Genuine Barn Find: 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan

Hiding in this barn and cloaked by a layer of dust is one of the most iconic cars to roll off an American production line in the 1950s. The enormous fins and bullet taillights leave no doubt that we’re dealing with a 1959 Cadillac and, in this case, it is a Series 62 Sedan. It occupied that spot for over thirty years, but the seller released it from captivity and coaxed its beautiful V8 back to life. It needs someone to return the Cadillac to its rightful place on our roads, so why not take a closer look to see if you are up for what could be a straightforward challenge?

The seller recently purchased this Cadillac from a collection that was stashed away in a barn. Its previous owner had used the Medium Green Metallic Sedan as a daily driver, before parking it over thirty years ago. It hadn’t moved since, accumulating a heavy layer of dust. The photos are pretty grainy, but they suggest that once the seller washed away the dust, what emerged was a solid classic that should present well as a survivor with some very basic TLC. Step one would be to take to the enormous panels with a high-quality polish to see if the paint will shine. The bright trim requires similar treatment, but the glass looks pretty good. The seller provides some low-grade underside shots, and while there is visible surface corrosion, there appears to be no penetrating rust. Therefore, even if the new owner faces restoration, it should be fairly straightforward.

The news remains positive when we focus on the Caddy’s interior. It undoubtedly requires a deep clean, because everything is pretty dusty. The front kick panels have seen better days, but since replacements retail for under $80 per pair, addressing that issue comes under the heading of “cheap and cheerful.” The dash and pad are in good order, and the seats appear to be free from rips and tears. It won’t score the new owner show trophies in its current form, but if viewed purely as a survivor-grade classic, the condition is comfortably acceptable. The Series 62 is a luxury car, so it is fair to expect an array of creature comforts. It delivers the new owner air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, cruise control, and an AM radio.

I have long admired Cadillac because while it produced some pretty big and heavy cars during its glory years, it slotted engines under the hood that provided surprising performance. This ’59 is no exception, featuring a 390ci V8 producing 325hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque.  The rest of the drivetrain is standard Cadillac fare, with a four-speed automatic transmission tackling shifting duties, and power assistance for the steering and brakes standard equipment. The seller confirms that this gentle giant hadn’t fired a shot since the previous owner parked it. However, some rudimentary tinkering and maintenance saw the engine return to life, running as smoothly as a Swiss watch. It is nowhere near roadworthy, because the brakes don’t work. It will also require a thorough inspection, and you can be fairly sure that many of the perishable items will have…er, perished. The winning bidder may need to spend a few dollars to return this classic to its rightful place on our roads, but it appears they won’t spend a fortune on a complete mechanical refurbishment.

This 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan proves that there are still great classics hiding in barns and sheds, biding their time until someone comes along to liberate them. It demonstrates that the right car can generate significant interest, with this Caddy already scoring twenty-eight bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Warren, Michigan. The action has pushed the price to $10,200, which is below the reserve. The interest it has generated will undoubtedly see that figure climb, and the fact that returning it to a roadworthy state seems straightforward may make it irresistible to many. If you’ve been searching for a hands-on project candidate, could this Cadillac be a contender?