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40 Years in a Barn! 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Look at that face! The ’55 Caddy grille says “I’m wearing a tailored Italian suit, and I’ll knock your teeth out with a ball bat.” This particular 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville in Akron, Ohio seeks a new owner here on eBay. Even if you don’t see yourself shaking down the good citizens of your neighborhood for protection money, this fat Cadillac comes with 4600 lb of respect for the Buy It Now price of $4800, and makes an impressive statement whether in traffic or at your local car show.

Cadillac’s sales literature for 1955 claimed the marque “sets the standard for the world,” and depicts champaigne-sipping gliterati clad in snappy suits, evening gowns, and tuxedos. The 1955 Cadillac owner clearly spent the work day in important meetings, and the evening enjoying exquisite meals and clever conversation.

Good news includes the seller’s notes that the car is (relatively) complete, the engine and brakes move freely, the frame is solid, and all glass is present and accounted for. Other high points include a flushed-out gas tank, and the power windows work!

Some upholstery may be recommended, and refurbishment of, well, everything, but at least no one cut up the dashboard to install an 8-track back in the ’70s.

The 331 cid 250 HP V8 was standard on all models except the top-line 270 HP Eldorado which gained a second four-barrel carburetor. Three large tanks dominate the engine compartment, holding refinery-sized quantities of power steering fluid, engine oil, and washer fluid. When clean and filled with period-correct blue fluid, the latter bears a likeness to a 1950s Barbicide tank. How would you finish this $4800 project car?

Comments

  1. Avatar PhiljustPhil

    My Gosh! Look at the size of those dagmars!!

    Like 8
    • Avatar Redwagon

      Good Lord I love dagmars.

      Like 5
    • Avatar Pat Lamb

      It’s got one headlight……It’s the SAMMY DAVIS Edition.

      Like 6
  2. Avatar Max

    I was always a Cadillac fan . 3 years ago I bought ALL original 78 coupe Deville here is original ad by seller :

    https://www.connorsmotorcar.com/vehicles/314/1978-cadillac-coupe-deville

    I paid 16,500 for this beautiful machine!

    Not for sale just sharing the passion!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Jer

      That thing is gorgeous! I love the vogues and wires.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Redwagon

    How would I finish this project car or how would I fund it?

    The seller did a nice job pulling it out, prepping it for sale with the were more photos, esp of the inside.

    Was anyone else surprised that the interior was so clean for not having any thing left of the seats other than the springs? Looks like vultures got to it.

    Like 1
    • Avatar packrat

      Once the moisture, sun, and then in storage mice and father time get to it, the only thing for it is to don a N95 dust mask and pluck the rest of the batting out. I suspect that might be what happened. While I might save the remaining scraps for patterns, the seat upholstery is a known quantity and you can have it sent to you from across the country. The seat *frames* are what’s important.

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Metoo

    Dagmars. Nuff said.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    Gorgeous.
    I would restomod powerplant braking.and suspension.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Mike

    Is there a superleggera version?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Maestro1

    They are wonderful cars. I had one, restored it and sold it a year ago. Somebody jump on this one.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Larry q

    Pure automotive art…gorgeous..best one on BARN finds lately

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Steve R

    Last time it went through eBay it was as an auction, not a set price. Then it hit a ceiling at just over $2,100, without reaching reserve. That’s probably closer to the cars actual value than the current asking price.

    Steve R

    Like 1
  10. Avatar ccrvtt

    The first 3 feet of this car is justification enough for a complete restoration. This is the face of a car that represents power and authority and almost brutal sophistication – which may be a bit of a contradiction in terms, but not in this case.

    I learned to drive in the 4-door version on the logging trails of northern Wisconsin. My grandfather was doting enough to believe that a skinny 8-year old who was tall enough to reach the pedals should get the chance to see what this was all about.

    The power steering was effortless. Grandpa loved to demonstrate the “one finger at 6 o’clock” method of guidance. The power brakes responded to travel, not pressure. Made for some interesting stops.

    That episode was marked by mom & grandma pleading for me to slow down and some uncontrollable giggling from behind the wheel. From that day to my 16th birthday were the longest years of my life. All I ever wanted was to have internal combustion-powered motion.

    The outboard motorboats, the ski boat Dad bought us when I was 12, the minibikes, and finally that glorious day when I got the ’62 Cutlass convertible and the license to thrill – all of it started with the 1955 Cadillac.

    Like 1
    • Avatar r s

      Great story – deserves more thumbs-ups than just mine.

      Like 0

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