Some big things happened in 1959 including Alaska and Hawaii becoming states, the first Daytona 500 race was held and the space race was ramping up. Another big thing that debuted that year was the new tail fins on the Cadillac sedan. Reaching their peak in 1959, Cadillac fins are some of the most iconic styling features in automotive history. This particular car can be found here on eBay with a current bid of about $7,000. It is located in Syracuse, New York and the ad states that is spent most of its life in California.
Overall this car looks like it’s in amazing shape. It appears the passenger quarter panel is fairly rusted through. The driver’s side fender has some impact damage. Other than that, it looks pretty good. The trim, bumpers and classic “rocket” or “bullet” taillights all appear to be in pretty good shape (except for missing trim near the front impact). Aside from a ton of bodywork for paint prep, the trim and small parts can be killers on a project on this.
The engine is said to be numbers-matching, however, doesn’t currently run. Along with the rest of the car, it appears to be stock and untouched for the most part. The car also features factory air conditioning and was probably a stunner when it rolled off the assembly line.
I’m a sucker for patina and this car has acres of it. While patina, or faded paint/rust, isn’t for everyone, I love the idea of not worrying about a fancy paint job or parking too close to someone. How about you? Do you enjoy a good patina or would you prefer shiny paint?
Fairly rusted or unfairly rusted 😂
I always loved the big Boob tail lights with fins.
I would probably flip a coin on black or pink in color and put this back together with black leather interior with big wide white wall tires and smoked windows …
I think 🤔 I would look in the trunk to ensure the deer was out of the trunk from the movie Denero and Chris Waiken in their classic “deer hunter”
Sometimes “all original” just means “old.”
I’m always impressed on how GORGEOUS the 1959 Cadillacs look, no matter if they’re in restored, or in need of a total restore. Just simply awesome styling. Tho I’d much prefer the 4DHT, or Fleetwood, this coupe would be fine for me!
Refinish this beauty in either Gotham Gold, or one of the Blues, or Greens available
This gal is in for a complete restoration. Bidding now at $11,100.00. Somebody knows what they’re looking at.
Indeed. This coupe isn’t as bad as some might think. No interior pics, and that’s were restoration can gt pricey. SMS Interiors has the materials for all `59 Cadillac models, so that helps. I’d be inclined to paint this the pastel rose shade Cadillac had that year, with a white top. (That might’ve been this car’s original color?)
In my dreams I would restore this and use it as my daily driver til I wind up in the big parking lot in the sky.
These 2-door bubble tops are my favourite, but I would take a convertible if I had to.
These are so far over the top, beautiful and iconic. Like Dovie65 said, these girls look awesome even when they’re not restored.
I like the Woodrose paint color,had to be gorgeous when new..!
I would re-do this car in pink and black themes.
These 59’s just look so menacing/mean,with fantastic styling,
and are always a treat to see….no matter what shape they are in.
Screw Patina.
Caddy needs resto and this should be an easy one.
In 1971 or ’72, I briefly had a ’59 Coupe de Ville like this — except mine did not have a speck of rust anywhere, and ran perfectly except for a noisy muffler. Mine HAD been all white with a black-and-white interior, except a previous owner had made two changes: Installed new vinyl seat covers front and rear … and they painted the body (not the white roof) the brightest Baby Blue — WITH A BRUSH!!!!! I bought it for $200 but being poor, I went broke trying to keep gas in the tank, so a few months later sold it for the same $200. I always wondered about that brush-stroke baby blue paint job.
I always preferred this coupe over the convertible, it just flows so nicely…. I would paint this with one of the light pastel green colors,or is it almost turquoise? Something that really reminds me of 50s, I’m a sucker for things like American Graffiti, Crime Story tv-series etc. Light pastel colors, neon lights etc.
I heard years and years ago that these were not too bad on gas despite the big size?
So much potential for restoration, hopefully to original. What a work of art these cars were.
I’m not a Cadillac guy, but this car would look great restored.
It is fascinating that there were so many colors available back then. A half-dozen different blues !?! Compared that to today, with a given car having perhaps eight colors available (on a good day)… only a couple of which are not white, black, silver, or gray. So, fifty years from now, will people look back and say “those folks in 2018 sure had a limited number of colors on their cars” ??
My grandfather was one of the most conservative people I ever knew. A Swedish immigrant who came to this country at the turn of the century at age 17, he lived the American Dream and began treating himself to a new Cadillac every five years or so. His 1955 lost its luster just as a white 1959 4-door became available. He got a “good deal” as the 1960’s were about to come out.
I remember wishing he had just waited a few more months and bought the much better looking 1960. But he kept that refrigerator white ’59 until he traded it for a solid gold 1965.
I look back on that 1959 fondly because it was such a contrast to who he was. I’ve always thought that people’s cars are a reflection of their personalities. I guess the old man was a bit more flamboyant than I realized.
Check the trunk for traces of Billy Batts!
Last fall I purchased a beautiful 59 for $20K. Detailed it and she looks almost like new. Had to completely rebuild the brakes. So, the price of this rusty one seems kind of high. Back I. 1980 I bought a convertible for $600. What a fool I was to trade it for 67 Lincoln convertible.
Oh, not so foolish.
Every time I see one of these mid to late 50s’ or early 60s’ Caddy’s, Guy Drake”s song, The Welfare Cadillac come into my head. Talk about over the top as to being noticed.
Leave it just the way it is, cut the mufflers out, limo tint the windows, pour a gallon of bar and chain oil in the gas tank and rip around town and piss everyone off with “Mad Max” Caddy!! So much fun!! Until you get pulled over….My idea was fun while it lasted…. Or just restore it to like new, cruise around and play some Sinatra!
Bidding is up to over $15k as I write this. I like this a lot, but I actually prefer the 1960 version. Just a little bit more toned down, particularly the fins. I’m generally a ragtop man but like Fla finn I think this particular style looks better than the convertible.
The floors look pretty solid on this one, but they are wet in the pics. Definitely don’t want to leave it outside for long. I notice the seller doesn’t give a very good photo of the passenger quarter rust.
This car will cost a lot to restore. It needs EVERYTHING. As much as I prefer to do my own work, one might be better off buying an older restoration. Or maybe get rid of the surface rust, put a coat of primer on it, and do the seats in vinyl. Kind of a middle ground between restored and patina. At least then you could enjoy it without breaking the bank.
– John
I don’t think its a California car. I smells New York through and through and it it five hour drive from Brooklyn to Syracuse.
Yep….we sold just the cut off rear trunk with fins for 5 grand a pop from the yard when the Hard Rocks were popular…