It is easy for a seller to portray a car as something it isn’t, and many enthusiasts have been caught flat-footed by what they later discover to be a Tribute or clone of a desirable classic. However, that isn’t the case with this 1958 Cadillac, with the seller confirming that while it looks like a Fleetwood, it is a regular Series 62. They are also candid about its condition, leaving potential buyers to contemplate whether they might tackle a cosmetic refresh. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Eldridge, Iowa. It could be yours once you hand the seller $28,975.
While many people focus on the ’59 Cadillac range with the enormous fins and bullet taillights, there is something more elegant and restrained about its predecessor. Sure, it still has fins, but they are less of a hazard for low-flying aircraft. The seller is candid about this Caddy, stating that its Ebony paint doesn’t show as well in person as it does in the photos. That suggests that it may be an ideal candidate for a refresh, although since it doesn’t appear to have any significant shortcomings, the buyer could bide their time while they plan their build. The car features Fleetwood trim, but returning it to its factory form wouldn’t be difficult or expensive. The stainless is in good condition, but the chrome has minor pitting. The tinted glass is clear, and the narrow whitewalls add the ideal finishing touch.
Powering this Cadillac is the company’s 365ci V8 that sends 310hp and 405 ft/lbs of torque to the rear via a four-speed automatic transmission. When combined with power-assisted steering, it provides a surprisingly effortless driving experience for a car that is nearly 217 inches long and tips the scales at 4,850 lbs. Caddy buyers were typically not focused on outright performance, and were more interested in their car’s ability to tackle city traffic or freeway cruising without causing a fuss. This car would have done so in its prime, and should still do so since it is in excellent mechanical health. The seller states it has a genuine 53,000 miles on its odometer, a claim that must be taken at face value due to the lack of verifying evidence. They include an embedded video in their listing of the engine running, and I hear nothing that raises concerns.
The first owner ordered this Series 62 with power windows, an AM radio, and an Autronic eye. These items are intact, and the seller doesn’t indicate if any are inoperative. However, they say that they believe that the vehicle received a retrim in contrasting Black and White leather. The condition isn’t showroom, but it is acceptable for those seeking a driver-grade classic. Some White areas exhibit slight marks and discoloring, and the dashpad exhibits signs of developing deterioration. But with no gaping holes or other problems, nothing requires immediate attention.
Okay, it’s hypothetical time. You’ve splashed your cash on this 1958 Cadillac Series 62, and it is now sitting in your garage. What do you do next? Do you leave it essentially untouched, enjoying this classic in its current form? Or, would a cosmetic refresh prove irresistible? Some may throw caution to the wind by returning it to a factory-fresh state with its original trim. There are no right or wrong answers in a case like this, only enthusiasts who are willing to make the commitment. Are you one of those individuals?
I have a tendency to lean towards preferring the ’58s over the ’59s. Dont get me wrong, I’m not hating the 59’s, but just look at the first photo of the write up. Look at how beautifully the lines flow along the sides, the doors going into the fins. Especially the tops of the doors how the lines flow into the fins. In my eyes, even though its a 4 door hardtop, it’s definitely NOT two too many doors. Cars had such style back then.
Anyways I had a neighbor many years ago that had a mint green 58 4 door hardtop. It was just beautiful. I wouldn’t change a thing on this one. Just drive it and maintain it. And of course enjoy it.
I don’t care that it’s a faux Fleetwood, as a child, when I saw one, I KNEW that it was a Cadillac!! Beautiful!! GLWTS!! :-)
Nice 62 but never a big fan. Crank windows and no AC would have done better as a so so Buick or Oldsmobile. Thus my point. The 62 was a baseline Caddy. For about the same price one could get a loaded Buick.
Actually, this car DOES have power windows (except for the vent windows). I would have trunk-mounted A/C installed in this beauty if it were mine, living out West where it gets hotter’n Hades in the summertime.
Beautiful Cadillac I love the 57-58 models. Drive said it all. The lines on these models 2 and 4 doors are beautiful. Love the engine with the tri carbs. To restore this 58 would be north of 60gs. Just get it professional detail and enjoy it. 🐻🇺🇸
It’s likely no surprise that I have to weigh in on this Cadillac. First, although the owner may believe it’s a Series 62, it’s not. It is a FLEETWOOD Sixty Special. The lower rear body moldings were only used on the Sixty Special. A Cadillac virtually identical to this one was the beginning of my love affair with Cadillac. As a kid, a local banker frequently parked on the street, drawing my attention whenever I saw it. To me, it’s the epitome of OTT excessively chromed upscale Luxury vehicles. That is no surprise to those who have seen my various posts. While the 59 Sixty Special is appealing, I much prefer the substantial appearance of the 58. The relatively low volume of these Sixty Specials (partly due to 58s recession) should make this one a Bon Marche. Unfortunately, at this point, it’s beyond my reach. Unless Santa decides to put it in my garage.🎅. For full coverage of 57 and 58 Cadillacs, check COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILE, August, 1997. What say you members of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY?
