You may have caught our story on this 1953 Cadillac Series 62 convertible that’s on eBay—it’s priced out of our reach, but its style reflects the strength of General Motors at the time. It got us curious if we could find a more reasonably priced Cadillac from that era, so maybe this 1953 Coupe de Ville fits the bill. Granted, this example is perhaps a better fit for a rat rot project then a restoration.
The Coupe de Ville debuted in 1949 as the first production hardtop coupe (along with Buick’s Roadmaster Riviera and Oldsmobile’s 98 Holiday coupes). Before then, there were no pillarless coupes produced other than an odd prototype or pilot car here or there. General Motors was the first to show that yes, Virginia, you can have convertible style with the comfort of a sedan; in fact, the headliner mimicked the convertible’s. All were highly-trimmed with standard power windows and other distinguishing features that set it apart from other Cadillacs. Although special in 1949, by 1953 most manufacturers had a hardtop coupe in their roster. Cadillac upped the ante in 1956 with the introduction of the four-door Sedan de Ville in 1956.
This Coupe de Ville needs some blood and sweat to make it the kind of car it used to be. The cost to restore likely will exceed its market value, especially with the cost of chrome, so perhaps it is a good candidate for the custom treatment. For $500, just snap it up now and then figure out some plans for later.
Comments
Cadillac should again have pillarless coupes. I’m guessing safety is the reason for the demise of pillarless (2 door and 4 door) hardtops. But, then there are convertibles.
“I’m guessing safety is the reason for the demise of pillarless”
Nope. It’s engineering costs. Mercedes has no problems selling E-class coupes and CL-class cars in the US, nor will they have difficulty selling the S-class coupe when it comes.
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