Last updated on November 26, 2025
Today’s car is a 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, owned by Omar Prioleau. Omar is the second owner of this well kept car, which needed a bit of TLC. The first owner lived in Santa Barbara, CA, and was a well-known local icon, often seen driving around town on the weekends.
I originally saw this car at the 22nd Annual Hermosa Beach Endless Summer Classic Car Show. It is finished in Goddess Gold with a Sandalwood leather interior, and matching convertible top and boot. It is powered by a 285 hp, 365 cu in, OHV V8 engine, with Rochester 4GC four-barrel carburetor, mated to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with 3.07 rear axle. The suspension has independent coil springs up front along with live rear axle with semi-elliptic springs in the rear. Slowing this beauty down are drums brakes that are vacuum assisted and T handle parking brake. The chrome 15″ Kelsey Hayes Sabre wheels are like the perfect jewelry.
The Cadillac Series 62 was produced for 23 model years, spanning from 1940 to 1964 with a break in production due to WWII. The total number of 1956 Cadillacs produced was 155,577. Of those, 128,452 were Series 62 models and only 8,300 of those were convertibles. The MSRP was $4,711.00. The published top speed was 117 mph, with a 0–60 mph time of 11.1 seconds.
The 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible was designed under the direction of Harley Earl, the legendary head of General Motors’ GM Design. Earl played a central role in shaping Cadillac’s postwar image of prestige and elegance. Bill Mitchell, who led the Cadillac Studio at the time, had a strong influence on the design of the 1956 Series 62 Convertible—helping to shape its proportions, trim, and guide its evolution toward the more modern, refined Cadillac aesthetic that he would fully take over in the 1960s.
This is a beautiful, award winning original car. A great choice for Cadillac and GM car shows, Cars and Coffee events, or just cruising to Sunday brunch along the coast with the top down of coarse.
Thanks for riding along.
Frank
