Most custom builds are designed to stand out in a crowd, and some achieve that goal more effectively than others. That is undoubtedly the case with this 1959 Cadillac. A previous owner performed a conversion, transforming a Series 62 six-window hardtop sedan into a cool and luxurious Pickup. It has sat for several years, but the seller has revived the Caddy, ready for it to find a new home. The hard work is done, but there is scope for someone to add some final touches that will leave their mark on this beauty. The Pickup is listed here on eBay in Sandusky, Ohio. The solitary bid of $36,500 remains below the reserve.
The defining styling features of the 1959 Cadillac range are undoubtedly the enormous fins and the bullet-shaped taillights. Thankfully, the person creating this custom didn’t lose either during their build, and the appearance is surprisingly well-integrated. I guess that if the company had entered the Pickup market during this era, it would have provided insight into how its version may have looked. The build appears to have been completed to a reasonably high standard, with no evidence of imperfections or other issues that are sometimes visible on second-rate conversions. The paint is deceptive because although it looks Black, it is actually a factory shade called Dunstan Blue. The Mid-Blue vinyl top provides a welcome contrast, complemented by the sparkling trim and chrome. The seller indicates the Caddy went into storage soon after the build ended, meaning it hasn’t accumulated the chips and marks that occur with age and general use. The panels are laser-straight, and this beauty is rust-free. The tailgate features brushed stainless steel, with the same material used to line the bed. Most of the tinted glass looks clear, but the driver’s window is badly cracked.
This Cadillac’s exterior may be wild, but the story is more restrained below the surface. The Pickup derives its power from a 390ci V8, with a four-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes standard fare for the time. That motor should produce 325hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque, raising an intriguing possibility. The donor car would have tipped the scales at 4,940 lbs. However, the build removed considerable steel, glass, and interior trim. Therefore, it is safe to assume it has shed weight in the process. I acknowledge that few owners were concerned about outright performance or how quickly their Cadillac could cover the ¼-mile, but this Pickup should improve upon the factory figure of 17.5 seconds. The seller recently revived the vehicle after years of hibernation. They replaced the engine oil pan and transmission gaskets, replaced the power steering seals, installed a new master cylinder, and rebuilt the wheel cylinders. They say the Caddy runs and drives but believe the new owner should replace the tires to ensure it is roadworthy.
Although this Cadillac’s exterior appears to need little, its interior provides scope for the winning bidder to place their mark on the build. It is serviceable but doesn’t present as nicely as the outside. The door trims are respectable, but the White leather seatcovers have seen better days. The pad is badly cracked, and the carpet is pretty sad. The buyer could perform a retrim to factory specifications, and everything required is readily available. Alternatively, they could add a custom interior, integrating modern touches often taken for granted. The Caddy doesn’t feature power windows, power locks, air conditioning, or cruise control, but adding these shouldn’t be difficult if the buyer wants to accentuate the luxury leanings.
This 1959 Cadillac Pickup is one of the coolest customs I have seen for a while. We’ve seen these converted into hearses, but this vehicle is genuinely unique. It would turn heads, but a refreshed interior would seal the deal. Placing a value on a classic of this type is almost impossible because it is only worth what someone is willing to pay. One person has submitted a bid of $36,500, suggesting they like what they see. I’m not going to nominate a sale price this time, but it will be fascinating to see if we have readers who can hit the nail on the head before the auction hammer falls. So, over to you.
Kudos on a well executed custom! As stated, all it needs now is some “custom” attention lavished upon the interior to complete the job! A really sharp looker! GLWTA!! :-)
Very classy conversion, though for whatever they’re asking ($36.5K but the reserve’s not met!!!?!?!) perhaps they could have done a little more under the roof and under the hood IMO..
Not unlike funeral flower cars built by companies such as Superior, S&S and others.
Stainless steel bed is a definite flower car clue. Not something a backyard hacker would do.
It is amazing that the general public is not aware that this a a flower car for funeral processions. Good call Tom.
Yea, that’s all it is. I’d love one, but it’s not a home custom build.
It’s amazing that whoever butched this car up didn’t put some tacky aftermarket steering wheel on it. That would have fit the build perfectly.
They have good weed down in the swamps
I think it looks odd from the sides , it should have a longer door , i guess a coupe door would make it more proportional and that loner bid of 36.5 k must be a friend ´s ! Cause it doesn’t make any sense …
This is a flower car for funerals, I’ve always liked them…
I was thinking the same. It looks like a real professional job. Are we sure it’s not a flower car?
This is a flower car. There are a few in the NYC Metropolitan area. They are a mandatory item for all mobster funeral processions.
“And Guido, make sure Bobby gets a flower car. Capisce?”
