Time Capsule: 1956 Cadillac Series 62
The mid to late-1950s had some extravagant, over-the-top cars that could be more accurately described as art than simply machine. When it came to styling and technology, GM was at the forefront in many ways, and perhaps one of the highlights of their massive portfolio was the Cadillac series 62. This original barn-stored (since 1991) example is a time capsule, all the way down to the original dealer-installed plastic seat protectors. It has 95,000 miles logged but looks just about brand new under the dust, and is currently for sale here on eBay in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Bidding at the time of writing is at $15,200 US dollars, with a Buy-It-Now option of $45,000 US dollars.
First of all, credit to the seller for some amazing photos that really do this car justice. Take a minute to view all the photos in the listing. Second, I think it’s cool that all the dust was kept, which will allow the next owner the satisfaction of being the one to see it gleaming and clean for the first time in many years. I think this car will have some excellent before-and-after photos.
This generation of Series 62 was made for the 1954-1958 model years, so our example lands right in the middle. In profile, you can see how long and low these cars really were. Some styling features to note are the beginning of the tail-fin craze, which reached a peak (pun intended) with the 1959 Caddy. You can also see the extremely popular pillarless look, which gives it more of a hard-top look than a sedan look. The paint on this car looks to be in overall very good shape, with the beginnings of rust starting to show through on the very bottoms of the fenders, rockers, and quarter panels. The chrome and glass appear undamaged, and the newer Coker whitewall tires help to uphold the classy vibes. The original black 1956 license plate on the front bumper is a nice touch as well.
The engine is a 365 cubic inch V8, which would have pushed out 285 hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque, which was needed in such a heavy car weighing in at just over 4,400 lbs. It’s paired here to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, and we are told both the engine and transmission are in good working order.
The interior of this Cadillac completes the green-on-green-on-green theme (roof-body-interior), and as you would expect from Cadillac, it’s loaded with things like power windows, seat, brakes, and steering, as well as tinted glass, the unique Autronic Eye automatic high beams, and factory fog lights. This is a car I’d love to spend some time in. In some photos, the white seat trim looks a bit discolored, but otherwise, I can’t spot anything that needs to be fixed or replaced. I do wish that the seller had provided some close-ups of the dash, I love the design. Here’s one from another 1956 Series 62 for reference. This is a beautiful Cadillac that has obviously been cared for. Its next owner will have a very special addition to their collection.
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Comments
Duramax swap would make a great daily driver .
The seller brags on how well the plastic seat covers have protected the seats. I’m impressed the plastic isn’t discolored and hasn’t disintegrated after 50+ years. Why are there no image of how well the driver’s seat has or hasn’t been protected after 95k miles?
Front seat has plastic on it too. I’m rather curious is how it ended up in a barn in 1991. The seller has sold other vintage Cadillacs too.
Beautiful car.
I had one of these in the 70’s. Sold it for peanuts.
STILL kicking myself…..sigh!
I once bought a very similar Caddy (same color and nearly same. condition) from a thrift store! It was evidently donated by the long term owner’s family. The glovebox contained women’s leather driving gloves, “cat eye” sunglasses, and a map of Los Angeles that was pre-freeways! Still have the map-
See photo of plastic on rear seat but don’t see plastic on rear of front seat. Looks like front seat was used & rear seat unused. Knew someone had a 54 Fleetwood still drove in the 80s just wanted to keep it. The story is that Lee Dueck, President of Dueck’s on Broadway ordered the car with ‘Biminey Bashe’ paint, seats with ‘Cadillac Symbols. He’d died 3 months later. Robyn Hacket, President of the Robyn Hacket Sawmills bought it traded in a 49 Cadillac Convertible. House was on Wiltshire & W 45th. Old Garage had a ‘Greasepit’ usual for old Garages. I drove it & my mom tried to buy it for me. The paint was ‘Powerpolished’ was shiny under the tarnish. Air Wiper Motor replaced with Electric & driver’s Fluid Power Window replaced with Electric too. One day Murray Hacket took the car into Dueck’s said, “It’s too old to repair…”. Murray got mad. He’d said, “lots of little things went wrong & it’s embarrassing to drive”. 56,000 miles in the 80s sat in the garage. Friend from Dueck’s mechanic in Used Car Division repaired the car for Murray & bought it.
wow
I had the Coupe De Ville twin of this Caddy for nearly 20 years..Just fabulous..miss “Maybelline” every day.
“When it came to styling and technology, GM was at the forefront in many ways…”. Maybe, but the ’56 Packard was the leader. I’d take a 400 with the Caribbean dual quads any day over this.
Scotty,
I’ve owned and worked on both the ’55 & ’56 Cadillac and Packard senior cars, I’ll take the Packard any day. Yes, the Caddy is a great car, but the Packard 400 [or any of the Senior cars] was just a touch better in many ways.
They’re a work of art the cars of these times. Remembering a 54 Fleetwood model 75 custom ordered by Lee Dueck was biminy bashe custom cadillac symbol seats too. He’d dies 3 months later. Robyn Hacket buys it trades in a 49 Cad coupe/convertible for it. Power polish was shiny underneath the tarnish
everyone looked at it.
It always intrigues me people who put plastic on their seats… spending the whole of their cars life sitting on damn plastic for what, so that the dude that happens to buy it to flip it 65 years later can say how well the seats have been protected, and maybe get an extra grand? I think you should use cars, and if you treat them well or drive them less then they do indeed end up being time capsules at some stage… I’d rather a back seat that got lots of action, showed some bum wear and came with stories…
yes, how different people treat their cars differently, it’s amazing
People did the same with their living room couches. Go figure. I remember my parents bought a new cloth material couch and matching chair…in an ugly turquoise color. They immediately had a professional “seat cover guy” come over and install form fitting plastic covering. In the winter you froze your rear off sitting on it…and in the summer you stuck to the seat! But at least the fabric didn’t get dirty…lol.
Interesting