Some cars are chameleons that blend into the background and never rate a second glance. The 1959 Cadillac DeVille is no such car. It has a true presence, and it perfectly encapsulates the growing confidence that the USA was experiencing during the 1950s. This iconic 1959 Cadillac is listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Cranford, New Jersey, and comes with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN of $39,900 for this automotive giant.
This DeVille was part of a private collection from the early 1980s, having only traveled a mere 15,800 miles up until that point. Originally from California, it was moved by the collector to Florida in the 1990s. The seller states that the paint above the side moldings has deteriorated due to years of dust sitting on the car. However, it doesn’t look too bad in the photos so maybe some careful work with modern polishes will work wonders on it. All of the trim and chrome is present and while the seller states that some of it is less than perfect, it certainly looks good in the photos. I can’t see any obvious signs of rust, and the seller states that the only rust is a light surface dusting on the frame.
The interior of this car is nothing short of spectacular. The seller mentions an issue with the leather on the back of the driver’s seat (which he states can be repaired) but nothing else shows in the supplied photos. The seller states that the interior is like new, and I’m not about to argue that point. The car features a 6-way power seat, plus all of those goodies that you would expect from a luxury car such as power windows, power door locks, and air conditioning.
Looking at this shot, I would be surprised if the rear seat has ever been used. Considering the fact that this car is rapidly approaching its sixtieth birthday, it is truly astonishing. I guess that for those of us who are younger (just) than this DeVille, looking at the interior of this car gives us some sense of what they were like when they were new.
Even the trunk looks new. As with everything that we’ve seen on this car so far, it just looks immaculate. The spare tire is the original, so I don’t think that I’d be fitting that to the car any time soon.
The engine bay doesn’t meet the high standard set by the rest of the car. This may not be a big deal as the car hasn’t actually run since 1988, so there is probably going to need some work. The engine turns freely, but for a car of this cost, I personally would be inclined to have the motor rebuilt for safety’s sake, and detail the engine bay while the engine is out. Even if the new owner doesn’t follow this course of action there is still going to be some work to do. After this period of time, the fuel system and brakes will require attention (only the emergency brake operates) and you could put money on the fact that virtually every rubber component will require replacement.
There is no doubt that the 1959 DeVille is the most recognizable of all of the DeVille range. Those huge fins and the bullet tail-lights shine like beacons to quell any doubts about what this car is. If it didn’t need any work I would say that it definitely worth the asking price…all day, every day. Getting the car running is going to cost money, but getting the paint in order may only require some old-fashioned hard work. For me, the interior really clinches the deal. Finding a ’59 with an original interior in such good condition is becoming increasingly difficult. Personally, I think that it might be worth the risk, but other people will probably see it differently.
Adam rebuilding an engine with 15k miles on it is totally unnecessary. There would be no wear on any of the moving parts, but it will need some seals and gaskets replaced. I wouldn’t even do that until I had it running. I’d clean out the fuel system. Change the oil and filter, oil the cylinders and crank it over with the ignition disabled to get that oil moved around. Then fresh gas and hit the key. It’s truly a gem that needs minimal work to get it road worthy I’d go through all the mechanicals after it was running and only repair what is needing repair. My 51 dodge sat from the early 60’s up until 08 and fired right up it ran like it was never parked. It took me about 3 hours of prep to get it started. I hope the new owner does as I have described. Then drives it for a while to work out the bugs. It’s essentially a new old car. As for what I could see in the pictures I think I’d rather have the caddy sitting next to this one there are less door on it.
I agree with you on the total rebuild canadianmarkseh, but might want to pull the heads. It will probably need new valve seals. Install hardened valve seats to run unleaded fuel and put in fresh valve springs. You don’t want to be smoking every time you start up the car.
I’d throw in some AT205 seal treatment and hope for the best. Maybe the seals could be saved.
Like Dirty Harry said in his “do you feel lucky” speech, go ahead, pull the trigger for an engine start.
I removed the oil plug on a ’66 Impala that had been sitting for 10 years after a rebuild, and a 6 inch oil turd took 20 minutes to extract itself out of the pan.. ‘Sorta like my daughter’s designer Shiz-a-Poodle doing her doody just where I planted new grass on the front lawn.
If the engine had been “pickled” like military aircraft engines, and then ‘scope’ the internals, I might fire it up. What’s the oil in the journals and passages like? A pre-oil motoring with the plugs out and oil px check might answer a few questions. Or, you can just fire it up and rev the crap out of it.
“Well… do ya’ feel lucky?”
