In the mid-1950s, you couldn’t buy a nicer Cadillac than the Fleetwood 60 Special (unless it was the 75 Series limousine). They cost upwards of $5,000, which was a considerable outlay for an automobile in those days (equivalent to nearly $50,000 today). This example from 1956 is said to be in running condition with a solid body, although it will need some serious TLC, especially when it comes to the interior. Located in the hills above Santa Barbara, California, this once-status symbol is available here on craigslist for $14,500 OBO. If you also take the 1958 Edsel the seller has, he/she would take a boat with a slip in trade! Thanks for another great tip, MattR!
The 60 (or Sixty) Special dates to 1938 when GM designers Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell designed an extended wheelbase version of the Series 60. The designation was reserved for some of Cadillac’s most luxurious vehicles and was usually only available as a 4-door sedan. One of the redesigns occurred in 1954-56 when the cars rode on a very generous 133-inch wheelbase. The 1956 model year would be the last for the knobby, P38-inspired tail fins on the rear of most Cadillacs, including the 60 Special. Though Cadillac had a record sales year in 1956, 60 Special sales fell back a bit to 17,000 copies, like the seller’s car.
New that year was a larger 365 cubic-inch V8 that produced at least 285 horsepower combined with a revamped automatic transmission. Sabre Spoke wheels, which were standard on the Eldorado, became available for the 60 Special. This car has the optional – and we’re told rare – dual quad carburetors for maximum performance (and fuel consumption). The seller says this old tank runs exceptionally well, so the buyer can focus his/her attention on the appearance of the formerly stately vehicle.
The gas tank and fuel lines have been replaced and the carburetors have been rebuilt. The Caddy has been in storage on an estate property off the beaten path. The odometer reading is 60,000 miles, which could be legit if this automobile has been sitting for long periods. The green paint is quite faded, but the interior is pretty much a lost cause. New upholstery and a headliner will have to top the to-do list. If you have a boat and a slip in that part of California, maybe ya’ll can talk turkey!
Parts pictures and an Edsel. That’s enough to drive you to go buy a rusted out Mopar instead. Dumb.
The Fleetwood is definitely Cadillac’s finest owner-driven sedan (particularly with the optional dual 4-barrel carbs as on this one), but some would argue that the $6200 Eldorado was Cadillac’s finest car in 1955.
I think the Eldorado was at the top of the stack. I think new it was in the $6k range.
I really like the air cleaner!
Great price on this classic. My grandparents had one, a lighter green, but on the street no parking space could hold it with the rear extending over into the next space or past the corner curb. The way to go. To show you had the money and knew how to spend it.
Ha! They did come in dark green! I’d
love to have this one, but my bank account won’t let me. So, I’ll do the next best thing and do a portrait of it.
After I finish the ’55 Star Chief I have
on the table right now. It’s dark maroon with cream two toning. Think
I’ll use a cream top over dark green for the Caddy. I guarantee you’ll never see another one like it!
2 doors?
No mention of the factory A/C?
This could be such a special car. Paint and a new interior would do wonders.
That is decent. Is the price a typo?
Oops, saw the price now and the interior. Pass…