As I have gotten older, I have found myself drawn more towards luxury cars. I still gain great enjoyment from slipping behind the wheel of classics with performance credentials, but living life at a more sedate pace has become increasingly attractive. This 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special could be the ideal candidate for such activities, presenting nicely as a survivor and showing an original 48,500 miles on its odometer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting this turnkey classic listed here on Craigslist in Morrison, Illinois. The seller set their price at $24,500 for a car that appears to be ready to provide immediate motoring pleasure.
Cadillac introduced an updated 60 Special range for the 1954 model year, with this version remaining in production until 1956. The latest offering received some criticism upon its release, with journalists and potential buyers believing that the company hadn’t done enough to separate the 60 Special’s appearance from that of the less luxurious Series 62. However, all was forgiven by 1955, with a very respectable 18,300 buyers giving a 60 Special a new home. This Fleetwood rolled from the line that year, with the first owner choosing stunning Cobalt Blue from the vast selection of shades on the 1955 Cadillac color palette. The listing vaguely suggests that the car may have received a repaint at some point, and the overall presentation is quite good. A close inspection reveals minor flaws and imperfections that the buyer may wish to address, although their insignificant nature means that they don’t detract from the overall appearance. What this Caddy lacks is penetrating rust, with the underside shots confirming that the floors and the frame are rock-solid. Some bright trim pieces were treated to a trip to the platers, and the rest look acceptable for a survivor. The tinted glass hasn’t cracked or chipped, and the wheels are wrapped in classy whitewalls.
The “tidy survivor” theme continues inside this Fleetwood, with the seats and other upholstered surfaces free from wear and other problems. The dash and pad are equally impressive, and the wheel exhibits only minor wear. However, the carpet doesn’t meet the standard set by the rest of the interior, looking surprisingly tired. With replacement carpet sets retailing from around $300, I would probably splash the cash to lift the appearance. This Fleetwood is a luxury car, and although it doesn’t have air conditioning, the buyer receives power windows, a clock, and a push-button radio.
Cadillac developed a reputation during the 1950s and 1960s for equipping its vehicles with very respectable engines. The 1955 Fleetwood is no exception, because its 331ci V8 generates 250hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. The rest of the mechanical components are straight from the Parts Bin, including the four-speed automatic transmission and the power-assisted steering and brakes. The seller claims that this beauty has a genuine 48,500 miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. They treated the engine to a rebuild at 46,000 miles due to a valve failure, and have recently replaced the fuel and brake lines, as well as the brake cylinders and shoes. The rebuild list includes the brake booster, the carburetor, and other ancillaries. The Caddy runs and drives well, and is a turnkey proposition for its next owner.
This 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special isn’t perfect, but it is, nonetheless, stunning. The paint shade and contrasting trim make a classy first impression, while the spotless interior reinforces the luxury leanings. It would be a prime candidate for a light cosmetic restoration, and some readers might find that prospect irresistible. However, its few minor flaws would potentially offer the new owner a relaxed motoring experience, because errant stones are not going to mar perfect paint. Classic car ownership should provide an escape from life’s stresses and strains, and that is the opportunity offered by this Caddy in its current form. Therefore, I probably wouldn’t change a thing beyond replacing the carpet. Do you agree?
70 yr old. Wow.
You couldn’t really call these cars ‘driver’s” cars, more likely a car to be seen driving in. It said to onlookers, “I have arrived” financially. If I wanted to be seen in one, I’d prefer the Coupe Deville, with its cleaner and sleeker lines.
Like Miss Daisy. See my comment below
The doctor’s or local banker’s car where I grew up amongst Chevies, Fords, and Plymouths.
I have 4 Eldorados Convertibles in variable conditions. All with 500 CI engines
I have 63 MM Herst and 59 Deville w/75 miles. Boat and houses taking up my time and resources
Send them in and we will auction them for you!
Driving Miss Daisy! A heartwarming story of aging and Friendship with numerous cars ( mostly Cadillacs) in starring roles. More later IF this posts.
