Modern Rodding Feature
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The 1939 Cadillac Series 61 Convertible is One True Way to Ride in Style
By Brian BrennanPhotography by Wes Allison
S

teve Norin of SoCal was with his cousin, who restores old Cadillacs, when they found themselves at Steve’s auto mechanic’s garage. The mechanic mentioned having an old Cadillac in pieces, stored in a container behind the shop. Steve’s cousin Mark entered the storage container and said, “I think this is a 1939 Cadillac Series 61 two-door convertible.” Steve’s mechanic asked what it was worth, and his cousin replied, “In its current condition, probably $10,000 to $20,000.” It turns out that was just what the mechanic wanted to hear: “I will sell it to you for $10,000,” and Steve said, “Done.” Initially, Steve planned to patch it back together and sell it to make a few bucks. However, after discussing it with his collector friends Bill Grant and Terry and David Stoker of Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory (SHRF), he decided to go all in and pursue a first-class restoration. It took three years to complete, but it was worth the effort.

1939 Cadillac Convertible front quarter view with dual headlamps and sweeping fenders
1939 Cadillac steering wheel with crest emblem and chrome spoke trim
1939 Cadillac interior overhead view showing split bench and vertical dash grille
1939 Cadillac dash showing linear gauge cluster with temperature, fuel, and oil pressure
1939 Cadillac wide whitewall tire and chrome Cadillac crest hubcap
While at SHRF, the 1939 Cadillac Series 61 convertible had its fender emblems shaved, leaded seams were removed and welded back up, a smooth firewall, and a modified floor and trunk pan area. The floor was altered to accommodate the six-speed transmission and raise the driveline tunnel, while the trunk floor was changed to fit the chassis. The hood remains stock. SHRF performed the bodywork after it was soda blasted at Cal Blast. Soda blasting is an excellent method for preparing metal. It involves bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, which many of us remember from our younger days with the little box of Arm & Hammer in our moms’ refrigerators to help keep smells at bay. Cal Blast uses one of the Arm & Hammer media products called Armex. The Armex product includes moisture inhibitors, flow additives, and various substrate formulations. The main advantage of baking soda is that it is non-abrasive compared to other media. No heat is generated during soda blasting, thus preventing sheetmetal warping and reducing additional metalwork and costs! Albert DeAlba Jr. of Cal Blast painted it in House of Kolor black.
1939 Cadillac Convertible overhead rear view showing detailed interior and trim accents
The interior features a handful of subtle yet very useful modifications. SHRF modified the stock dashboard using the original factory gauges, which this time were restored and modernized for use by Classic Instruments. Air conditioning comes from Vintage Air, with Vintage Air knobs, and the required wiring is based on the American Autowire harness. SHRF altered the factory steering column to accept the modern transmission while also including an original steering wheel that was refurbished by Kris Olsson of Wheels by Kris. The front bench seat was modified at SHRF. Then Mark Lopez of Elegance Auto Interiors (EAI) took it from there, applying their handiwork to cover the front seats in black leather, cloth, and black carpeting. The black leather stitching from EAI is also visible on the door and kick panels, as well as the opposing jump rear seats and boot cover. Utilizing its now-chromed original top bows, the top was stitched together at EAI.
1939 Cadillac LS swap clean engine bay with modern intake manifold and accessories
This 1939 Cadillac’s “umph” comes from a 2016 5.3L V-8 engine, the L83, which produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 6L90 six-speed automatic transmission operated through the original steering column with SHRF modified shift linkage. This engine is part of the EcoTec3 family, featuring an aluminum block and cylinder heads. The V-8 includes GM direct injection, a Spectra air cleaner, and a combination of GM and Howell ECU and other engine and transmission management components. A trunk-mounted, behind-the-back-seat Odyssey 31-925T battery supplies the “juice” for the start-up. These batteries can be mounted in any orientation except inverted (upside down). Other engine accessories include a Holley mid-mount water pump, SPAL electric fan, a Holley alternator, and a GM starter. The factory exhaust manifolds are retained, but from here a single, steel-coated 2-1/2-inch tubing exhaust with a DynoMax Turbo muffler is used. Also hidden in the original factory location (under the trunk floor) is the Tank’s 16-gallon gas tank with a submersible Walbro fuel pump.
1939 Cadillac Convertible rear angle showing classic deck lid and tail lights
The suspension is straightforward. It is based on an Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) frame (chassis) with an SHRF custom X-member and a 127-inch wheelbase (same as stock). AME utilizes its proprietary AME independent front suspension with a front sway bar and rack-and-pinion steering. Next is the use of a Wilwood 11-inch smooth rotor and twin-piston caliper setup, combined with a custom Corvette master cylinder and Strange Engineering adjustable coilover shocks. In the back, the rear suspension is based on an AME 9-inch rearend with limited-slip 3.50 gears and 31-count spline axles.

The wheels and tires come from Coker Tire. Initially, the wheels would have been 16 inches in diameter, but SHRF fitted the Caddy with GM 15-inch steelies covered with 1954 Caddy hubcaps. The wheels are wrapped in Coker Classic wide white rubber measuring 7.00×15.

It takes all kinds of “hot rods” to make up our world of hot rodding. We can think of no better way to cruise this summer than riding around in such an elegant and undeniably incredible piece of hot rod art as Steve’s 1939 Cadillac Series 61 convertible.

Modern Rodding
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 59 • 2025
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