What in the Sam Hill is an “opera coupe”? Something one drives to the opera? Maybe, whatever the case, this 1937 Cadillac Series 60 opera coupe doesn’t look as if it has experienced any Pavoratti in a very long time. It has very cool lines, no doubt, but it’s definitely a project and probably something more fitting for ZZ Top than Placido Domingo. Anyway, some interesting changes have occurred with this Caddy but now it’s dormant and the seller is looking to move it to a new home. Located in Blooming Prarie, Minnesota, this fabulous Harley Earl-designed coupe is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $4,350 with seventeen bids tendered so far.
The Cadillac Sixty Series was offered between 1936 and 1938 as a sort of entry-level model. Four body styles were offered on this shorter wheelbase platform, including four-door tourers and convertibles, as well as a two-door convertible and, technically, a Club Coupe – no word if operatic endeavors were its strong suit. Total Sixty Series production was about 7K units in ’37 and they were overshadowed by bigger, more luxurious models in the Seventy, Seventy-Five, Eighty-Five, and Ninety Series automobiles.
The story here is that this Club Coupe has been sitting for decades. Somewhere in its past, the 135 HP, 346 CI, flathead V8 engine, now taking up residence in the trunk, was swapped for a Oldsmobile 394 CI V8 which is in turn hitched to a Hydramatic automatic transmission. Apparently, the Rocket V8 is detained at the launch pad as it’s stuck and doesn’t turn over.
Considered to be solid, the body, X-frame, and floors show as sound. The trunk floor is exhibiting some rust-through, and the body is adorned in surface rust, but it’s certainly not notably deteriorated. The trim, running boards, and bumpers are still hanging on but the bumpers are going to need refinishing – a small matter really. The prominent Oldsmobile grille is surprisingly untouched but this car’s neatest feature is its small, split rear window. It’s probably not much on visibility but it makes for quite a styling statement.
The interior is suitably worn but the sideways-facing jump seats are still in place. That said, they were either designed for kids or people back in ’37 must have had short legs. The instrument panel shows as original but it’s all intact and projects an Art Deco theme – very stylish. The environment is going to need a redo but it’s a treat to find it all there, very original, and not overly damaged by rodents or weather.
The seller suggests, “I was able to purchase it 8 years ago with intentions of building a unique street rod. Same old story, I finally retired after 45 years in the restoration business but now have way too many projects to finish, so this one has to go“. Yes, a street/hot rod seems the likely destination for a Caddy of this vintage, especially one that has already experienced an engine switcheroo. There are many different directions a new owner could take this car – back to stock, however, is probably not in the cards. There are two days to go with the auction and the bidding has stayed at $4,350, all day, with no increase. I’ll be curious to see where this Cadillac Series 60 coupe tops out. You just never know…besides, it ain’t over until the fat lady sings, right?
If a person can get the Olds 394 going again, This could be a gorgeous resto-mod made to appear stock! Appearance-wise I’d restore it, but make sure it has modern conveniences like power steering/disc brakes, etc. These are far too few anymore, and this one looks fairly solid. The Cadillac-LaSalle club is an excellent source for help!
That engine/transmission combination is a great reason to buy and restore this car. Plenty of power and the best transmission made in that era. had the same in my ’53 Studebaker and it was fun to drive.
If it’s been molested, it’s not a survivor.
There’s no claim, in the listing or the write-up, to this car being a survivor. And there wouldn’t be considering the engine swap.
JO
I’d call it a survivor. It’s still here isn’t it?
We, collectively, at BF try to stick to the term, Survivor, as an original, unmodified and unrestored car. A repaint will get the survivor title nixed. The reason for the strict terminology use is because some sellers will offer a really nice looking old car for sale, one where everything has been replaced, and call it a survivor. If all of the stuff hadn’t been replaced, it likely wouldn’t have survived. Same thing with this Caddy, if it had stuck with its original engine maybe it would no longer exist, the Olds powerplant could have been its salvation.
JO
This would be fun personally I would see if I could get the engine running hopefully its not just a boat anchor then do a hand sanding to get the crusty rust off.
That Olds engine is a nice piece to set aside for some vintage Oldsmobile in need. I would replace it with a readily available 500 Caddy mill from some 70’s cruiser, with an orig. TH400 behind it, now your talking 500 horses and 500 pounds of torque. Cadillacs live forever!!
