Stunning Limo Interior is an Unsolved Mystery

[@MoGreazy]

It’s not a limousine. It is a Series 75 7-passenger sedan. No divider.

[@ronwinkles2601]

Correct!

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

A proper tuneup would be great.

[@ClassicChrome86]

Love the Caddy's. Especially the early to mid 50's Cadillacs. Love the big bullets on the front bumper and of course the fins!

[@jameshaddan8538]

It feels like that interior has Cadillac fabric….but from the 70s. I swear I’ve seen that fabric from Cadillacs of that period.

[@emjayay]

Yes, even on a limo that could be optioned the material looks more 70's than 50's.

[@allenwayne2033]

Yep, I too remember seeing mid 70's Caddys with this upholstery. I think they may also have had it in red, blue, brown and green tones.

[@advohelp]

Hi from Russia. It's a great car. And a part of auto history. It was glad to hear that it's not rusty, but covered with salt from the ocean. Hope that the present owner will manage to restore the car.

[@JBO3022]

Definitely a refurbished interior from the 70's.

[@larryhullinger4141]

Better watch it again He said it was factory original

[@noscwoh1]

That's not a Cadillac original fabric from the mid 1950s... Unless Lay-Z-Boy used that same exact fabric in 1975 for their rocker recliners. I sat in said recliner for most of my life; there's no mistaking it!

[@billolsen4360]

@@noscwoh1 My first impression was "Lay-Z-Boy"

[@roylcraft]

@@larryhullinger4141 ...better listen again, he "thinks" it was. Def. NOT, it's from the 70's.

[@danielulz1640]

​@@larryhullinger4141he knows not whereof he speaks.

[@lockman004]

Dagmars. Learn something new everyday. So wow, she's got a great set of Dagmars. I couldn't take my eyes off her Dagmars.

[@youtold7727]

Dagmar was an actress with big you know what and that’s why they’re called Dagmars

[@roykygames8805]

I absolutely love this one🤩, I also own a series 75 imperial sedan(the one with a dividing glass) but mine is from '52. It's incredible how much cool features these cars have. Love the bumper on this one, greetings from Belgium😁

[@steelman86]

If yours has a partition glass, it is a 75 series Imperial LIMOUSINE, this one is a 75 series SEDAN since there is no partition glass. No, not original interior FOR sure! BTW, THE outlets in the ceiling are for the AC and the ones under the back seat are for heat.

[@roykygames8805]

​@@steelman86you're absolutely correct. My bad officially it's a series 75 fleetwood imperial limousine. But i've got some older ducuments of the car where they called it an 'Imperial Sedan'. 😁👍🏻

[@StacyRobertson-c7u]

If you own a classic as this, not restoring it is COOL. The far out interior, the weathered and historic body is amazing. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOY NOT GET THE MOTOR RUNNING BETTER!!

[@cardinaloflannagancr8929]

I was thinking that myself kind of sad when people are more concerned with cosmetics and appearance than reliability. Hopefully he follows through like he said and gets it running right.

[@styldsteel1]

Relax. He might have just picked it up. He said he's not a car guy, and it's hard to find a mechanic for these cars.

[@badapple65]

I do understand leaving it alone but also understand someone that wants to explore its full potential. I am torn.

[@styldsteel1]

@@badapple65 IMHO I like, and go for pretty. None of this "patina" Garbage.

[@jwalster9412]

Some people cars Guay just aren't car guys I guess.

[@MrPendell]

Loving the 70s pimp chic interior- if this was original Caddy stuff in the 50s, I’m guessing that might be part of the inspiration behind the whole gold shag rug, velour furniture, and avocado coloured appliances aesthetic that I remember from my childhood in the 70s.

[@benjaminkoontz2711]

The upholstery is from the mid-seventies. It is probably Cadillac sourced but not original to this car.

[@randyfitz8310]

See the brougham upholstery in the 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado - I believe that is where the fabric was factory original.

[@anderander5662]

We had a couch with that same upholstery back in the 70s...😅

[@smartysmarty1714]

That IS original Cadillac fabric, but it is from around 1974-76, and most likely 1976 as they were changing them quickly in those few years. That striped pattern came in a few different flavors of browns, tans, reds, blues, and maybe even some greens. I absolutely loved them all. But this is definitely not even close to an original 50's interior.

[@billolsen4360]

Shag carpet would go well with that upholstery

[@trudygreer2491]

​@@billolsen4360Needs a few ferns, too..!

[@martinliehs2513]

The fabric is interesting. My parents bought a rustic, mission-style living room set in the mid-70s that had similar looking fabric on the cushions.

