We don’t know the story behind this cool ’55 Caddy, but it’s a bit of a hot potato as the seller is looking to sell it ASAP and is asking only $3,200. The seller says it runs well, has a clean title, and the registration tags are current. With its long, flowing lines, big chromed bumpers (including those iconic bullet-shaped Dagmar bumper guards that were “intended to convey the image of a speeding projectile”), iconic tail fins, and a mix of styling, luxury, performance, and quality build, the 1955 Cadillac was, indeed, The Standard of the World.
The outside of the Caddy looks pretty solid and all there without any major dents, bumps, or bruises. It will need paint if the next owner chooses to do so, or it could be kept as a Patinamobile. It’s possible that the Caddy is wearing its original factory paint, which, according to a ’55 Caddy paint chart, appears to be Cobalt Blue. The trim and glass look good and the chrome bumpers look okay. The rear fins were a little higher for 1955, and the fuel filler cap is concealed beneath the left tail lamp which I’ve always thought was a cool feature. These were long, low, luxury liners that continue to make a styling statement even seventy years later.
The interior upholstery is described as being in good condition, and the photos seem to back that up. The front and rear seats were reupholstered at some point in a blue velour-type material that isn’t showing wear or tears and the seats look very comfortable. There aren’t many detailed photos, but it looks like the door panels and instrument panel and dash are in good shape and the power windows are said to be in good working order. We’re not sure of the condition of the carpet or headliner.
Cadillac’s standard engine gained twenty horsepower in 1955 and there’s a 331-cubic-inch, 250-horsepower V8 under that long, faded blue hood. The only available transmission was a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic and the seller claims that the engine runs well and the mileage is listed at 90,000. The Caddy is currently in Sacramento, California, and is for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $3,200 firm. A big thank you to Henry Reining for sending this Big Blue Caddy our way. I believe the seller’s asking price will get a new owner for this car sooner than later. This could be a fun car to drive and enjoy pretty much as is, faded paint and all, or treat it to a restoration somewhere down the road. What do you think?
Ready for a cross-country road trip, wing(nut) and a prayer…
Put on the chopping block and I’m sure somebody will
Sure seems like a good deal. Especially for the patina acolytes. A good paint job would cost more than the car but would be worth it IMO. If this was on the East side of the country then I would be tempted to get a look see. Of course if this car was an east coast vehicle then it probably would be a rust bucket. GLWTS.
Dad’s favorite color was blue…. he took 5 year old me me with him to order a new 1955 car to replace his ’52 blue Cadillac. It was to be a series 62 4 door which is a lower trim than the car shown here… So it came to the color and the brochure was open to the correct page showing a dark green one… he asked me what color I liked…. i pointed at the green picture and he said..” are you sure? OK make it green”. It had beautiful 2 tone green upholstery in 2 different weaves which immediately was covered by those awful plastic seat covers….. the smooth ones that you stuck to in summer… before they figured out to make them quilted… Looking back, it was an extremely nice car…
Before we left, the dealer opened a cabinet full of boxes containing a promotional model and handed me one…. a yellow 2 door Cadllac with a red top…. It fell victim to a 5 year old kid playing with it…
Grandpa had a gray 1950 when I was born, making us the same vintage. His next Caddy was a 1955 with dark green over light green two-tone paint. He let 8-year old me drive it on the logging trails of northern Wisconsin, mildly terrifying the rest of the family. I vaguely remember the zero-effort power steering and the power brakes that responded to pedal travel not pressure. Pillowy soft ride and quiet, it was a solid car.
I’m Interested. I left you a voicemail message with my number. I live in California.
Let us know if you get it!
This vehicle is about 40 miles from me and has been 4-sale for quite awhile now. I would of thought it would have sold by now, or there are other issues not revealed or needs some expensive work pending.
Yup 40 miles or less from me too. I thought it looked familiar, I must have seen on Craigs previously. Price today is now 4898?
When I was in high school in 70-71 my best friend had a 56 Caddy ambulance. Ohhhh, the fun we had. Only thing was for some reason, every month, we would be swapping out cracked heads. He musta used up every one for 200 miles around.
Makes me wish I weren’t 2400 miles East of it?!
Glenn – Perhaps you can make the 40 mile trip to view & test drive the Caddy & let the BF community of your feedback & findings? Thank you!
To seller – Your thoughts or remarks based on Glenn’s comments? Thank you!
Glenn – Perhaps you can make the 40 mile trip to view & test drive the Caddy & let the BF community of your feedback & findings? Thank you!
To seller – Your thoughts or remarks based on Glenn’s comments? Thank you!
I’d check the door bottoms, rockers, inner and outer
AND KING PINS. I’d repaint it, at that price, you could probably get it shot for $5k if you strip and prime it yourself. Get the best Eastwood primer on it first. Fun cruiser.
My parents had the exact same color and model. We took our annual vacation from Detroit to Ocean city NJ on the turnpike . I remember It was quiet and comfortable. Somebody’s going to get a good deal
Yes… (my comment above) The turnpikes were new then and Ohio’s was opened in October, 1955. We lived about 15 miles away from it and you went right past our exit on your way.to NJ.
