out customs.

“I’ve been involved with cars my whole life,” Phillips said. He owns and operates Autotech Collision & Frame Ltd., a shop that deals mostly with insurance jobs. But, after-hours and when he’s at home, he likes to work on his own cars.

1949 Cadillac Series 62
Supplied, RK Motors

“I’ve always loved restoring cars back to the way they were when they left the factory,” Phillips said of his hobby. “But, a few years ago we were at a Goodguys (Rod & Custom Association) event, and there were 5,000 cars there.

“We didn’t have time to see all of the Camaros, Chevelles and Mustangs. Besides, I know what those look like, so we started to look at all these old customs and lead sleds, and those really piqued my interest.”

When he got home he started searching for projects and stumbled across the 1949 Cadillac for sale in North Carolina. He bought the car and shipped it to Alberta.

“I would have built it myself, but there it was all done and often you can buy them for a fraction of what it would cost to build it yourself,” Phillips said. “Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t because the finished car is just a smoke and mirror show.”

1949 Cadillac Series 62
Supplied, RK Motors

But the Cadillac worked out in his favour.

Tommy Carver of Charlotte, North Carolina, originally built the Cadillac. Between 2005 and 2011 countless hours of labour went into transforming the car into a stunning custom.

For those who know their Cadillacs, on this custom there are some 115 body modifications. The most noticeable change is the chopped roof — it was lowered 38 mm up front and 100 mm at the back. There are custom fender skirts, B-pillars and the front fenders have been modified with parking lights, headlights and “eyebrows” from a 1955 Chevrolet. The front grille and bumper incorporates Cadillac pieces from 1949 and 1955, and bristles with many other subtle details.

Just as much attention was paid underneath the Cadillac. There’s a Ford nine-inch rear end mounted in a custom four-link set up, while an all-new front subframe handles the steering duties. The entire car rides on adjustable air suspension, and features Wilwood disc brakes.

1949 Cadillac Series 62
Supplied, RK Motors

Inside, many surfaces are covered in full-custom camel leather and crocodile hide complemented with blond wood trim.

And, under the hood the original 331 cubic-inch V8 engine was replaced with a rebuilt 1978 Cadillac 425-ci engine backed up by a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. According to the build sheet, the engine has been improved with new heads, Edelbrock intake and carburetor and MSD electronic ignition.

For a few years after finishing the Cadillac, Carver toured the car around the eastern U.S. show circuit where it won multiple awards and garnered attention in rod and custom magazines. Then, according to Phillips, Carver’s brother urged him to sell the car and move on to the next one.

When Phillips took delivery of the Cadillac he had to touch up the paint in a few spots, and then cut and polish the rest of the black finish to bring up the jewel-like gleam. He also had to replace the alternator and recharge the air conditioning system.

Now, he and his wife drive the car on weekends, taking it to the local Earl’s restaurant or cruising nearby Sylvan Lake or Gull Lake. He continues to show the car, and said he always makes sure everyone knows he didn’t do the original build.

Phillips has since made contact with Carver, too.

“It’s like we’re long lost friends, and he’s (Carver) told me he’s kicking himself for selling the car,” Phillips said. “I’m not quite done playing with it yet, but I’ve got a feeling Tommy will end up with that car again.”