Strange 59

Looks like the person who owned it wanted to tone-down the fins like they did the year after in 1960.

It is like the people who bought 1963 Corvette coupes. They couldn't see out the back window.
Some people ended up putting a 1964 rear window in their cars so they could actually see out the back.

Great to see out of but a disaster for originality as that split window became famous in the one and only year Corvettes had them.
Not real sure why either.

Darren
 
cut Cadillac and 63 Vette

Darren,
Could you have possibly answered your own question? The 63 split window Vette was a one year only because you could not see out the back.
Has anyone considered that the junk yard Cadillac could be a Pinin Farina Italian bodied car? I know they did some in 1960. Maybe they did a few in 59 too. A 1960 model was advertised in Hemmings a few months ago.
Mike
 
It is hard for me to see for certain, without seeing other angles and styling cues, but this is possibly a factory car, and a rather rare one. In 1959 one model available was the Eldorado Brougham. There were only 99 (possibly 100, legend has it one was destroyed in transport) units produced. They were unlike other 59's as the fins were more subtle and hinted at the future styling for the 60 model year. Personally i have never seen one of these in person so i cant say for a fact that this is indeed one of those 99 very rare units. Just a fun fact, he Eldorado Brougham cost over 13,000. One can not say for sure until the side view showing the windshield and roof profile. Certainly worth investigating.
 
Spot on Mike!

Thank you for jolting my memory! These were indeed hand crafted by Pinin Farina (SP) in Italy on a Cadillac Chassis. The fins were different as was the windshield and other styling. Could very well be one of those cars.
 
'59 Broughams have a unique rear bumper. That was the first item I checked when Paul forwarded me a shot before it was posted. Also, the car he found is a 2 door.

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I've seen more than 10% of the '59 Broughams made in person. Second one pictured is #92.
 
That is the remains of a factory 1959 Cadillac Eldrado Brougham (series 69) These Cadillac's did not have the same high fins as all the other 1959's. These were hand built in Turin Italy by Pinin Farina on Cadillac chassis and then sent to Detroit for testing and finishing. The chassis is stock cadillac but none of the sheet metel is interchangable. With only 99 of these built, this is one of the rarest Cadillacs.
 
Bill, just in case you missed styling cues that differ from the '59 Paul posted to an actual '59 Brougham (side scallops, 4D verses 2D, fin shape/height, etc.) - or reading any post past the thread starter - here is the front sheet metal difference. Can you finally see it..? Hint: fenders and hood!

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Oh look - another '59 Brougham in the background.
 
Here are a couple photos of the Italian 1959 versions.
1960 in the middle.

Darren
 

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Just thought this would be an interesting discussion. The car has been there since i got my license back in 97. did not pay any attention to it then other then that's funny what the hell happened to the fins. Seeing it again years later i found it a lot more interesting. I Went back to the yard yesterday but they were closed. I do need some parts from a 60 that is up there so will be returning soon. I will try to get more pics.
 
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