The Coupe de Ville may be the most well-known Cadillac nameplate because it was part of their line-up for 57 years. The 1949 model was not only the first year produced but also the first Cadillac to have a pillarless roof design. This sad-looking Coupe de Ville was rescued from an estate after having sat out in a field for 15 years. Both time and Mother Nature have not been kind to the auto, so it will be a major restoration project or a donor for another project. Located in McHenry, Illinois, this Caddy is available here on eBay where it’s waiting on the first bid to be cast at $3,500. If you’re in a hurry, you can opt for the Buy It Now option at $5,500. Thanks, Larry D, for discovering this forgotten piece of Detroit iron.
Demand for new cars was high after World War II and Cadillac responded by building more than 92,500 automobiles in 1949. Of those, 55,600 were Series 62 models, the volume leader. Just 2,150 were the new Coupe de Ville, so the number that has likely survived the junkman by now can’t be many. That’s perhaps why the seller saved this one, which has a bit of an interesting story.
This old girl lost her garage space about 15 years ago after having been off the road since 1980. The elderly owner’s basement flooded and everything in there got moved to the garage and the Caddy evicted. It was pushed outside with the windows down and left that way. Once the seller got the car home, he realized that fixing this machine is a project beyond his abilities, so the Caddy is available for someone else to have a crack at it.
Though we’re told the frame seems solid, rust abounds everywhere. Especially in the rocker panels and floors. It’s largely complete and what you see is what you get, but some chrome pieces are missing or beyond help. The Caddy came finished in black paint and one of the photos shows it sitting next to a modern Cadillac, perhaps as a sign to the newer one of the fate that could await it if it misbehaves.
The seller is unable to verify the status of the engine (331 cubic inch V8) or transmission (4-speed Hydra-Matic) because the hood is stuck shut. Moving the car another time will take some doing as we’re told the rear wheels are locked up now. Also, it does not have a title, perhaps lost in the flood of 2006. A bill of sale will have to suffice for the buyer. Is this old warrior worth saving or is it too far gone?
Good lord. Someone would really need parts to justify keeping this around; otherwise a Coupe de (Ville) Grace is in order…
Good lord is right. “Move along, nothing to see here..”
And along with everything else, ‘No title’.
Sigh!
This isn’t as bad as some of the Chevies posted here as “classics”
Someone already had a crack at it, and if they think this will bring anything close to 5500 it’ll be a miracle…
I hope this is the most depressing and/or infuriating thing I see for the rest of this weekend.
I’m guessing the trim on this car is getting harder and harder to find. It might be worth something as a parts car. It’s so sad that it came to this end.
OMG, how could anybody do this to a ’49 Cadillac! A black one!! It’s like trashing a DaVinci.
I can hardly bare to look. My hat’s off to anyone who would restore it, but I fear euthanasia might be the only humane solution.
Or is it already dead? I hope it signed an organ donation agreement…
Disgraceful.
Since it’s already behind the barn it’d be best to shoot it and bury it.
I see a lot of potential in this old hulk. There have been much worse stuff shown here that asked much bigger prices. At least it seems to be all there. It’s not like the floor is missing or the frame is broken, the interior is trashed, but it is still there so you can see how it should look. It certainly needs a lot of “clean up” before you could tell what metal actually needs to be replaced. It may not be worth bringing it back to show quality… but certainly back to a “Sunday driver” is possible. No, it will not be a “quick clean up” and flip it for a big profit car. But it should never be scrapped or parted out (it would need to be stored someplace for a long time to be able to part it anyway).
I admire your optimism. The flipper has stated the lower 6” of the car will have to be replaced, so cut 6” off a good body to replace a rusted out one. Makes sense to me. NOT.
What a damn shame. 15 years left outside to mother nature has been unkind especially with windows down. Would it have broke the bank to at least put a cover on her? Rockers, floorpans, rails and doors and a locked up rear end are a bad start. Hopefully a Caddy lover can use what’s left in some way. But not for this price.
Some here gasp in disbelief, we are so used to pristine examples, THIS, in reality, is how most are found. Look at the transformation to the gray one farther down, amazing, but it doesn’t happen overnight, so what do you do? The gray one is up to like $22g’s, restoring this will most certainly get close to that, if it gets done at all, heck, if you have $22g’s ( or more) to spend, just buy the restored one. You’ll be much better off in the long run, trust me. Projects half done waiting on parts or more funds, loses it’s zing pretty quick, especially with the missus. Fantastic cars, just not like this.
Someone couldn’t even cover the car or put the windows up? What a terrible waste given the car was garaged up to that point.
What most car enthusiasts gasp in disbelief about is how cars like this are just neglected and thrown out like trash and then think buyers will be stupid enuf to overpay what is left of them. Just a shame
Absolutely right! It is still a “recoverable” veh. if it is “Given away” or sold for a $20 bill… to someone who would like to try.
Not too many years ago, this would have been a nice $500 project car. Well… I’m not so sure about that “nice” part…