Hubba-Hubba! A red, 1955 Cadilac Series 62 convertible – it doesn’t get much better than that. The seller tells us that it’s not perfect – not a show car, but still, it makes a big statement just as it sits. This drop-top has a claimed 78K miles though it appears to be a non-runner. OK, I’m interested, let’s dig deeper and see what’s here. Holding court in Cincinnati, Ohio, this wind-in-your-hair ride from the Standard of the World is available, here on eBay for a current no-reserve bid of $16,000 with 31 bids tendered so far.
In the form of a 2024 CT5, here’s what Cadillac is pushing today, almost 70 years after our subject car rolled out of Cadillac’s Detroit assembly plant. So, V8 power? Nope. Two-door availability? Naw. Convertible body style? Fuggetabout it. Well, at least it’s red…Times change, it’s more evolution than revolution, people change, and conditions, those that are real and imagined, change too. You can’t, or shouldn’t live in the past, but boy-oh-boy, you can enjoy a retro slice of it with a car like this Caddy convertible. I don’t know how many vehicles Cadillac produces today, but back in ’55 they finished 141K units and placed tenth in the domestic production race. Series 62 convertibles amounted to 8,100 copies.
The seller tells us, “It has a straight, fairly solid body – with little rust and patina. It is not a show car. If you figure it needs everything, you won’t be disappointed“. The finish is a tad flat but overall, the exterior still projects a nice presentation. The noted rust isn’t evident and I’m unsure how to interpret that “assume it needs everything” business (and I’ve heard that one before). The folding top looks good and that’s encouraging – those things have become very expensive to replace. The chrome plating, however, is another matter, it looks weak.
A 250 HP, 331 CI V8 engine, coupled to a Hydramatic automatic transmission, is parked in the engine room but the seller notes, “We did not attempt to start it. It steers and rolls fine” Why wouldn’t you attempt to start it? I’ll never understand that; a runner is going to be worth more, and easier to sell, than a “maybe it’ll go/maybe it won’t” subject. The engine compartment shows as original and nothing, like that very unique air cleaner, seems to be missing.
The red leather interior reflects some of the same characteristics as the exterior – it’s a bit faded looking, and there is a clash of red shades occurring, but it still presents well. The dash looks like it has been recovered and while the instrument panel is still bright and clear, the surrounding steel dash components are showing signs of surface rust and deterioration. I’d venture that the lumpy carpet is a replacement.
So, we have 31 bids from nineteen different bidders, and being a no-reserve auction, someone is going to end up with this bygone leviathan of American motoring – an automobile the likes of we won’t see again. I hope it finds a good home; any takers out there?
If one wants a new V8 sedan, look at CT5 V-Series Blackwing. 6 speed manual, too. Very cool, with a Supercharger bigger than a breadbox.
But a ’55.Cadillac…this one…can a car be described as supple? Yes, it can. Love the subtle touches such as the six vertical ornaments below the trunk lid that make the car look wider and accentuate the bumper guards. One can imagine the day in 1955 when it was delivered new. Goosebumps, man…
I had a 55 Eldorado convert back in the mid 60s. Wish I still did.
Mine was a 1949. Beautiful blue colour.
Don’t worry too much about the red interior. It’s vinyl, and not original. Same goes for the carpet.
A memento, to a different time, of more character. A time when men were men, children were seen and not heard, food was healthy and GM was a collection of automobile companies, not just four brands offering the same generic Car, Four-Door, Family.
I’d never own this – I’m not a barge pilot, not even in my dotage – but I can sure appreciate what it represented. A successful great-uncle had a Sedan de Ville, a 1957. Kept it to 1970, which was rare – but it was his pride and joy. Retired, he didn’t have the budget he had when he had purchased it; and at least in his mind, it advertised his status: That he was Somebody, or at least had been a somebody.
Today, as referenced here, they’re all the same. Four doors, steel roof, dozens of airbags, deployment of which, renders the car a write-off. No character, and now, with the quickness of adjusters to total crash victims, not even the long life that for a short time, modern cars were known for.
I hope it bids well, and hope buyer, seller, and car, all are suited and in a position to remind us of what once was.
“…but the seller notes, “We did not attempt to start it. It steers and rolls fine” Why wouldn’t you attempt to start it? I’ll never understand that; a runner is going to be worth more, and easier to sell, than a “maybe it’ll go/maybe it won’t” subject.”
If I may be of assistance…
I’m not a mechanic; but I sometimes play one on the Internet. I have had interaction with various restorative mechanics – who weary of unawares attempts to revive dormant, often frozen, engines.
They all seem to have their recipies, and most of them work. But they involve careful lubrication and sometimes disassembly – remove the plugs, maybe the belts, oil (or transmission fluid) in the cylinders for lubrication. Roll the engine over with a breaker bar, take it a few times around. Then spin the engine with a starter. Then, and only then, put the plugs in and fresh gas (not the crud in the fuel lines) to make it fire up.
They dread having to deal with engines that may have been damaged by Hold-My-Beer types who just jump a battery (possibly the wrong voltage) to the dead one and just crank.
Not having monkeyed with the engine is a plus, for many bidders.
Trying to turn the engine by hand, at the least, would be a big help, that way it would be known if it is seized or not. A seized engine for many, and me, is a no go. If it’ll turn over by hand, then we’ll have something to discuss – and no, that won’t damage it, I’ve done it too many times.
JO
Absolutely right.Much better if the motor/trans is untouched.You start from scratch,do it your way.You are also in a better position for knocking the price down,before you have to tow it away.
Something I never realized on these, the brake pedal through the floor, pretty strange sight on a 55 model, other than a chevrolet pickup, I had a 56, the pedal was suspended. For not being perfect, it looks pretty dang nice
I know Pontiac had the brake (non-power) and clutch pedals up thru the floor up thru 1957. Power brakes were an overhead pedal, but I don’t know about where the master cyl. was. Not sure about other G.M.’s . I always thought it was odd Chevy was the first G.M. to have overhead pedals. But back then each division really had their own cars.
Complete with those awesome “Dagmars”. Beautiful automobile.
At a car show, I informed younger guys about DAGMARS and how they were given the name. Said that they would never forget. 😅. Any others recall 🤔? And Chrysler in 57 called its cars the FORWARD Look!
Take a good look at that windshield. It is wrap around. Exclusive to this model of car in 1955; standard in all 56’s. I forget the name for this model; its back there someplace. GM was trying out the new design for the next year.
A truely rare car.
??? Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Buick each had wraparound windshields beginning in 1954, by 1955 all GM products had wraparound windshields
When I was a junior and senior in high school, 1962 &1962,(Hueneme High School, Port Hueneme, Ca.) my mom and dad had this identical Caddy. I had the honor and privilege of driving the prom queen for the homecoming parades. Since our school colors were red and white, I was asked to escort her highness in the parade. Boy, does this car bring back memories.
Since the car is equipped with power steering, I gotta doubt it steers at all without the engine running.