[@jonhamilton5789]

I would guess 1975, in 1976 Cadillac mostly had solid colors.

[@MrJayrock620]

I get the feeling that it was redone sometime in the 70’s given it still looks like lacquer paint. Especially if the motor was swapped I’d probably guess it was bought as a non running car, and was all done at the same time.

[@17addidas]

Those Braun and Gold Fabric colors and patterns ...were very popular along with avocado green in the late 60's .. Just makes me wonder how much unaccounted work the car has had. Nevertheless its an unusual and jolly sight .

[@photogazer]

Years ago I had a chance to get a 1956 Cadillac Limo for free. All I needed to do was get a tow truck that would put it on a bed to take it away and I could have it. It had to happen quickly because it was in a barn, and the barn was getting ready to fall on it. I arraigned for a large flatbed to pick it up on the coming Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the owner called Friday morning to let me know not to come by. The barn fell on the car Thursday night, crushing it under the large barn beams. It looked very similar to this 55 Limo., but was in much better shape.

[@Chris.from.1950]

This thing is perfectly imperfect! ❤❤❤

[@flipppy83]

it's real close to the velour stripe pattern on the 1974-76 cadillac's but all the reference images I could find they didn't have that many colors, they were usually 1-2 colors with a thin white dividing stripe. This more like couch upholstery from the 70s, I have actually found a few vintage ones for sale on google almost identical to this color/pattern but this is definitely not the correct pattern/material for 1955.

[@kdsboosted4954]

Cool car. As a cadillac collector I'm not a fan of limo's but it's in decent shape. Now as far as the interior goes I'm no expert. However I'm not sure that fabric was out in the 50's. Velour was a 70's material please tell me the last time you've seen original Velour in a 60's car let alone the 50's. On a side note the engine doesn't sound like it's going to treat you very well. Sbc's can be made to look like the original engine with exception of the water pump the intake is a little different too but most don't notice. I have a twin turbo sbc 54 cadillac I built 5 ish years ago pulled it from a field it was complete minus the drive train. I brought it home rebuilt the brakes cleaned up the interior installed the 91 tpi 305 I payed 200 for installed a $75 junkyard trans turbo 400. Did this in 30 days the only trouble I've had is breaking my u joints and the rear end yoke a couple times.

[@kelliintexas3575]

I agree! Late 1960's 100%. This interior is VERY CLOSE to the interior that George Barris did for Elvis in a limo.

[@KRich408]

I worked at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley my guess is that the colors of that Caddy were meant to look like a baked Idaho Potato 🥔 brown outside and buttery inside. They picked you up in a Potato 😮😮😮😮

[@sambaritone]

“I’m not a car guy” - You are now!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Feel like that interior is 70's, not 50's. Not sure what Cadillac was using for upholstery in their limos, but 1950's cars had more nylon and a sort of flat "sheen" to the upholstery. Fuzzy bathrobe upholstery hadn't become popular yet.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

It isn't hard to find another Caddy engine to go in, I figure a mid 60's to early 70's one would be perfect with a TH400 to get those silky shifts. Wouldn't be original, but it'd still be all Cadillac and better then some chevy engine hack job. That interior is a precursor to the stylings of the late 60's into the 70's, kind of nightmarish, but cool and wild at the same time. Just amazing condition for it's age.

[@richardthompson6366]

Caddy had a decent 429 in the mid 60s did they not?

[@danielulz1640]

1970's fabrics.

[@HM2SGT]

*This thing is upholstered like a sofa! It's intended to be a couch that drives people to and from the airport. Crazy!*

[@MrCunningham4]

Engine sounds a little, tractor-y... I wonder if it's just out of timing a little. The interior/exterior choices sure were odd, almost something you'd might see in the mid 70s

[@danam0228]

Lol, yeah, I was thinking the interior looked like something from the 70s

[@watthaile2053]

That's because it IS from the 70s. The guy is very nice, but he knows absolutely nothing about hi car. That's not even close to original.

[@bigsarge2085]

Awesome. I bought an old extra-long couch from a thrift store with this same fabric, or something very similar, hahaha, delightful!

[@styldsteel1]

Absolutely the most unique car you've done Dennis in the history of My Classic Car. Well done.

