Got up early this morning and went into the backyard before it got ridiculously hot. Decided to trim my bush. The rumors were right, it does make my deck look bigger.
After the yard work it was time to have a seat with a hot cup of Folgers and look back at some of the old Bring a Trailer listings from the past that stood out from the rest.
As I scrolled through the listings, this Foose-Modified 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible stood out like Marilyn Monroe standing on the stage with the All-Girls A cappella Choir from Our Lady of Immeasurable Concern. (No disrespect to the Girl’s Choir. I’m just sayin’.) The way WOB was able to casually just throw this car out for auction was classic, like it was just another ‘65 Mustang that needed work. No Reserve. No Premium Listing status. No extra large photo to draw in the crowd. He just nonchalantly slides it in like a piece of meatloaf instead of the rare Wagyu Kobe Steak it really is. That level of understated subtlety is what makes him one of the best on BaT.
As I read the comments I realized again how close the relationship is between automobiles and women. This has NOTHING to do with objectifying the fairer sex. I will straight up admit that they are superior in most every way to the hairy-legged male Neanderthals that troll the planet, myself included. Rather, for so many of us, the chapters in our lives are defined by the cars we drove and the female companionship we enjoyed during each chapter.
Most would choose to remember both as they actually were at the time. (Dare I say ‘original’?). Others would rather they be heavily modified, new knees notwithstanding. To some, what Chip was able to do on OVERHAULIN’ turned his subjects into The Real Housewives of Hollywood. To others, his efforts stirred emotions that had long been silent.
To each his own.
But I think most would agree that this example of his fine work represents the best of both worlds. The beauty of the original was in no way obfuscated just to make a point, only enhanced to make it even more appealing. It’s like your favorite movie star, or partner, or spouse getting a new haircut and color rather than surgical modifications head to toe. Is it what she was born with? Obviously not. Does it enhance her appearance? You bet. Some tweaks even lead to greater performance.
I’m glad Chip showed restraint on this one. I mean Harley Earl, himself, couldn’t have taken issue with the modifications on this gorgeous mid-century parade float of an automobile. The Taupe metallic exterior paint and Coral and White leather interior go together like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from the same period. While Cadillac cranked out 8,300 of these for the ‘56 model run, there can’t be that many left. You can’t swing a dead armadillo around your head three times without hitting a Mustang or Nova; save the wild modifications and crazy paint and wheels for those.
That’s just me.
Whatever your position, no doubt we can agree, Foose did a great job with this one, Wob made our Saturday a little better when he listed it back in July of ‘21, and the right woman is what makes life worth living.
9 responses to “FOOSIN’ AROUND IN A CADDY DROP TOP”
I finally figured out something that always appears in most car blogs – posters always bemoan the fact that modern cars have no flavor, and modernish men have no real relationship with their vehicles, and this is because of what modern cars have become, lacking what sticks out and catches the eye!
So, here it is: cars from back in the day had designs that stood out – that were visible and distinctive and seductive to the male eye. One could feel them and touch them and wash them and polish them and play with them – you could rub against them!
Not so with modern cars! If you’ve seen one – you’ve seen them all. The distinguishments of them now are not visible – they’re invisible electrons. Gigabytes excite modern males. Untouchable! Unseeable! Unemotional!
You’re on to something, Lotus. I enjoy the Fairlane 500 as much just standing in the garage and looking at it as I do taking it to a Folgers-N-Fenders at the Grounds for Divorce.
Washing and waxing it is a sensual experience, just like it was at 16 years old when I washed and waxed the original one in my parent’s driveway. It can’t really be explained, but I’m guessing I’m not the only one that feels that way.
1956 was, in fact an enchanted time, at least for me. I was graduating Junior High School, Aunt Norma had gifted me a new RCA portable radio – the kind the TV ad dropped from a helicopter to show the case didn’t break, a customer on one of my Newark Star Ledger newspaper routes had a magnificent new red 1956 Cadillac convertible causing me to muse (maybe drool) over what could be, and while still still three years away from driving legally, I already had my first project car – a 1932 Chevy 5-window coupe. The customer, Artie, just a year later passed along that enticing, voluptuous red Caddy, replacing it with a black 1957 Oldsmobile 98 convertible with a continental kit and Turnpike Cruiser fender skirts. The Olds was exceptional in its own right, but I always dreamed of having the Caddy. Maybe that’s why my current 1954 Cadillac convertible seems even more special, and while it has a few different styling cues than Artie’s ’56, it has become one of our favorites. There are no external modifications, maintaining only the factory-delivered items and accessories. We did a few modifications for expediency. The original radiator has been enhanced, maintaining the original upper and lower tanks, but converting to a four pass core for superior cooling and added the electric fan to support the aftermarket Vintage-Air. We also substituted a high capacity alternator for the original 12V generator and placed LED bulbs in the taillights. The original turquoise convertible top has been re-created, thanks to Eric at Haartz Canvas and the crew at Electron. The sumptuous turquoise and white interior interior entices as only a vintage, but stylish leather could, complimenting the exterior color. Cadillac called it Dover Grey, but observers call it white, or ice blue, or maybe a tinge of green – what ever it is, it is unmistakably special. Driving my 1954 Cadillac convertible makes me feel that all’s right with the world. Don’t get me wrong – The yellow ’41 Caddy and black ’37 Roadmaster, the ’31 Packard and ’15 Hudson – even the Corvair and ‘Vette convertibles each have their own special vibe – but a Cadillac convertible, one with lights in the tailfins – exudes aaaa unique sensation – one which cannot be imagined until actually experienced – and a 3-month, 10,000 mile drive in that special Caddy is an unforgettable memory. Marilyn Monroe? Nah, Bayou Lady and I have our own memories and dreams.
Time for another CMC mug of Folgers, and maybe walk out to the garage to appreciate that with which I’ve been blessed – cars and family.
Love the story. Love the car. A few pictures would make it even better. You know how to get in touch.
If I’m not mistaken, the owner named the car Marilyn. Personally, I thi nk that you picked it out due to the fender skirts.
Not going to rule that out, although the Dagmar’s may have played into it, as well.
and the right woman is what makes life worth living…
Truer words have never been spoken.
Indeed.
Have to say I miss Overhaulin’ more than just about any other show in history, especially in the reality genre. For me, Foose is the gold standard in automotive excellence (Mark Worman not too far behind). Seems every project emphasized the spirit of the car with respect rather than hacking and chopping just for the sake of hacking and chopping. I remember one show that he addressed a previous episode of a 356 that had been heavily modified, enough so that many viewers called him out. He stated that when they deconstructed the car, they discovered that it had been previously sectioned and was nowhere near an original 356 and would not have been modified if it were. Nothing but respect. Loved the reference DM and SDJ, and I only would have added that I’ll bet that Cadillac 365 sang like Sinatra! Thanks again for the memories while I’m sipping Folgers from my CMC mug before I head to the garage for some wrench turning – top of the mornin’ to ya!