Vehicle Description
1956 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Series Special
The 1956 model year was the end of an era, of sorts, for Cadillac
as the marque's trademark tail lamp-capped tail fins made one final
appearance. The Fleetwood Sixty Specials were the company's
mini-limousines, squashing the scales at 4,992 lbs. and carrying a
luxury price tag of $6,019 without any add-ons. The 1956 Fleetwoods
measured 225.9 inches between the bumper tips and rode on 133-inch
wheelbases. Cadillac churned out 17,000 of the big six-passenger
sedans in 1956, which carried new egg-crate type grilles and subtly
different trim arrangements than the previous versions. A thin
chrome strip ran along the top of the rear fenders with fat chrome
spears pointed forward on the sides of the rear flanks. Prominent
oval exhaust ports exited out of the upper corners of the rear
bumper. Under the massive hood was an updated and enlarged 365ciV-8
rated at 285hp hooked to a Hydramatic transmission.
Hold on tight ladies and gents, there's one cool cad in the house
right now and it has shown up as a 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood 60
Series Special sedan. Large would be the buzzword on this frame on
restored 1950's big sedan, bathed in crisp clean white with a
charcoal gray roof, she sports plenty of chrome, some nifty fins
and wide whites that keep this huge skate firmly attached to the
road. With some interior parts removed, but yet still richly
appointed with options, and a cloud like ride, we are off like a
prom dress to the country club to bat some little white balls
around.
Exterior
Double "D" Dagmars lead the way and have an egg crate style chromed
trimmed and blacked out grille behind them and a surrounding chrome
trimming above and a bumper below. All this wraps around the front
quarters and continues with a very tasteful below the belt line
trim with Cadillac and gold Sixty Series badging written in your
grandmother's handwriting just above. Through the door it streaks
and on the rear door makes a sharp turn upward and forms a faux
vent on the rear quarter bump out. More beautiful thin trim starts
at a point aft of the rear doors and wides as it moves gracefully
above the fender skirts, eventually to the rear bumper which has
crowning fins with tail lights atop. A flow through the bumper,
without the exhaust routed through it, is protecting the spacious
trunk lid which is bedecked with a gold V and Fleetwood script in
more of grandmother's pen. All this chrome appears as new, and
that's because it has been rechromed. For the roof, a wonderfully
contrasting Camelot Gray Metallic finish has been applied and there
are plenty of chrome trimmings surrounding the windows, and mind
you not a straight line of it to be seen! The lower body is all
bathed in a color change respray to Alpine White and how apropos
for this luxury liner. Wide whites are on all 4 corners, and Caddy
caps in shiny polish form are covering the wheels. Plenty of WOW
factor here folks.
Interior
A swing of any of the large doors is much like opening a safe door.
Here we can see an interior mid restoration with the door and kick
panels removed leaving the steel shell, wiring and window actuator
for the world to see. Our consignor notes that all of the removed
parts are included with the purchase of the car. For the seating we
note tuck and roll Bombay pattern broadcloth in gray for the
inserts, and smooth white leather bolsters, all bordered with white
piping. The seats are in very good condition and are trimmed with
large chrome surrounding tub accenting. The rear seat is as
impressive with a central gray broadcloth split panel including a
fold down armrest. The original dash is a mixture of the new black
leather for the topper, bright white paint, and plenty of
horizontal ribbing and shiny trimming surrounds and knobs. The
clean white steering wheel fronts this dash and is in excellent
condition. Black carpet floods the floors and is protected by white
rubber Cadillac crested mats and a new gray broadcloth headliner is
above, although sagging toward the rear of the car. The factory AM
radio is noted, as is a clock in front of the passenger.
Drivetrain
Under the large hood, sits an impressive 365ci V8 which is of the
1957 model year variety and not original to this car but still
capable of 285hp. The dark blue painted engine is dressed with
black accessories and appears well detailed, with some slight paint
chipping and minor patina. A single 4-barrel Carter carb is atop,
and on back is a 4-speed Hydramatic which pushes power back to a
3.07 geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
A combination of nice patina and some surface rust is noted
throughout the undercarriage. A solid structurally sound X frame is
present and rust-free floor pans rockers and toe kicks are seen.
Power drum brakes are all around and coil springs for the front,
and leaf springs for the back provide the ride. Our consignor notes
that new shocks were installed both front and rear in 2021 to keep
that smooth Caddy ride like new. Dual exhaust in stock form is
noted, but shows with the resonators needing replacement due to
rust.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and on the test track performed well with good
acceleration, capable handling and only a slight pull left during
braking. All functions were operational at the time of our drive
save for the horn not tooting, the AC not blowing cold as the
compressor belt has been removed, and the power seat not being
adjustable. My crack decoder informed me that a wire was off of the
horn relay and that might be the root of the problem. Upon
attaching the wire the horn started to sound loudly with nobody
pressing the horn ring. Now with an ice pack on my head from making
contact with the hood I can assure you the horn does blow, but will
need the wiring or relay looked into.
Big, buxom, bodacious and beautiful withthe exterior body, paint
and chrome finished, and then a new windshield thrown in for good
measure. The car runs great and looks all the part with no rust,
and lots of chrome and just needs some finishing touches on the
interior to be a Grade A cruiser. The bigger the better and this
one is just nearly the best!
5660003427
56-1956
60-Sixty Series
003427-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 56 6019x-1956 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Series Special
Sedan
BODY FW604-Fleetwood Body #
TRIM 70-Light Gray Bombay Cloth, White Leather
PAINT 12 18-Canyon Gray, Camelot Gray Metallic
E-EZ Eye Glass
H-Heater
K2-Air Conditioning
Y-Tilt Seat Adjustment
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
