Being a world leader or a celebrity comes with many positives, opening doors firmly locked to mere mortals. However, it also means that there is no such thing as a private life, with that person’s every move under scrutiny. If you would like to feel like part of the elite class without the associated hassles, restoring a car like this 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial could be the solution. It is a classic with a genuine sense of presence that couldn’t help but attract attention when returned to its former glory. It is part of an extensive collection the owner has chosen to downsize, listing the Caddy exclusively without reserve here at Barn Finds Auctions.
As a restoration project, this Cadillac shows a lot of promise. Its first positive attribute is that it appears to be essentially complete. There is no missing trim or chrome, and anything that won’t respond positively to old-fashioned polishing is a prime candidate for a trip to the platers. The second is that although it has been left exposed to the elements, the dry Arizona climate that baked the original Black paint has preserved the steel and kept rust problems at bay. So, if potential buyers seek an unmolested and rust-free project, this could be a genuine contender. Some people find the prospect of restoring a premium model like a Cadillac overwhelming, but they are an ideal candidate. Cadillacs from this era are largely hand-assembled, with only a little work performed by machines. Therefore, any component attached by human hands can be removed by the same means. Dismantling a car of this caliber shouldn’t be challenging. Returning the panels and paint to their original presentation level will be no more complicated than any other classic from this era. There are many Caddy owner’s clubs across the country, and their members will confirm my claims.
While returning this Cadillac’s exterior to its former glory should be straightforward, its interior requires dedication. It is complete, but it has seen better days. A total retrim is warranted, but unlike many cars from this era, trim kits aren’t readily available. However, there is no shortage of skilled upholsterers capable of transforming this trash into treasure. The existing parts would serve as an effective template, while many hard components and the seat frames are suitable for reuse. The process won’t be cheap, but it is best to consider it as a long-term investment. An interior correctly restored using high-quality parts will last decades if treated respectfully. In that case, there is no reason why it shouldn’t still turn heads when this sixty-nine-year-old classic clicks over a century.
Powering this Cadillac is a 331ci V8 that sent 230hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed Hydramatic transmission. Both the engine and transmission are said to have been rebuilt in 1996 and the car was driven to its current location. In keeping with its luxury credentials, the driver twiddles a wheel boosted by power steering. The Fleetwood Imperial is far from lightweight, tipping the scales at 5,200 lbs. Buyers generally weren’t concerned about the car’s ability to cover the ¼-mile in 19.8 seconds. However, its ability to cruise effortlessly at highway speeds while isolating its occupants from the noise and chaos of the outside world was crucial. This car would have achieved that feat, and although it doesn’t run or drive, that might not be a drama. Cadillac engines from the 1950s featured simple engineering, and the remaining drive train components were chiefly sourced from the GM parts bin. Therefore, anything required to return this classic to a mechanically roadworthy state will be readily available and relatively inexpensive.
Some people might find the concept of returning this 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial’s panels and paint to their former glory daunting and that they can’t rise to the challenge. However, they could be pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the process will be. The same is true of the mechanical components, with many parts shared across several GM brands. That leaves the interior, which will be a significant undertaking. If the buyer completes the work to a high standard, the finished product should easily command a value beyond $50,000 with little effort. That makes this project worthy of more than a mere passing glance.
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Mileage: 89,000 Shown, TMU
- Engine: 331 V8
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: 547542308
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- LaSalle bid $2,150.00 2023-04-28 09:36:42
- Franciscom126 bid $1,900.00 2023-04-27 18:30:26
- LaSalle bid $1,800.00 2023-04-25 11:09:32
- Franciscom126 bid $1,600.00 2023-04-20 13:03:40
- LaSalle bid $1,500.00 2023-04-20 09:53:29
- Pro Design bid $225.00 2023-04-20 09:43:23
- Karl Foster bid $125.00 2023-04-19 09:58:49
The total opposite of sporty and nimble
LOL I saw the first image, and immediately thought “cast iron body?”
When I see these old monsters, I can’t help but wonder if they are a good fit for electric conversion. They’re already super heavy, what’s a little more mass?
It already has a battery. It is said to have a perfectly good rebuilt naturally aspirated engine. Just sayin
Meaty.
