Since we’re going to be ragging on poor GM all month, let’s also find a little love for the General. I actually started a series titled GM’s Greatest Hits, as a counterpart to the GMDS, but it kind of petered out at some point. Maybe we’ll have to revive it for December.
Anyway, the classic Cadillacs would undoubtedly dominate that list, and the 1954 was already given that designation. yes, the ’54 – ’56 models are my favorite: big, brash and still tall, like a true luxury car should be. Making Cadillacs any lower than this was a big mistake. There’s enough chrome to set off the handsome, smooth lines, but not slathered on like starting in 1957. Aaron nailed it with his paean to a ’55 Coupe DeVille here recently. OK, your turn. What’s your favorite Cadillac ever?
To take a page from part of my username, for me, the car that still remains the pinnacle of the brand. Menacing, classy, and built back when volume wasn’t as important as quality. If it had better brakes, it would damn near be perfect.
Full agreement. Absolutely stunning, with a style all its own and yet recognizable as a Cadillac.
Second prize? Tough call. Maybe a ’58 Eldorado Brougham.
A classic all right, ranking right up there with the V16.
67 for the exterior
69 for the interior
Make mine a ’68 with the parking lamps in the fender tips.
A ’63 or ’64 Sedan de Ville. Classic, sophisticated compared to the fins on the ’59.
I also like the ’77 and ’78 Sedan de Villes. Cadillac made a bold move to reduce the bulk of its sedans and did a very good job.
’64 Fleetwood 60 Special. One supposedly owned by Dwight Eisenhower was sold a few years back. Navy over navy broadcloth is excellent condition. Yup, near perfect 50 year old natural material upholstery.
Have to say my dad’s 1957 Coupe de Ville. Impressive looks and drove like a train!!
The 1949. My least favorite? 1959
Dare I say it, but at least in terms of which one I’d be most inclined to purchase: the Allante.
In terms of classic looks however, I think my favorites are the 1960 models, in 2-door form. Still with fins, but not as outrageous as ’59.
I love the Allante Brendan! But I would have to do something about the shifter and steering wheel. It would need to be an Allante with the Recaros, and not the hideous ’93 seats (and even more hideous steering wheel).
The Coupe sibling to the rag top in the top photo .
In Periwinkle or maybe Coral .
-Nate
A minority opinion, but my favorite is the Eldorado from 88. To my taste the size was right. The new for 88 styling was traditional enough while still being a car of the place and time. The smoothness and comfort were still in place but ample improvements had been made to handling. Real wood trim had returned to the interior and the digital displays and trip computer gave a nice place to be on a long trip. Give mine bucket seats in velour and a dark blue exterior with matching interior.
The 4.5 V8 allowed 9.2 seconds to 60 according to C/D. This was faster than an auto Legend coupe while delivering a quieter ride and better highway mileage. This would only improve as the 4.5 went to 180 hp for 89 and 200 and 4.9 liters in 1990. C/D did not bother to test again though.
This would be the last time that Cadillac would do a car it’s own way instead of chasing the Germans. Few people bought it, but that would just make mine more distinctive. I was 19 in 1988 and dreaming of the big time once college was over. This Caddy was a part of those dreams.
It’s the equivalent today. Similar size, concept and design philosophy, under the waves of fuel crisis. And it’s still faster than some Acura TLX too.
Not terrible, but a Caddy should have some overhangs. The small not opening windows also bother as it creates the impression that the car started as an econobox. One of the worst features on my Verano as the big modern dash has to bend lower at the ends to meet the glass.
My brother has an ELR and loves his.
1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
I had neighbors who bought one of those new, white over white, and kept it at least 25 years.
The ’66s were the last Cadillacs before cheap plastics tragically overtook the interiors.
There’s a light blue one with a white top on the TV show NCIS: New Orleans that Scott Bakula’s character drives. Nice car in decent, but not show car shape, that would fit right in with the Curbside Classic theme. He drives it regularly on the show.
There’s a white ’66 (though not a convertible) that can almost always be found parked curbside along one of Richmond’s best-known streets, Monument Avenue. The car is quite well known in its own right as it becomes the centerpiece of a rather impressive Christmas light display during the holidays.