The ad says someone added the Fleetwood trim, so it may be a Series 62?.
👋 Jay, I don’t want to press the issue, but the REFRESH comment was in regard to the interior (black and white). No mention of the chrome. Anyway, here’s wishing you and ALL Barn Finders a very Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄. Especially our own Christmas ANGEL 😇, the Cadillac QUEEN.
But take a look at the trunk lid: The sixty special had two rectangular reversing lights in the trunk lid. Also the two little chrome fins on the hood: the sixty special had them on the front fenders instead. The best way to find out, wether this is a fleetwood sixty special or a series 62, would be to measure the wheelbase: the series 62 all had 129.5 inches, while the fleetwood sixty special had 3.5 inches more.
The only way to settle this argument is to check the VIN. I don’t believe a Fleetwood could be had with “deletes” so since this doesn’t have power vent windows, I would tend to believe that it is a gussied up series 62.
Us Cadillac owners are humble individuals. We allow other lesser vehicles to share the road with us. When a driver is cut off in traffic anger and retaliation is expected, except if the other car is a classic Cadillac, then the driver allows the offender to go ahead and pull in, so they can get a better look at the beauty.
Please check the difference between the Series 62 in this post and the attached photo of a true Fleetwood Sixty Special. The name Fleetwood across the trunk. The large back-up lamps at the base of the deck lid, rather than occupying one of the dual rear lamps on the right and left. Much more extensive chrome trim across the rear end and additional detailing on the lower rear bumper. I believe the Cadillac in this post was in fact a 62 with chrome from a Sixty Special added to the rear doors and quarters. Also note the side molding doesn’t include the upper piece that meets body side chrome strip.
Another example.
Withe depth of your description of this car, Rick, I’ll go with you. Personally, I like the ’58 Buick Limited or Roadmaster 75 but all full size ’58s with the dual headlights get my vote.
To Jon and Others, I am OCCASIONALLY 😉 willing to admit my errors! This MAY be one of those. The fin bearing Sixty Special seems to indicate that. I couldn’t read it on the car shown and have never seen side trim like that on anything other than a Sixty Special! Happy Holidays to ALL! No matter what this is, I would love to have 🎅 park it under my 🎄!
Copied directly from the Facebook Marketplace ad:
Description
1958 Cadillac series 62 not Fleetwood someone added Fleetwood trim at some time
I apologize if I sounded argumentative my friends. My intent was to just provide some detail, that for me seemed to differentiate between the 62 and Fleetwood, thinking it might resolve some doubts. I learn from this site daily and have enjoyed it for many years.
While my girls may say “No-ah”, I’d still want this car. It has everything an old Motorhead like me could ever
want. Room, ride, power, who could ask for more? Would make a dynamite trip car for a trip back home
to see family and friends in Illinois. Yes folks, I’ll more than likely dream
about owning this one during a power
nap before going to work at my store
in the morning. Just wait til Angel
sees this one! She’ll be tickled pink;
A big Thank you to the BARN FINDS team.👍. In times like these, it’s great to have a place in the BARN to view some beautiful (and sometimes NOT so beautiful 🤮) vehicles, exchange opinions, and have a brief respit from an increasingly wacky world. After all, the Holy Family took refuge in a Barn. 🌟
Don’t confuse the vent window control for “crank” windows.
You WILL OWN THE ROAD once you get in the pilot seat, everything in front of you will pull over just to get a better look at it once it rumbles past them. There are some really nice cars out there, but this is not one of them. This is a work of art on four wheels!
I’ve been owning and driving Cadillacs since 1970. I am a mechanic and work on all makes. Cadillacs are not only just superior in looks and design but they far surpass every other vehicle mechanically. The American standard for the word “best” has always been CADILLAC!
Hey, AL, great minds…👍 I’ve loved LAND YACHTS for years and have frequently shared similar thoughts. It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! What’s NOT to love? 🤣
Alright, alright, boys, stop arguing!
Rick, I love your enthusiasm. AAAZ, thank you for the photos. I was going to chime in that if the seller REALLY wants to make this an outward appearance Fleetwood, he needs more than the chrome rear quarters and skirts. He needs a Fleetwoot trunk lid, taillights and bumper. Back in 1955 through 1958 Cadillac used the same front clips but different rears to differentiate the different models. Plus, a real Fleetwood would have a much more luxurious interior.
This particular vehicle IS a Series 62, but has a good start on being a Fleetwood clone.
Personally, if I wanted a Fleetwood I’d get a Fleetwood but kutos to the seller for being honest in his ad.