Yeah, meaty, beaty, big and bouncy… gotta love those big ol’ 50’s fenders! And these were made before the days of the mad tail fins, so not a lot of corners on this yacht. Just looking at it makes me wonder who used to get chauffeured around in the opulence that was a stretch Caddy back in the day. I don’t suppose the seller would be able to provide any info on that? Not that this beauty would require any provenance to command respect on the road. I’d put a train horn in it, and most likely the most horribly ridiculous mill I could find, heck, there’s room for turbos, super chargers, and a couple of full time mechanics under the 2-acre hood!
Robert Holt. Sorry, I know nothing of the cars history. I believe Marilyn Monroe had a 1954 Eldorado Convertible and Elvis had a 1955 Fleetwood. Over the years whenever I have seen images of old Cadillacs and celebrities, I often wonder. I probably always will.
The Who….Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
Dang, already bid to high for me
Stout and a lot of good parts.
No pictures under the hood?
Dave’s Boy – under the hood is dusty but all there. “Ran when parked”. Dry Arizona cars don’t take much work to get running.
You’ve seen the interior, wasn’t that scary enough?
If you’ve never painted a box car you will get the same experience restoring this car. It does look like a solid project and I do hope it goes cheap enough for someone to buy and bring it back to it’s humongous being again.
Agreed 💯%
You might think I’m making this up, but while in college in the late ’60s, a fellow orchestra musician borrowed her father’s mid ’50s Caddy limo to haul five or six of us to a rehearsal. We carefully piled into that immaculate beast, along with our instruments which included a string bass. No vehicle has given me a ride that silky smooth since (the extra weight probably helped), and the memory is like it just happened yesterday.
This deserves to be on the road again!
The engine was supposedly rebuilt, but the air cleaner is in the trunk. A missing air cleaner has always bothered me.
When I was in college in Flagstaff in the 70’s a guy in our dorm had one just like this but dark blue
He had put the drive train from a wrecked 1970 ss454 4 speed posi rear in it LOL weirdest car ever!! Cool sounds coming from a limo
It needs more power. At least twice stock, three times more would get it up to freeway speeds in a safe period of time. What a magnificent beast.
During the Korean war the auto companies were not able to obtain nickel for producing steel that would not oxidize. 1954 is one year after and thus this 1954 Cadillac should have good chrome and it looks like it does in the pictures.
A friend has a ’55 Coupe De Ville. It would fly!
Correction: A friend had a ’55 Coupe De Ville. It would fly!
This Cadillac should have had the optional air conditioning. This would then allow this to be restored into a very comfortable car for the hot summers in southwest US. I now live here and a car will have AC even before it has a radio.
I see a 1953 Chrysler Imperial that has factory AC around my area.
why does anyone think parking a car under a tree is a good thing
V – The trees were not there when I parked it.
I can tell that the person talking about parking under a tree lives in the NORTH. If you live in the southwest US you will always without even thinking park where there is shade. It makes a big, big difference. Down here even a blind man tell a black car from a white car when it is hot out. A black car will go through an auction $1,000.00 less than a white car,
because no salt is used in the south and west the ventilation chambers in old autos hold up from tree doo doo accumulation. it does not put an odor in a car since climate is dryer? the tree debris does not help in restoration efforts. id rather pay the extra 1000.00 for a restored car that did not need tree debris removal. restored cars need clean vents . i guess im tuned to hate debris removal cause i always got the debris removal job…
The black makes it look downright funereal. Something that the baddies in “People Under The Stairs” would have driven.🙀
You can pull your head out now. Try walking in another’s shoes before you pass judgment.
jwaltb: Wrong!
Its been said many times before , at one time this car was expensive and new , then it becomes a used car, and continues down the line as things go bad and the car gets dings and dents, finally its an outdated 10+ year old beater that nobody wants , and they end up derbied, used as a truck, or just junked. A car like this would have been a $100.00 car in a used car lot in 1964 . Who would want such an old looking car ? . Be happy its still around ; thousands like it were scrapped by the time Nixon was president
Its the same author . . along with “fired a shot in anger” , and a “good deep clean”
I think this poor , old baby was brought down from the north as it lacks A/C and the under-body pics show me several seasons of salt or sea-air exposure. What a pity ! GLWTS
Peter Storen. I believe you are correct. The car is 69 years old. I bought it in Arizona in 1996. I don’t know how long it had been in Arizona but it has spent the last 27 years in Arizona. I suspect if it had stayed up North it would either be a rust bucket or crushed by now. I like to think I saved it. Not saved in the best of conditions but at least saved in dry conditions.
