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A pair of 1959 Cadillac tail fins that started life on a Series 62 sedan has been reborn as a glowing set of display sculptures, and the finished result is currently up for grabs at no reserve on Bring a Trailer. Listed out of Fayetteville, Arkansas as Lot #254707, the fins have racked up thousands of views and a lively comment thread since going live, proof that automotive ephemera can be just as captivating as a full restoration.
The seller began the project in 2023, stripping the Series 62-style side trim before sandblasting each fin down to bare metal and refinishing them in a deep single-stage red urethane. Reproduction Eldorado-style trim, fresh reflectors, and new taillight lenses were fitted to bring the chrome and glass back to showroom sharpness. Hidden inside each housing is a motion-activated, dimmable LED unit, so the fins light up the moment someone walks past.
Each fin rides on its own hand-built wooden base fitted with locking casters, letting the roughly 40-inch-tall, 43-inch-long display pieces roll into position in a garage, den, or showroom floor. Individual 48-inch power cords with standard three-prong plugs keep the lighting simple to wire in, and custom wooden boxes are included to hide the casters from view once the fins are parked. The seller does note some minor paint flaws, which are visible in the auction photos.
It is easy to forget how much sheet metal and drama Cadillac packed onto the back of a 1959 Series 62 until you check the Hagerty Valuation Tools price guide for context. A number 3-condition, or "Good," 1959 Cadillac Series 62 two-door hardtop coupe is valued at roughly $62,900, a matching convertible climbs to about $119,000, and the more common four-door hardtop sedans land in the $27,000 to $30,000 range. Against that backdrop, a sculptural pair of fins bidding in the low thousands looks like an accessible way to own a piece of peak fin-era Cadillac styling without the upkeep of a full-size land yacht.
Whether this pair ends up in a car-themed lounge or a dealership lobby, it is a reminder that 1950s Cadillac styling still has plenty of pull with collectors, a trend Motorious has also tracked with a factory-original 1951 Cadillac Series 62 parade convertible tied to Princess Elizabeth. Readers chasing more fin-era Cadillac coverage can browse our full archive of Cadillac features and auction news for similar finds.