1956 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan de Ville

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong. 

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

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The 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan de Ville marked a significant milestone in Cadillac’s evolution, introducing the brand’s first pillarless four-door hardtop. This innovative design combined the elegance of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan, offering unobstructed visibility and a sleek profile. It was part of Cadillac’s annual restyling, which included a refined grille, repositioned parking lights, and distinctive chrome accents with vertical louvers on the rear fenders. 

Powered by a robust 365 cubic-inch V8 engine producing up to 305 horsepower, the Sedan de Ville delivered smooth performance paired with GM’s improved Hydra-Matic transmission. Inside, it featured luxury appointments such as power windows, optional air conditioning, and advanced seating options, including a six-way power seat. 

Introduced ahead of other 1956 models on October 24, 1955, the Sedan de Ville quickly became a commercial success, outselling both the Coupe de Ville and the standard Series 62 sedan with over 41,000 units produced. Its popularity helped solidify Cadillac’s reputation as America’s premier luxury car brand during a time of fierce competition from Lincoln and Imperial. As the brochure stated, “Cadillac for 1956 is more than a motor car — it is a symbol of success, a reward for achievement, a reflection of good taste.” 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Finished in black paint over white leather with black cloth inserts 

• Powered by 365 cu-in V8 rated at 285 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque 

• Four-speed “Hydra-Matic” automatic transmission 

• Continental Kit with black and chrome cover 

• The chassis number (5662076609) decodes as: 

  • 56 – 1956 model year 

  • 62 – Series 62, Cadillac’s mid-range luxury line 

  • 076609 – Sequential production number 

Features 

• Bullet front bumper 

• Fender skirts 

• Fender flag holders with U.S. flags 

• Rounded rear window 

• Power steering, brakes, windows, and seat 

• Autronic Eye (headlight dimmer) 

• Bench seats  

• Fold-down rear center arm rest  

• AM radio 

• 120-mph speedometer 

• “Nineteen Fifty-Six' script on dash 

• Steel wheels with full Cadillac hubs 

• Bridgestone SF-375 235/75R15 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips and fading 

• Pitting and scratches on chrome and trim 

• Steering wheel is cracked 

• Driver’s window is cracked 

Included 

• Carpeted Cadillac floor mats 

• Spare tire 

Ownership History

This 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan de Ville is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.