Said to be one of just seven such wagons, this 1956 Cadillac View Master is in remarkable original condition, showing fewer than 20,000 miles on the odometer. The listing provides few details about its history, but most View Masters went to discerning and wealthy buyers who could afford the lofty price tag and wanted to be seen in something different.
Cadillac View Master owners are rumored to have included Hollywood personalities Debbie Reynolds, Clark Gable, and Dean Martin. Hess & Eisenhardt was accustomed to working with an exclusive clientele, having supplied armored limousines to US presidents for several decades.
A Fleetwood at Heart
Like all View Master wagons, this one was largely handbuilt on a Cadillac Fleetwood 129-inch wheelbase. Hess & Eisenhardt upgraded the chassis with a commercial cowl, floor pan, and other components that were typically used for the ambulance and hearse conversions that made up the bulk of the company’s business.
Other pieces, like the rear side glass, were unique to the View Master, though it shared its rear tailgate and glass with the humble 1956 Chevrolet station wagon.
The exterior is the epitome of 1950s swagger and style, awash in chrome from the oversized front bumper guards to the dual exhaust outlets exiting through the rear bumper. The deep-blue paint retains its shine, but what makes this wagon stand out is the original and impossible-to-find vinyl and fiberglass woodgrain trim. All other unique Cadillac View Master badging and custom components appear in place.
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The Cadillac View Master’s interior shows little wear and appears largely as it did when it left the Hess & Eisenhardt facility. The original seafoam-green leather seats are in excellent condition.
The headliner and carpeted rear cargo area look brand new, and the rear seat folds for added cargo room. Creature comforts include air conditioning, power steering, and an upgraded modern stereo with a retro look.
The seller says this car was freshly serviced and running well after being on display for a number of years. It’s powered by the original 285-horsepower, 365 cubic-inch Cadillac V-8 engine paired with an automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. The engine compartment presents a clean and completely original appearance.
A Retro Rarity
With so few produced and just seven examples still existing, this Cadillac View Master is an ultra-rare collector car, especially in almost entirely original condition. It’s a handbuilt throwback to another era.
Crank up that stereo, channel your inner Dean Martin, and head for Vegas, baby. Your Cadillac is ready.
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