Favorite all time Cadillac? As the owner of ’76 and ’94 Fleetwoods, I’d say that I’d love to have a 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood or a Fleetwood 75 Limo. The chrome dash is just gorgeous. The picnic trays in the Fleetwood along with the turn signals moving up from the bumper were nice too. Or maybe the grass is just greener on the other side….
The Fleet (and the family’s 944). Forgive the dust.
’93-’96 Fleetwood has the rims allowing too much brake dust accumulating on the white walls. Just cleaned mine few days ago.
I had no idea that Cadillac tried to be so Jaguar/Rollsish.
’14 CTS.
My dad had a 1947 Fleetwood, huge and bulbous, but smooth and roomy. There was so much room in back that there were fold-down footrests that I loved as a little kid. There were heaters underneath the front seat, too.
My favorites, though? While I like how the styling themes of 1950-53 were carried over to the ’54, my favorite of that bunch is the ’56, with just a bit more panache. And that was the first year of the Sedan de Ville, too. As someone who grew up in the era of the hardtop and misses that style, I could go for a Sedan de Ville, with the new smoothed-out Hydra-Matic, full power accessories, and air conditioning. Those had presence!
I could go for the same thing in ’57, though; it’s not as baroque as 1958 turned out, and seems an exceptionally graceful design. After that, I would jump ahead to 1965 or 1966–refined, understated elegance in any of the trim levels.
I know it’s on a lot of folks’ Hate Lists, but my favorite is the bustleback Seville… two-tone, just like this one. I’ve loved these cars since childhood and continue to today, regardless of what others say! No further explanation is necessary — I just love ’em:
The two tone helps a lot. Bustle backs looked much better when front and rear fenders were still distinct parts of the car.
I liked the bustleback Seville as well. My favorite was the two-tone silver and black Elegante.
I’m a big fan of the bustleback Seville too, no explanation needed. It doesn’t place in my top spot but it would definitely make top 10. Top 5 if it had better engines (the ’80 non-8-6-4 368 being the one to have, but even it’s no great shakes).
nice thing about a 368, is a nicely massaged 500 drops in and bolts up to everything and would still look like a 368.
Well it has to be my 1976 Coupe de Ville (hey, the question is “What’s your all-time favorite Cadillac?”, not “What’s the all-time best Cadillac?”). It’s a real behemoth, complete with mostly useless opera windows and an über-padded vinyl roof. Embarrassingly, its 3-speed, 500 ci engine has exactly the same output (190hp) as my new 4-cylinder Volvo V60. Its mileage is abysmal. It won’t fit in most garages. It handles and brakes like an oil tanker. It’s an impractical, unsafe machine that certainly does plenty of bad things to the environment when I floor it. In short, it is the malaise era in a (very big) nutshell. It is to the incredibly classy Cadillacs from the early 1960s what Barry Gibb’s white pants are to Sinatra’s suits. And, yes, it is my all-time favorite Cadillac.
I’m not much a fan of the breed, but my grandparents had a ’71 Calais 4-door that I really liked a bunch of the lines of—the quarter panels and fins, the wide-as-the-whole-state front end. It was a bit too plainwrap for my tastes; I prefer a little more chrome, but not the maximum-gingerbread top model. Maybe a Sedan DeVille of that same year.
Cimarron.
But if I HAD to make a choice, probably a 1965 Coupe De Ville.
On second thought, an XLR. Our modern dream car.
Wait, what?!?
I’d love to have a Cimmaron to knock around in! Or a bustle back Seville, or a prewar Caddy.
+1, the neatest of them all!
My favorite Cadillac is parked in my driveway. 2006 SRX AWD performance edition.
I wish I had this Cadillac.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/03/cadillac-cts-v-sets-record-for-supercharger-only-14-mile-video/
Love the ’49 Fastback but those didn’t have power steering. I like to be able to drive and enjoy my cars not just look at them.
As much as I like the Reagan era FWB, I would pick the ’53 Eldorado as my favorite. They got the front end and fins just right that year and the car had PS. I still wasn’t sure it was my fave until I read somewhere, probably here, about how you could give the doors a gentle shove and they would close by themselves with a solid thunk.
The 2014 third-generation CTS.
