1955 Cadillac DeVille

Coupe Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

In 1955, this magnificent Cadillac Coupe DeVille was the king of the American highway. The fins and chrome say it all: optimism, exuberance, and can-do attitude. We hadn’t yet gone to the moon, but we could put rocket taillights on our luxury cars and feel like we were ready to blast off. I’m optimistic, too. That’s why I’ve listed this amazing piece of America’s automotive history on eBay for no reserve. Yes, I’m really going to sell it for whatever the closing price is. So here’s your chance to pick up a classic piece of American history for a bargain. Why not throw in a lowball bid and see what happens? I bought this Texas car from a collection in Fort Worth. It is a very dry car, having spent its life in Tulsa and Texas. I am the fourth owner. There are a mere 82,000 miles on the odometer.  It is a heavily optioned Cadillac, coming equipped with EZ Eye Glass, power windows, power seats, Guidematic, and most fabulous of all, Cadillac’s famous air conditioning with the rear-mounted blowers and vents. Oh, and the wheels! These sell for up to $750 apiece here on eBay and are a rare option. Cosmetics: Whereas most Cadillacs of this era are boring black, here’s your chance to own a Cadillac in an amazing 1950s color: two-tone yellow.  As you can see from the pictures, it’s in poor shape. It does still shine with a little elbow grease, and wax would keep the surface rust from forming.  But I’d suggest a quality repaint.  The chrome on the car is okay, as is the stainless. You won’t find major cancer or pitting that couldn’t be repaired by a decent chrome shop.  Most of it still shines quite well.  The carpet, door panels, headliner, and dash are as you see them: original. The dash and steering wheel are surprisingly good. The back seat is good. The carpet throughout is old and dirty, but not smelly. The knobs and chrome could use some cleaning, but are otherwise nice for being 50 years old. Overall, the interior is serviceable as is and will make an excellent original pattern for any restoration you plan to do. Mechanics: Naturally, having been unused for a long period of storage, the Cadillac needed attention to be brought back to life. The fluids were drained, flushed, and refilled. The spark plug wires and distributor were replaced. The gas tank was drained and the lines were blown out and the filter changed. The water pump was replaced and the radiator flushed and pressure checked. A number of gas lines and hoses were replaced, along with the battery. Four new and correct whitewall tires were mounted and they are smooth as velvet on the highway. Once these items were attended to, the enormous 365 cubic-inch V-8 roared to life easily. Today, with a twist of the original hexagonal key, the old DeVille settles into an easy purr. And purr she does--out of the 40 Cadillacs I have owned, this car is the smoothest and quietest running I’ve ever heard. It really is a beautiful thing. You can only hear the fan. She sounds beautiful. The power steering is incredible--effortless. I've driven the car approximately 50 miles to test various systems. Electrical: Cars from the 1950s are plagued by electrical bugs but this car is amazing. All the power windows glide up and down. All the interior nighttime running lights glow beautifully.  Courtesy lights function as designed. The horn trumpets as a Cadillac should. The radio hums but does not play. The headlights, taillights, turn signals, and fog lights all work as designed. The clock is not functioning. Some extras: this car originally had a continental kit, which was removed at some point and the remnants put into the trunk. I’ve replaced the bumper with a correct replacement (sorry, Jim) and will leave it to the new owner as to what to do with the continental kit. Also, I’ve purchased some new emblems, front and rear, from McVeys.  These will come with the car along with a set of Texas license plates of the era. I'm a member of the Cadillac and LaSalle Club, the Classic Car Club of America, the AACA, and a slew of other clubs. I also drove a 1958 Cadillac 15,000 miles this summer (see my blog at www.motorpool.com), so know what I'm talking about when it comes to  fifties Cadillacs. You get luxury, history, and a fabulous 1950's color. Plus this car is equipped with air conditioning, which is a stupendous and much-coveted option. If you’re looking for a Cadillac project, bedecked with options--this beauty is your car. Note: the car will come with a notarized bill of sale and original Texas title. The state of Alabama does not title vehicles manufactured prior to 1975. For more information on that rule, see http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorvehicle/Title_FAQ.html#titlefaq1