[@mikeavona2992]

Awesome find

[@joeseeking3572]

Interior material stikingly reminescent of what Olds was putting in some of its Cutlass Supreme Brougham of the late 70s and slightly less so of the Pontiac Valencia option for Bonneville Broughams of same period. Cadillac did offer a copper metallic, a russet metallic and and some other similar shades - I believe the color. I do question the interior however - it's just too much even for the 7 passenger vs. limo (which would have a leather front seat), and the headliner is clearly someone's 'interpretation'. As for condition, for me, the patina crowd is a bit much - an overreaction to the overrestoration craze. Let's strike a middle ground and celebrate old cars that have been brought back to more or less factory appearance and specs rather than no paint, missing trim jobs with trashed interiors.

[@severinjohn]

Agree. I was thinking Pontiac's Valencia Velour immediately, as well. Velour everything for the interior is just so '70's.

[@earllutz2663]

Nice survivor. Probably Cadillac interior, but from the 1970's. Personally I very much like the 1956 Fleetwood 60 Special.

[@kennethwise7108]

Cool car, great job Dennis and crew 👍🏻

[@Paul-fx4hb]

At least he acknowledges he’s not a car guy

[@bryduhbikeguy]

There were 2 setting in a field south of West Branch MI. in the early-mid 80's.I purple,and the other black.The black one had a minor t-bone,so they were selling as a pair for $1200. The purple ran,both could drive.I was too young and broke.The interiors were cloth,button tufted,single color,and not velour./His is well worth tuning, polishing with the chrome missing parts replaced,and then just enjoyed for years to come.

[@Nevakonaza.]

Now thats a treat for the eyes,What a beast..love it :)

[@robertdryburgh1457]

😅The interior does not appear factory. The Fleetwood 75 had tasteful broadcloth in the the interior front and rear. The limo (partition privacy window) had leather on the driver seat. Fun daily driver or appears worthy of restoration. Nice to see these out rather than abandon and rotting away forgotten.

[@cardinaloflannagancr8929]

It's a factory built limo so the factory very likely would have allowed or arranged for specific requests.

[@danielulz1640]

​@@cardinaloflannagancr8929it is NOT a limousine, it is a sedan and the factory would have had to have had a time machine because those fabrics are from the 1970's. LOL.

[@kelliintexas3575]

It's a Caddy. OF COURSE it had power everything & AC. THIS IS THE SAME CAR MODEL Elvis, Scotty & DJ used to tour the entire US in 54-55!! It was blue, painted yellow then PAINTED PINK! 🥰 They tied the stand up base on the roof & zipped it in a custom waterproof canvas bag!

[@21stcenturyozman20]

The stand up base of what? Did you mean bass?

[@billolsen4360]

THANK YEW! thankyouverymuch

[@jwelchon2416]

I dunno...That can't be the original interior. It sure looks like 1970's material. But fabulous nonetheless!!

[@Tim1963-u6n]

Would have loved to see in the trunk, looks like a Buick interior or Olds either way a great find

[@HeronPoint2021]

the dash is cracked because in light it's the first to go; the only thing on our Olds Convert. that needs to be done! and uphostelry shops have rolls of factory from that era: our Olds hardtop our uphostelry guy (now third generation in the SGV LA) had a full roll of origianal brocade blue so we did both Olds in the original, even though the fabric wasn't completely shot. And THEN found a full set of Chromed pieces at a dealer in Canada: an accident in the 70's, they ordered the full parts, then wrote the car off. We flew the parts down to LA for the hardtop. !! that brocade material is actually quite common in gold. !!

[@ukdnbmarsh]

very nice and very rare

[@ronaldmiller2740]

WOW THANKS !! WE MY SON MAX 8 LOVE YOUR CAR SHOW....

[@chrisjeffries2322]

I can picture Marilyn Monroe pulling up to a Movie Premier in this car in the day! Thank you for sharing.

[@careful...Icarus]

Breathtakingly beautiful car. Hopefully never to be fully restored. Epic

[@VinylToVideo]

It looks like Marty Crane's chair in "Frasier" which was made from fabric found in the costume department of the original "Star Trek."

[@neils5539]

Did they use build sheets back then? Wonder if there's anything under the back seat?

[@robertludwig1278]

interior was done over looks like 78 gm caddy or oldsmobile - tune that thing up its a chevy v8 running on 6 cylinders

[@danam0228]

Lol, it sounds like a biplane from WW1 when idling

[@HeavyChevy]

Beautiful caddy, I love the interior but doubt that it’s original. I would put a modern caddy engine, get the missing chrome and fix that hole on the fender. 😅

[@steves9905]

Cool car. Fix the holes and any rust, replace the missing chrome, and then leave as-is so the history remains. Restoring loses all of that. Luv the interior but ya it's a late upgrade, no manufacturers used velour until early 70's...i think the '72 98 Regency was the first.

