For many of us, a low-mile, original ’51 Cadillac is tantalizing enough. This Series 62 sedan fits the bill, with just 63,000 miles and only two owners, and a reasonable $8,500 asking price. What might really get the blood pumping, though, is the company this Caddy’s keeping; it’s surrounded by other classics, and the seller says little about them other than that they are also up for grabs! Check out this Chicago-area craigslist post, sent in by reader Rocco B, and try not to let your imagination run away with you.
The hierarchy of Cadillac’s ’40s and ’50s numbered series models is probably somewhat obscure to many readers today; by 1951, the Series 62 was the mid-level standard-size Cadillac (as opposed to the limo-grade Fleetwood 75), somewhat confusingly nestled between the less expensive, smaller Series 61 and the more expensive Sixty Special. Among better known names in Cadillac history, it might be useful to note that both the Coupe de Ville and Eldorado started out as sub-models of the Series 62. We can tell that this is a 62 and not a 61 by its six-window greenhouse, and we can tell that it’s not a Sixty Special because it lacks that model’s series of chrome hash marks just ahead of the rear wheel opening.
Judging by the tightly cropped, poorly lit photos, the Cadillac was not extracted from the confines of its warehouse home for the photo shoot, but we’re told it runs, drives, and stops, with a recent tune up, fluid change, and inspection of the carburetors, fuel lines, brakes and brake lines, and other vital systems. The interior and glass look very good, while the exterior shows a fair bit of wear to the (possibly original) paint and some pitting and surface corrosion on some of the grille brightwork, although what we can see looks very straight overall.
But back to the tantalizing prospect that this Cadillac is just one of many jewels waiting to be unearthed in this collection. In the photos I can see a Cougar, a ’66 Chevy, a ’69 Olds with some pretty aggressive hood scoops, a ’66 or ’67 Riviera, a Toronado, a Continental Mark III, an Electra 225 convertible, a couple of pickups….A quick tour of Chicagoland craigslist shows that many of the other cars are being advertised as well. Which one would get you to try to get in the door of this collection?
For most, the background vehicles spark interest and will steal the spotlight from this beauty. For me, I see only this Cadillac. My Godfather drove nothing but Cadillac and I was very close to him. At any given time, there were at least 3 at his house and everyone of them were black four doors with wide whites and skirts. I would visit with whatever vehicle I had at the time and he would say (in disgust) : “Whatsa that thing you driving? (Italian accent), it’s gotta no class”. After a few years, I guess he’d had enough of my “classless vehicles” and gave me his last….The 90 Cadillac Brougham that I have to this day. That was in 1992
He passed away a year later. (sorry, time ran out on My first post before I could edit it).
Great story! Thanks for sharing – it brought a tear to my eye.
Now that’s a Cadillac
Found this on another Craiglist ad.. it lists all the other cars in the barn
Classic car collection for sale
29 Model A with trailer $23k
50 Fleetline $8000
51 Caddy $8500
58 Apache $9200
63 Riviera parts car $2500
63 Riviera $6500
66 Riviera $6500
66 Impala $7200
66 Toronado $4800
67 Riviera $4200
67 Buick sportwagon $5000
68 cougar $8000
69 442 Factory 4 Speed $17500
70 Electra Buick 225 convertible $13000
82 Buick Electra $5000
71 Lincoln -SOLD
72 Riviera -SOLD
79 Monza Spider race car $13200
2014 Corvette Stingray 59000
Do you have a link?
Amazing collection.
There has been massive flooding there and the gov. has declared it a disaster area. 7″ of rain in 24 hours. They may all be flood cars now.
Thanks for the warning to check that out. I do hope the flooding didn’t reach these.
Really like this site,being 67years young had many old cars back in the day.All the comments make me remember and smile.
Had a ’51 Cad 4-door in black, what a car! Bought the car for $50 back in 1966 while at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. We would pool our money and make weekend runs to Milwaukee to party! Floor was rusted thru on passenger side and exhaust was just as bad. Sometimes it would catch the rug padding on fire when you let of on the gas and backfired! We slept in her many times due to lack of funds!! Many good times were had in that car!! Got offered $100 by another Navy man just before I went home, so I had some pocket money while on leave!
I also have a story similar to DrinkinGasoline’s. I live in a town in upstate New York called Delhi and every summer when I was a kid my Uncle from Gibsonia, Pa. Would come up to go woodchuck hunting on our farm . He worked in a Cadillac dealership in Pittsburgh and every year he would drive up in a new Cadillac. I always look forward to seeing what the next one would look like … Amazing cars !
Interesting collection