This automobile started life out as a Cadillac Fleetwood sedan which was then converted into a funeral flower car. The metamorphous would continue as the years rolled by until it became the “Cowboy Cadillac” you see here today. With a little more creativity, there’s no telling what this car could be a year from now. Located in Lanesboro, Minnesota, this one-of-a-kind vehicle is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000. Thanks, Frank W, for bringing this work-in-progress to our attention!
Because of their size, creature comforts, and prestige, Cadillacs often find themselves modified to serve as ambulances, hearses, and even flower cars. Like the latter, this one was built off a ’63 Cadillac Fleetwood by Miller-Meteor out of Findlay, Ohio. No more than 20 of them were likely assembled in 1963 and this one was initially pressed into service in New York City for the funerals of the police, politicians, and even underworld figures. After that, it became a promotional car in Coney Island with the rear portion sealed to provide a small pool for mermaid talent. Finally, it became a pick-up and delivery vehicle for furniture repairs.
The car’s most recent owner and now likely the seller found it languishing in a junkyard in Pennsylvania. It was lying on its undercarriage, so the floors were bad, rust was found here and there, and it had missing parts. Rather than restore it, the owner decided to make a “redneck pickup truck” out of the remains, dubbing it the Cowboy Cadillac. All the rust was taken care of, the back deck was chopped down, and some wild-looking tailfins were grafted on the back. It wears homemade fender skirts that were made from other sheet metal off the car.
We’re told the Cowboy Cadillac was running as recently as three years ago, but the transmission needs a rebuild now. The car is adorned with all sorts of references to Texas, like the big bull horns that are affixed to the hood and the noisemakers attached to the roof. Due to health issues, the seller is unable to take this project any further, so he’s looking for someone to pick it up where it sits. But be aware, as the car came out of a junkyard, there is no title. That will have to be rebuilt with the DMV of your choice.
Mileage on the custom pickup varies between the two online sources where this vehicle can be found. One says 50,000 while the other 95,000. No mention is made as to what it might take to get the motor to fire up again, which is either a 390 or 429 cubic inch V8, as estimated by the seller. The brakes are said to have been rebuilt and the Caddy is wearing new Coker tires. Can you see this Cowboy Cadillac in your future, or would you take it down another path altogether?
Ditch all the stuffing, repair what needs attention, paint it up and convert this into a nice Caddymino. It’s already started at a workable price.
More specifically, this ‘Cowboy Cadillac’ started as a Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine–not to be confused with the 60 Special. The windshield frame/roof are carry over items from the `59 Limos, used on all Fleetwood Series 75 models thru `65. Why someone cobbled up the rear quarters like that is anyone’s guess……
Professional cars were not converted from Series 75’s; Cadillac marketed commercial chassis’s for coachbuilding- frames, running gear & front clips.
IMO this car started out as a hearse- the swing-out tailgate and the awkward roofline confirm that.
I missed the tailgate and was going to add a revision to my remarks. Yes, I agree this started as either a hearse from one of the many mfrs., or it was a flower car. But never a limo. Thanks for clarifying.
This just appeared in the Murfreesboro, TN market. 1965 series 75 limo with the 1959 roofline and dated windshield. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/187963419893750/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%226969268788599274657%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%22973581997842691434%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A973581997842691434%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A371226491683340288%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A21%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%7D
Will Fox,
The easiest way to recognize this is from a hearse/ambulance is the doors have window frames. The Cadillac cars didn’t have fixed frames around the glass for the 2 and 4 door hardtops. Plus, the door frames on the series 75 limo went up into the roofline.
I recall this car was featured on BF a few years back. January 20th, 2018 to be exact. It looks a little worse for the wear now.
Ah yes. I remember it well.
Looks like the owner was a big fan of Hillbilly singer and “movie star” Hoot Gibson. So was Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies. I’d have to remove everything from the hood and front fenders, but might otherwise keep the patina look, as you would be far underwater as soon as paint and body was done.
Thanks, I was having no luck figuring out his name covered by a rusty tailpipe!
Third times on BF!
Someone please, drive a wooden stake through its heart so it can no longer terrorize the village.
I’ll comment when I stop laughing uncontrollably.
That thing is really an insult to us rednecks..
I don’t know about anybody else, but I can clearly visualize Dubya in this thing, drunk and doing doughnuts in the dust around his oil rigs in Midland while shouting “YEE-HAAAAH” out the driver’s window! LMAO!
Anyone else notice the oil rig towers on the front fenders are constructed out of old Gilbert Erector sets?
Yep, and we noticed it two other times. This car is not aging-in-place well at all.
Now where can I get a set of those nifty fins . . .
O M G !
Sacrilege
I whole heatedly agree with Mr. F here.
Ditch all that cowboy crap, sort the
mechanicals, and make the whole thing .respectable again. If the 390’s toast,
drop in a 429 or 455 and slide in an M-22 rock crusher 4-speed for one raucous and rowdy Caddy! I’ve always
wanted to do that, but can’t find a
basket case to do it with.
where’s Kinky Friedman when U need him…”Hoslt Krome? who’s that?
Lookin (& smellin) inside I C the king has left the building~
Sold.