In 1959, buyers faced a wide choice when selecting a luxury car. Rolls-Royce produced cars with restrained taste and styling, while Cadillac proudly strode a more extroverted path. Its offerings were bold and distinctive, with their owners loudly and proudly proclaiming to the world that they were a success and weren’t afraid for anyone to know it. This 1959 Convertible recently emerged from a private collection with 32,000 miles on the clock. Its presentation is exceptional, and it has generated enormous interest since its owner listed it here on eBay in Plano, Texas. Bidding remains below the reserve at $120,100, although there is a BIN of $169,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Fins, glorious fins! If any styling feature demonstrates the fickle nature of the automotive industry and buying public, these are it. Although Chrysler is often considered the king of the fin, those on the 1959 Cadillac still posed a threat to low-flying aircraft. History shows they peaked in 1959, shrinking considerably the following year. By 1961, they had virtually disappeared as buyers sought my subtle looks. The fins and iconic bullet taillights leave no doubt as to which year this car emerged. Those features don’t impress some people, but I think they perfectly reflect US confidence during the 1950s. Admittedly, the economy had slowed when this car rolled off the line, but it bubbled enthusiastically when the stylists signed off on this design. This Convertible presents as superbly as you might expect from any vehicle owned by a passionate enthusiast. Its Code 14 Silver paint shines richly, exhibiting none of the patchiness that can plague this shade. It cloaks panels that are laser straight, featuring tight and consistent gaps. The White power top looks flawless, while the acres of chrome sparkle as nicely as it would have done when the first owner drove the car off the showroom floor. The underside shots confirm this classic is 100% rust-free, with an even layer of undercoat to keep the problems at bay.
Any car that tips the scales at 5,030 lbs requires something special under the hood to offer acceptable performance. Cadillac came to the party with a 390ci V8 producing 325hp. Given its luxury credentials, including a four-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes is par for the course. Buyers were generally less concerned about outright performance, focusing more on an effortless driving experience. However, for a car of this type, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 17.7 seconds remains impressive. The seller claims this Convertible has a genuine 32,000 miles on the clock, and it appears they hold verifying evidence in the enormous collection of included documentation. It runs and drives perfectly, meaning it’s ready for some relaxed top-down touring with a new owner behind the wheel.
Buyers paid a premium price for their new 1959 Cadillac, so they expected a car that provided a memorable motoring experience. Therefore, finding this Convertible equipped with air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power front seat, an Autronic eye, and an AM radio is unsurprising. The Black leather upholstery features character wrinkles but no wear or other damage. The same applies to the remaining upholstered surfaces, carpet, and dash. There is a cover over the pad, so I can’t assess its condition. However, the consistent presentation suggests all should be well in that area. If that is accurate, this interior needs nothing.
When a classic car’s price climbs into six-figure territory, the pool of potential buyers generally shrinks significantly. However, this 1959 Cadillac has attracted forty-two bids from seven people, suggesting they like what they see. As the 1960s progressed, owners struggled to give these cars away. The fins that defined the model had become embarrassing as styling became more crisp and restrained. Today, these are one of the motoring “must haves,” and the intense interest generated by this car demonstrates that. As this auction draws to a close, I will be unsurprised if someone throws caution to the wind and hits the BIN button. If they do, they will slip behind the wheel that has become an icon and can’t help but attract attention and admiration. Have you ever owned a ’59 Cadillac? Was the experience enjoyable enough for you to consider pursuing this one? If so, I wish you luck in your quest.
I believe this may be a car that Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars highlighted on one of his episodes. If it is, he purchased it from the original owner family a few years back. If not, then there’s 2 of these!
Fantastic car, out of reach for me:-)
$169,000? That would probably be the cost to rechrome
all the bright work on this.
Wow, what a car. The only thing better than this would be one in black.
My first car when I became of age to drive in 73, was a real nice 59 4dr hdtp, paid $500 for it. It was actually pretty fun to drive, had some good get up and go, considering the heft, good memories, especially of the huge backseat, but I won’t go there. Lol. Nice cars, but not $169,000 nice. Lord almighty.
Agreed. I’d say take away that 1 from the price and it would be more reasonable no matter how big those fins are.
_”good memories, especially of the huge backseat, but I won’t go there.”_ Uhh, you do know that that’s what your house, hotels and motels are for that kind of activity, right ? Not something you do in cars, at least that’s my understanding.
The days of finding absolute jewels like this are quickly fading. All I want to know is, where on earth was this car stored to only have 32K miles on it?! (I wonder if the top is newer. Too white to be original)
This is easily a textbook original example as a benchmark for anyone restoring one of these. Gorgeous.
There is nothing original about this Convertible. Silver was not a color offered in 1959, nor was solid black. It is striking color scheme for a newer vehicle, but there were so many colors from the 1950s that were much more period correct.