Premium trim with V6 or…
What? I really thought I would be the only one to choose the ’14 CTS… but at least someone agrees with me. It’s a damn sharp car 🙂
CC effect. Today I saw a BLS in traffic (not joking!). It looks WORSE in person than in pictures. Those front end rear ends seem to come from a behemoth and slapped on the rather (for 2016) small Saab 9-3, making it out of proportion. Also it seemed to be revving like crazy…
I have one.
The one that had $11K or $13K worth of repairs, right? Congrats on the car anyway…
Definitely the ’63-64 DeVille 4-window sedans.
1934
1941, especially the series 63
1964
There are so many more. These are just some of the sweetest berries.
1965 to 1970 Sedan De Ville – rock solid big block engines, THM-400, right before Cadillac started to chase volume and when the cars were still built more to a standard than a price. That age group would also get me the creature comforts I desired and ditch the damn X-frame.
Great minds think alike.
The ’71 redesign considerably cheapened the materials and construction quality. Of the ’65 to ’70 era, I tend to favor the ’68…still had the stacked headlamps that I prefer, plus it’s the first year for the 472 cubic inch engine, as well as available front disc brakes on DeVilles.
A ’65-68 Fleetwood Brougham. like my “68 shown here
Front view
The ’68s were spectacular, except for the plastic dashes and inner door panels.
I also like my ’69 60 Special too….only slightly less than the ’68!
65 Eldo in red. The gold offsets that color perfectly. I think 65-68 were the most beautiful Caddys all-round, with 65 being my favorite–the interior is just spectacular, especially seen from above with the top down. It looks ultra-modern. Swap me in a collapsible steering column from the ’67s and up, though, and some damn disc brakes!
’53 Eldorado Convertible.
Have to admit it, my favorite is the ultimate in 50’s excess…1959, in convertible guise.
The 59 convertibles are nice, better than the sedans I think.
Geeze ~
I had one of these, a freebie no less .
It was fully optioned with Magic Eye , Wonderbar radio w/ foot pedal etc.
White with black leather interior in decent shape .
I stupidly allowed the L.A.P.D. to tow it away on the wrong parking day….
-Nate
That’s a shame. Hard to imagine an era where a ’59 convertible wasn’t worth the money it would have taken to get it out of impound…
That hurts to think about. That’s the best post WWII Cadillac I can think of. The one in the photo with MM that Paul picked is nice too. Her Series 62 convertible would have even looked good without her, while the sedan looked like something a bureaucrat could have produced.
I was just stupid I guess .
I love big American boats but driving them not so much .
Why I’d love to own any 1950’s ‘Dagmar’ equipped Coupe ~ it’s not so big.
I know and love the Fisher built limo versions of them very well indeed .
Gone but not forgotten .
My Son is always ragging on me whenever I point out some oldie and say ” I had one of those ya know…”.
He says ” and now we’re riding in *this* pile ?!” .
I gave my 1980 Fleetwood Caddy Hearse to by Brother ~ he likes / needs (he’s taller than I am) , I can still drive it once in a while .
-Nate
The ’63 Sedan de Ville. Here’s where they got the fins and the chrome exactly right.
The first real car I ever drew was a new 1946 Cadillac I saw at, yes, a curb. What excited me was the way the leading edge of the rear fender was a constant curve clear to the wheel cutout, instead of being curved on the upper half and then dropping straight down as most cars’ did. I was not quite six at the time, but already had a stock of paper to draw on, and when we got home I ran straight to it and grabbed a pencil. I have no notion now of how good it looked, but my grandma, who had been with me, recognized it for what it was and was highly complimentary.
As for favorites, yes, the 1955-56 cars are mine.
My all time favorite Cadillac was, and still is, the 1962, in any form, with perhaps the Eldorado Biarritz convertible at the top of the heap. Cadillac just hit all the high notes that year. My dad came within a whisker of buying a Series 62 coupe then, until Mom put the kybosh on it. The road not taken!
Although I picked the ’66 DeVille Convertible as my favorite above, after reading Paul’s “In Motion Classic” almost exactly a year ago, I have to agree that those ’62(s) were beautiful cars.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/in-motion-cc-1962-cadillac-sedan-deville-sucks-more-fuel-than-three-prii-but-does-it-in-style/
The ’62 Caddies were not on my radar yet, as I was a mere toddler when they came out.
