Some classic cars age gracefully, while others suffer a less dignified fate. This 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville falls into the latter category. Despite the ongoing popularity of these cars, I suspect this one’s days of wafting down our streets may be a distant memory. However, it isn’t all gloom and doom. It is essentially complete, making it a promising parts source for someone completing the restoration of a similar vehicle. It is listed here on eBay in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bidding sits at $2,800 in a No Reserve auction.
This Cadillac emerged at a time when fins dominated American vehicle styling. There seemed to be some unwritten competition to see which manufacturer could produce them large enough to pose a threat to low-flying aircraft. Those on the ’59 Cadillac remain among the most instantly recognizable, a trait that is helped by the distinctive bullet taillights. It is fascinating how quickly fins fell out of favor with buyers, and cars at the cutting edge in 1959 struggled to find buyers in the secondhand market only a few years later. This de Ville would have cut a dashing figure in Gotham Gold. However, those days are far behind it, and it cuts a sad figure in its current state. The supplied photos reveal an abundance of surface corrosion and some significant penetrating rust. It appears to have been sitting in its current location for years, and the exposure to the elements will have done its cause no favors. That doesn’t mean it should be ignored because the indications are there could be some salvageable parts that an owner could use to restore a similar vehicle. Some of the hanging panels show promise, as do some trim items. The Caddy features tinted glass, and while the windshield and a couple of pieces are cracked and fit only for scrap, others are suitable for reuse. That is merely what can be ascertained from the supplied photos because an in-person inspection may yield more positive news.
The Cadillac’s interior holds no surprises. Years of exposure to rain via the gaping windshield hole has destroyed the upholstery and most soft trim pieces. It will undoubtedly smell pretty “swampy” now, but it appears complete. That leaves scope that bright trim pieces could find their way from this car to another, while components like the seat frames appear restorable. The car retains its original 390ci V8 and four-speed Hydramatic transmission. This powerhouse originally produced 325hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. Although the Coupe de Ville tipped the scales at a hefty 4,890 lbs, its performance was surprisingly energetic. As a long-distance cruiser pegged at freeway speeds, they transported their occupants effortlessly in splendid isolation. It is unclear when this car last graced our roads, but I would be unsurprised if the figure were measured in decades. The state of these items is unclear, but it is worth noting that the major mechanical components are robust items. That could mean coaxing them back to life or rebuilding them for another project might be viable.
I think there is little doubt that this 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville is beyond salvation, and I always feel sad when a classic of this caliber is reduced to this state. However, it could be an excellent parts source, and the three bids that have pushed its price to the current level suggest someone sees something below that faded and ruined exterior. Do you agree, or will someone take the bull by the horns and attempt to return this classic to its former glory?
Why this one particular car when the whole area is full of rusted onetime classics? Why not the same 2 door next to it or the 4 door behind it, the Mustangs in the background or any of the others? They all look like remnants and relics of at least Katrina.
Then again I suppose, we’ve seen worse for more money..!
Looks like someone bought out a wrecking yard and want to recoup some of their investment rather than paying to have the cars hauled off. Whoever buys this will take off all the good parts to use or sell and junk the rest. I imagine the others there will be listed before too long. I imagine the seller is testing the water.
Hey bro, I’m gonna fix’er up some day. It’s just surface rust…
New model… Coupe de CRUSHER. As hardcore as l am to restore. It’s like pulling the plug on grandma. Sometimes you gotta yank it like starting the lawnmower
Idk… I think these caddys are in a state where I would take all three 59s there for $2500. Maybe… JUST maybe… there would be enough usable parts there to make a pile that could be utilized elsewhere. Sounds to me like whoever has bid up this high has a roadster shop chassis and LS swap waiting on it… and an ASSLOAD of money to throw at it. But then you gotta ask the question of, why…??? Why would you even bother with something in such a terrible state? When there are thousands of cars in better condition to start with??… I mean, I understand that they aren’t making sheetmetal for these cars… but honestly, there’s not much steel there to harvest. Just barely enough usable steel for a soup can. Oh well, I guess some people have money like that. I, myself… I’ll be steering WELL clear of these trio of terror… $600 would be MY final offer.
$2,800.00? Seriously? AHAHAHAHA!
Steve,
Actually, for a parts car, this is a decent price. I’ve restored several 1959 and ’60 Cadillacs, and a parts car 2-door hardtop is fairly hard to find. The side chrome parts are in demand.
It’s a southern car and that means there are 2 pluses: !. Factory A/C. 2. pit-free chrome.
