1948 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial 75

Description

For years Cadillac called itself “The Standard of the World” and the 1948 Fleetwood Imperial 75 was the pinnacle of Cadillac’s post-war lineup. The Series 75 had been in production since 1936 and for decades after would continue to be their largest and most luxurious offering, the marque’s symbol of opulence and prestige that was often used as a limousine. 

In 1948, the Fleetwood Imperial 75 featured a generous and smooth-riding 136-inch wheelbase. Power is by a 346 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine producing 150 horsepower, through a three-speed column-shifted manual transmission. This model retained much of its classic pre-war styling, including the distinctive “Turret Top” design, which was a hallmark of Cadillac’s luxury vehicles. The exterior saw minor updates, such as a new background for the V-shaped hood emblem and Cadillac script replacing block lettering on the fenders. 

Inside, the 1948 Fleetwood Imperial 75 boasted a new dashboard with a rainbow-style instrument cluster. Enhancing its luxurious appeal were standard features included fender skirts, large wheel discs, and stainless-steel running boards. The 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial 75 remains a classic example of why Cadillac was called “The Standard of the World.” 

Highlights 

• Cadillac’s exclusive flagship luxury sedan for 1948, just 382 produced that year 

• Finished in two-tone black and gray with a gray cloth interior 

• 346 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine producing 150 horsepower  

• Column-shifted three-speed synchromesh manual transmission 

Features 

• Recent maintenance includes: 

  • Converted from 6 volt to 12 volt 

  • Rebuilt radiator 

  • New water pump and thermostat 

  • Copper radiator top brought back to its original color 

• Passed Texas inspection and has current Texas registration 

Known Imperfections 

• Bare spot in the paint on the passenger side hood about the size of a half-dollar 

• Driver side door power window switch needs to be wired 

Included 

• Boxes of parts  

• Both fender skirts 

 Ownership History 

The consignor has owned this 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial 75 since for nearly two years, prior to that the car was owned by the previous owner for multiple decades. The car resided in Yuma, Arizona, for most of its life.