I picked the ’66 because that was the Cadillac I remember when I was just becoming ‘car aware’ in the fall of ’65 when they came out.
This one gets my vote to, at least for the “classics” choice. Otherwise, a CTS-V would make a marvelous traveling companion 🙂
“I actually started a series titled GM’s Greatest Hits, as a counterpart to the GMDS, but it kind of petered out at some point. ”
Doesn’t that tell you something??
Frankly, I never cared for Cadillac at all. It was the dance-hall floozy invited to a cotillion hosted by the Three Ps. IF I had to choose one, I’d go for the 1965 version with the stacked quad headlights and devoid of most of the wretched-excess of chrome trim that plagued its predecessors.
Given my druthers, I’d still opt for a 1965 – a ’65 Corvair, any flavor. I love them all. GM had brass balls, marketing a 4DR Monza hardtop with a 4-carb rear-mounted(!) flat six, four-on-the-floor and bucket seats. One could NOT toss a gauntlet harder at the established European imports, nor do so better than that. I own one now, and have been toying with dropping the 180HP turbo into it…painting the rear cove silver…swapping in a Corsa instrument cluster and adding the appropriate nameplates to the sides. Then again, the throttle response by a properly-tuned 140 is so IMMEDIATE, and so danged much fun…few people know what bit them, until bitten. 🙂
“…painting the rear cove silver…”
DO THIS ! =8-) .
-Nate
GM had at least a 50-year run, aided by the self-destructive convulsions of Europe, where it was the master of the automotive world.
Yes, and with Cadillac, and General Motors’ arsenal of democracy, Europe was given a chance. And now, they are still in self-destructive convulsions.
One more image of the ’65 Caddy ~
There’s a car with real dignity.
What I have and prefer! 🙂
NICE! One of my favorites too. Maybe a convertible.
The 2-door models from the mid-sixties, like this 1966 Coupe de Ville.
’62 Coupe DeVille or ’67 Eldorado.
It’s hard to fault the style of the ’62-’68 Cadillacs – these were peak Cadillac in many ways.
The interiors probably peaked with the ’62-’64 cars. The slide to mediocrity started on the inside.
1967 coupe or convertible.
I owned the twin to the car in this ad, and to this day this is the car that comes to mind when someone says “Cadillac”.
Mine had been mistreated, was worn out and cost me a lot of money. It tells you something about the magnetism of this car and the quality of the interior fittings that I would take another in a heartbeat. A black Fleetwood Sixty Special just exactly like this.
Wow, that would be a tough one for me to turn down, too! Time to move out into the sticks and build a bigger garage. 🙂
Why, the Mirage of course! It’s the Cadillac among utes!
I have a 74 Coupe DeVille which I’ve been drafting a COAL of forever and ever. I love the sheer excess and American-ness of it – bigger must be better. I love most generations, in truth, I find myself becoming a bit of a Cadillac fan boy – I love the lines of the 50’s but would be more inclined to buy the 60’s – I agree with the poster above that the 61/62 got the balance of fin right, while keeping much of the great looks of the late 50s with the quad lights. The dash was still terrific as well. Of the “modern” design, I do love the dash in the 65/66, but prefer the leaning forward hoodline of the 67/68. 69/70 is my least favorite, just a big unsculpted block. Then the malaise 70s (when I grew up) came on the scene, and despite the cheaper interiors they still spoke to me. The downsized late 70s were well done, but I think they nailed it in 1980 in terms of a balance of traditional cadillac look and feel, while somewhat downsized (4100 motor notwithstanding). And I do love the 79-85 Eldorado. They lost me at 1986.
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite, I really don’t. I love my ’74, but I would jump at any of the others mentioned as well.
I think that one has to divide up cars before World War Two and after. Before, I think a V16 is nice, a roadster.
After, the mid 50’s are good. By the mid 60’s I think Cadillac is slipping. I would like to think that the 1992 Seville was a turning point, but the Northstar engines say no. Post bankruptcy Cadillacs are a turn around, but are more European in design than many would like.
An early Eldorado convertible would be nice, but a 59 Eldorado convertible would be OK even with the fins.