And a big deal is that horn ring! The outer 180 degree ring halves broke off VERY easily, and were already hard to find 50 years ago. 99% of those I found over the years were missing either one or both side rings, and those still there were often bent inward. They cannot be un-bent, & will simply break off. Reproduction horn rings are currently $1,500.
https://www.allcads.com/product/horn-ring-1959-cadillac/
How many times must you repeat that?
No reserve, but plenty of reservations.
12 years ago I went thru yards like this in Tallahassee and my only thought was at each one: that’s gone, wow, that’s gone. Look at this one, it’s gone.
I saw nothing, no brands, no models, all gone, not even interested, just gone.
That car is a Series 62 coupe, Not a Coupe DeVille
What are the differences?
Most differences are the interior materials [the coupe de Ville had combo leather/cloth seats, the 62 did not. Also the deVille had a lot more options as standard equipment. The easiest way to visually see it’s not a deVille is the lack of leather bolsters on the seats.
The other way is to check the body plate on the firewall. The series 62 coupe had the body style number 6237, and the Deluxe coupe deVille had the number 6337.
That horn ring is one valuable piece. They were noted for breaking off. I don’t know about the rest of it. I’m sure siyying the grass for many years took it’s toll on the underside. By the late 60’s these were cars nobody wanted. I remember going to junkyards as a kid and being in awe of all the 50’s and early 60’s cars, there were many I want to bring home even then.
I remember doing the same!
Whoever buys this is probably looking at making a sofa.
…or a ‘bed’ ! As big as the trunk is !!!
I don’t imagine this thing “wafting down the highway,” I imagine the smell wafting out of that interior.
$2,800.00? Seriously? AHAHAHAHA!
Could send it to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas for a new edition to the other Cadillacs there
ouch!
I don’t believe this one is worth restoring but it does have a lot of the little hard to find parts so someone is going to be able to add to their used parts inventory they may be able to make a profit still
I looked at a 59 convertible in similar condition back in the late 80s. Seller wanted $1000 for it. I think I’d still be working on it if I bought it.
It looks like it’s already in a junk yard by the other cars around it.
Despite all of the bad comments if you were restoring a 59 it would be a valuable parts car.
Has a replacement windshield for it right next to it. Easy peasy. LOL.
Looks about as rough as the 57′ Plymouth Belvedere that was unearthed in 2007 in Tulsa.Rust might be the only thing holding this together….
The trunks of these made into sofas sell for $15,000. I see a yard full of future night club furniture.
Now that is patina! All it needs a good buffing out.
That really oughta do it. Some totally buff buffer could take a buffer to it and buff everything right up. That’d be totally, well, buff!
Too much rust,in all likelyhood you won’t be able to do anything with them, but make garden art of them.to bad they were left to rot.
I rebuilt one 30 years ago just about like it. Dug out of a mud hole. 3 years later and 15K at that time and it was beautiful. Get ready to set your satchel down.
PS all big GM cars that year will supply a windshield. If you can find one
The front doors from 2drs are also interchangeable, but the styling creases are different. After the styling disaster of 1958, GM divisions had a styling competition for a new look for ’59, and Buick won. All ’59 bodies are essentially Buicks.
The rear bumper looks pretty nice from what I can see Don’t know about the bottom of it.
Looks like it does not have power windows also
I need a roof panel for a 60 Seville, so if I were working on mine, I would gladly dump 3 or so K on this. The horn ring will recoup a third of this. then there’s a factory ac set up, a 2 door power window set up, side trim, possible usable fenders and doors, a rear body with what looks to be a serviceable bumper. A helluva great parts car. If I weren’t deep into two projects, would love to buy it. The Seville is a year off. Lots of value here and in far away lands.
Chris, I don’t have my ’41-66 Cadillac parts book handy, but having restored numerous ’59 & ’60 Cadillac 2-doors, I’m pretty sure both years utilize the same roof panel for all the Cadillac 2-door hardtops. [And I believe the Olds & Buick 2-door hardtop roofs too.]
You and I need to become friends, Mr McCoskey. I just inherited a 1960. I have so many questions…
Kirkrocks,
More than happy to talk with you, my email is; [my full name as shown here on Barn Finds, without the space, at aol.com]. Just let me know it’s you from Barn Finds in the title.
There’s a window crank for the vent window and a missing crank for the main window
Yes, if it was a power window car the window switch would be at the base of the windshield at the lower corner of the “dog leg”.