Some readers may disagree, but I’ve always felt that the 1959 Cadillac almost defined the fins trend of the 1950s. I acknowledge that Virgil Exner accentuated the feature as part of his “Forward Look” philosophy. Still, there is something iconic about the Caddy’s brutal fins and bullet taillights that is impossible to ignore. If you share that sentiment, you may be drawn to this 1959 Series 62 Convertible. It presents superbly, but it needs to if the seller’s BIN figure is to be justified. They have listed the classic here on eBay in Sparta, New Jersey. Bidding remains below the reserve at $30,100. However, the BIN figure of $155,000 is genuinely eye-watering.
The word “iconic” is one of the most overused in the classic world. That means it has lost some of its punch, and people often sigh when they see it used to describe an undeserving vehicle. However, few are better suited to describe any 1959 Cadillac, thanks to its extrovert styling. I will stick my neck out and say that this model year is the most recognizable in the marque’s long history. Our featured Caddy is a Series 62 finished in Dover White with a power top in contrasting Black. The presentation is first-rate, with no significant paint or panel shortcomings. I’m sure an in-person inspection will reveal minor flaws, but this Convertible makes a positive first impression. The top fits as tight as a drum, and the trim and glass are excellent.
The bold and brash theme set by the exterior styling continues inside this Convertible, courtesy of its dazzling Red leather trim. The condition is exceptional, and the only fault I’ve spotted is slight wear on the wheel rim. Otherwise, the leather looks free from significant wear, the carpet is excellent, and there are no issues with the dash or pad. If the exterior lacks subtlety, the interior is no different. Chrome trim abounds and shows no evidence of pimples or deterioration. The Caddy isn’t loaded to the brim with luxury appointments, although the buyer receives power windows, a six-way power front seat, a clock, and a pushbutton radio.
Cadillac enjoyed a reputation during this period for producing cars with impressive engines. This Series 62 Convertible is no exception, with its 390ci V8 generating 325hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. Standard equipment also included the four-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Considering this Convertible will tip the scales north of 5,000 lbs, it is a surprisingly energetic performer. Coping with heavy city traffic should be a breeze, and it should barely raise a sweat cruising at seventy on the open road. The seller states that this beauty features an Eldorado carburetor and front disc brakes. They recently installed new whitewall tires, springs, and shocks. Although not stated, it appears this Convertible is a turnkey proposition.
This 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible presents superbly, encompassing all that was great about the marque in its prime. It isn’t subtle, and driving one of these cars off the showroom floor was a way of shouting loudly that you were successful, and you weren’t afraid for the world to know. These cars fell out of favor during the 1960s as evolving vehicle design made their appearance obsolete, but they have definitely found their place in the classic market. The seller’s BIN figure is not even close to being affordable, and it also isn’t unprecedented for a car of this caliber. The listing statistics suggest it has drawn some interest, and it will be fascinating to discover whether that translates into sales success.
Nice one Adam. And I’m with you, that is indeed an eye watering price. But it is a beautiful Caddy. I always thought that the ’59 Caddy was a bit over the top, But stop and look at the huge, really huge difference in all the tail fin designs across the entire GM lineup. Chevrolet, Pontiac, Olds, Buick, and Cadillac were all very unique from each other. I wish we could go back to more unique styling again. It’ll be interesting to see if it sells.
This is certainly one of the nicest ’59 Cadillacs I think we’ve seen here. Thanks Adam!!!
Oh, it’ll sell ..but not for $155k! Dreams are one thing, delusions are another!
😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃. Now, if we were talking an Ahrens Fox HP piston pumper, or an ALF 400 pumper, yeah. If he gets half his buy it now, take it and run.
Nice car but, $155k??????? Is there $100k in the glovebox?
Like always, someone will buy it for as much as they are willing to pay for it.
Oh, for the money to park this aircraft carrier on wheels in my driveway!
Drool.
If I was worth that much money I’d buy that car in a heartbeat. It’s one of the very few American production vehicles that is worth over a hundred thousand bucks to a collector. It would be exhilarating to put that top down and drive around town with two German Shepherds sitting in the back seat. People don’t realize it but when these cars were new in ’59 they were the THE car for the most successful people to drive. The top of the heap for the day. I was 17 that year and overwhelmed with the design s of the time. However I did like the ’59 Lincoln covert much better.
I’d change the top to red and drive around with the windows down🙂
Maybe white would be cooler for the dogs.
it is nice and it is the iconic 59 caddy. the price is rather optimistic with the economic environment in the country.
Beautiful machine. I had a ’59 Coupe DeVille that was quite the car ~ surprisingly fast for such a big vehicle. My brother borrowed it and totaled it. This one should sell if the owner is willing to come down a bit. That $155k Canadian is just under $112k USD. A little steep.
Tail lights were ridiculously easy to “borrow” and put on your bicycle — heard that from a friend!!
I am amazed they could fit it all in the picture frame.
That interior looks like you are in an Opera House.
You could take 8 of your best friends out for Ice Cream.
If she looks this close up front, this will go quick !
Nice car, but not at that price! Another case of Barrett Jackson
Syndrome gone wild. Just wait til
Angel sees this one. With a recession around the corner, I don’t see anyone in their right mind paying that much money for
a classic car these days no matter how nice the car might be.
I can think of a lot better ways to
spend $155K. This is why the classic car markets are crashing.
That and the fact that boomers are aging out of the hobby at a pretty fair rate and with them goes the Internet in these cars.
Today’s young people absolutely
do not care about vintage stuff
let alone a car like this one. And
even if someone buys it, they’d
more than likely terrified to drive it.
White convertibles deserve a white top. JMO
My step sister & her husband bought on in mid 60’s. It was to long to park in their garage, but hey, they belonged to the Cadillac club in Saint Louis. Whoo-hoo… lol But it was a sweet ride for sure
I bet it was !
I drove a 63 Caddy once, like steering a cloud from your sofa.
Why are the whitewalls narrower on the driver’s side than they are on the passenger’s side?
Because 154,000 is not nearly enough and 156,000 is just way way too much…
I saw the name Mark Smith, and wonder: Does Factory 5 have a 59 Caddy kit yet ?
If they don’t, they should. Dunno
who makes it, but I do recall a company that makes a repro kit
of a 1970 Chevelle LS 6, and there’s another outfit that has done the same thing with the early Ford Mustangs too. Who knows, they might even do a ’64
GTO kit someday. John, when you said Factory 5, it made me think of the Shelby Cobra that I’m
making a print of for a friend of mine. Their stuff has always been too notch and easy to work
with. And yes Angel 😇, that black top DOES look out of place
on this car. And the tires? Need
to have 3 1/2 inch white walls on
them. And one more thing, bring
the price down to a reasonable
level so that it would sell faster.
The builder I worked, Cape Building, constructed their shop in Wareham, Ma. Then we added to the back. On the adjacent lot, we build their body shop, and added a 25 x 50 addition to their showroom.
Factory Five was run by Mark’s dad until he passed during covid. Mark, his brother and Dad were a pleasure to work with. You get a better idea what business people are like when you are on the other side of the transaction.
We brought a few other clients over to their facility, who were car enthusiasts. They treated our clients like their own. Great Staff.
It would be a fun car to cruise on Route 66 for its centennial, but to be able to do so, they’ve gotta come waaaay down on their price. You’d need the money you’d saved to pay for the gas! These cars drank it like iced tea on a hot August afternoon here in Texas!
Yes, a push button radio with a signal seeker bar.
I see there’s no cruise control and no air-conditioning however.
Hey! TCK,
I was thinking of you the other day. Haven’t seen you around much, lately. Is everything ok?