And who could forget Mrs Downey (played by Marjorie Bennett) with green Deville in several episodes of CHiPs. Indignantly Responding to Ponch calling it a Caddy * It’s CADILLAC!* 😠 😡 😤
Boy, wait til Angel sees this one! And I like it too. Just looking at it makes me wanna draw it and paint it up nice and get it ready for someone to buy it. That’s how I met Angel and she became one of my closest friends. She bought a print of a ’56 Fleetwood from me last year. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll want this one too. Shoot, I’d take the real car if I could buy it. Man, what a car…what a car!
Todays barnfinds has pretty nice selection of great cars.
To RICK W: “Driving Miss Daisy” was my first thought, also; only, hers had air-conditioning. “Did you have the air-conditioning checked? — I TOLD you to have it CHECKED!” “”Yes, I HAD the air-condition’ CHECKED — I Don’t KNOW what FER: you don’t NEVER let me turn it ON!” But Miss Daisy’s Cadillac had an interesting (and possibly unique) property: it could change at will from a 1955 to a 1956 in bad need of rear shocks, then back to a ’55 again! Maybe that’s because it came out of a 1955 Cadillac showroom with a 1960 50-star American flag, and 1956 cars parked on the street outside! (smile)
*HOKE, you’re my best friend * now feed me my pumpkin pie! We should all be so fortunate! Maybe the car confusion was appropriate for Miss Daisy’s confusion. Maybe that’s confusing, but I AM confused.
How many vehicles today can allow 4 large men to manspread in or ladies to cross their legs? One potential hazard with the Cadillacs and other GM cars was the fuel filler neck under the taillight housing. Gas fumes and electrical sparks have never made for a good marriage.
This brings back fond memories . . .
In the early 1980s I bought a 1955 Cadillac 60s sedan from the original owner. A beautiful, low mileage car that was always garaged, it was quite different from any other ’55 60s, as first of all it was ordered with almost every possible option including the 2 four barrel carb Eldorado engine and air conditioning. The only option it didn’t have was the continental spare tire, and for that I was thankful! What made that car a rarity was the paint – it came from the factory in bright RED!
I drove the car on a regular basis, and as long as I didn’t floor the gas pedal it got a surprisingly good 18mpg on the open road! One of my customers at my old car shop liked to drive 1950s luxury cars as their everyday vehicles; he drove a 1953 Packard Patrician, and his wife drove a 1954 Chrysler New Yorker. My customer ended up buying the Cadillac 60s from me when he found out he was about to become a father, and decided it was time to buy a reliable car with air conditioning for the baby. As far as I know, the family still owns the Cadillac.
Rick W! You stole my thunder! AGAIN!
I was going to say that this car lacks a/c, that Miss Daisy’s ’55 had a/c. And since the article says this one is blue (it looks black) Miss Daisy’s was black.
A ’54 or ’55 Cadillac of any model is on my bucket list. I really hope I live long enough to finish that list.
“Miss Daisy wasn’t confused until very late in the picture. And I would LOVE to have a 1954 low mileage near-perfect and LOADED survivor, 1954 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, some cheerful 1950s colour-combination, perhaps green with an off-white top.
🌅 Angel! I’m glad you got to see this one! It’s being sold by Midwest Auto Exchange in Morrison, Illinois. And with the pictures they provide, I could make prints of any ’55-’56 Cadillac model save for the El Dorado. And did you see the ’75 Sedan DeVille yet? I used to see that car a lot at the car show in Winter Haven as the owner lived only 15 miles away in Lakeland. When labor was high, Miss Jayne, my assistant manager, would drive me down to the car show. And then she, or someone else would come back to pick me up when they needed me to start working again. That was at the Taco Bell I worked at back then. If sales were slow and too many people were in the clock, they would send everyone else home and drop me off at the car show instead. And if I wasn’t doing that,
I was filling orders I got at the car show! I’d go to work with 2 big cases of art supplies and a stack of car books to find the stuff people wanted. And while I never did it all the time, the management team was okay with it provided I kept everything
neat, tidy, and up to standards. Well honey, time to wrap up the Oldsmobile and send it on its way. Great to see you on BF. Gotta run! See you soon! 💋
Know restoring needed nice old car price is right