🎵 Hey 🎶 Mambo! 🎵 Mambo Italiano! 🎵 Try an enchilada 🎶 with this fish tail would be Eldorado! 🎵. This is an offer I can definitely refuse! You toucha my car, I breaka you face!
🎶🎸Willy the Wimp, and his Cadillac coffin! 🎶🎸
The dead giveaway is the full stainless bed. The flower containers always leaked water and normal steel beds rusted out in a short time, leaving the home with a dripping mess in front of the church.
El Caddy, Cadamino, anyways, not really to my taste.
Back in 2003 behind a guy shop sat a 1970 Porsche 911 and a 1953 Cadillac flower car. He would sell either one but I only had money for one so I bought the Porsche.
pro done? like coach built? Not bad either way.
I no bout the ’75/6 Murage, x – ’06, ’07 – ’13 escalante` but
wasnt there a non-ute (actual p/u looking, not this style or el camino)
regular p/u made by caddy in the 50s?
It’s a flower car. I found a picture online of one with the same roofline and the stainless steel tailgate.
Body shop owner friend of mine made a similar conversion of a six window ’59 Caddy. The result was what appeared to be a dramatically long, low vehicle. He opted for personalized license plates reading “longnlo”. Being a rather short individual the lady at the DMV had trepidations when she asked him what the plate stood for. I’ll let your imagination take the story from there.
This is a perfect example of what makes this site so great. Open sharing of knowledge elevates us all.
I look at that radio inside lit up, reminded me of Christine!!
I would say that this is not an original flower car. The rear window (and perhaps the entire rear bulkhead) comes from a 4th-generation El Camino or Caballero. That tells me this wasn’t built in period, but some time after 1978.
yup, Elky glass of the 80’s
I was thinking the same thing, but I don’t know if an El Camino window would be wide enough. If this was a six window sedan I wonder if that is the original back window turned inside out. Just my 2 cents but I think it would have looked better if the builder had kept the original roof line but just shortened it. Then it would have a roofline something like ’59-’60 El Camino.
Even, Looked again at some El Caminos on line and some flattop Caddies, I think you are right
This was made from a 6 window sedan. Only the 4 window sedans (flat tops) have a rear pillar and glass which look like the El Camino. Two entirely different roof designs.
I was really hoping there wouldn’t be any comments on this being a flower car, basically because of the stainless steel bed and tailgate. I was wrong.
Every time there is a Cadillac pickup conversion, someone always says it’s a flower car. If it was a flower car, it would have rear doors, which opened up to a storage space under the bed.
I have to agree with Evan that the rear window is from a 4th gen El Camino.
This time my pet peeve is satisfied by the tailgate which looks cohesive but should be painted.
Someone did a nice job on this one, but, my very first thought when I saw this was PLEASE stop taking ’59 Cadillacs and ruining them!! There aren’t that many left!
At least they used the least desirable model to butcher, the Series 62 6 window sedan.
Definitely an 79+ Elcamino back glass. I found a pic of the inner rear roof beam of an 82 Elcamino, and it is identical to the one grafted into this car.
nice body work, stainless bed is excellent, no ac, cant use it in florida, thanks for the pics,,love that tailgate….tommyboy22$
Godzillastein
For all of you saying this is a flower car, mainly because of the stainless steel bed, this is a flower car from 1959, built by a professional coach builder. Builders like Miller/Meteor, Superior, S&S, THIS is how they built flower cars. The stainless steel bed 1) had railings, 2) raised and lowered for more or less flowers, 3) had rear doors, 4) had regular tailgate, not stainless steel. Also, check out the roofline. Not half as nice as the El Camino inspired on this “fake”flower car.
Looks like a roof off of an early 60s Mercury or a 58-60 Lincoln.
The first thing that comes to mind is WOW!!! I’m looking at this vehicle and imagining my bike (2022 Honda Rebel CMX1100) or a heavier Harley Davidson sitting in the bed of this vehicle! I would definitely have to make modifications to the bed and suspension to be able to accommodate a motorcycle, along with the much needed interior mods, this vehicle has a lot of potential for sure!
Am I the only one that can actually see the joints where the rear doors were welded shut? If you can see them that plainly in pictures, then it will look much worse in person. Don’t think this is a pro job
I feel this was a flower car or some sort of funeral unit. First, it has no options. The door panels are very hearse like, ” I junked a few”. Stainless screams coach builder. I have seen quite a few. Remember there were tons of builders thar did things for all budgets. 36k and you get a busted horn ring and a seat out of a 70 something. Place this next to the Cadamobile wagon abomination and hope there are some hee haw drunk funeral guys on line.
Another “real” flower car
Flower cars where built on commercial chassis only. They also carried the casket and tools as well. The rear bed raised and lowered and had storage underneath accessible from the back and rear suicide doors. Larger rims and heavier suspension. Angel Diva is correct. Thanks, Joel out !!!