The concept of a cheap Cadillac seems like an oxymoron, but that is potentially what is on offer with this 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible. It has some rust issues, but these look like they would be easy to address. It would be a prime candidate for restoration, although the seller raises the tantalizing prospect of using it as the base for a ratrod build. If the buyer followed that path, the result would be a very distinctive and unique vehicle. If you find that prospect tempting, you will find the Cadillac located in Mara, British Columbia, Canada, and listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has crawled to $2,600 in a No Reserve auction. If the action doesn’t heat up, somebody could score this Cadillac project at a very affordable price.

While its exterior is now pretty tired and baked, you can still see evidence of this Caddy’s original Pompeian Red paint. It would have cut a dashing figure in its prime, but those days could be well behind it now. That situation could change if someone is willing to take this car in hand and return it to something resembling its former glory. The seller raises the prospect of a ratrod project, and the car’s overall appearance would make it a prime candidate for such an undertaking. You don’t often see a Cadillac used for that purpose, so the result would be a distinctive vehicle. The owner reveals that the floors in this Convertible are rotten thanks to a leaking top and old carpet. He began to cut them out but lost motivation with the project early. That means that the buyer will need to source new floors and break out the grinder and welder to address these problems. Exterior rust seems limited to a few minor spots in the front fenders and one rocker, along with the hood and trunk lips. The remaining panels are in good condition and have only accumulated some minor dents and bruises. It seems that most of the exterior trim is intact, although much of it will need a trip to the platers if it is to present at its best once again. There is a hole in the windshield, but the remaining tinted glass is intact.

The engine bay of this Cadillac is filled with little more than some fresh air. It would originally have featured a 390ci V8 that produced 300hp and a four-speed Hydramatic transmission. The seller indicates that both components had deteriorated beyond the point of no return, so he junked them. That leaves the buyer with some choices to make. They could source a date-correct engine and transmission if they planned a faithful restoration, although slotting something different under the hood would not be difficult. The seller indicates that he planned an LS6 transplant, but this never eventuated. That is one option to pursue, although there may also be cheaper options worth considering. The interior is incomplete, although the dash and pad are good. The front and rear seat base had been afflicted by rust, motivating the seller to throw them in the bin. He does have a set of Eldorado buckets with the center compartment that he may be willing to sell to the successful bidder if they are interested. Otherwise, the buyer will need to source virtually an entire interior. That could potentially leave this aspect of the Convertible as a blank canvas if they wish to try something slightly left-field.

What would be your ultimate aim if you were to stake your claim on this 1961 Cadillac Convertible? Is this a car that you would treat to a faithful restoration, or would you restore its panels and paint and drop a different engine under the hood? Alternatively, you could follow the seller’s line of thought and treat this as a ratrod build. There are no right or wrong answers in a case like this, only the limits of the buyer’s imagination. Would you be tempted to throw your hat into the ring if the bidding stays at its current level? Come on and let your mind run riot. You never know, but you might like the results enough to take it further.