ONLINE ONLY AUCTION at www.classicpromenade.com .
Free To Bid. Inspection reports available. See full photos, videos and more. Auction Dates: Oct 10-24, 2020
This is a beautiful fully restored 1932 Cadillac 355-B All-Weather Phaeton bodied by Fisher and is now ready for concours competition. This restoration has just been completed and this Cadillac has not been shown since. This is the definition of rare, being one of 50 made and one of the two known extant in the US.
This is a ground-up restoration that was completed by Ken Karrer who is the long-time president of the Central Texas Region of the Cadillac LaSalle Club. The restoration is documented in three huge binders and well over a thousand photographs. Prior to Mr. Karrer, the Cadillac was acquired by its second owner Mr. Paul Herr in 1962. Mr. Herr was a NASA scientist and was President of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the AACA. It was under his ownership that the Cadillac had earned the AACA National First place award in 1971. The 355-B is one of the best performing classics of the 1930s.
The two-toned opalescent rose and magenta livery is magnificent. The fine metallic component is just right for picking up light to accentuate each of the curves throughout the body. The paint is complimented with ivory colored spoke wheels and coachstripes as well as the abundance of chrome and tan Haartz cloth for the convertible top. The body finish and paint quality are well done with some remaining orange peel. The panel fit is excellent.
We love the rakish angle of the entirely chromed windshield, which hints at this being a sporty phaeton. The windshield height for the 355-B series is lower which gives it an even sportier, almost aggressive look! This is a beautifully design classic that shares the same 140 inch wheelbase as the V12 models with the same body.
The chrome is magnificent. Each of the lights and accessories has the fine logos etched in them as if they were treasured new old stock found in perfect condition. This example is well fitted with Pilot Ray driving lights that turn with the wheels, dual side mounts with correct covers and Cadillac mirrors a luggage rack with a trunk carrying a set of vintage luggage. We love the over engineered chrome exposed hinges that Fisher used for the passenger doors.
The interior is beautiful with period correct finished tan leather hides throughout complimented with ample wood that is original and nicely refinished. The dashboard is well detailed with the Jaeger clock and AC speedometer. The Arvin under-dash heater looks very art deco and correct for the car. The tan carpeting and the rest of the interior is perfect and freshly finished with no sign of wear. The rear passenger compartment is spacious and elegant with its roll-up division window for privacy. The tan leather reminds us of plush sofa in your home library.
The tan Haartz cloth canvas convertible top has never been down, waiting to be shown at a few of the major concours events first. All the top bows are beautifully finished in chrome and look excellent.
The engine compartment is also well detailed. This restoration is not the common overly restored example. The restorer was focused on authenticity and used many of the correct finished. Cadillacs venerable 353 cubic-inch L-Head V-8 got a significant power boost for the 1932 model year, jumping from 95 hp to 115 hp. It pairs with a three-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox for effortless, virtually silent progress. As with the rest of this car, the engine is superbly detailed with period-correct fittings and finishes. The restorer and present owner have competed about 120 test miles since the completion of the restoration.
The chassis is also fully detailed and painted. Again, the car is not over restored, so the correct chassis black is used rather than a gloss or semi-gloss finish. The chassis detail is not smooth and shows that it was painted without excessive attention to over-restoration.
This Cadillac comes complete with thorough documentation, a car cover, some extra parts and items, and, importantly, the rare original sales brochure and original owners manual. It was an AACA National First Prize Winner in 1971 from an earlier restoration. This motorcar is ready today to win many new awards at the CCCA, CLC, AACA and concours events. This example has been collector owned most of its life. The inspection report found nothing to be lacking except the lock for the glovebox is a little stiff. It drives beautifully as one would expect. This is Body No. 37 and it is one of only two known extant in the US today.
For more details and information call, text or email Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or [email protected] . The Cadillac is available for viewing in our Phoenix showroom.