A/C was a very new option in 1954 and would probably not have been all that common, even on a Caddy.
Peter, good observation These Cadillacs did have a good ability to hold up. against the salt pretty good. Chrysler products sure did not.
GHR I wish to “tip my hat” and ask how you enjoyed the car over the years? It would be enjoyable in the winter months greatly. I can tell you are a Pontiac guy. I see one of those stretch Pontiacs in the background.
Tom Crum. I hardly put any miles at all on the car. I am from the Pacific Northwest and we spent a lot of time in Phoenix. I wouldn’t want anyone buying it based on this but I know I had the engine rebuilt back then. I can’t Imagine not rebuilding the transmission as well, but I can’t say for certain. I don’t have the records with me right now so I can’t check. It did run and drive just fine. I am not certain I would have called it a “drive anywhere car” but in my younger days, I may have tried to drive it a long distance.
People need air conditioning in the Florida, Mexico city, places like that
Why didn’t he mention the milky white glass?
I wonder how much that would run..
SteveG – Not certain what you are seeing There is no “milky white glass”. You may be seeing reflections. The windshield is cracked and at least one of the side windows are cracked, but nothing “milky white”. The Arizona sun usually turns the upper green windshield tint yellow, so they normally need replacing.
SteveG – I stand corrected. Some of the windows are cracked and are indeed milky. Flat glass, easy to replace.
The people that live on the pacific coast in California could easily go without AC all year long. They enjoy perfect weather all 12 months. Once you are west of the mountain range along the Pacific coast yhou are in a valley and very little rain. Here we will have temps over 100 for a couple of months dujring the summer. AC is required. I am certain you will find a west coast customer. You are also presenting some business an excellent opportunity to purchase and do an economic restoration and then resale in that area. Please do not scrap this car out.
A/C isn’t required, people lived without it for years
This note is only for the newbies to restoration, not the grizzled veterans like most of you are.
Forget what you see on TV shows…these cars cannot be restored to auction perfection in 30 minutes! Having restored a number of vehicles from the 50s to the 70s, I finally have stopped kidding myself at the success of making one of these project beauties a concours candidate. I now narrow down my choices into what’s needed: Body, Interior, and/or Mechanical. 1 item needed out of 3 I consider purchasing. 2 out 3 I consider only if it’s a super desirable ride. 3 out of 3…forget it!
Jim in FL – I agree. When I bought this car, in Arizona 27 years ago, it was very complete and most of the chrome was in good shape. It needed interior and paint and, I felt minimal body work and replating. The body was not pin straight so I was not certain what was under the paint. I am pretty sure I had the motor and transmission rebuilt. I believe this car needs 2 out of 3 to be a decent looking driver. Desirability? – up to the individual. I believe after 27 years in the desert, the car and interior looks worse but in reality it has not substantially deteriorated. It needed paint and interior then and it needs interior and paint now. (When I bought the car, some previous owner did a poor job of replacing the original fabric with some sort of grey fuzzy fabric.
these days i consider
1 needing wipers .advance auto installs them…
2 need air in tires… tire shops will fill them…
3 smoked inside car…wont touch it..
its amazing how things in your life can change…
Last year I spotted one of these in the old Bensenville IL water plant that’s for sale that I assume leases the property to a limo co.as there were dozens of newer limos parked there.The old caddy was the same year same car same color but rotted away with old bondo popping off and 4 flats from sitting.Interior looked real nice thru the windows.I called the realtor but never got a call back.Right down the street from Yup…Victory auto wreckers. All the limos are gone now because I think the building sold and I’d bet thats where the old caddy went.glwts.
I shipped a 1954 stretch Cadillac to Sidney. It was to be one of two built and the other was sold to the Beatles, I was told. It shipped from Houston Texas and I had to be sure it had antifreeze since it was winter down there. Sold it to a company that puts on weddings.
