When the 1950s styling trend of automotive fins was at its peak, no car exemplified what was the height of fashion better than the 1959 Cadillac Series 75

Those massive fins and twin bullet taillights were not subtle, and they certainly make a statement. While fashion has moved onwards over the years, the Cadillac has remained a car that many people still aspire to own, as they make a statement and have a presence which is impossible to ignore.

Completely true on the hard to ignore front, this massive automobile is dressed up enough to be a Secret Service Car for a presidential motorcade, and who knows, may at one time been exactly that! You are truly large and in charge when you are sitting in this beauty, and could even be the Belle of the Ball, when your Chauffeur opens the door and you make your exit. One can only dream.

Exterior
Stealthy black paint, in good condition, is wrapped with plenty of chrome trim, massive bumpers and a black “Landau” style vinyl top on the rear passenger compartment. Numerous antennae protrude from the surface of this car, suggesting there may have been several channels of such communication when rolling with the POTUS. Don’t ignore the massive fins with the dual bullet style taillights bringing up the rear. Speaking also of which, I’ll be moving into the trunk next week as it should accommodate my 2-bedroom apartment furnishings, and then some! Wide whites on all 4’s and standard shiny Caddy wheel covers go along for the ride.

Interior
Light gray wool broadcloth covers the passenger compartment panels. Gray vinyl covers the panels of the front doors. Burgundy Nylon Bedford cloth in square tufted and white buttoned patten adorns the front and rear benches. All power controls for windows etc are within reach of all passengers, as are the obligatory cigarette lighters. 2 additional light gray jump seats, which magically turn into foot rests can be seen between the drivers bench and the rear bench. Standard each with dual spotlights on articulating arms protrude from each corner of the cockpit out the front window. A police band radio sits in the center hump and is operational.

Drivetrain
A 390ci V8 topped with a single 4-barrel carburetor, and backed by a 4-speed automatic transmission, sits in an unrestored engine bay. Plenty of patina in here.

Undercarriage
Plenty of surface rust, and some invasive rust has gotten to the floor pans, rockers, lower interior doors, and some cross frame structural supports in the rear part of this car. Delaminate metal with rust can be seen in these areas, and it appears the trunk was relined. Power drum brakes are all around.

Driveability
A few notes we noticed during our test drive. The A/C is inoperable, the power steering is noisy during slow turns, the transmission is soft on the 1-2 shift, and when you turn hard some creaking can be heard. The car starts quickly and idles fairly smoothly.

With its faults, some forgivable, we have a nice Series 75 6-window 4-door limo that is prepped out as it could have been used in a motorcade. Certainly not for the POTUS, but support personnel. Only 710 of these units were produced, most have succumbed to the ravages of time, this one hangs in there, and shouts loudly for anyone behind the wheel.

Price: Auction

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Seller's other items: classicautomall

Location: Morgantown, Pennsylvania, United States