Gotta Move fast 1956 Caddy

[Jeff Beyer]

the story behind the story

Yes, $16,500 was the winning bid, I was standing next to bidder # 318 who calmly went over to the checkout desk and paid that plus 10% buyers fee plus 6% PA sales tax. He wished not to disclose anything about the transaction.

Zettlemoyer Auction Co is a well respected well attended function in these parts. The auctioneer revealed that he had 7 absentee bids from the US and Canada, the highest being $12,500, so thats where the bidding started.

This is important He also took time out to say that he didn't realize how many hearse collectors there were out there, and they were the nicest bunch of customers he has ever dealt with. "It was a real pleasure to market this car to this group of people"

I think that says volumes for us as a hobby, and the PCS in particular.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

I hope it was sold to someone who will take care of it.

You mean ........... like use it as a winter beater??? I wouldn't ever do that to anything other than a 1962 Chevrolet... I guess that my 5 figures were not in the right order...

 

[Attila Bethlenfalvy]

The absolute best part about hearing this..?

How many on this site have publicly stated that a non-running coach is only worth $x* amount of dollars. (*Insert insignificant amount, $1k, $1500, etc.) $19,140 - more than 8 times what several of you 'believe' - trumps any "right car, right person, right day" auction scenario. Too many real bidders prove otherwise. Welcome to fair market value!

 

[Kerry Bogard]

Gone But Not Forgotten

She sold at approx 6:30-6:45pm tonite. I was 2nd highest absentee bidder. I had it surveyed by a old, fellow car enthusiast /friend who drove 2.5 hrs.R/T to get there and was told it has some issues but, was 'a very nice car'. The engine cavity was 'usual vintage hearse'- un-detailed and filthy but, the biggest concerns were rust at the front windshield under the rain gutters & vinyl top, tranny condition as "not running since 1969" (but tagged in 1970), no muffler system, pimples on the chrome incl. minor on door handles/ landau, brakes stopped the car but, would be in question with it's age, backdoor locked -zero keys (locksmith easy fix?), glass was excellent (whew), paint good, interior 'upgraded' but not correct, "chipmunks" (I was told) kicked out the squirrels & ate the odorifous interior but, floors were solid , less a few critter droppings. It sure looked great in photo's. 25,066 miles could not be verified by the title. Dent in right side. Someone said it was a 3-way- not: it had the suicide doors but, a division window ..it was the Landaulet, not a Knickerbocker Superline. Panels over rear windows and crank-down windows hidden in there somewhere. Can't say enough about how honest the auctioneers were (Zettlemoyer)- very nice folks - cooperative and most importantly ~HONEST~ on their description(s). However, it was like bidding on a box-of-oysters with the unknown factor looming over you (pearl or swine?). What a beautiful coach!! I hope one of the PCS members bought it in close proximity, careful lather in Marvel Mystery Oil, new gas tank and it roars to life !! I had to consider another 1800 in enclosed shipping (6,000 lb. non-runner)and the potential engine/tranny rebuild++? Always open to another great 50's-60's coach in this shape... or better. Cheers

 

[Paul Steinberg]

I have a set of GM master keys that will unlock both the ignition and rear doors of every GM product from 1937 to 1966... Once you have the ignition lock key, many times you can get the key number off the cylinder, and have a key made from that number. Same with the rear door.. once it is opened, you can access the lock by either pulling the lock retaining clip from the inside door edge or by removing the rear door panel and pulling the internal clip. Any competent locksmith can make a key by measuring the tumblers or if there is a key number on this lock. Most times factory locks will have this 4 digit number stamped into the side.

 

[Daniel Scully]

Always open to another great 50's-60's coach in this shape... or better. Cheers

I'll sell you one. The stuff should be there tomorrow

 

[John Royark JR]

I missed the listing. Did anyone save some pics of the coach they can post here?

 

[Attila Bethlenfalvy]

Auction pictures.

If the link doesn't work I can upload later. Although saved, the image extensions need individually changed from cgi.

 

[Adam Borkat]

Pics

Photos from the Zettlemoyer Auction Company's site.

