1939 Series 75 $6500

[Bryan J Moran]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/787958509665677

Not sure what it is, but it looks like a series 75. 

[J. Skelly]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1939-cadillac-fleetwood-limousine/

[35-709]

Listing says 4 speed Hydramatic transmission which caught my eye since that was not available until 1941, unless someone converted it. Looking through the pics on BAT I see a clutch pedal, ad apparently written by someone not very knowledgeable about those cars and wrote the ad without looking very closely. 

[Bryan J Moran]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/787958509665677/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A549e56c3-1a57-4514-9d64-886746686772

So, I ended up calling the seller Glenn.  No grille or side panels to this 1939 Series 75,  Are these unique to a 75 series 8 cylinder car?  Are these parts unobtainium? 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

So, I ended up calling the seller Glenn.  .......

Was that his real name?   Sorry, couldn't resist.

Bruce.

[Tom Boehm]

Bryan, I looked up in the Cadillac parts book the parts you asked about. Everything missing is unique to a 1939 series 75. The exception are the chrome side grills on either side of the main grill on the front of the car. These are the same on 1939 series 50, 60s, 61, 75.

I would not call these parts unobtainium but they will not be easy to find. Finding the pot metal chrome grill only gets you halfway there. When you find one it will need to be rechromed. Finding a chrome shop to do it right will be hard. And expensive.

This car will cost more to restore than it will be worth in the end. Engine, paint, and interior will cost 10k each. If you are OK with that, go for it. It will be awesome restored.

[Bryan J Moran]

Thanks Tom, for your insight.  I know it's wrong priced and very sad that the grille and critical trim is not available.  There is nothing specifically I love about a 1939 series 75 LWB car but I am a 75 series lover. 

It occurs to me in my limited knowledge of the market that these 75 series cars from say, 1937 to about 1958 are either all restored and in nice collections, or are not. 

The ones that are NOT, are not likely to get picked up by the monied folks and handed over to a shop to be restored.  It was about 18 months ago I sincerely inquired about a 1940 ish 75 series on here that was "quite nice" at $18,000 or so.   

It seems odd to say, but there appears to be plenty of "driver" quality 75 series available overall to negate the purchase of the mentioned car here, especially since it is a "pedestrian" V8. 

I am decidedly not a snob, so a 75 is a 75 to me.  Prefer the V8 over a V12 or heaven forbid a V16. 

I just hate to see perfectly restorable (sans grille and trim discussion) 75 series from the pre war era languish without being at least attempted to be restored.  Maybe, I am a hopeless romantic. 

[Bryan J Moran]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1939-cadillac-fleetwood-limousine/

Thank you.  I should print this off and show it to the seller! 

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I have the entire nose for this car sitting on the shelf.....BUT....

Because I still drive a 1939 series 75 around and given the craziness of other drivers and the chance of needing that nose.....It would be hard to part with any piece of it.

It's better to have those very hard to find parts and not need them than to need the parts and have to go looking for the unobtainable....

I'm still looking for that pre-war series 75 convertible top frame for my car.....I've found a couple of top frames in the last 4-5 years but they were attached to cars that I couldn't bring myself to tear apart....

Of course the window is closing on the demand for some of the parts I have but....on the other hand.....I'd be glad not to have to go looking for them....

Mike

[Tom Boehm]

Bryan, I agree with your assessment of the situation. I like all late 1930's cars. And it is a shame a lot of restorable cars will not be restored. Given the parts missing, this car is way overpriced. I suspect that car was used as a parts car in the past just like Mike's 75 series convertible sedan. 

[Bryan J Moran]

Thank you guys for commenting.  It may have been used as a parts car or someone pulled the grille to rechrome.  I think I know where a 1940 series 60S is close to me.  It's in horrific shape, is a factory sunroof car, and I am not sure it would have good grille sides.  I think I have heard those referred to as catwalks or something similar. 

While I appreciate this car looks like a restoration challenge, when I look at the interior, it appears correct and original.  That motor looks pretty good, either rebuilt or low mileage - and complete. 

It does not good that some folks deride these LWB cars. Matt Harwood on the AACA Forum (Harwood Motors) always calls them stodgy old losers (paraphrased but close)   I found a 1 of 50 1949 Imperial limousine for sale and he was aghast that anyone would want such a thing. 

But they really do speak to me as a unique twist on the hobby, when many folks collect or covet convertibles, faster cars or special designs. 

[Tom Boehm]

Matt Harwood has a 1941 Buick series 90 limo in his personal collection. That is one of those "stogy old losers". He must be speaking as a dealer there is not a big demand for prewar limo sedans.

[J. Skelly]

These are classy cars but where would you safely drive one with no power steering or brakes and all of the crazy, impatient and inattentive drivers out there?

[Lexi]

It does not good that some folks deride these LWB cars. Matt Harwood on the AACA Forum (Harwood Motors) always calls them stodgy old losers (paraphrased but close)   I found a 1 of 50 1949 Imperial limousine for sale and he was aghast that anyone would want such a thing.

What an asinine comment for anyone to make, especially a car guy. Clearly our hobby is still evolving with many still living in the dark ages. I'm with you Bryan. Clay/Lexi