1956 Cadillac Hess & Eisenhardt View Master Station Wagon

Description

Hess & Eisenhardt No. S8570

If anything, Cadillac’s 1956 lineup of Series 60s, 62s, 75s, and Eldorados could justly be described as NEW in capital letters. The Cadillac Salesmen's Data Book for that year states “new” well over 100 times, yet for all the new top-of-the-line coupes, sedans, and specialty vehicles Cadillac did not offer a station wagon. What to do then for those looking to shepherd their family in Cadillac style? Enter Hess & Eisenhardt, a custom coach building company from Rossmoyne, Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati. The well-known firm worked with GM to procure and build a special mix of Series 62 and Series 86 chassis and body components to construct one of the largest Cadillacs sold that year. Of course, like any true custom, there were a number of pieces that were sourced from within GM and many that were made specifically for this custom station wagon like the highly stylized hood ornament and its “Woodie” side trim. Those “in the know” bought one in those two years and it is said that those among them were signer Dean Martin, actor Burt Lancaster, and boxing legend Joe Lewis. Coachbuilt Cadillacs possess a unique charm and the rarity of these View Masters is heightened with only seven remaining.

Highlights 

• Custom coachbuilt Cadillac station wagon

• Two-row, six passenger View Master variant

• Believed to be one of seven produced by Hess & Eisenhardt for 1956 

• Based on the Series 62 chassis and enhanced with Series 86 commercial-duty cowl and floorpan 

• 365 cu-in Eldorado V8 topped with a single four-barrel carburetor

• Notable period View Master owners included Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, and boxing legend Joe Lewis. 

• Finished in dark blue over a seafoam leather interior 

• Retains its original fiberglass and DI-NOC applique wood trim 

• Appears to be complete with all factory and custom coachbuilt brightwork and trim including its unique hood ornament 

• Offered with 19,516 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown 

Features 

• The trim tag decodes as: 

  • Style No. 56-8680S – Series 86 Commercial Chassis 

  • Body No. FW 1038 – Fleetwood Plant sequential number 1038 

  • Trim No. BLANK 

  • Paint No. BLANK 

  • ACC S8570 – Hess & Eisenhardt number 

• The engine number (5662095225) decodes as: 

  • 56 – 1956 

  • 62 –  Series 62 including Eldorado Specials 

  • 095225 –  Consecutive production sequence 

• The original radio has been replaced with a modern, retro-look item  

• Hydra-Matic automatic transmission 

• Custom Hess & Eisenhardt Co. interior badging 

• Flat folding rear bench seat for greater cargo capacity 

• Equipped with rare under-dash air conditioning 

• Power windows 

• Power steering 

• Power brakes 

• 20 gallon fuel tank 

Known Imperfections 

• Small scuffs and tears on drivers seat 

• Scratch (4-5 inches) on the wood paneling 

• Minor rock chips 

• Paint missing around the wheel well 

• Slight rust on the rocker panels and the bottom of the chrome by the rear exhaust 

• The chrome accent piece on the passenger side has a chunk broken off 

• Driver’s side rear door jamb two inch spot with paint missing with surface rust 

• Dried out rubber weather stripping showing cracking due to age 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

Ownership History

Purchased by the consignor in September of 2022 this View Master Station Wagon by Hess & Eisenhardt is noted by the consignor to previously reside in Gardenia, California.