In the 1950s and 1960s, Cadillacs were among the most popular cars chosen for conversion into ambulances, hearses, flower cars, and even parade cars. There were several small companies known for that type of work, but we don’t know which one is responsible for producing this 1959 Cadillac. We’re not sure either as to which series was chosen for the basis, such as a Series 62 4-door hardtop or Fleetwood 75 limo. But it’s a 4-door convertible today and part of an estate sale. Located in Palm Coast, Florida, this project is available here on craigslist for $15,900 firm. Thanks for this bigger-than-life tip, T.J.!
Since we don’t know who did this build on this ’59 Cadillac, we can’t discuss the process used to get there. Surely it was a 4-door hardtop that had the roof removed, but was any bracing done below to make the body stronger without a core piece of its construction taken away? So, it looks like what a 4-door convertible would resemble if you could get one from your resident Cadillac dealer.
What we do know is this car has had the same owner for 31 years. Said owner has passed away without leaving details on where the title is, so the giant drop-top will only be sold with a bill of sale. The vehicle appears to be in fair condition with no huge issues with the body. The once-red paint has faded a lot over the years, but those flamboyant Cadillac tailfins are still raised proudly into the air!
The odometer reading is less than 35,000 miles, but it could very well have turned over. The interior looks to be in okay shape, too, but a full restoration of the car is needed to return it to parade-ready status. It’s a shame we don’t know the history of the car and why someone would buy it in the first place. There’s a 390 V8 under the hood along with an automatic transmission, but the condition of either isn’t brought up. The seller offers to help with delivery anywhere, so perhaps a dealer or third party is the seller.
My dream is to own a 59 some day
So “parade car” means I hacked the hard top off?
You learn something new everyday.
Yup. It is not a convertible. I recognise the work. It was done by Torch and Hacksaw coachbuilders, LTD.
Thanks for a good laugh. Torch and hacksaw 😂
Could also be the name of a neighborhood bar and grill. Or the band that plays there occasionally.
The only thing I didn’t like about this car was the tail fins. I couldn’t believe my eyes when this thing showed up at dealerships. Other people must have liked them though, as I remember seeing several on the road.
These fins are the most important and coolest part of this car.
59 Cadillac looks like a jet aircraft and has a unique silhouette. And now in the days of dull, boring and shapeless cars, it looks even cooler.
The shape of this car reminds the younger generation and modern “designers” what real automotive art is!
Someone in this cars past had no problems with the tail fins. It was that dang roof that bugged them.
If they didn’t (properly?) provide extra bracing to the frame this “parade car” may fold like a taco if driven on normal streets (In California anyway)!
It has the dreaded X frame?
Yes, it’s an X frame car
No Title? NO SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make a good parts car though.
if the coach-build co.s did it, it IS road worthy. They were under a close but outstretched wing of the initial manufacturer – hada pass era current fed law. If by Torch’n Hacksaw, LTD no. Look for the documentation (plate, rivets, etc).
“…X frame…?”
Best I can do:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/221274569670
No coach builder would take the most expensive Cadillac model and cut the roof off.
This looks like a Fleetwood. They would have used a lower model for sure.
Poor 59 Fleetwood… Never could understand the desire of some people to make a convertible out of everything.
What is it with this ” lost title , bill of sale only ” BS . If you registered it you have a title , if you lost it get another one from the DMV it’s not hard . If you do not have a title in YOUR name the car does not legally belong to you and you cannot sell it . I’m in the boat business and go through this nonsense all the time , it drives me nuts .
If a buyer was serious about owning this car, they’d best ask their local PD to run the VIN and see who actually owns it. Buyer…Beware!
I hate to say it, but it looks professionally done. It’s called a parade car so there is no top. You have to admit, those fins still look great today. Just checking out the moldings around the top boot, look decent. Boot looks like it fits in the pictures, I can’t see where it looks hacked up. This mother is going to really open up your check book. Getting your money back on this one may be difficult. Do all the work yourself, you might make it and you may also enjoy doing it and seeing it come together.
I’ve restored and/or owned multiple 1959-60 Cadillacs including a couple of Eldorado Biarritz convertibles. I know them very well. Neither Cadillac or any of the authorized coachbuilders created this monster. It’s simply a Fleetwood 60s sedan with the roof removed. Note the vertical rear edge of the rear door windows. There should be another small triangular window to the rear of the doors.
A friend in Silver Spring used to collect ’59 Cadillacs and had a series 62 four door hardtop with a badly dented roof from kids jumping on it, so he cut the roof off and painted the car bright pink. His car would often have one or both of the rear doors pop open to the secondary latch position, when driven over bad roads or in hard cornering. If he jacked up one corner of the car to work on the tire or brakes, the opposite side doors wouldn’t open. His car had a shorter wheelbase than this 60s, so I suspect the flexing situation would be even worse.
This is a parts car only. Not safe to drive on the road.
After the hatchet job the seller needs to lose 10 large off the ask.
Not a drop top all all ..it’s a no top..with a fake top boot.. and if that X frame wasn’t reinforced , a curvy road with a load of people would have doors popping open or it folding like a daybed …let alone throwing it up on a lift . No title ..15k ?? This wasn’t not custom work.. it was done by hackum and botch builders … someone is pipe dreaming. All is see is a parts car now unless ypu have mad welding skills and a spare car for a top and just eons of time … you could but why? I don’t get these prices anymore.
Could also be from Neanderthal speed and custom. The overhead shot of the seats shows where the roof was hacked off. $15,900 firm?? I’ll have what he’s smoking with a Moonshine chaser. Guess it it takes all kinds. Run, Forrest, run…….
Cheers
GPC
Too bad they’re firm on the price. I wanted to make an offer of $1.689!!!! $2 would be overpaying!!
Get her running and have some fun! Believe me, you’re safer in this thing than half of the tin cans rolling around on the road today.
Need picture with top up!
“We’re not sure either as to which series was chosen for the basis, such as a Series 62 4-door hardtop or Fleetwood 75 limo.” You aren’t? Its clearly based on the Fleetwood 60 Special sedan, the only model to feature this distinctive side trim. The 75 limo was a much longer car with a different body. Check a book or pictures on the internet and you would have easily found the information! Also, unless this car has a soft top which goes up and down, its not a convertible, as it does not CONVERT. Its just a 4 door hardtop with the roof cut off.
I have been looking this vehicle over for the last two days. I do not see a picture of the complete front. That really bothers me because there are pictures all around it except the front. It appears that the hood and front fenders have rust through Does anyone see a picture of the front, I may be wrong
I can’t help thinking that engine has been under water. Looks odd. Too many rusty things that don’t normally rust.