Thank you, Rick! 🎄 Merry Christmas
Glad we got the “regular Series 62” question resolved. Dad bought a 1958 Cadillac Series 62 Extended Deck Model (11” rear frame extension) in ‘61. The ‘53 was getting long of tooth, he didn’t want to take the depreciation on a new ‘61, and the ‘59-‘60 were too flamboyant for his tastes. It was quite an automobile, as is the subject car.
Hey Binky
That’s another thing that’s rarely mentioned on here, not very well known I’m sure, but in 1961, ’62 & ’63 you could order your Cadillac with a shorter rear deck and quarters. Not very popular. Not sure if it was because no one knew about it or just didn’t like it. It did throw the proportions off. I honestly can remember what the chop off was and I’m too lazy to look it up. Somewhere in the area of 6 to 12 inches.
When my sister had a ’61 Series 62 I did research on it then, that’s how I found out. That was around ’65/’66
Well, Angel, count me among the probably millions who, as Johnny Carson said, “I did not know that!” But I was 7-9 years old in those 3 years and my Dad still had a ’56 International pickup and a ’60 Buick LeSabre neither of which had a radio. So Cadillacs were pretty much out of my interest range other than looking at them. Probably why I owned the first a/c car in the family, a ’70 Caprice, just to satisfy the luxury hunger I still have for cars!
ANGEL, JON, and ALL Barn Finders. I Thoroughly enjoy our camaraderie discussing (trying to avoid cussing), and sometimes shooting the 💩. As we await Santa 🎅, Here’s wishing everyone a Very, Happy,Merry HanaKwanzaMas! 😉. Again, watch out for low flying reindeer! Grandma 👵 never did recover 😪
Right back at you, Rick. Merry Christmas Everyone.
You too Rick and thanks!
Anytime I see a black car especially a luxobarge like this one I have to lock myself in the house and throw the keys out of the window. My weakness is the 1957-1958 Eldorado convertible.
It’s great when an owner picks his car apart and when you go look at it you say to yourself oh it’s really not that bad. First order of business for me would be to do a mechanical refresh. Nothing gets made more fun of than to see a Cadillac or Lincoln broken down on the road. Next absent of any body repair i would put a mirror black paint finish on it. And add some 3″ Whitehall tires.
Did any other eagle eye notice the collectors plate from Minnesota on the front and the Iowa plate on the rear?
Love the 3″ whites, Frog. You’re my kind of man! So is every other classic car collector. 😆🤪
I love it when BF posts Cadillacs & Lincolns, all my favorite guys come out and post & I usually learn something.
🎄🎄🎄🎄
@Angel
The land yachts without them is like corn flakes without milk and sugar.
Hi Angel! The ’58 Lincoln is coming along just fine and I plan to do some
work on it while the girls make Christmas dinner tomorrow. Almost
got the “18 Silverado done with good
riddance! That truck has been a pain
in my ass ever since I laid it out 3 months ago. I enjoy doing portraits of older cars as they have more character than any of the new stuff
out there. If I tried to do my K5, that
car would look very disjointed to be sure. Well Angel, it’s time for me to
start a Christmas 🎄 movie marathon of sorts. Starting off with Scrooge with Alistair Simm and maybe end it
with Miracle On 34th Street with John
Payne and Natalie Wood. And for the
filling, It’s A Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. I still wish we could watch them together and maybe, just maybe, I would get the chance to hold your hand.
Man I just wish I had the space and time to do this beauty. This thing is an investment that is guaranteed to double in price and add a little bit like chrome them Caddy valve covers and invest in a dual quad set up for that stock mill. Then the sky is the limit but my problem is I’d want to keep it then!
To Heartbreaker AL. Y’ou’d better just KEEP it , then — buecause,loning owning it and driving it is whatit’s all about. But this once probably ain’t goin’ up in value, because of its age and the ages of buyers. Just as pre-war cars collapsed, then post-war ones did too; so will many late 1950sv classics soon: it’s a matter of who remembers them. We who are miles beyong eighty love these cars; but younger folks don’t even recognise one from anouther in this eara and mostly could not care less at this point. If youbarex47-years-old, you wantvto drive what YOU remember desiring as a kid — anf this weren’t it!
To Heartbreaker AL. You’d better just KEEP it, then — because loving owning it and driving it is what it’s all about. But this one probably ain’t goin’ up in value, because of its age and the ages of buyers. Just as pre-war cars collapsed, then post-war ones did too; so will many late 1950s classics soon: it’s a matter of who remembers them. We who are miles beyond eighty love these cars; but younger folks don’t even recognise one from another in this era and mostly could not care less at this point. If you are 47-years-old, you want to drive what YOU remember desiring as a kid — and this weren’t it!