Circa 1:25 scale

AMT (?), USA

    
1959 Cadillac hearse by unidentified manufacturer; initially, I guessed the scale to be between 1:66 and 1:77; Chris Hardegger believes
the above hearse (as well as the ambulance, below) may be modified versions of the Ghostbusters kit in 1:25 scale by AMT

[ Late Extra (Jan., 2007): Lou Flammia, author of these two pics, contacted me in Jan., 2007; he confirmed that his creation was indeed
a conversion from AMT's 1:25 scale "Ghostbusters" ambulance - Thanks, Lou, for authorizing the use of your photos on this site ]

JO-HAN, USA

   
This 1:25 scale model of the 1959 Cadillac "Series 60 Special" is the second in a long series of plastic promotional toys and kits
issued by Jo-Han Mfg. Co (USA); over time, these early "promotionals" (in this case a friction-drive toy) had a tendency to become
warped, as may be seen here at the forward roof line and, less so in this particular case, between the front grille ensemble and the
hood; it is almost impossible to find one of these toys today with no warpage.  A fresh run of the 1958 and 1959 promotionals was
issued in the eighties; the new plastics used are more stable than the originals.   So, if you find one that is nice and
straight, it probably is one of the "modern" versions

I believe this is an amateur-built lead sled, probably in 1:25 scale
based on an older  kit by one of the specialty manufacturers (Jo-Han, Monogram, etc.)

MONOGRAM, USA

PALMER, USA

UNIDENTIFIED, USA

   
1959 Cadillac ambulance by unidentified manufacturer

[ Unidentified - 1:25 scale ? ]

UNIDENTIFIED, USA (?)

This scale construction kit of the 1959 Fleetwood
Eldorado Seville coupe needs to be properly identified
[ possibly TKM models, Oklahoma City ]

Another unidentified kit (body only) of  a 1959 Miller Meteor hearse
built on Cadillac chassis, but sans the traditional fins; this limited
production resin body will fit on the Ghostbusters ambulance
kit with only minor adjustments and removal of flashing

Here is a similar body that needs completion;
it resembles a Eureka hi-top ambulance

Circa 1:24 scale

DANBURY MINT (USA)

These are excellent, miniature, replicas of two of GM's finest for 1959:
the Coupe de Ville and the astounding Eldorado Biarritz

   
The Coupe de Ville in Vegas turquoise with Olympic white roof;
look at the detail of the interior - this one is well worth the money

   
The Eldorado convertible is equally detailed; it is shown here in the year's most desirable
configuration and color:  bucket seats and Persian Sand hues throughout;
a red soft top would have made it perfect, although there is nothing wrong with white

   
The Eldorado coupe [one of 5000 to be issued]  is a more recent addition to the range and is also highly detailed;
I find this color combination particularly fitting, though I might have preferred a white Vicodec top covering

FRANKLIN MINT, USA

   
Finely detailed 1:24 scale model of the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz; only 2500 units
will be painted this original green color; the first ones will be sold in September, 2005
The detailing is amazing! Everything opens; highly detailed engine, carpeted interior

Here is the sister car, the Eldorado Seville; only 5900 units
were made of this limited edition collector's toy

MONOGRAM, USA
[ who says you can get too much of a good thing ? ]

    
The 1959 Cadillac is shocking enough as it is ...but in pink!
this version comes from Monogram (USA); scale is 1:24

JADA, CHINA (?)

Starting in mid-2003, under the label  DUB CITY Old Skool, the toy market was flooded with various
1:24 scale models of Cadillacs from 1953 and 1959 (possibly others too) including this confusing
1959 Cadillac El Dorado DeVille; made by by Jada (China ?), their general lines are true but
the wheels usually are "imaginative", to say the least

       
This one belongs to French collector, Cedric ..., aka "cady59"
[ Photo: © 2007, Cedric ... ]

In September 2004, toy collector Taral Wayne had this to say about the Jada models: Regarding the Jada 1959 Cadillac. In re-issuing older models they have refitted them with absurd "lo-rider" rims, but originally they came with standard tires of the time. The '59 Caddy I have is Vatican- white all over and inside, complete with correct chrome hub-caps, and ultra-wide white sidewalls. The trick is to find an older, unsold model, as I did. I've complained to Jada about this, but naturally they aren't going to listen to one customer. Unfortunately I can't provide you an image.

   
Taral kindly sent this image of the older Jada production models

M & M, USA

M&M ceramic black Cadillac convertible with
two M&M figures, one red, the other green; car is 9" long
by 4½" wide and comes with a red bow around the candy

   
As you can see, it came in  a variety of colors

UNIDENTIFIED, USA (?)

