1949 Cadillac Sedanette Custom
The Harley Earl-designed 1949 Cadillac Sedanette is a classic of American automobile design that inspired a fledgling “Motor Trend” magazine to name it the publication’s first “Car of the Year.” While its aircraft-inspired design cues and rakish fastback roofline had appeared in 1948, the introduction of an all-new pushrod V-8 engine brought the new Cadillacs the prestige of ample power to match its physical beauty and grace.
For many years, the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville has been one of the events designated for the STREET RODDER Top 100 awards. Last year we decided to do something different by including the indoor display cars in our selections. It turned out to be a good move. One of our indoor picks was this 1949 Cadillac Sedanette built by Chris Carlson Hot Rods in Mulvane, Kansas, and owned by Bruce and Cheryl Conwell of Wichita. The Conwells’ Cadillac is the 2017 Painless Performance Products/STREET RODDER Street Rod of the Year.
The engine compartment was beautified, with a custom smooth firewall and inner fenders painted body color, and a silver and gold engine cover. A new LS3 is hidden underneath. Dual K&N air cleaners filter the air going to the Edelbrock fuel-injection system on a cross-ram dual throttle body manifold, while 10.7:1 hypereutectic aluminum pistons and powdered metal rods work the nodular iron crank. Gases are expelled through Corvette headers into a MagnaFlow 2-1/2-inch exhaust system corked with XL Performance Mufflers. A Spal electric fan and Be Cool radiator cool the coolant delivered to the engine by an Edelbrock water pump. The LS3 was installed by CCHR with final tuning performed by Chris Lovett and Wichita Dyno. Testing showed 401 hp at 6,406 rpm at the rear tires; the torque reading was 392 lb-ft at 4,775 rpm. Chance Transmissions in Wichita assembled the Chevy 4L85E with a SuperMatic torque converter, modified with extra clutch plates, increased fluid pressure, and a firmer-shift valvebody. Inland Truck Parts supplied the aluminum driveshaft.
The dash cluster looks factory, but the gauges were sent to united Speedometer for electronic internals. The mechanical speedometer was set up to run off the electronic transmission through the use of a pulse motor that drives the speedo cable. The original power window controls were retained, but converted from hydraulics to electronics (similarly, the windshield wipers were converted from a vacuum-operated system to electronics). The dashboard speaker grille functions as vents for the Hot Rod air climate-control system.
Overall, this Caddy looks so darn good that Snoop Dogg himself would probably be envious – although he’s got his fair share of old-school cars himself.
