Kevin Garrison
10-18-2011, 07:02 PM
Having wanted one of these for quite a while, I finally found a really nice example and was able to snag it at the Mecum auction in Dallas. This '55 Cadillac Fleetwood has everything I would want except, unfortunately, air conditioning. Overall, the car is showing a mere 43,000 miles on the odometer and it sports a fresh paint job and a very nice interior, engine compartment, trunk, etc.
It arrived on Tuesday evening and in the first week I have logged about 450 miles. Thus far, it starts, runs, drives, and stops very well though has a pronounced vibration at higher speeds. The car was largely unused for the last year, so I am guessing there may be some flat spots in the bias ply tires.
I think the car makes the perfect complement to the Mark II. Compared to the Mark II, I don't find it nearly as refined in either its fit and finish nor in its ride. That's to be expected, though, I assume as it was half the price of the Mark II. And, in fairness, my Mark II is the nicer of the two. Now just one more car to find (a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk with a four-speed) and my dream collection will be complete!
It arrived on Tuesday evening and in the first week I have logged about 450 miles. Thus far, it starts, runs, drives, and stops very well though has a pronounced vibration at higher speeds. The car was largely unused for the last year, so I am guessing there may be some flat spots in the bias ply tires.
I think the car makes the perfect complement to the Mark II. Compared to the Mark II, I don't find it nearly as refined in either its fit and finish nor in its ride. That's to be expected, though, I assume as it was half the price of the Mark II. And, in fairness, my Mark II is the nicer of the two. Now just one more car to find (a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk with a four-speed) and my dream collection will be complete!