1959 Cadillac Roadster - Cadster - John D'Agostino

CUSTOM COACHWORK BY JOHN D’AGAOSTINO

325bhp 390 cu. in. V8 engine, Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission, front independent and solid rear axle leaf spring suspension and four-wheel power drum brakes. Wheelbase: 113"



Most car enthusiasts have heard the name John D’Agostino. His talent, skill, imagination and creativity have produced a series of fabulous customs that provide lots of enjoyment and
inspiration for car enthusiasts. In 30 years he has created some 50 classic customs. His cars have been referred to as wild and “Hollywood”, but are also reminiscent of the famous Motorama show cars.




With the 1939 New York Worlds Fair, GM created the Motorama, a bright-eyed vision of
transportation's future. It was so successful that following World War II it became one of the
mainstays of GM's marketing.



D’Agostino did not exactly start off small. One of his very first, full customs was based on a showroom new, lowered and molded 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix painted in Candy tangerine and gold. His work on the Grand Prix car became well-known and helped hasten the custom car movement.

Through the years, D’Agostino’s creativity flourished at the benefit of such vehicles as a 1972 Buick Riviera Boattail, 1972 Lincoln Mark IV, 1951 Mercury, 1958 Chrysler, 1953 and 1956 Mercury. “Stardust”, a 1940 Mercury custom built in 1988, was John's first venture into customizing prewar cars.



All of his creations reached some level of fame, particularly “Marilyn”. Marilyn, John’s 1953
Cadillac Eldorado, thrilled audiences every time she was shown. Marilyn is a stunningly designed and executed interpretation of the classic 1953 Eldorado convertible.



We are pleased to present one of Mr. D’Agostino’s most famous creations, “Cadster,” at auction today. Built in 2000, John D’Agostino designed the car and oversaw the countless hours (an estimated 4,000) and resources that were poured into his vision. No project of this size could have been so well executed without the support of excellent craftsman and artists. John’s partners on the project were Val and Gar Tompkins, and Steve White of A&A Auto (the world's largest Cadillac auto recycler) in Brentwood, California.



The Cadster started its life as a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Today, it is a long way from home as it is now a two seat roadster. Overall, it was shortened 30 inches and 17 inches
were removed from the frame behind the doors. The Cadster was chopped five inches, sectioned six inches, and channeled three inches. It has a Motorama style, severely raked custom built wraparound windshield.

The tapered tail sets off the 1959 Caddy fins beautifully. The extended and molded nose, with its wide, low air intake, and floating chrome grille flanked by quad headlights looks like a shark who is ready to eat. The sweeping, modified wheel wells contain roadster vintage wire wheels and classic whitewalls. The sculpted bodywork is metal and the craftsmanship is truly awesome. The interior is trimmed in shell white Swedish leather and is fitted with dual bucket seats and a beautiful dash. Cadster is finished in custom-mixed duPont lavender and white pearl paint applied and blended with consummate skill by master painter Art Himsl. Mr. Himsl artfully blended a cove, reminiscent of the Motorama Corvettes.

Cadster made its world show debut at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2000, where it was declared Best Custom. Later in May 2000, it is was judged World's Most Beautiful
Custom at the Golden Anniversary Sacramento Autorama and America's Most Beautiful Custom at the Sacramento World Motorsports show at the California Expo Center. After
garnering such awards Cadster was sent on the road to make more jaws drop on tour with World of Wheels. One final testament to Cadster’s universal appeal is the fact that it was
proudly displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Cadster is not just a creation in the shape of a car – it is an actual running and driving car that can be enjoyed on public roads. With V8 power, power steering, power brakes and an
excellent sound system by Pioneer, Cadster deserves to be driven in ultimate style.

1959

A&A Autoparts and Frank Di Rosa (USA) This is what happens to a regular Coupe de Ville when its owners smoke too much of the Mexican weed!  This car's top was removed; it was chopped, channeled, sectioned and shortened 18 inches. Frank Di Rosa did the preparatory work on this Cadster (Cadillac roadster); the pearl-white and lilac paint job was done by Art Himsl. Bidding at a recent auction reached $130,000 but did not meet the vendor's reserve. This from RM's auction catalog: Most car enthusiasts have heard the name John D’Agostino.



His talent, skill, imagination and creativity have produced a series of fabulous customs that provide lots of enjoyment and inspiration for car enthusiasts. In 30 years he has created some 50 classic customs. His cars have been referred to as wild and “Hollywood”, but are also reminiscent of the famous Motorama show cars ... All of his creations reached some level of fame, particularly “Marilyn”. Marilyn, John’s 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, thrilled audiences every time she was shown. Marilyn is a stunningly designed and executed interpretation of the classic 1953 Eldorado convertible. The "Cadster" is one of Mr. D’Agostino’s most famous creations. Built in 2000, John D’Agostino designed the car and oversaw the countless hours (an estimated 4,000) and resources that were poured into his vision. ...



John’s partners on the project were Val and Gar Tompkins, and Steve White of A&A Auto (the world's largest Cadillac auto recycler) in Brentwood, California. The Cadster started its life as a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Today, it is a long way from home as it is now a two seat roadster. Overall, it was shortened 30 inches and 17 inches were removed from the frame behind the doors. The Cadster was chopped five inches, sectioned six inches, and channeled three inches. It has a Motorama style, severely raked custom built wraparound windshield. The tapered tail sets off the 1959 Caddy fins beautifully. The extended and molded nose, with its wide, low air intake, and floating chrome grille flanked by quad headlights looks like a shark who is ready to eat. The sweeping, modified wheel wells contain roadster vintage wire wheels and classic whitewalls. The sculpted bodywork is metal and the craftsmanship is truly awesome. The interior is trimmed in shell white Swedish leather and is fitted with dual bucket seats and a beautiful dash. Cadster is finished in custom-mixed duPont lavender and white pearl paint applied and blended with consummate skill by master painter Art Himsl. Mr. Himsl artfully blended a cove, reminiscent of the Motorama Corvettes. Cadster made its world show debut at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2000, where it was declared Best Custom.



Later in May 2000, it is was judged World's Most Beautiful Custom at the Golden Anniversary Sacramento Autorama and America's Most Beautiful Custom at the Sacramento World Motorsports show at the California Expo Center. After garnering such awards Cadster was sent on the road to make more jaws drop on tour with World of Wheels. One final testament to Cadster’s universal appeal is the fact that it was
proudly displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. Cadster is not just a creation in the shape of a car – it is an actual running and driving car that can be enjoyed on public roads. With V8 power, power steering, power brakes and an excellent sound system by Pioneer, Cadster deserves to be driven in ultimate style.