If awards were being handed out for the most dominating tail fins from the fifties era, I’m pretty sure the 1959 Cadillac would earn a trophy as tall as the highest point on its very large quarter panels. While Cadillac undoubtedly met its styling goal for the rear section here, the rest of the body is shaped beautifully as well, making the ’59 one of the more coveted luxury offerings from the period. This 1959 Cadillac Series 6200 needs restoration, and while the sheet metal has a few rough spots, the frame appears reasonably solid. Located in La Center, Washington, this one can be found here on eBay, where the seller has set his no-haggle price at $18,750. However, he’s also enabled the make-offer button, in case potential buyers feel that number is a bit optimistic.
The seller begins by telling us that his Cadillac has been stored tarped for more than three decades, so it must have been the car’s first half-life that allowed for all that patina to develop on the exterior. Unfortunately, there are a few areas beyond just surface fading, as some actual rust has developed in the fenders and on the driver’s side quarter panel. On a more positive note, this one seems pretty much complete on the outside, and the seller notes that the frame appears solid. It’s also a plus that the paint is still original, offering assurance that this 62 has likely never been in an accident.
Inside, most components also appear to be present, but many will require refurbishing or replacement. At a minimum, both the front and rear seats will need new upholstery and perhaps a deeper refreshing. It’s interesting to note some of the items this one was manufactured without, such as a radio, and there are no power windows or A/C either. Down below, the floors show some corrosion, but a complete replacement sheet-metal set is included.
The only mention of the engine is that the belts are still on it, with the seller providing no clues as to whether or not it will still turn. However, he does mention that putting an LS in the bay might be satisfying, but it will ultimately be up to the buyer to decide whether to get the 390 running again or install something different. This 1959 Cadillac Series 6200 is one of those cars I could appreciate being restored to near-factory specs, but it also seems like a good candidate for turning into a Restomod. What direction would you go in here?
Power windows, power seat, radio and AC were all extra cost options for the 1959 Sixty-Two coupe. The dashboard indicates the optional heater was installed.
Having been involved in one of thee restorations back in the 90’s having the chrome alone is insane. Makes restoring a wood boat seems easy. They are cool, and this one has some insane lines. But all I see is that front grill and have PTSD.
With no A/C, radio, or power windows, this Series 62 would have been one of the least expensive Cadillacs available in 1959. I’m picturing a young, newly promoted manager trading in his 1956 Olds Super 88 and stretching his budget for the added prestige of a Cadillac, even if it’s sparsely equipped.
Living on edge of means…
Perhaps..
Driving to the office with the windows up in August pretending
the car has AC 😜
Maybe he went to Hometown Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac thinking that he might be able to trade the Super 88 in on a Ninety-Eight. He arrived at the dealership and discovered this entry-level Cadillac on the showroom floor, next to Ninety-Eights that actually cost more.
My father in law had two. The one he bought for “parts” my brother in law drove it from California to Connecticut… for “parts” LOL! Needless to say it was never raided for parts, and both were eventually sold off after his death.
This looks like two-wife project
man, what a cool ride. this was the standard of the world in 59 now she’s a shadow of her formal self. very poor storage conditions for sure and once you get into this it will be worse than it looks. total shame this was left to happen. seller should have at least put the caps on and give her some dignity.
$18750 just for the opportunity to be able to spend $1000’s more? Not for me!
The harsh reality of the cost of restoring this probably condemns this finned piece of automotive expression to remain a deteriorating relic of the past. The only chance this car has for a better fate is if a Cadillac enthusiast with really deep pockets and the ability to ignore financial prudence takes it on. Not thinking that’s going to happen at the ask. The seller will surely need GLWTS.
Is there any haggling about the fact I can see the ground from the interior pics? Haggle me this and drop the one off your price to actually sell it.
That has to be one of only a handful of 1959 “radio delete” Cadillacs. That alone makes it a real oddball car–I love it! No electric windows to have to fix, either. I”ll bet it is a manual front seat adjustment, too.
Pro Street or Pro Mod candidate here and leave the patina
Two words-Cadillac Ranch……
Sometimes you just have to walk away. While I love these old Caddies hear restoring them can be more than a bottomless pit from what I’ve heard and other commentators are confirming. Too bad, this was once a beyond grand ride!
I feel that when the seller was typing out his post, his finger slipped and he meant to type $1875 as in $1,875.00 or he was typing too fast and left out the last zero. Either way, that’s all it’s worth.
Someone had to say it.
A good friend of mine had a 59 Caddy that was equipped just like that. It was originally the top prize in a fireman’s raffle.
Land barge in its time but it does have a lot of rust and it needs A LOT of love here. Maybe like another comment here make it a restomod even though I am not a fan of restomod or use it with another Caddy to make one.
I have to agree with the sentiments expressed here. While ’59 hard top Caddy’s are worth a chunk of $$ It also takes a chunk of $$ to restore one. Sadly, I’d say the best outcome of this ol’ girl, for whoever owns it, would be to cut it up for a cool love seat, or wall art.
Deadly fins! Don’t fall on these things.
Price is to high, but, if the price was right, get it running, stopping, and keep it as a Rat Rod.
Check that frame carefully, be prepared to replace body bushings too.
Those fins should come with their own zip codes.
Dang….back when the Hard Rock Cafe was going – we were selling the cut-off back end on these 1959’s for more than the ask ! We sold all we could while the owner had a coupe like this parked since 1968 under his carport.
Seller has set a No haggle price at $18750.00 buy it now, WITH the option to make an offer of more if you think that’s not high enough. As uncle Frank would say , ” It only costs a little more to go first class! ” Yes this is true story my uncle Frank did have a 1959 Cadillac , and he did say that to my Dad who had a lowly 1956 Mercury Monclair. Back in the day, a few decades ago .
Mexican blanket for a seat cover, chrome paint from a spray can, white tire paint, and a pair of dice from the mirror? What more can a man ask for, other than that gasoline alley model on a weekend coffee and cars meet
I hope this land yacht gets the respect it deserves and the right new owner sees it as an investment, no matter the cost.
Same shade of yellow that our ’59 was. Ours had crank windows and a radio along with a
heater. Boy what a tank that thing was! Got us through the blizzard of ’67 just fine. Throw 4
25 pound bags of cat litter in the trunk, and you had a damned good snowmobile! And pointy fins you say? I got stabbed in the
back one day playing catch in the
driveway with my friends. I was
really concentrating on catching
a football 🏈 and backed into one
of the tailfins. It knocked the wind 🌬️ out of me and left a nasty bruise on my back for awhile, but it wasn’t long before I
was outside playing ball 🏈 again. Shoot, not long after that, I
flew off a merry go round and landed flat on my back on concrete! Still had the bruise and
scraped the hell out of myself. Who says you need a gas powered pogo to get hurt on?!!
I did that all by myself in 2 easy
lessons! As for this forlorn Cadillac, a fuel injected 472 with
either a T 400 automatic or an M-22 rock crusher 4-speed would tickle my fancy just fine.
…And I can just see Angel 😇 rowing through the gears too!