Mecum Auctions held their 35th Annual Spring Classic at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana last week, raking in $126.5 million in sales, and an 81 percent sell-through rate on the 2,504 vehicles offered. Among the vehicles to cross the auction block was a substantial cadre of historic and collectable Cadillac models. Many of those crest-and-wreath offerings traded hands for significant sums.
One of the big-selling Cadillacs was a 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. The second-generation Cadillac CTS-V debuted in 2008 with a new wider, longer appearance, new grille, and redesigned headlights and taillights. The Cadillac CTS-V received a new powertrain with the 2009 model year, a brutish 556-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 LSA engine that moved power to the rear wheels via either a six-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual or six-speed 6L90 automatic transmission. The CTS-V Coupe and Sport Wagon followed in 2011. The Sport Wagon didn’t last long, with production ending at the close of the 2014 model year, making it the rarest CTS-V. We reviewed this black-over-black example just before the sale, and it subsequently sold for $71,500 inclusive of buyer’s fees.
Another of the collector Cadillacs sold at last week’s auction was this highly original 1948 Cadillac Series 62 convertible finished in its original French Gray color over a maroon leather interior with a black cloth top. The 55,000 miles showing on the odometer are believed to true. The Series 62 is powered by the 346 cubic-inch flathead V8 with a single two-barrel carb, and making 150 horsepower. A four-speed automatic Hydra-Matic trans backs the flathead. The electrical system has been converted from six to twelve volts. The Series 62 sold for $51,700 with fees.
The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado was the second year of a restyling, and as such received only minor changes from the year previous. It featured rectangular headlights, egg-crate grille, full rear wheel openings sans fender skirts, new taillight lenses, painted wheel covers, and cleaner lines. It would be the last year for Caddy convertible as low convertible sales, coupled with proposed federal rollover standards, rang the death knell for the American convertible. This 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible was the subject of a recently completed restoration in Firethorn Red Metallic with a new white vinyl soft top. It crossed the block to a winning bid of $42,900.
One of the noteworthy Cadillacs that did not sell (not yet, anyway) is this 1954 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. The 1954 Eldorado shared the same basic body shell as the standard Cadillacs, being primarily distinguished by trim. This allowed Cadillac to drop the sticker price, resulting in increased sales. Just over 2,100 copies were produced for 1954, nearly four times as many as the previous year. This 1954 Cadillac Eldorado has an older restoration that is holding up well. It has traveled just 64,000 miles from new. In 1989, it was awarded the Antique Automobile Club of America National Senior First Prize, and it received the AACA Museum Expo Premier Award in 1996. Finished in Cadillac Black over a black leather interior, it is powered by a 331 cubic-inch V8. It failed to find new ownership at a $90,000 high bid, but many deals are finished in the days and weeks after an auction’s end.
All the Mecum Indy Spring Classic results can be seen here on the Mecum Auctions website.
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Comments
Dang, more than I paid for my 2011. And I’ve got the Recaro seats. I do wonder how many are left. I know early on people were crashing them at tracks. So of the 1600-ish produced could there be less than a 1000 left?
In a sea of every muscle car ever made at action nice to see rare cars only seen 1 SVT 6 speed wagon and that was at a auto show be a great road trip car
Auction price realizations did car guys in their graves, Ed Cole RIP, and Elliot ” Pete ” Estes RIP, proud. Visited Pete Estes at the 1977 car show in Chicago. GM brass were there on Saturday morning to press the flesh.
Another time. Another era. When America was America. Chicago was Chicago under Richard Daly I.
Pete Estes was handing out his business cards to attendees.
I gave Estes my business card and he followed up with a greeting acknowledgement.
This would never happen in today’s world. Where have all the car guys gone?
What in the heck has happened to America?
Competition has grown globally and we no longer are just fighting cross town rivals.
Market dynamic changed and American brands did not make the moves to compete soon enough.
As for the personal touch. These people are still there. Bob Lutz for years did answer his e mails personally. It might be short and to the point but he did respond.
I was doing some research into my car and some Pontiac history. A brand manger at GM who was involved in the program invited me to his home to see documents and items he had from his past at the division.
The head of the F body program for years gave of himself to the car fans by going to many events and spending time with the cars fans. Even after he left he still traveled to events and worked as hard as anyone to bring the car back.
Now retired he is still in involved.
Al Oppenhieser has always been a guy to get in with the people.
These folks are there and still talk to the people.
Mark is another one still active at events.
I had a question on a tune on my SS. I e mailed the engineer about the issue. He called me 5 min later. He e mailed me info and filled me in on info on the Tune. I had a failed pressure side tube. He asked for my vin and I found he actually had the tube in his office.
He investigated the failed plastic weld. The tunes 23 pounds of boost broke the weld and they found it was welded poorly.
He later helped my buddy on his SS even after he retired.
GM has a lot of really good people yet.
DAVID—-I agree with your statements—-I went to work for GM in 1961 as a journeyman Tool & Die maker worked my way up the food chain—–was a great company back then—that was the time GM had 46% of the market—your 100% correct in your statements—John Heim
Always hopeful of seeing Cadillacs at an auction.
Put your ass, in some Class!! Butt Prices Have Gone Too High!!
Ii had an 1982 Eldorado and loved it but had to sell it.I just bought a 2008 cts and it drives great.
Danny:
Eldorado means big ranch. I loved it when Cadillacs were called ” Hogs “. Long wheel base, wide track cars, like driving your living room down the road. Leg room and comfort galore. Big, tall people loved em. Smooth acceleration, and braking. Huge deep cushioned bench seats. No cockpit bucket seats with a huge ice chest between the front seats.
When America was America.
It was an honor and privilege for a person to go on their final ride to the graveside in a Cadillac hearse. Remember when there were custom Cadillac flower cars? The mob loved em on their send offs.
Gangbangers today can’t compare to the style and swagger of the mob.
Ray Liotta RIP.
I bought a 2010 Sportwagon, 3 years ago. I love it. It’s not a 200 mph supercar, but it feels like one.
Love the Cadillacs.
Perfect examples of many era’s. in the storied brand .
The 54 Eldorado is magnificent.
Note the gold V & crest on the hood ?
Eldorado means city of gold & those models always had gold trim then & cost big $$$$.
I always dreamed Cadillac would reprise the Eldorado on the Camaro Chassis….
I can just see that style on one .
Buick did a Wildcat on one ; it made a sensation on there website ; until it was announced
” This car is not available “.
Buick dealers flooded with calls & I bet an Eldorado would of done the same .
Old GM would be building & selling BOTH.
” A car for every taste & purse “..
Nowadays, it is the CUVs, SUVs and Trucks for every taste and purse. Times definitely had changed.