From the movie Ghostbusters, this imaginary
ectoplasmic wagon is a popular kiddie toy

ERTL, USA

Circa 1:20 scale
(advertised as 1:18)

Circa 1:18 scale

BANDAI, JAPAN

    
This tinplate Series 60 Special (top row) and the unlikely convertible conversion of it  (2nd row),
are from Bandai, Japan; they are still quite readily available today, on eBay, in a variety of colors

PRECISION MINIATURES

Circa 1:18 scale

These excellent, miniature, professional cars replicate
those built in 1959 by the Superior Coach Corporation
They are priced initially at $80 a pop and may
by pre-ordered in September 2004, from:

http://www.diecastmuscle.com/store/Search?searchQuery=crown

   
(1) Crown Royale Landau hearse, available in black, maroon, silver and white

   
Apart from the fact that some of the photos are slightly blurred,
the detail is such that these could be snaps of a real, surviving hearse
[ Photos (above 3 rows): © 2005, Yann Saunders ]

(2) Crown Royale limousine hearse, available   in the same colors as above


(3) Crown Royale ambulance, available in blue, white, blue+white, red+white

  
Again, the detail is such that these could be snaps of a real, surviving ambulance
[ Photos (above 3 rows): © 2005, Yann Saunders ]

   
In the same series, here is the Fire Marshall's car

Here's a fabulous replica of the luxurious Serie 75 sedan and limousine;
it is available also in black, burgundy and white
[ Photos:  ACCF Forum, "cady59" ]

       
This individually assembled Diorama creation is from Junkyard Jewels and depicts
a sad-looking Miller-Meteor style combination hearse-ambulance in a junkyard setting

Junkyard Jewels web page

Circa 1:12 scale

(Jim) BEAM, USA

   
You won't believe the uses to which the 1959 Cadillac convertible has been put for commercial purposes;
here is a decanter advertising Jim Beam bourbon; the scale is circa 1:18 - Drive; don't drink!

MAISTO, JAPAN

     
(Above two rows) Maisto produced this large model of the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz;
unfortunately, it is not beyond reproach; the cut of the tail-fin tips leaves a lot to be desired

[UNKNOWN ARTISANS], PHILIPPINES

My Swiss friend, Jean-Michel Roux, who collects   GM  stuff (especially Cadillac) that is from or that represents his year of birth (1959), currently resides in Thailand. There he has befriended some local artisans who, for a reasonable sum (compared to US prices), will create fine replicas of GM cars of J-M's favorite year, in approx 1:12 scale. Some of these are illustrated below   You can read more about it (and see less fuzzy pics) on this page of the Cadillac Database©.

 

   
Here is the 1959 Sedan de Ville in the 4-window, flat-top ["greenhouse"] configuration

   
Here is the 1959 Eldorado Seville in stunning Persian Sand

   

Custom town car claimed to have built by the Fisher Body works, in 1959,
on commission from deposed King Farouk of Egypt; in fact, it was later
proved to be an amateur custom job by Gordon Glover of Baltimore, MD

   

UNIDENTIFIED

Circa 1:8 scale

   
(Left) This cute but crude wood and card model of a 1959 Cadillac Series Sixty-Special sedan
is "parked" beside a rare 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. The photo was taken in Paris,
France, in the eighties. Formerly owned by François Laurent, the Brougham now is part of the
Robert Keyaerts Cadillac Museum collection at Langeais, in Touraine, France
(I am guessing that the  would-be replica of the 59-60S is about three feet long)

   
Above two rows: Series 62 flat top sedan and Eldorado Biarritz,
hand-carved in the Ivory Coast, from Iroko wood [info page here]
[ Photos: © 2007 and courtesy Philippe Ruel, owner ]

UNIDENTIFIED

Circa 1:4 scale

   
Judging from the size of the child seated in this cute pedal car, I am guessing, again, that the scale is about 1:4
the "stainless steel" rocker trim and the absence of a side spear suggests the Eldorado Biarritz

Circa 1:1 scale

UNIDENTIFIED, USA

   
The ultimate folly is this 1:1 scale replica, in Fiberglas, of the two-door coupe model
(seen for sale on eBay in December 2002). The vendor claims it is unique
and weighs "ruffly" 300lbs.  Any takers ?

     Unknown Scale

UNIDENTIFIED, GERMANY

 
Cute bear figurine in '59 Caddy convertible
entitled Evelyn in a pink Cadillac (#104662)

UNIDENTIFIED, MADAGASCAR

   
Made of discarded tinplate cans by skilled artisans
in the African island nation of Madagascar
[ Photos:  ©Cedric Marie, ACCF ]

     A toy collection devoted solely
to the 1959 Cadillac

OWNED BY A YOUNG FRENCH COLLECTOR
CEDRIC MARIE, NICKNAMED "cady59"

 
I had many of these toys and scale-models in my own collection
but many more have hit the market since I sold it in 1989
[ Photo: © 2007 and courtesy Cédric Marie ]