The Vintage Cadillac that Took Detroit This Year (and Our Own '49 Cadillac)

vintage cadillac

The CHRA Vintage Cadillac; Also a Detroit Winner

While we didn't make it to Detroit this year, we certainly did watch the event unfold at home and couldn't be happier that such a gorgeous vintage Cadillac took home the Ridler award. That's because we have a bit of a sweet spot for this style car, especially after the major work we did on Mrs. Chapman's 1949 Cadillac. This baby got the full works, including a gorgeous paint job, new chassis, new engine, and fresh new interior materials.

Back in 2017, we drove the '49 Cadillac, nicknamed Pearl, out to the 65th Detroit Autorama where it won its own award. While it wasn't the Ridler award, it was something pretty spectacular and with its own special meaning: The STREET RODDER Driven Award Presented by Lokar Performance Products along with several other awards.

We love this award because what it is is an award given only to those vehicles that both adhere to the high standards of restoration and are actually driven off the show circuits. There are, after all, many vehicles that are only show cars -- and while that's totally okay! -- we love our vehicles to also retain their true purposes: To be driven. In fact, Tracy's vintage Cadillac left town the day we finished it and the Chapmans enjoyed an amazing 3,600-mile road test.

Let's Take Your Vintage Cadillac From Garage to Road

Ready to get your vintage Cadillac back to road warrior status? Contact our team at CHRA today to get the project started!