“Cute” is not a word used to describe the ’53 Cadillac. Picture an owner who can summon thugs to break your knee caps with a snap of his finger, but who sometimes does it himself for fun. This 1953 Cadillac Series Sixty Special in Boca Raton, Florida rides on a wheelbase four inches longer than the Series 62. Though not described as a “driver,” the motor runs. If all this appeals to you, simply click Buy It Now here on eBay, and $6000 makes it yours. Bargain hunters can click Make Offer.
Back in simpler times, bumpers could withstand an occasional bump, and Cadillac’s substantial units protected the car at the front, rear, and four corners. Dagmars fore and aft deliver additional pointed protection.
Cadillac’s most sumptuous interior graced the Sixty Special, including a continuous painted wood band wrapping around the dash and door panels. Optional trunk-mounted air conditioning by Frigidaire helped important dignitaries like you keep their cool.
Cadillac, the first company to offer an electric starter in 1912, brought the now ubiquitous 12 volt electrical system to its lineup for 1953. The 331 cid V8 became more powerful as well, producing 210 HP, 20 more than the prior year. Thanks to wikipedia.org for some details. This one appears to have the optional power steering. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard.
Stylized louvers on the rear doors distinguised the Sixty Special from other Cadillacs. Though probably not intentional, the missing rear wheel skirt and unadorned steel wheels combine for a sinister effect. Giant crate motor, anyone?
Though not sporty, the sinister grille in your rear view mirror seems to say “Move over, or someone very important will hurt you.” Re-chroming this car will set you back well beyond the purchase price. What would you do with this top-shelf classic?
I drove a 1953 Cadillac Hearse for one year in 1966. It had Dynaflow, due to the Hydromatic factory fire. It was as fast as a city bus.Very low miles. It had been used by a mail order smoking pipe company to haul shipments to the Post Office. It still smelled like pipe tobacco.
Here again is an example of a car where I would shop for the very best example of that my money could buy, and be better off in the long run. This Fleetwood needs far more than I would be willing to pay for. You can find decent, driveable `53 Fleetwoods for probably just under $20K, and pristine trailer queens for $10K more. IMHO, $6K is a total waste for this.
Thing is, purchase prices of cars like this will usually be a small fraction of the total restoration cost. Always better to buy someone else’s impulsive folly than doing it yourself, unless you have the skills and patience. 50-80% savings every time.
$6000! They must be joking.
Cute’ is not the term. ‘Rugged Handsomeness’
My grandad had a 53 in blue, with A/C. Big tubes in the package shelf. White roof. He promised it to me but traded it on a 67 that I got in 77. It was a worn out 4 door. Interestingly, his business partner got one at the same time. When I sold the car to a dealer friend I almost got arrested. The title didn’t match the car. Turns out it was switched initially and never subsequently caught. The other guy was still driving his.
As a kid in Brooklyn, a neighborhood Union Organizer had this car. He paid all us kids not to sit on it and to to keep garbage cans on the street to save his parking place. One wise guy pushed the cans away and parked there. The car disappeared forever.
Another ridiculous price
This looks like a job for the air suspension people. The original seats in these were like sofas, very comfortable and luxurious. You must have a chauffeur to drive while you relax in the back seat with your favorite beverage while instructing your stock broker how to invest your money.
God bless America
Where is the stretched part?