1959 Cadillac paint code 14 is Silver Poly, while paint code 92 is Argent Poly, a standard choice on Eldorado Biarritz and extra-cost for lesser models of Cadillacs.
Trim 21 “Black Leeds Grain Leather, Black carpet”
Code 14, Silver Poly (met). We had one like it in the 80s, but it had a black & white interior. We color changed it because the silver did not do the car justice. And where’d you get the idea that black wasn’t a Cad color????? I do agree that it’s probably the worst color you could put on one. No contrast w/all the chrome and stainless.
I’m in Australia and owned the world’s only know 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz that came from the factory with all the most desired specs – Body paint Persian Sand (the sandy pink color). known colloquially as ‘triple Persian Sand, as the interior (Bronze) and convertible top (Prairie Plum) matched the body color…factory bucket seats and all options.
I drove the car for 18 years around Sydney, then the Gold Coast where I now live.
I moved to a house on a steep hill with near 90 degree slope, and the car would ‘choke’ when trying to climb the hill (the triple carbie floats didn’t like that hill). I would lose all power (brakes and steering) each time I tried to climb the hill, and would nervously try to reverse, inch-by-inch down the hill with my foot pressed hard on the non-existent power brakes. At the foot of the hill, I’d start her up, and reverse up the hill. Eventually the novelty and love of this magnificent car wore off, and I never drove it. I sold her for a record price at the time. She now resides in Canada. I researched the history of the car, and what a life she led. A truly one-off.
I’ve owned many American cars down under – all of which I imported. I currently have a ‘Jubilee Gold’ 1978 Lincoln Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition with moonroof, 13,000 original miles in mint condition and a 1966 ‘Trumpet Gold’ 1966 Toronado, undergoing a nut-and-bolt frame-off restoration.
Owning the best 1959 Cadillac convertible (Biarrtiz) was a lot of fun for nearly 2 decades, and a wonderful daily driver for my wife and me, and our 2 kids at the time, but I would take the Diamond Jubilee over the Biarritz any day.
Hey Panther, any car would struggle with a ‘near 90 degree slope’…..that’s almost vertical! ;-) Cheers from Central Coast
Yes, smaller 4 cylinder cars or vans chug up like the little red caboose.
My 1978 Diamond Jubilee Lincoln with a 460 powers up. My wife’s 2022 Mustang GT (5L V8) zips up in seconds.
Worth the climb for the views at the top. 😲
Sounds like you were living the American dream down under.
This model Caddy was one of the many fantastic convertible sleds Perry Mason piloted Paul drake was partial to Thunderbird converts….
My wife had a turquoise 1964 Thunderbird convertible as her daily driver for many years. She now drives a red with black stripes 2022 Mustang. Before that she drone a Chrysler 300.
We are quite tragic Aussie American car nuts. 😁
I saw a 59? Caddy convertible in a collection once that had no fins. The owner said it was a special built car of some sort. I checked inside the trunk and it looked factory. Anyone know what it might have been?
Passed up a ’59 convertible at an auction at the Portland Expo Center about 15 years ago. It was a “canary yellow” with a “butter scotch” leather interior. It was a stunning running and driving example from Idaho. I believe the hammer hit at $14,000 and left me stunned. The fins and taillights are my favorite of any car ever built foreign or domestic.
That would have been the steal of the century
When I moved to Las Vegas in 1975 I answered an ad for a 59 Coupe de Ville a widow was selling for $650. I needed a second car but money was tight, but I went and looked at it anyway.
Her late husband did all the driving and she didn’t even have a license.
It was very clean, nicely maintained and I offered her all the money I had to spend, $600.
She said that I was “a very nice and charming young man”, but the ad was only to run a couple more days and since I was the only one to actually come and look at it, if I didn’t mind, could we let the ad finish running and if nobody else offered her more, she would let me have it for the $600.
She called the next day she called and told me that a car dealer gave her the whole $650.
🎶🎵If it weren’t for bad luck…🎶🎵
I live in the uk I own a 59 galaxie convertible and a 64 mercury convertible but still waiting to win the lottery to get one of these Cadillacs dream on but watch Quentin Wilson on YouTube all about the 59 caddy
Fabulous to drive. I bought a lavender with white and black interior convertible in 1985 at a police impound for a hundred bucks. Not a super nice copy but a faded decent driving thing. The best part was it was optioned nicely, cruise, trunk pull down and so on. Drove it until the tranny acted up, got ripped off for 850.00 for a rebuild in 1990 and never drove it again. It rests in piece in a garage next to a 60 Seville I replaced it with and drove the wheels off of through the early 2000s. Nice copies like this bring what they are asking or more. Ones like mine are junk and the costs to restore far out weigh their value aside from parts. Whether original or not this is a stunning example that will never loose value.