[@Friedbrain11]

I would put it back to like new condition, especially the paint color.

[@emdb1981]

I would hazard a guess this car was refurbed in about 1975 to try to squeeze a few more years out of it in a livery service.

[@emjayay]

The Stereo Magic unit is almost certainly a reverb for the rear speaker from around 1970. Those reverbs actually worked mechanically, not electronically. My personal choice would be to restore the car to as-new condition as possible. The "patina-ed" dash and other interior bits might take a while. It certainly needs holes in the sheet metal repaired. It wasn't conceived to have shabby worn out and faded paint, besides the protection aspect. The AC probably doesn't work but should be fixed - it's expected in a usable car today. This will take an expert who is interested in old AC systems, but there are worse ones out there (like on the insane '61-63 Lincoln system). Often a good idea is to switch to a modern compressor since it probably needs replacing anyway. Fixing it up to decent standards would also enable it to be used for making money with rentals and, depending on where it is, movie and TV productions. Neither of these want shabby old cars.

[@styldsteel1]

Yeah, I agree. Patina is a nice word for rust. I like pretty, and shiny. Not old and tired

[@jk-76]

"As new" means it comes with all the warrenty etc. "Like new" is what you are looking for.

[@glbrown4262]

Stereo magic IS a reverb unit. I have one in my car.

[@MattGuzman-ng2yx]

​@@jk-76 Everyone knows what being said here.. no need to nitpick.. 🙄

[@WesTheHunter]

I wish modern cars had beautifully comfortable bench seats and not horrible bucket ball killing super hard super cheap foam german seats.

[@MattGuzman-ng2yx]

😂👍😉

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

That interior is definitely not original. Both the solid and the striped velour are a 1970s fabric.

[@hectorraigosa7149]

Don't think original.. that material we used in 72 to customize interiors. Velour isn't wasn't used in the 50s to my understanding.

[@RegenerativeHomes]

I love reading the comments, every car has its experts who know all the details. The question to ask as far as restoration or upgrade is 'What would Jay Leno do?'. I don't see him keeping the paint or interior, and he would abdolutely upgrade the engine. May not be enough there for his interest, but some intersting things in this one.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

😎Nice!!!!👍

[@erichiatt6119]

I have a rocking chair that was passed down to me from my aunt…she had it reupholstered when she inherited it in 1975…IN THE EXACT SAME FABRIC. Definitely not original fabric.

[@badapple65]

I wanna party in this masterpiece. I’d bet people would hire it with a driver for special occasions.

[@erepsekahs]

It looks like a brothel out of a nightmare, or something Jerry Lee Lewis might have owned.

[@pyrexmaniac]

No way is that fabric circa 1955.....looks like 1970s Pontiac or Oldsmobile.

[@youtold7727]

Bonneville had interior much like that and the Oldsmobile Toronado

[@TCadillacM]

CADILLAC!

[@ostrich67]

Looks like a 70s sofa in there.

[@billsmith7255]

It’s a cool car, but I do not think the interior is original.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Wow!!! 👍👍

[@ms.sonshine8878]

Very cool car. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jacobbornman9494]

All jokes aside . Just fix the engine . It's a Chevy . You can do it

[@opera93]

Thanks, always a treat and, interesting History : incredible lot of Add-on, Liveries, Dekuxe, Special Mission Builds & the many Vehicles ……Some if the specials just for Luxury Vehicle leasing/ Trips ate incredible (;not even touching on “ truck like builds”( e.g Explorer Vans, WARSAW Ind, et al)……,

[@lance16O1]

I thought he was gonna say yes 1 more time

[@michaelduncan232]

Check the history of this beautiful work of art. Most likely the interior was black leather.

[@Iamrightyouarewrong]

The fact the headliner is still intact,...

[@styldsteel1]

I'd love to know where he stores it. It won't fit in any garage, and ya can't leave it outside. Did you ask him perhaps? I hope he has a parking garage big enough. Great day Dennis!

[@cardinaloflannagancr8929]

Could have either simply extended a garage just above the trunk a few feet friends father did that for an impala. Had a boat garage if he lives within range of a lake or even built a garage. It seems really a pain but really not too bad if you've got some breathing room around the garage, unless you're out daily driving it.

[@santiagorubio833]

Magnífico Cadillac. Gracias por compartir video. Discrepo en el año del carro: este es un Fleetwood serie 75 del año 1954, no 1955. La palabra Fleetwood en la tapa de la maleta sale sólo en 1954.