I’m not in a position to restore a car, but i remember these Cadillac limos from growing up in New York City. When i was 5 or 6, my dad and I encountered Henry Cabot Lodge leaving a building on Park Ave, i think he was ambassador to the UN at the time. At the curb was one of these black Cadillac limos just like this one. He opened the back door and offered to let me look inside. Even though my dad said it was ok, it was dark in there and i was too scared to get close enough to look in. I’ve had a thing for 1950s Cadillac limousines ever since.
I profoundly second your sentiment!!!
“d” – Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”
Gentlemen: With regard to maintaining an iconic vintage automobile…and my comment here applies not only to this ’54 Cadillac, but ..in general..to many of these cars offered on BF, often referred to as “project” and this and that. . I was fortunate to inherit, from my Dad …a 1932 Packard Twin Six..906. My beloved Dad was one of the original pioneer Chrysler-Plymouth-Imperial Dealer distributors at the end of WW2…and maintained that status for another half-century. At some point in his career, he acquired this Packard which I now have…along with 3 or 4 other classics..(1960 Imperial LeBaron..et. al.). The Packard, (as are all of them) is in pristine ..showroom condition….original upholstery..original paint…etc…etc..noth in g touched. Why? Because my Dad maintained them in that way. No..they were not driven daily…they were parked away in the back of his dealership building…under tarps..etc. So…..gentlemen, please excuse my presupposition that this 1954 Cadillac should NEVER have been allowed to deteriorate to its current condition.
“d”. You are making a lot of assumptions. When I bought the car it was 47 years old. You have no idea what condition it was in then. I wouldn’t a call a 1954 Cadillac Limousine an Iconic car. If it were a “Eldorado Convertible” different story. I bought it because I liked it. I didn’t give it much thought, I just liked it. It probably reminded me of some sort of Childhood memory.
You are very fortunate to have a Father that passed along a collection of all original pristine vehicles.
Pawning it off for $1600.00 seems like he is trying to do the right thing and move it to someone who has the desire and means. Obviously not making a killing$
Well d not all us us are fortunate enough to inherit pristine vehicles and even if we did only a few could afford to maintain them as you do
Many of us have vehicles for the sheer enjoyment of working on them and driving them and sometimes just dreaming what they could be not just owning and showing off
RMac. God Bless you. It costs VIRTUALLY NOTHING to maintain the Packard …or the Imperials…Normal maintenance,,regular oil changes…gas when I want to drive them….etc…etc… There seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there in BF .. .regarding maintenance of vintage autos.
They cost virtually nothing to maintain…We remove the tires, battery etc. , when they are not being driven for some period of time.. That’s how it’s done, sir.
d:. The current owner has already stated that, due to the Arizona climate, the car has not deteriorated much further than when it was parked in it’s current location.
Your harsh comments and accusations (“and then try to pawn it off on people who know better”) are uncalled for, unsubstantiated, and not appreciated in this type of forum (for the enlightenment, enjoyment, and reading pleasure of many hobbyists worldwide). As one of the comment rules states “No personal attacks”; appears that is exactly what you are doing!
ALBERT C. ROSSETTI…..Believe as you wish, sir. However, do try to remain on the subject of this ’54 Cadillac. You seem to have strayed from that.
“D”: I did remain on the subject of this 54 Cadillac, sir, with regard to your harsh comments and personal attacks directed at it’s owner!
Abert C. Cossetti: Did you take a moment to look at the interior?? If not…do so.
Albert C. Rossetti: May I remind you, sir, that this is the U.S.A. where we have free speech…it’s the First Amendement.
Ladies ! Please ! All this bickering is totally uncalled for and will only result in all of us having to re-do our nail polish .
Peter Storen, have already redone mine twice, but it’s worth every stroke (of the brush)!
Great comment BTW
Interesting how the comments of “d” changed to the comments of “D”……
Just an observation
??
Sir, what is your problem ?
“D” You may be on the wrong page, both literally and figuratively.
If you are looking for iconic and pristine vehicles on Barnfinds, you may have spelled “Mecum” wrong.
This is my understanding of what Barnfinds is all about – “…they specialize in listing and selling classic cars, with an emphasis on survivors and projects…”
Survivors and projects!
