This awesome 1952 Cadillac is the culmination of four year's work, and a lifetime pursuit.

First of all, the '52 Cadillac was special because it was the golden anniversary car for the company that was formed on August 22nd, 1902. Now—over 55 years later—this particular car is special because it was re-created through the magical talents of five very special men, all working with Frank DeRosa Jr. 

When the door swings open on this Caddy, you're welcomed into a realm of grand luxury.

Frank has always lived his life around cars, and since his dad is a member of six Halls of Fame, he grew up with men like Bill Reasoner, Ed Haggerty and Richard Zoelke who would come over to his dad's shop -- one the old man had started in 1949 -- on a regular basis. Frank Sr. was one of the men who revived the custom car genre. "My dad helped pioneer the rebirth of customs," says Junior. 

The 1952 Caddy -- big as the sky -- marked half a century of the marque's predominance.

Then, there was the light green '52 Caddy. "It belonged to a local businessman who owned a bar in Pittsburg. I always saw the car sitting in the parking lot outside the bar." Frank Jr. is 39 now, his dad 80. Junior says he first laid eyes on this Caddy in either '75 or '76 . . . and he wanted it. "In 1992 me and my buddy Jimmy went in there for a beer," says Frank Jr. "The car was stored at the back of the bar (with an old Porsche) and I asked the owner about it and he took us back and showed us the car. I asked if he wanted to sell it, and he said, 'I really don't want to sell the car, Junior.'" 

Open the hood and what do you find? It's definitely not the original 331 cubic inch V-8 engine.

Both father and son worked on this beauty.

Imagine sitting on leather behind this wheel!

Bit by bit—small bits mind you—the 1952 Cadillac was created. A new one-piece windshield, revamped grille, and a somewhat bulkier lower-body was the look for 1950; then there were small auxiliary grilles under the headlamps for ’51; and finally a winged badge in that spot for ’52. Oh, and the dual exhausts exited out of the rear bumper that year. 

So, suddenly Frank De Rosa Jr. had the car he had lusted after since he was seven or eight years old. What was his approach? "I'd already had plans for it for over a decade. When I got the car, I was really, really fired up." 

But what did he do? "I didn't really cut the car. It's like a beautiful woman getting face surgery when she doesn't need it." 

In the trunk, sound and round -- the spare tire.

"It was a real challenge . . . a lot of people get these cars and start pulling off the molding . . . but I put it all back on," says Junior who added, "It took me two years to hunt up all the parts." With a '52 Caddy, there's a lot of chrome -- and Junior says he spent well over $10,000 on chrome. Altogether, it took four years to reconfigure the Caddy with the help of six Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Famers. There was Frank DeRosa Sr., Junior, John Aiello, Marcos Garcia, Bill Reasoner and Dick Falk. "With the combined talent that worked on this rolling art," says Junior, "it’s only natural that it’s such an immaculate masterpiece." 

Part of the console holds ride-height controls.

The paint -- so deep you can stick your whole arm into it -- is Candy Brandy Wine from House of Kolor and PPG, and, once again, it was lovingly applied by Junior and Marcos Garcia.  Junior stresses that the body was done the old way, the hard way, using lots of metal work and primer. A 100 percent Star Car was achieved, Junior says. "Every part of this project was either replaced or rebuilt and it's now a 'new-old car'. "It's straight as an arrow. There's not a ripple on that car," says Junior who spent enormous time blocking every inch of its surface. 

A built-in cooler is at the back of the console.

The amazing list continues: The high-grade polished brass radiator was custom made by U.S. Radiators in Southern California; the Vintage A/C (including defrosting and heat) was installed by Junior and Larry and Lloyd Selph of nearby Brentwood. The Caddy has heated lumbar-support bucket seats, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel from a '76 Cadillac, wool carpeting from Rolls-Royce, first-grade Swedish leather with tuck 'n roll individually stuffed exactly like they did it in the '50s. Credit for the interior goes to Gregg Philbrick of Contra Costa Vinyl & Leather of Pittsburg.  In addition, there's a custom-made console with hidden electronics to raise and lower the car, plus a built-in stainless steel ice cooler. The car's gauges, clock and radio were restored back to factory condition by Shannon at Red Line Gauges in San Fernando Valley -- a place Jay Leno frequents to get the best stuff for his huge car collection.   

The backseats were once front T-Bird seats.

Many of the crucial Cadillac parts were donated by A&A Auto Wreckers in Brentwood. Significantly, all of the show-quality chrome and gold plating was done by Sherm’s Custom Plating in Sacramento. 

The special Carson-style top on this '52 Cadillac -- this “Classic 50-Year Golden Edition” -- was created by Frank Senior. 

Pretty much all of the project was completed at Frank De Rosa Custom Auto Body in Pittsburg. 

Is there any more beautiful jewelry than this?

Frank Sr., turned 80 years old on June 5th and is still working hard every day at the shop he started . . . and he and his son do custom restoration as opposed to doing body and fender work. If you've got a special car you want to trailer into their shop (and a trunk full of money to go along with it), they'll produce a stunning automobile for you, too! 

If you decide to let the DeRosas have a go at your car, don't expect it back right away. You can reach the shop at (925) 439-5115.  Sounding a bit like his dad, Junior said, "Some people pump out cars like sausages, but I don't build a car every year. I've had my heart in this for four years." 

Longer, if you count all those years that Junior spent chasing the car down. Oh, it's for sale -- for $275,000 -- and you can talk directly to Junior about it at (925) 642-9186.