The word “iconic” is probably overused in the classic car world, but if we consider the fins trend of the late 1950s, there are few that are more iconic than those that found their way onto the 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. They were a defining feature of the car’s styling when it was new, and they remain instantly recognizable today. This Coupe de Ville is an original survivor, and it is being offered for sale here on eBay as a turn-key proposition. Located in Brooks, Kentucky, spirited bidding has pushed the price along to $49,800. The bidding has moved past the reserve, so a new home is mere days away for the cool Caddy.

The Coupe de Ville has only belonged to two families since it was new, and it spent most of its life in California. That has helped it to remain rust-free. The owner provides some clear photos of the vehicle’s underside, and it as clean and solid as you are likely to find. There’s no evidence of any rust or surface corrosion and no signs of any fluid leaks. The Ebony Black paint that graces its panels is claimed to be original, with the owner finding no noticeable repair or repaint work. It shows its age, but if the buyer is looking for a classic that can hold its head high as an original survivor, this one would seem to tick that box. The bumpers could probably stand a trip to the platers if the buyer is considering undertaking a cosmetic refresh of the vehicle, but that is by no means a necessity. All of the remaining trim is present, and it shows no signs of problems. The E-Z-Eye tinted glass appears to be free from cracks or other issues, while the new whitewall tires add the perfect finishing touch to this Cadillac.

The Cadillac is a numbers-matching vehicle, with the engine bay housing a 390ci V8 and a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission. There is no denying that at 4,890lbs, the Coupe de Ville is a heavy beast. However, the 304hp produced by that V8 should send it through the ¼ mile in 18 seconds and on to a top speed of 122mph. Mind you, those sorts of numbers weren’t usually something that most de Ville owners would concern themselves with. Their focus was generally on a relaxed and effortless driving experience, and with power steering also provided by Cadillac as a standard feature, this car meets that criteria. The owner has gone through the Caddy to ensure that it is in sound mechanical health. He has replaced the fuel tank and lines, along with most of the braking components. He also installed a new water pump and carburetor, although the original parts are included in the sale. This classic now runs and drives perfectly, with no issues or vices. The owner supplies this YouTube video. It consists of a walk around and also provides an opportunity to hear the vehicle running and driving. It sounds fantastic and seems to support the owner’s claims about the car.

While the paint isn’t bad, the exterior deterioration had me initially worried about the state of the interior trim. My concerns have proven to be unfounded because the interior presents well. One of the few faults that I could spot is some lifting on the dash pad near the gauges, but I believe that an upholsterer should be able to fix this. The upholstery is a combination of Silver/Black Coronado Metallic Cloth & White leather, and it shows no evidence of wear or fading. The rear seat has no sun rot, while the remaining upholstered surfaces, carpet, and headliner all appear to be in excellent order. A luxury car deserves plenty of creature comforts, and this Coupe de Ville doesn’t disappoint on that front. It comes equipped with air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power front seat, a power antenna, and a rear defroster. The owner says that everything, including all lights and gauges, function as they should. The exception is the factory radio, so this will require further investigation.

I’m sure that if you went out searching in the market that you would find a nicer 1959 Cadillac de Ville than our feature car, but this one carries its survivor tag like a badge of honor. From the Ebony Black paint to the luxurious interior, there is a lot to like with this classic. Those enormous rear fins and the bullet taillights leave no one in any doubt as to what this car is. The designers didn’t create the shape to blend into the background like some automotive chameleon. They wanted it to make a statement and to make it loud and clear. Owning a new ’59 Coupe de Ville meant telling the world that you were a success and that you weren’t afraid to let people know this. There was no shortage of people willing to make that statement, and this would help to explain why 21,947 buyers chose to park a Coupe de Ville in their garage during that model year. It isn’t clear how many survive today, but they are a popular vehicle in the classic market. The 28 bids that have already been submitted on this one stand as a testament to that, and they will ensure that a new home is mere days away. Do you like the Cadillac enough to make a play to park it in your driveway?