My 1962 Coupe De Ville

[Steve Mc Lean]

Hello all,

My Caddy's particulars: (Please correct me on all wrong data i might Present)

Built: Detroit Michigan 04D (As i understand, Last week of April 1962)
Style: 62 - 6347 (Year 62, Body style: 2 doors Coupe De Ville)
Body: FW 17797 (Factory Identification:17?, Production Sequence: 7797?)
Trim: 43 (Blue cloth and leather)
Paint: 22 (A-1490 Newport blue, Magic Mirror acrylic lacquer)
Top: --- (Not a convertible)
Acc: EY ( Softray glass + Power seats)
VIN: 62J113840 ( 1962 Coupe De Ville, Built in USA, prod Number:13840)

Since i have the original Cadillac's owner identification and informations I will share it with you.

This is a Canadian based Car. It was originally delivered to a major Quebec city dealership; Automobiles inc. 555, de la Courrone Quebec then sold to a Company, Ludger Cantin ltd. Based in Amqui Quebec on june 29 1962. I think he might have been a GM dealer or mechanic repair shop anyhow. (No archives found).

The maintenance booklet does not show any maintenance done on the car until 2 service visits or entries in 1964, one is dated march 12, 1964 by Ludger Cantin ltd. without the millage and the place it was done at and one on may 20, 1964. On that one, no owner's name is indicated except that, the dealership where it was done (Blvd Chevrolet) and the millage of the car which is listed as of 14,604 miles.

On the back cover of the owner's manual there is some hand writing. It includes the types of oils to use in winter and summer and the date of march 23, 1964 and again the millage at 14,604 miles which was missing from the first stub.

I have to assume that the car had not been driven between 23 march 1964 and the late date of 20 may 1964 and also assume that the car had been sitting at the dealership for a while before being sold. Since it had only been driven 15k miles in 2 years. I don't know.

Now, the owner i bought it from certifies me he bought the car from an individual from Amqui Quebec 12 years ago. The car had been used by that same very person since then and well taken care of. According to the seller the car was then purchased and has been Totally restored inside and out by his friend an old car restorer. The whole story seems to check out and appears to be backed up by the appraisal papers that came with the car certifying that the car had been totally restored with a showing millage of 146,486 miles.

The car then was seldom driven for the past 10 years and was kept in a controlled climate garage at all time but also supposedly maintained periodically.

Upon Buying the car i got it appraised again and the value from back then still stands to a 1 thousand dollars difference. The paint job has oxydized and will need a refreshing. I had it buffed and waxed since and it looks good for now.

The speedometer was u/s when I bought it and it showed 46,650 milles when i bought it. It appears to be still be consistent with the story i was told.

I have driven the car some 2000 miles since then, I only replaced the Tires and all fluids and filters then, the coil, points, condenser, spark plugs and wires. I have got the front end tightened and throughly checked and got a fresh alignment on it. I use it in the summer time only and put it away when winter comes.

This car is a dream to drive. I grew up in Caddy's and Lincoln's but never owed one myself before. I used to have a 1955 Pontiac Catalina that i also adored but it never came close to my 62 De Ville.

Recently i started to use lead additive. I have realised that my engine had been rebuilt with the same 1962 heads and the valves (exhaust most likely) were beginning to be noisy. Since then it runs smoother.

In a nutshell this is the story of my Caddy.

I thought i would share it with you friends and Cadillac's lovers.

I can use any inputs from anyone on with previous 1962 knowledge and know how.

Cheerfully!

Steve

Photos:

[danleblanc]

Very, very nice car and it's great to have some history with it.

Just a couple corrections on your info

FW17797 there is no meaning to the 17 part, it is actually 17797

62J113840 - the 1 has no significance in denoting the country of production. It wasn't until the advent of the 17 digit VIN that it had meaning. It means that your engine was the 113840th Cadillac engine built that year.

Hope this helps.

[fjungman]

Beautiful car. Looks like it did leaving the showroom, or better. Very stately parked like that. You must have some envious neighbors.

[Steve Mc Lean]

Hello there fellows,

fjungman: Thanks a lot sir, i dont know about the neighbors but, i can swear to you, she is the queen of my driveway.

danleblanc: I am very thankful for your timely correction of my misconceptions. You read so much conflicting infos that it gets confusing. I thank you for the input i appreciate it.

Cheers!