[@bobbates7343]

I think he should put at least the same year make of engine back in it . That hole in the side by the mirror needs fixing as well. Other then that I suppose he could leave it as is

[@arnoldanderson1501]

The engine just wrecks the whole experience of this fantastic Cadillac. It should be silent when running. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Cadillac engine but for heavens sake make it quiet!

[@FeverDreamRemix]

Oh man to turn that into a restomod with all of today's new technology. That would be a dream car for me😊

[@dave5833]

As a child I skied in Sun Valley

[@dannyplanck6498]

The Caddy is begging for a 472. Can't you hear it?

[@MattGuzman-ng2yx]

... Or MAYBE an LT1 5.7 350, like mine has! 😏😉 Alas, mine is a Fleetwood... 😊

[@sammolloy1]

The front clip is from another car. Just put the chrome back and paint the front to match the rest of the car. And fix the engine

[@domfer2540]

I do not about the interior, but these cars were auction at PDO by the military in the early 70’s due to oil crisis. These were embassy cars at the time.

[@Chris.from.1950]

QUESTION! Searching for an episode that this might have come from, I only find one ep. that mentions the Emmett Show and Shine, Season 21, Episode 9, and this Caddy doesn't show up in that ep. as broadcast. Does anyone know the source of this video? Is it a bit of "tape" that didn't make it into the broadcast? == In any case, thanks, Dennis, for a great show. I sure love your work and all the love and talent that goes into it!

[@MyClassicCarTV]

We shot this in July 2023. The entire episode will air on Motor Trend in 2024 which BTW will be the 28th season of the show. Hard to believe! Glad you like the show and thanks for watching!

[@Chris.from.1950]

@@MyClassicCarTV Wow! A David Letterman style “Brush With Greatness!” 🔥 Thanks, Dennis! 🔥

[@LusciousLenny]

It's the long lost Purple Pimpmobile!

[@peterp.7761]

haha.. the guy knows that it's not from 1955 (the interior), The colors alone will tell you that..

[@donelmore2540]

The owner should talk to the owner of ICON Motors in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles to see how to stabilize the original paint. ICON Motors have a line of cars called “Derelict” that have “patina” that they leave.

[@cowboy6591]

That looks like the one "Judd Strout" owned he was know for the song "Daisy a Day".

[@MrImpalaRider]

Cool car but I’m sorry there is nothing factory about it. Just a quick search would tell you Cadillac never painted any cars brown in the 1950’s also that interior??? And the engine is a Chevy? Come on man. That’s someone cheap restore in the early 80’s

[@danielulz1640]

You COULD get a brown Cadillac in the 50's, but otherwise you are spot on.

[@kevinwallace9791]

Car was special order from the Factory in the brown, reason it has a Chevy motor in it was due to the original motor being blown. Found it in an alley and wanted to get it running for the show. Definitely needs some work but like any car project it's a project and needs money lol

[@HM2SGT]

4:18 😅 *yeah, as soon as I saw him reaching for that light I had the same thought! Just a little professional paranoia from a 37-year medic and firefighter*

[@w.e.s.]

Hes not a car guy...ya we can tell

[@tadzionl]

An amazing car. But if you want to save it for the future, it needs some restoration. At least those holes in the left front fender.

[@HypocriticYT]

Wonderful, restore and paint it it will truly pop 😅

[@joserafaelgrangefuenmayor7744]

Desde Marcos Pérez Jiménez hasta Rómulo Betancourt; era el carro presidencial de los presidentes de Venezuela; saludos.

[@dancetweety10]

Was that hole in the front from a bullet?

[@Chevdriver]

sometimes patina looks cool but i would paint this one lost some elegance with holes in the body

[@williamheald8847]

What a stretch to even consider that Cadillac used that dreadful seat material. No way is that original, in my arrogant opinion…..LOL…….

[@Jasona1976]

The interior fabric is not original at all but most likely 70s kitsch. E Gadz it's ugly.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

I dig it! I would just fix all the minor stuff, clear coat it & put in a modern Caddy motor ✌💖☮

[@mikefriedman593]

It looks like the exterior color is Tangler Brown

[@billolsen4360]

That's Don Barzini's car, sold off in 1957 because he didn't need it anymore.

[@timward3116]

I really think the exterior needs to be carefully and authentically restored to its original color.

[@kevinwallace9791]

Is the original color

[@youtold7727]

Looks like fabric from Oldsmobile Toronado

[@danielulz1640]

That is NOT an original Cadillac interior! Those fabrics are circa 1970's. The original choices were tan or gray, cord or wool broadcloth fabrics. That is also NOT a limousine, but a nine passenger sedan. The limousine had a division window and leather driver's compartment upholstery.