Looking at that interior & the overall condition, I have to believe the mileage is original. Finding a `59 Cadillac of any model with such low mileage is remarkable. Other than maint. needs under the hood, the only thing I would do besides a good buff-out is a set of period-correct coker whitewalls. In the preservation class, this car will easily take top honors in most any car show!!!
Lot of $$$ for a nonrunning 4 door
I’d get it running and drive it. I could see
this car being used as a semi-daily driver.
Could also see it being cruised on week
ends at Old Town USA in Kessemee Fl.
My folks owned a ’59 2-door HT that was
butter yellow with a white and black
interior. Ours was a base model with
crank down windows instead of the
electric ones. Think it had A/C too.
This one sure looks nice and I wouldn’t
mind being this car’s caretaker– not one
bit!
I LOVE Old Town!!! Haven’t been there in a few years, I should go back.
Quite simply, BEAUTIFUL! The rest of the collector world can have the muscle car field all to themselves. Luxury land yachts are my passion. I’d love to have both Caddies pictured
I’ve always loved the 1959 Cadillac. Whether it’s the Sedan DeVille (like this one), the Coupe DeVille, or the Fleetwood. They’re all lovely cars. Cars I’d give anything to ride in. They’re the epitome of style. :)
Imagine if this was a 2-door
A Coupe DeVille. :)
Uh…yeah…A Coupe DeVille
I see what looks like a Coupe DeVille in the background.
“…there are less door on it….”
How ya gunna fit all ur friends in, markseh?
it’s a bute, got it all over same yr Lincoln.
But nuttin beats the Prez Kennedy limo the 63/4 (I assume) L. Continental.
I think I was referring to it being a coupe deville.
These cars were very common to see at the Freeport NY, race track. They were used in the smash a roo, contest because they were large a over weight cars. They always were the winners of the contest, because they were always the last car moving.
Spectacular example of a 59! Wish I had the cash and, maybe more importantly, the space to park it inside.
As for the too many doors commenters, get lost. A 4 door is the way to go. Who needs a 6 foot long door to deal with. Four doors gives you the exact same car performance and handling-wise with more practicality.
30 years ago I had a shot at a 59 Eldorado Seville that was “Persian Sand” with a matching interior. It ran but had been sitting in a field in NJ for a decade or so and all the top surfaces had rot. I passed. That car did get me hooked on the 59 Caddy though. Just walking along the side of one… And walking… And walking… LOL
Whatever…If you’re talking about an immediate sale and vast popularity it’s without a doubt 2-doors ie: The Coupe DeVille…
Keith, if you are talking about a 1967 Pontiac, as an example, then yes 2 doors is the way to go, but these old Cadillacs are just as popular with 4 doors as two.
As a matter of fact I drive a 2 door 16972 Ford LTD every day and I am done with two doors.
It is a hassle to open the door in a parking lot and it never fits well.
I will be looking for four doors over the two doors from now on.
Hey Nick, when’s the last time you were
up there? My neice and I spent the day
there a cuople of Saturdays ago and had
a great time! Since my heart condition
doesn’t allow me to walk a lot, we staked
out a bench on the main drag and watched all the cars come down the
street and park in their assigned spots
where the public could walk by and look
at them. What we saw was a smorgasboard of cars that passed us by
as we ate lunch together. Gassers, rat rods, street rods, street machines, restored cars, customs, they were all
there to bedazzle your eyes and your
senses. There was even a blown VW
Bug running a built to the hilt 350 Chevy
V-8. You heard and felt this car coming
before you even saw it! The ground
literally shook as that thing passed us by.
But sadly, we didn’t see any ’59 Caddys
there at all that day. Sad when you think
about it as old Caddys and Old Town go
together like burgers and fries.
Geez, why is everyone ignoring the dark pink 2 door next to the white 4 Door? Seems like that one is the prize. Btw in 1966, the guy across the street from us in KC owned a ‘59 2 door convertible, which he kept in immaculate condition. I wonder where that car is now. Please don’t ask me to walk over and ask him. I moved four times since then (to Detroit), then went into the military for 25 years.
They’re *both* awesome cars. I think that because most of the attention is on this 59 Cadillac, is why people are paying more attention.
Is there any information regarding the other vehicles in the storage facility?
My grandfather was a Cadillac man, I can remember he had a 59 El Dorado the same color as the caddy sitting next to the one they are selling. I wish I knew what happened to that car I would like to find it…. last I knew it was in Palm Springs Ca when he passed away but nobody in the family seems to know where it went or who got it….. likely sitting in a wrecking yard somewhere rotting away