OPGI Customer Car Spotlight: 1953 Cadillac

Although most of the cars featured in our Customer Car Spotlight installments are usually from Southern California, this weeks’ customer car comes from a bit farther away, as this very nice 1953 Cadillac two-door hardtop belongs to Original Parts Group Inc., customer Lee Coleman of Phoenix, Arizona.

Although Lee’s Cadillac was treated to a complete, frame-off restoration, the car is a bit unusual in that it wasn’t just restored to original specifications, but instead restored and improved with some modern appointments to improve the driving experience beyond the level delivered back in 1953. In addition to the obvious restoration work, under the hood the original 331 cubic inch Cadillac powerplant was replaced with a fresh 2004 LS1 V-8 backed by a modern GM automatic transmission. Lee’s Caddy also received new power steering and power brakes along with a modern air conditioning system. When installing the new A/C system, Lee decided to add a custom radiator along with a freshly chrome plated radiator tank, fan housing and air conditioning compressor. A new alternator and all of the brackets and pulleys were chrome plated too.

One very visible modification on the exterior of the car is the addition of 17-inch wire wheels that somehow look appropriate despite their non-original factor. Lee also added a full air bag suspension system with a four link setup in the rear to bring the suspension up to the level of the enhanced performance found under the hood. New upholstery, headliner and door panels along with NOS tinted glass make the interior look better than it probably did in 1953. Of course, all of the exterior chrome pieces and bumpers were straightened and re-chromed prior to the final body and paint work.

When all of the work was completed, Lee hired an appraisal expert to help him determine a replacement value for insurance purposes. That appraisal came in right at $75,000 and the written evaluation stated that “The entire vehicle has been rebuilt from the ground up and the resulting product reflects great attention to detail and pride in workmanship.” We can only add that we completely agree with that appraisal.

1953 Cadillac Two-Door Hardtop
Lee Coleman, Phoenix, Arizona
2004 LS1 V-8
Jet Black Paint
17-inch Chrome Wire Wheels
Air Suspension System