This 1953 Cadillac has traveled 68,000 original miles, and the owner has documentation to verify this. He is only the car’s second owner and has decided to part with it. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and comes with a clear title. The owner has set a BIN price of $22,500, but the option is also available to make an offer.
The Cadillac is wearing its original paint, and it seems to have stood the test of time quite well. The owner states that the car has very little rust. There is an older repair that has been completed between the 1/4 and the rear fender, where these cars have a tendency to rust. He states that this should probably be done again, as there is some evidence that the rust is returning. He also states that the staining on the rockers is not rust, but is paint damage from the hydraulic windows seeping fluid. The rest of the car looks quite good. There is some damage to the front bumper on the passenger side, but this may be able to be repaired and then replated. Any issues apparent with the car can be seen in really good detail on this YouTube video that the owner has posted.
The interior looks quite good, with the only issues being a tear in the upper corner of the driver’s seat that is visible in this shot, and some cracking on the armrests on the doors. The rest of the interior looks pretty good, with just the wear that you would probably expect from a car of this age. The car is also fitted with a power seat, and unusually for a Coupe, it is also fitted with hydraulic windows and an automatic headlight dimmer, both of which were ordered by the original owner. One thing that I would be inclined to change would be the rear parcel tray. Someone has fitted an aftermarket speaker in the center of it, and that looks out of place. I would probably also replace the carpet, which the owner acknowledges is the weakest point of the interior. We get no photos of the engine, but the video that I mentioned above does feature the car starting and running, and the 331ci V8 sounds really nice.
This Cadillac is a nice car, and it features some interesting options that were ordered especially for this particular car. It presents well for a 65-year-old car that is wearing its original paint, and the engine sounds clean and strong. It is going to need some work in the future, but none of it needs to be performed immediately. Personally, I think that at the asking price, this seems like a pretty decent deal.
To “that guy” who will say that this is overpriced and only worth $8000: try to find another one as nice for a significantly lower asking price. This looks like a gem.
i am definitely NOT that guy. this thing is gorgeous – and for me unaffordable. i see so many of these as 4 doors i forget how nice they look as 2 door coupes.
I’m with you on this one. This is a stunning car, and worth every penny.
You’re right.This is one nice looking Caddy for the money.
The ragtop is the must- have…but this YACHT manages to cut a sleek , stylish profile.
It ain’t a caddy without Dagmars like this.
Classic Torpedoes.
Wow.. dare I say it’s possibly underpriced as a coupe?
Largely original and showing this well? Needle in a haystack. Provided there’s no surprises there will be a lucky buyer out there somewhere, I wish it was me.
Andre, I am not so sure. It depends on what it would cost to fix the body / paint and other things.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1953/cadillac/series_62/100820834
You can buy this one for 42 K and who knows what they might take if you had 35 k to 38 K cash. My family was in the auto repair business from 1950s to 2010 and it can get very expensive to restore. The leaking power windows problem is not going to be cheap to fix. My Dad always said find the one you like that someone has already restored and get it as cheap as possible.
I agree that this is a beautiful original and I love it, but…. the value is determined by demand, not rarity. It is always a little ironic when everyone calls the car a bargain but no one is buying?
Excellent point and agreed. I’d expect this to sell at BIN but I’ve always stood by the phrase “value is only determined by what a buyer is willing to pay” and using that logic have had many chuckles at sellers associating perceived value to parts or cars as a whole.
This is such a beautiful car, or should I say “fine automobile.” I totally agree about the pricing: if someone wants it, it will cost. And, I also agree, some fortunate individual will soon be the owner. I just wish it could be me. But, alas,…….. you know.
This for me pretty much defines cool.
If I had excess cash and garage I’d snag it.
I used to drive a 1953 Cadillac which was long and black and square in the back. Yes it was a hearse. The Hydromatic factory had burned and this example had Dynaflow. It was slow but stately. Had only 20 some thousands miles. It had been used by a mail order smoking pipe store to haul packages to the post office.
It was a combo and could have been used as an ambulance. My previous Cadillac was a 1948 hearse with no rear side windows, just a small oval window in the rear door.
NADA Guides say high retail is 33,000.
This is a bargain at 22,000
How is it a bargain? It will cost you 7 K to 10 K just for paint and body work not counting fixing the power window hydraulic leaks. You would have $37,500+ in this one once you fixed everything. See my post above, I would just buy a completed one, less guess work in what it would cost to fix.
I like the 60s Caddys, but if i was going to buy this one I would have to get it for 15 K or pass on it. I bet it does not sell for 22.5 K.
Yeah, ‘cause the passengers in the rear didn’t need to look out!
An advantage of leaking hydraulic oil from the power windows? Rust preventative in the door bottoms. :-) Terry J
I’d make it reliable to drive (any distance) and do very little else. Then start making connections for period TV/Movie productions. That’d be a heck of a fun retirement! See the country and countless people would see my car.
I don’t recall when I last saw a 2dr coupe, this is & could be a mighty fine ride, if one can afford it, who cares if it costs 10k more in the scheme of things. This is history, how many younger “car guys” have even heard of hydraulic windows, much less the opportunity to work & drive a vehicle like this !
definition of class
Yup! Sold for $22,000.00!! Told ja!
In the mid 70’s, I had a ’51 Caddy with power front seat and fluid power windows. The system used brake fluid which gave the car a distinct smell. Not sure if brake fluid or hydraulic fluid was correct. The leaking fluid (if brake juice) would explain paint damage on rockers. The 331 v8 propelled the car amazingly well; first gear was a granny gear and gave the car a fast start!
Dear all,
This car is right now in France and I already started to restore this one.
This car is amazing and a great condition for his age.