1939 Cadillac Series 75 Convertible Coupe
- Engine
- V8
- Colour
- Antoinette Blue
The 1939 Cadillac Series 75 Convertible Coupe is among the rarest of its kind, with only 27 believed built and five thought to survive today. The 21st example produced, it was originally delivered through a New York dealership and reportedly acquired by the Walt Disney Company circa 1988 for a California promotional display. A comprehensive restoration by Steve Cooley Motors between 2004 and 2007 revealed an unusually original structure, albeit with unexplained bullet holes in one rear fender. The finished car earned Senior Premier recognition from the Classic Car Club of America in 2011.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$165,000
- 1939 → 1939Factory deliveryJohn D. Wendell dealershippartial documentation
Original delivery point for the car; Albany, New York dealership through which the vehicle was first retailed.
- 1988 → 1992Acquisition unknownWalt Disney Companypartial documentation
Acquired for a planned promotional exhibit in Long Beach, California, alongside the Spruce Goose and Queen Mary; the arrangement was cancelled before materializing.
- 1992 →Acquisition unknownFormer owner after Disneypartial documentation
Commissioned a full restoration by Steve Cooley Motors between 2004 and 2007, a project reportedly requiring over 2,000 hours; the finished car earned multiple concours honors.
- 2018 →Acquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Had minor bodywork, paint corrections, and a new convertible top fitted by Vintage Underground in Eugene, Oregon during summer 2021; ignition system also serviced at that time.
Competition
- 2011Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Senior Premier AwardSenior Premier award
Recognized after the multi-year restoration was completed; one of several concours-style honors the car received.
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA National First Senior AwardNational First Senior award
Earned following the restoration; exact year not specified in the catalogue text.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007RestorationSteve Cooley Motors
Full restoration carried out between 2004 and 2007 requiring over 2,000 hours of work. The car was found to be largely original and structurally sound, though the left rear fender contained multiple bullet holes of unknown origin. The finished colour is Antoinette Blue with tan leather interior; a correct original chassis-mounted radio aerial was sourced during the process.
Work spanned approximately three years; the from-date for this entry is 2004 and the completion date 2007.
- 2021BodyworkVintage Underground
Various minor bodywork and paint imperfections were addressed and a new convertible top was fitted during the summer of 2021.
Workshop located in Eugene, Oregon.
- 2021ServiceVintage Underground
The ignition system was serviced concurrently with the bodywork and convertible top work in summer 2021.
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