No where in any of the listings have any of the cars been presented as anything other than that. Look at all the images, nothing hidden, no secrets.
We had some cars for sale in Phoenix Craigslist.
Barnfinds reached out to us to see if we would be interested in auctioning them.
Although not technically barn finds, they are “Desert finds”. In my personal experience, the “desert cars” are easier and cheaper to get back on the road for use a “drivers”. Usually the sheet metal, floorboards, rocker panels, etc., chrome and running gear are untouched by rust or corrosion. Yes, the glass, interiors, plastics and rubber usually need replacing. These days you can find anything you need on the internet.
GHR: First of all, I have no idea what “Mecum” means. Second, apparently some of you gentlemen don’t seem to grasp the concept. A beautiful piece of history..be it a car, house..whatever has no place in the hands of someone who cares nothing about its condition. Why would anyone who purchases such an historic vehicle allow it to deteriorate to such deplorable conditions as we see here on BF ? Then, to try to palm it off on someone who will have to spend 10’s of thousands of dollars and countless hours to return it to its original splendor !?. Sir, some of us care about our vintage vehicles.
The glowing and breathy descriptions in this auction…to me translates to “lots of sizzle, but not much steak”
Just sayin…..!
“d”: Happy for the Packard’s pedigree.
As for “costing virtually nothing to maintain”, interested in knowing where you secure oil and gas at $0.00……
My problem is, sir, as GHR stated earlier, you “may be on the wrong page, both literally and figuratively”.
Strike may be, insert “are”.
Have a wonderful evening!
Mr. Rossetti: To clarify, I was not speaking of oil and gas…It’s clear that all of us pay for oil and gas. Maintenance, sir, means mechanical, structural, appearance issues…etc…etc…
“Wrong page”..? Please explain that statement. Thank you.
Albert Rossetti: I’m pleased that you..perhaps..appreciated reading the history of my Packard. Once again…sir, no..I was not referring, clearly..to oil and gas. I was referring to physical..structural and esthetic maintenance. My Packard is 100% original..paint, upholstery, mechanics…etc…etc..exactly as it left the Fuller Packard dealership in Boston in 1932. That is how my Dad cared for it..and my children and I will continue to do so. I do hope that I have clarified your misunderstanding.
RMac: Such an irrelevant, ignorant and offensive comment. Your diatribe offers nothing to the subject at hand.
Claudio: What relevance has your comment to this 1954 Cadillac ?
You can’t even see the obvious , you really are a big D
“D” For your clarification and edification:
Barn find: is a classic car, aircraft or motorcycle that has been rediscovered after being stored, often in “derelict condition.” The term comes from their tendency to be found in places such as barns, sheds, carports and outbuildings where they have been stored for many years
Barnfind Auctions:
“specialize in listing and selling classic cars, with an emphasis on “survivors and projects”
Mecum Auctions is an American auction company “specializing in collector cars.” It was founded by Dana Mecum in 1988, and was originally based in Marengo, Illinois. Since 2011, it has been headquartered in Walworth, Wisconsin. The company hosts various auction events across the United States. Television coverage began in 2008, contributing to the popularity of the events.
“Same Page”:
The term “to be on the same page” means to think in the same way or to have equal knowledge.
Albert C. Rossetti: May I remind you, sir, that this is the U.S.A. where we have free speech…it’s the First Amendement.
“d”: Suggest you check again on that “free speech” statement. More than a few United States citizens have paid a hefty price for speaking freely in the past few years.
RMac, Claudio and GHR,
Your last comments are spot on!!
Applause applause
Mr. Rossetti: Their comments are disgusting and disrespoectful. Learn some manners.
Mr. Rossetti: With all due respect , your Leftist opposition to Free Speech has no validity..and frankly is despicable.
Re: GHR’s clarification and edification
(& education)
“d”: clear?
Mr. Rossetti: For your edification and education, sir, you and a few others have missed completely the point of my original comments. Clear ??
Mr. Rossetti: I enjoyed thoroughly d’s comments. What is your problem? Perhaps you should educate YOURSELF with regard to fine, vintage works-of-art and how to maintain them properly.