 

[John Burchfield]

I missed the auction site photos, so thanks Adam for putting them up for the rest of us. This is a beautiful car, but the pictures don't seem to match the description of a squirrel/chipmunk eaten interior? I still think the price is a jaw-dropper for a car w/o brakes that doesn't run. Of course, I haven't noticed any '56 S&S's driving past the house this week either

 

[Kent Martinson - Deceased 1947 - 2019]

I missed the auction site photos, so thanks Adam for putting them up for the rest of us. This is a beautiful car, but the pictures don't seem to match the description of a squirrel/chipmunk eaten interior? I still think the price is a jaw-dropper for a car w/o brakes that doesn't run. Of course, I haven't noticed any '56 S&S's driving past the house this week either

Yeah, but you've been working a lot. You might not have been home when they went by.

 

[Danny Ryder - Deceased - 1962 - 2021]

I missed the auction site photos, so thanks Adam for putting them up for the rest of us. This is a beautiful car, but the pictures don't seem to match the description of a squirrel/chipmunk eaten interior? I still think the price is a jaw-dropper for a car w/o brakes that doesn't run. Of course, I haven't noticed any '56 S&S's driving past the house this week either

I bid alot on this one and didn't surprise me what it brought and if I had seen in person might have bid more. I did win what I believe is an antique embalming machine which they are shipping me.

 

[Dan Herrick]

I bid alot on this one and didn't surprise me what it brought and if I had seen in person might have bid more. I did win what I believe is an antique embalming machine which they are shipping me.

Why would you want to embalm an antique!

 

[Jerry Jacobson]

Way would you want to embalm and antique!

To keep him as moderator of this board!

 

[Kerry Bogard]

I missed the auction site photos, so thanks Adam for putting them up for the rest of us. This is a beautiful car, but the pictures don't seem to match the description of a squirrel/chipmunk eaten interior? I still think the price is a jaw-dropper for a car w/o brakes that doesn't run. Of course, I haven't noticed any '56 S&S's driving past the house this week either

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Kerry%20Bogard/My%20Documents/Downloads/56s&spa.cgi

Hi John ! Try the above link or www.auctionzip.com/fullimage/1003867/fp52cgi

This 'eaten' area was about 3x6" and 2x3" on the other side. I was told the whole car had a (big-time)'musty odor' - no surprise, as it sat in a warehouse, on a cement floor in a Northern State, covered in 2-3" of dust, un-driven since 1969-1970. The auction co. had it completely detailed prior to the auction. Still, all in all, definitely worth restoring. Floor bids obviously were allowed to take precedence over 'absentee bids' as they were there and we weren't. I think most of the bidders were cautious but, it's clear ONE guy had The Vision & clearly wanted more than the rest of us :bonk:

 

[Jeremy D. Ledford]

I think most of the bidders were cautious but, it's clear ONE guy had The Vision & clearly wanted more than the rest of us :bonk:

I just hope he plans to put this gem back to her former glory.

 

[John Burchfield]

Thanks Kerry. Something in your first link (the one that starts w/ "file") appears to be misspelled. The other link "wasn't found." When I read the description again I thought maybe the chipmunk/squirrel damage occurred prior to the "redone but not correct" interior work. This is certainly an unusual and beautiful car, regardless.

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Kerry%20Bogard/My%20Documents/Downloads/56s&spa.cgi

Hi John ! Try the above link or www.auctionzip.com/fullimage/1003867/fp52cgi

This 'eaten' area was about 3x6" and 2x3" on the other side. I was told the whole car had a (big-time)'musty odor' - no surprise, as it sat in a warehouse, on a cement floor in a Northern State, covered in 2-3" of dust, un-driven since 1969-1970. The auction co. had it completely detailed prior to the auction. Still, all in all, definitely worth restoring. Floor bids obviously were allowed to take precedence over 'absentee bids' as they were there and we weren't. I think most of the bidders were cautious but, it's clear ONE guy had The Vision & clearly wanted more than the rest of us :bonk: