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1950's Cadillacs

82 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2011 at 1:28 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac, Classic Cars

Messages Page 8 of 9

#63 of 82 Re: Overcontetended (Mr_Shiftright)[isellhondas] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [isellhondas] by MrShift@Edmunds

Sep 27, 2010 (10:17 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 27, 2010 8:55 am)
I'm not fond of Mickey Mouse modifications either. But they needn't be like that.
 
For instance, you'd think it somewhat reckless to modify a '58 Corvette, right? But one Corvette I appraised was modified in a very special way---aside from the genuine body, the entire frame and powertrain was from a C5 Corvette. An enormous and difficult task, and, to the casual passer-by, completely undetectable.
 
Did it hurt the value of the '58? Probably not actually. This is a very desirable, albeit altered, '58 Vette.
 
Would a modified '50s Cadillac fare the same? I think not, unless the modification was so radical, so custom, as to propel a 50 4-door into a new realm of 'automotive art'.

#64 of 82 The Holy Grail of Eldorados by parm

Oct 20, 2010 (11:50 am)

With a starting bid at a "cool" $250,000, are there any takers for this 1953 Eldorado?

#65 of 82 Re: The Holy Grail of Eldorados [parm] by texases

Oct 20, 2010 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: parm (Oct 20, 2010 11:50 am)
Would it have come from the factory with that perfectly-painted radiator and air cleaner?

#66 of 82 Re: The Holy Grail of Eldorados [texases] by parm

Oct 20, 2010 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: texases (Oct 20, 2010 1:06 pm)
Good question. Unfortunately, I was "made" 7 years after this car was. So, unfortunately I wasn't around to verify.

#67 of 82 Re: The Holy Grail of Eldorados [parm] by MrShift@Edmunds

Oct 20, 2010 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: parm (Oct 20, 2010 11:50 am)
The car is definitely over-restored but more importantly, the seller has to put down the Cadillac Kool-Aid, check his calendar to make sure he knows it's 2010, and lower the price to maybe $175K and take less if there's serious money on the table.
 
Actually it's a rather poor ad for such a premium price---it suggests that the car still has needs. If you can't get a '53 Cadillac right after spending 1/4 mil on it, you'd best give up.

#68 of 82 Here's a '55 Coupe Deville by parm

Feb 05, 2011 (12:27 pm)

Red 1955 Coupe Deville
 
I'd be curious to get opinions on this '55 Coupe Deville. While I wouldn't go so far to call it a resto-mod, it's not stock either. The major upgrade is the 454 motor with a TH400 transmission. It also has a nicely done A/C system. The stock radio has been replaced with a Blaupunkt unit with CD (a fair upgrade as long as the dash wasn't cut for it) and the stock instrument panel has been totally swapped out for a modern unit (I'll let others decide if this was a tasteful upgrade or not) and the wipers are electrically operated. Given these modern conveniences, the electrical system has obviously been upgraded to 12-volt. The interior appears to have been replaced with what looks to be a factory style kit. Looks very nice to me anyway.
 
This Cadillac won't win any originality awards, but no doubt the upgrades make this a better car to live with and drive.
 
A totally stock '55 Couple Deville in nice condition is probably worth around $40K (feel free to debate that). So, how do these upgrades impact its market value?

#69 of 82 Re: Here's a '55 Coupe Deville [parm] by MrShift@Edmunds

Feb 05, 2011 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: parm (Feb 05, 2011 12:27 pm)
I think it might even increase the value, depending on how well it was all executed under there.

#70 of 82 Re: Here's a '55 Coupe Deville [Mr_Shiftright] by parm

Feb 05, 2011 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Feb 05, 2011 1:16 pm)
So, do think $40K is about right? They're asking $47-$48K if I recall correctly.

#71 of 82 Re: Here's a '55 Coupe Deville [parm] by MrShift@Edmunds

Feb 05, 2011 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: parm (Feb 05, 2011 2:21 pm)
yeah, $40K for a very nicely done retro-mod is not out of the question...but it had better be well done, meaning quality parts and quality install. None of that 300 plastic wire tires, a bungie battery tie down, sloppy drippy welding and Kragen engine accessories. And the paint should be first rate all the way---no peel, no overspray underneath, no tape lines. And speaking of underneath, it should be clean and flat-blacked.

#72 of 82 Re: Here's a '55 Coupe Deville [parm] by isellhondas

Feb 08, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: parm (Feb 05, 2011 12:27 pm)
On the plus side, that is one beautiful car inside and out! I don't remember ever seeing a fire engine red 55 before?
 
Whoever did that interior did a wonderful job!
 
It is, however, no longer a 1955 Cadillac and although it appears that the modifications were done in a first class fashion, it is now a Cadillac with a Chevrolet engine and a different transmission among other things.
 
And, I don't care at all for the "updated" instruments.
 
That car was 12 volt to begin with.
 
So, althoughI can certainly admire the time, talent and dollars that went into that car, I would much perfer an accurate "restoration".
 
But that's me. A lot of others would consider the changes to be a major improvement.

Messages Page 8 of 9

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