I highly enjoy reading about someone’s father and about all cars. I hope no one will be discouraged from writing about their experiences. My father was an engineer at Hudson and latter at Chrysler Corp. I went on to be an accountant and enjoyed the auto industry for several years. One of my high school friends went on to General Motors Inst. and he became director of engineering at General Motors
Tom Crum – I enjoy the stories a well. I have a story of my own.
In 1965 when I was 19, my Mom lent me the money to buy a 1963 Pontiac 2 door hardtop. She and I used it as a daily driver. I Street raced it and ran it in NHRA G & H Stock automatic in the 60’s. Changed out the stock motor for a newer one with solid lifters and a reworked B&M hydro. Got tired of that and installed a stock motor. Got married in the car and my wife used it as a second car and took our kids to school in it. It sat in our yard for years. Fast forward to 1991 when my Son, then 18, bought it from me. We drove it from the Pacific Northwest to Phoenix, Arizona. We had Hydraulics installed as well as, Dayton tires, new paint and some gold plated chrome. We lent him the money for these changes. We drove it back and had a few mechanical issues. Greatest Father and Son road trip/bonding experience ever.
The car was in the December 1992 “Lowrider Magazine”.
He long ago paid off the loans and still has the car to this day.
Oodles of stories in between 1965 and now.
(This is probably not the page for car stories?)
Tom Crum, thank you for not getting discouraged! Enjoyed reading!
Mr. Crum: Good comment and a valid point. Perhaps your Dad knew Paul Frago at Chrysler? He was one of my Dad’s long-time friends at Chrysler.
D,
At the Jefferson Avenue Assembly Plant were s,e 4,00 employees. My dad new or the engineers that was it. The one good event my father enjoyed was the family open house in the summer time. I remember walking the assembly line on that Sunday. Seeing the cars that would be finished the next day. I saw the 1955’s 1956’s and 1957’s. My father then quit and got a job in Chicago. I remained in Detroit until 1975.
Farago was one of the engineers and worked closely with Virgil Exner. Farago was instrumental in the collaboration between Chrysler and Ghia in Turin, Italy which built those fabulous Crown Imperial limousines between ’57 and ’64. They are priceless treasures today. My Dad had the good fortune to have a ’59 Crown Imperial limo arrive at his dealership when it was on its way to Montreal for Queen Elizabeth’s Royal visit.
D, That is a very impressive story. After college I worked for Cummings as a warranty claims man then went to Kelsey Hayes. I was promoted a few times and close to mahogany row. One of my bosses was Tom Kerner, CFO. He would share with on Monday mornings how he did on his Friday night poker game. One of the 7 players was Lee Iacoha. when it was his turn to host this poker party it would cost him about $1,000.00 in “refreshments”.. This game was never interfered with. Even weddings was scheduled around it. I was the head auditor at Kelsey and called into the President’s office a couple of times for special projects
Alessandra – I am the seller.
You forgot to mention “d” /“D”, who fired the first shot and set the tone with his comment”
d
Apr 21, 2023 at 9:49am
Folks… perhaps people who do absolutely NOTHING to maintain an iconic, irreplaceable classic car (or anything for that matter)…in pristine and original condition…should be prohibited from owning such an item. Such treatment of treasured vehicles. and other objects.demonstrates well that the owners who allow this are substandard, low-class peasants.
Alessandra: FYI, there was and is only one “other” warranting vilification. Seller’s latest comment may assist your understanding…..
Mr. d: the point of your original comments, sir, was very clear and very obvious to myself and more than a few others (except possibly Aless who “thoroughly enjoyed”).
As it seems, Mr. Rossetti, you are determined to engage in a battle ?
Mr. Rossetti..go educate yourself.
I enjoy this site and own a couple of collector cars. It is perfectly acceptable for folks to offer opinions such as did “d “..and quite frankly I , and many others in this hobby, agree with his statements. It seems as though some of you boys on here can’t stand opinions which differ from your own. Bottom line is, “d” is correct. If one owns a piece of irreplaceable history….whatever it may be…take care of it, maintain it…or don’t own it. It is inexcusable that so many vintage cars are allowed to deteriorate to the point of junk yet many of you guys seem to think that it is perfectly ok. Very strange.. As for Mr. Rossetti…YES sir, we DO have Free Speech..perhaps you advocate eliminating that Constitutional right??
