CADILLAC 1950-58
THE OLD SONG SAYS A CADDY COULDN'T QUITE MATCH THE TOP SPEED OF A HOT ROD LINCOLN, BUT HEY, THEY HAVE OTHER CLAIMS TO FAME
Without our appetite for US-made films and television programmes, most Australians wouldn’t recognise a 1950s Cadillac or understand its social significance.
Film-makers over many decades used the Cadillac metaphors of success and songwriters mention the brand more than any other. Bob Dylan, once regarded as an instigator of social change, starred in a wonderfully moody TV advertisement for the brand.
1949 saw big changes occurring within the Cadillac. There was an all-new 5.4-litre overhead valve V8 that began life with 160bhp (119kW ) but by 1953 that had turned that into 157kW.
As Cadillacs grew larger and owners wanted improved performance as well, engine size went up to 5.9 and eventually 6.4 litres. With ‘dual-quad’ carburettors, the expensive Eldorado versions would reach 185km/h.
Various body styles were available, with the most popular being Sedan and Coupe de Villes. Several wheelbase lengths were available; ranging from the 61 Series’ 3099mm to the 3735mm used for seven-passenger 75 Series Limousines.
Convertibles were built on the 3200mm ’62 Series’ chassis with chromium plate and tail-fins inescapable features of 1950s Cadillac design. If you were a millionaire with aspirations to maintain a low profile you wouldn’t have bought a Caddy.
The vast majority of 1950s Cadillacs came with three or four-speed Hydramatic transmission. In 1953 a temporary switch was made to adapt Buick’s Dynaflow unit after the Hydramatic manufacturing plant burned down.
At a time when Australia was struggling to find enough foreign currency to pay for essential imports, Cadillacs did arrive here in significant numbers. Conversion to right-hand drive was mandatory and expensive however a lot of these cars were originally delivered to the owners of large General Motors’ dealerships, prominent businesspeople and entertainers so money wasn’t an issue.
Where a car is rare and its value dependent on authenticity, the closer to original it can be kept the better. When considering a 1950s Cadillac, especially a limo, convertible or scarce Eldorado, any history that comes with the car – original selling invoice, lists of previous owners, import documents – are worth money. So is detail that tells a potential buyer how many of the model were built in a particular colour or with a unique combination of options.
Most common in the local market are sedans and two-door Coupe de Villes. Usable cars which can be enjoyed while undergoing cosmetic restoration, start at $30,000 with Fleetwood sedans $10,000 more. That value range more than doubles when looking at cars that are substantially original and untouched or have undergone quality restorations here or in the USA.
Open-top Cadillacs from the 1950s are scarce and getting expensive, even in the US market. 62 Series convertibles in this country are likely to bring $130-150,000 but Eldorado convertibles and the very scarce Brougham Hardtop can exceed $200,000. Convertible Eldos in spectacular condition and often with celebrity connections can reach A$300,000 in US sales.