Certain trends in automobile styling have a history of coming and going, with one unforgettable example popular in the fifties being tail fins. These sculptures in the sheet metal usually started on the tops of quarter panels and extended into the rear, with some more fondly remembered than others. If there’s an award to be given for the most outrageously shaped finned body from the period, it’s hard to beat the 1959 Cadillac DeVille, no matter if it’s a coupe or a sedan such as this one here on eBay. This Caddy isn’t free from blemishes, but it’s been well-maintained and seems about as solid as they come. This beauty is in Lakewood, Washington, with the no-reserve auction up to $20,321 at the moment.
The seller tells us that this DeVille has only been owned by two relatives since new, with the first being an uncle, followed by his nephew. It’s pointed out that the body has some bumps and bruises, but the good news is that this one’s said to have always been garaged and shows no rust on the exterior. The Wood Rose paint was sort of an unusual color choice, but it still looks tasteful all these years later, especially when combined with the contrasting Colonial Cream finish on the roof. I’d have a hard time deciding whether to make the few body repairs needed upon acquisition and immediately spray on some fresh paint, or just be thankful this Cadillac looks as good as it does and enjoy driving it for a while.
While the interior isn’t perfect, it’s still in pretty amazing condition to be 66 years old. There are a few tears in the seat fabric, and it looks like some water leaked in on the rear package tray at some point, but the cosmetics are in fine shape overall here. This one’s also loaded with accessories, including A/C, a six-way power front seat, cruise control, plus that way-cool Autronic Eye sitting on the top of the dash, ready to dim the lights for oncoming traffic so the driver doesn’t have to.
The 390 V8 is said to have recently gotten a new water pump, with the seller claiming that the 67,000 miles listed is accurate, accompanied by hand-written records to help back this up. Everything in the engine compartment appears to be in good order, plus the radiator has also been freshly recoiled, so hopefully, this one’s ready to run cool for the future owner this summer. To be unrestored, this 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille seems better and more solid than most, plus it’s a good bet for a car that can be worked on at your leisure while it’s being enjoyed. What are your thoughts on this one?
Looks nice . Leave it alone fix as needed .
Looks like the guy has other nice trucks at no reserve
Of course not. Just slide behind the wheel and drive. These were great
used cars when you could find them as they were engineered well and soundly built. My folks had a few of these when I was young. I bought the
the last one they owned as a matter of fact. That was a ’66 Calais 4-door
hardtop I bought at 15 to keep my drunken uncle from wrecking it. Can’t
wait to see what Angel says when she
sees this one! I know she’s gonna love it
When I was 16 years old I learned how to drive in my parents 59 Cadillac. It took me two tries to pass the DMV. Parallel parking was my downfall.
The “aircraft carrier” of automobiles. Narrow parking spaces ain’t for the faint of heart. One magnificent machine!!
My father’s car is the exact same color and interior his has 70k on it and everything but tires and stainless exhaust ,battery is original . I drove my 3 sisters in it at his funeral 2.5 years ago now it’s sitting with his other 5 cars.in an 8 cat garage.Its mint. They are huge to drive. I drove weddings when I was younger ,very fun. :)
I see the A/C compressor is MIA. Less expensive to install an aftermarket unit. Overall a sound looking unit, get it roadworthy and drive it, if the hammer falls below $30k could be a good value.
This is an awfully nice car for SOME BODY; it’s got to be somebody ELSE, not me (to quote a 1948 hit record).
It’s nice to see the generator cooling hose is still intact. I had 4 1960 Caddys and except for one, they were removed.
Not focusing on the big fins, I much preferred the 1960. The signal indicators on the fenders were cool. The beautiful Cadillac insert in the wheel was classy. The auto release brake was cool too.
The low power fog lights were nice in a drive in.
I took and passed my drivers test in my grandfathers pink one. I was driving his since age 12. First car I ever took over 100 mph.
Hi Ken,
I’m not the only one who loves Cadillacs here, there are quite a few knowledgeable people here on the subject of Cadillacs and definitely more knowledgeable than I.
I have to agree with The Cadillac Kid as 1960 being more of a favorite to me as well. More refined. Classy. The ’59 although the epitome of Cadillac style and design, really was “over the top” for then and now.
Don’t get me wrong I love a good ’59 Cad, even bad ’59 Cads and this one is nice and I feel reasonably priced. If I had the cash I’d definitely consider it as I don’t really care for trailer queens that much.
I never cared for this color though.
This is a good daily driver and work on it as time permits.
Reminds me of two things one the movie HUD with Paul Newman. He had a pink Cadillac two when I was a teen. I was looking at some cars in a used car lot and this kid who is a salesman for so anxious to make a sale that he told me to take the car for a test drive. It was a 59 caddy convertible so I did cruise by my folks to show off, then went back to the dealer. The senior salesman was so relieved to see me come back. I never forgot that. The smoothest riding car I ever drove.
Lots of cool caddy’s in “Tin Men ” too! :). With Danny DeVitto