Vince. In my opinion “D” was not offering an opinion, he was casting judgement. In my opinion it is not OK for anyone to make such a judgemental call as “d”/“D” did to a fellow car enthusiast. – “…are substandard, low-class peasants.…”.
Again, in my opinion, you may be doing the same thing “… some of you boys on here…”
“…on here…” is on “Barnfinds”. Think about that – barn finds. Almost every car here is a project of some sort. This is not the page to find Pebble Beach concours condition vehicles. This is the page to find vehicles to turn into whatever the individual wants. You know “bring them back”. “D” is very fortunate. He has a collection of all original classic vehicles. Most of us don’t have that and may not be in the position to ever afford one vehicle, never mind a collection.
I believe the message from “Terry” below nailed it. The cars I collected were heading to the crusher. I bought them as “projects” – I saved them. I didn’t inherit them, I bought them already neglected. The Arizona Sun and heat trashes interiors, rubber, vinyl, plastic, laminated glass for sure. The bodies and chrome are normally well preserved, no matter the age. I don’t think the Cadillac was a true Arizona car, but it was all there, very straight and had been in the heat for quite a while. I bought it as a project and it still is a project.
GHR, absolutely correct. I come on here to look at “dream” cars that a peasant like myself may actually be able to afford! Then turn it into the driver that I can afford it to be. Concourse, no just an old car to enjoy for what it is.
Strange how this ‘Caddy has opened up a whole can of worms – from our government requesting, not many years ago, to send older cars to the crusher; to seeing sky-views of numerous spaghetti junctions that remind us of glorious neighborhoods that vanished merely to help us get from one point to another more instantly; to seeing peaceful farmland turn into miles of vinyl.
It won’t stop, but it’s good many of us try to keep the past from disappearing altogether. My Bali Blue Hudson makes heads turn. What a great feeling!
GHR
I enjoyed reading about your 1963 Pontiac. Amazing how you kept it in the family all those years. During my younger years I would only keep a car for two years and trade for new. I did by 20 and 30 year old Lincolns that were my collector cars
Tom Crum. Yes, it has been in the family since 1965 – 58 years, I was 19.
My Son has owned it since he was 18. He turns 50 this year.
I owned it from 1965 – 1991 – 26 years
He has owned from 1991 – now 2023 – 32 years
It seems unlikely he will ever sell it. Who knows what his kids will do with it.
I suspect inheriting cars can be a blessing and a curse.
My sons car of choice seems to be 1963 Impala convertibles.
Last week I purchased a 1982 Lincoln that had been inside a garage in downtown San Francisco for 29 years. The house is over 100 years old and thus the garage is very narrow. The street is very narrow and I had to park two blocks down due to no spaces available. The tow truck driver was able to back into the drive and had enough chains to drag it out. Due to drum brakes on the back he had these plates to allow for the rear tires to slide out. It is a Signature series and with all options and 29000 miles. A big crowd gathered when the car was pulled out. No one knew it was there
So…what did you pay for it?
In 1963 I was a traveling auditor. I had a 1962 Chev. with the 327 / 300HP. and getting 8 MPG. I went down to the dealer and there was a 1963 Impala in the showroom with a 6 cylinder engine and automatic. Color was maroon with a black interior. One hour later I was driving in it. In 12 months I had 73000 miles on it and ready for a 1964. I then bought a 1964 Buick and changed jobs where I would be home almost all nights and got married that year.
Kurt,
I paid $200.00 for the car. I carry AAA membership I have free towing. For some reason the car was missing the wheels. I found aluminum cast wheels for $30.00 each and a set of tires for $100.00. Another $40.00 to have them mounted and buy lug nuts. I own two Lincoln Mark VI’s so this car fits my collection well.
Wow, what a find. Back in the early 1990s, I actualy found a 1950 four door series 62, for sale at $1400. I drove it home started to restore it. got as far as just needing paint and interior, and lost it in the 2015 Valley fire in N ca. No insurance, so got nothing. A total loss. I miss that car. It was truly a beautiful car, in every way. Anyways…………
Anthony
Proper documentation you can claim a loss on your income taxes. Submit a revised tax return even if a few years late. You can still receive preferred treatment from the SBA for a loan to buy another classic car.