’70 caddy 500 was 400 horse, & lower later.
Even a 472 would be nice. Or even an earlier 429!
It’s really a business coupe with a Cadillac badge. But your typical salesman couldn’t afford this one.
My late Father was in sales from the mid 60’s to the mid 90’s. He drove nothing but Cadillacs and Lincolns. He always said that people want to deal with someone that is successful.
My successful father said the same thing Tony! Which is why, as a salesman myself, I first drove Olds Toronados, then big Buicks and then Cadillacs ever after.
It isn’t a business coupe, it is an Opera Coupe and the reason is the two “jump seats” in the rear are facing each other so that two people could sit facing each other. A friend of mine had a 1948? Nash Opera Coupe and two of us managed to sit in the rear fairly comfortably.
Ralph,
This is indeed an Opera Coupe with those 2 folding seats in the back. A business coupe has seating for 3 across the front seat only, and storage behind the seat for luggage or sample boxes.
Any pre-war Cadillac with 2 doors is rare, as the vast majority were sedans. Based on what I see in the photo with the car on a lift, The Olds drive train appears to simply be sitting in place, no trans linkage, drive shaft, or motor/trans mounts. Since this car is so rare, pre-war Cadillac engines & transmissions are not hard to find, and it appears no real changes have occurred other than the engine & trans change, I would suggest returning the car to what it was originally.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to a responsible person. NO LS swap, NO th400, NO independent suspension etc etc.
Can someone please just have a nice original restored car?
The pool of people who would want this as an original restored car is shrinking everyday. In ten years nobody will want this car if it has to be babied or worked on every time you drive it. And if something in the drivetrain needs replacing on it in ten years? The people that have the parts hoarded will be gone. Best bet for this car is an update to make it reliable and fun to drive with off the shelf parts. I’m hopeful people can see what’s going on and our automotive hobby can survive a while longer. Think about it.
If it lasted this long and you do a refresh now I highly doubt you will have any trouble with it before you die
As a kid growing up in the 1950s & ’60s I heard that same basic claim. While the values of “average” vehicles start to decline slightly as they become less collected, there has always been an interest in “your father’s Oldsmobile”, and those people who hoarded the parts end up selling them or let their heirs do it for them.
I remember many people claiming that 1960s and 1970s cars will never be restored due to things like plastic components or poor manufacturing methods, even lack of parts because the dealers & manufacturers were pressured to dispose of older spare parts. In the 1980s I heard even more claims that Japanese cars like the early Datsun “Z” cars would not be collectible due to few people wanting to restore them, and parts being difficult to find.
Well for the most part, those warnings never came to fruition. I guess that’s why beautiful examples of 1960s Pontiac GTOs are selling for upwards of six figure prices, early Z cars can bring $75k, and organizations like SEMA [with members who offer reproduction parts] have grown so large.
3 common reasons people still restore and buy/sell vintage cars:
1. Rarity, and this car is rare.
2. Original factory price. Traditionally the more expensive a car was when new, it will command more money today.
3. Horsepower. While it’s not a hotrod by today’s standards, the 1937 Cadillac was one of the most powerful American car built that year.
I like the stance this car has even with the old v8 flatly block sitting in the trunk. There must be some life left in the rear suspension still. I just bought a tear drop camper that has art deco styling and the identical split window. I think the camper and the Caddy Opera Coupe are made for each other. I can just picture the little tear drop tagging along behind what would be a mild testimony on the way to the Adirondacks for some old fashion camping.
A mild restomod. Spell check needs a subscription to Barnfinds.
This won’t be a fast car, without getting ridiculous investment. I’d swap it to modern straight 6 or Lexus drivetrain from one of the 400 series. Caddy is supposed to be smooth. It’s enough there to do something better, different and reliable. There is a Nash with Toyota Cressida (straight 6 first Lexus) but no indication what’s underneath. Properly done daily driver with the brakes, driveline and transmission. This Caddy as fuel uncertainty becomes the norm, going heavy and thirsty, you might end up stuck with it as a thirsty swap. Oh wait, like exactly what happened.
Well I have had 2 of the 37 Opera Coupe’s one in 55 I drove to high school good running car, then found another one in 79 and completely restored kept it till 96 fun car’s to have.
I have a 37 Pontiac Sport Coupe with those same sideways facing jump seats in the back. You not only need short legs but you also need a small butt.