Right before Christmas ’58 dad had a business trip to Chicago and mom and i went along. the Indiana Toll Road was opened in 1956, and enabled travelling across entire states without any red lights …. was new then… and really demonstrated the optimism of post war America. Also the US population was less than half what it currently is and the number of cars was way less, so the driving was pleasant enough to enjoy.
We stayed in a hotel in the Loop and walked Michigan Avenue on Saturday night to see all the store window displays of mechanical Santas , animals and pixies doing what seemed to be magic… Sunday night dinner was by taxi to the Stockyards Inn where dozens of semi trucks full of animals were lined up waiting to enter the back gate. All of that is now gone….
Those 55 Cadillacs rode like a cloud and were just so nice…. look out the back window and see those taillights at night…. How many times i fell asleep on the back seat and awakened in our driveway….
Is it drivable ?? What condition is the transmission in ?
The seller must not be too motivated to sell. I’ve left 2 voice messages from this a.m., no response and also asked a direct question to him based on Glenn’s comments at 9:20am today.
I’ve also left a voice mail message and no response.
I see the big rectangle vibrator supply for the headlight dimmer under the hood. I fooled with my grandfathers when I was 12.
Never realized you could get around 250 volts d c from a 12 volt battery.
I learned real fast!
Cool car even with 4 doors. Why isn’t the seller calling back if it’s selling ASAP? What gives?
All the inquiries has caused the price to go up. I don’t deal with people like that. BS
In my humble opinion, this seller is unstable. He, or someone who’s helping him w/the technology (seller is tech challenged,) just posted a 60% price increase to $4898. So, I’m out. Good luck to the new buyer willing to deal w/him. Not only is he very indecisive, but he also suffers from paranoia; not necessary for me to go into detail.
Seller says he is firm on his $4898. That is a $1398.00 Covid increase and states he can get $7K easily. No emails or texts, phone calls only. Like I stated earlier, this car has been 4-sale for awhile, so I’m guessing there are other issues going on that are not revealed. Someone got to him and said his price was way to low so he made the increase. The area the car is located in Sacto is very old so there is a possibility the car could very well be owned by an original owner or possibly two owners. Anyway, hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday even w/o a 55 Cad.
1955 is one of my favorite years for Cadillacs, even if they are square and boxy.
IF this car runs well and trans is good and there are no big issues, the price is a steal. I’d drive it as is for now. But from what I’m reading, the seller is a flake.
I called about the ’71 T-Bird here in Vegas a few months ago and it took that guy some time to get back to me. I mean over a week. He wanted his gone ASAP as well. Humans……
If this was in my hood, S. Chi. I’d take it home tonight.
Not cheap, rather very dubious !
Discription says: “Serious inquiries only, looking to sell ASAP”
When you call, they respond – asking how you can pay and when you can pick it up – very unclear and ducking around. The price on Sacramento Craigslist was $3,200. Now the caddy is suddenly at $4,998. The seller probably just wants to find out prices. If he wants a bidding war, he should put the car up here in BarnFinds or on Ebay. In any case, buying it is obviously not possible, in my opinion this is dubious behavior and does not inspire confidence. I’m out!
To Nic: You hit the nail on the head! I’ve spoken to the seller, & I don’t believe he knows “up” from “down”. He’s confused & is getting bad advice, probably from the person who wrote the Craigslist ad & doing the simple tech work of changing the price in Craigslist.
To BF community: Beware! The seller can’t be trusted. Even if you have an agreement in principle over the phone to buy the Caddy at a particular price – when you show up with the money in cash, say after traveling 500 miles, he may tell you the price is higher than what had been agreed upon. Then what? He is old fashioned, still uses a flip phone & can’t provide a photo of the car title, and does not know how to use Zelle. Again, beware – you may be setting yourself up for frustration & a big headache!
No wonder the car hasn’t sold.
Then why don’t you get in CL and flag his ad?
No wonder the car hasn’t sold.
Get on CL and “flag” his ad!
Not a single response, comment or rebuttal from the seller – tells you all you need to know about the communication, or lack of it, when it comes to any possibility of closing a deal with him.
It is curious how BF continues to allow the $3200 “firm” price on its story page when in fact a click on the Craigslist link leads to the $4898 price – how misleading & laughable!
UNBELIEVABLE! Now the price has been adjusted down to $4,598! LOL!
Nov 21 – $3,200
Nov 23 – $4,898
Nov 26 – $4,598
Who knows what it will be after Thanksgiving! I will not be unkind by writing something that could be construed as a personal attack toward the seller. …just SMH!
Why is this add still up? I don’t pay to be a member for false advertisement…or do I?
While you were having your second helping at Thanksgiving dinner, here’s a recap of the price changes & most recent Craigslist post link. Wait another week & it may be below $3200!
Nov 28 – $3900
Nov 26 – $4598
Nov 23 – $4898
Nov 21 – $3200
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-55-cadillac-clean-machine/7803682501.html