The 1961. It was such a breath of fresh air following the overblown 58-60 models and got so many things right, with a trimmer, more modern appearance. I like Don W.’s 1962 too – it was a nice refinement of the 1961, with its reduced skegs and the newly introduced cornering lights, one of my favorite features. But I give the 1961 an edge for being the first to break away from the bloated look of its predecessors.
There, there it is. I’ve been ogling one online – white ’62 CDV with the light as air bubble top, and and the shark skeg fins.
Everything is right about this car. Exactly this car.
Definitely the 1967 Coupe. All of the 1960’s GM styling greatness with none of the 1968 and later safety mandated items to ruin the lines on the exterior ( rear side markers) or interior (head restraints). Best visual lines of the 60’s caddies front to back.
Totally agree. The entire 1967 line-up was pretty much perfect.
I miss my ’67 Fleetwood Sixty Special.
My favorite would be a ’68 Eldorado in black with disc brakes, which I think became standard that year. Other great Cadillacs are the ’49 sedanet and the entire ’61 range.
The incomparable 1967 Eldorado.
67 Eldorado, 59, 61, 65, 77 and 85-88, in that order [the last because of all the Cadillac details and the taillights].
CA guy: yes, on the 61. It took all the hardcore elements of the 59 and toned them down, yet was still hardcore and in your face
I can’t pick just one. There have been too many good ones over the years. Here’s what I’ve narrowed it down to.
2008-10 Cadillac STS 4.6
1994-97 Cadillac Seville SLS
1993-97 Cadillac Seville STS
1967-68 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado
1949 Cadillac Series 62 2-Door Sedanette
1949 Cadillac Series 61 2-Door Sedanette
9th generation (Wikipedia) Eldorado, particularly the 1991 model that came with the 4.9 V8. No landau cap.
Runner up, 1999 Fleetwood with the largest engine available (probably 5.7). If I had just won the lottery or something, I would look into retrofitting it with the Vortec 8100 and make it as bone stock sleeper as possible. Come to think of it, since I’ve put so much effort into this dream, I may as well call this my favourite Cadillac.
For memory’s sake, a Gotham Gold 1959 Cadillac Series 62 convertible with a red leather interior. It was inside the old Shakey’s Pizza in north Seattle. The best place EVER to eat pizza and fried chicken. The owner said that it would run given the chance, just needed the gas tank re-installed. Sadly, I don’t have any pictures of it, but this photo sums it up well (courtesy of http://www.carphoto.co.uk).
This one is tough. There were only a few Cadillac models I didn’t really care for but would not refuse any. I guess a 65 or 66 Coupe or Sedan de Ville or a Fleetwood would be right up there. Then a 56, 57 or 58 any model.
1962 Sedan de Ville, 1976 Eldorado convertible, ’30s V16, 1972 Fleetwood 75.
1992-era Seville STS Northstar. I know, I know… But, if I had one, I would be prepared for any maintenance.
Right after that is the last gen CTS-V, particularly the wagon. Maybe the ATS-V also. I like my Caddys on the smaller side.
I’m with you.
CTS-V wagon and the ’93 Seville STS would also make my top 10. That STS made a big impression on me as a kid (I was 11 years old and a Road & Track junkie when it came out) and when they bumped up the power with the Northstar for ’93, it became one of my dream cars.
Make mine Black Sapphire with light tan leather.
Yes, the 90’a were not so gaudy. I prefer the late 90’s, to 02 Eldorado design. Clean design, comfy, even got good mileage. I always prefer a 2-dr. The bad thing was the Northstar, not the whole engine, just those insane 11 mm head bolts! For $20 more at build time, they could have assembled it with a set of 5/8″ studs. All those head issues could have been a avoided. Someone at Caddy needs their ass kicked for that decision. If not for that you would still see plenty of them on the road, instead of beautiful cars sitting in the junkyard.
I’ll cast a minority vote for the ’79-’85 Eldorado. Clean lines, nice interior; make mine red with a tasteful white vinyl top, please. I wouldn’t say no to a first-generation Seville, either.
My favorite post-60s Cadillac by far.
Lots to be said for a 1979 or 1980 gas-engine Eldorado, before the powertrain department hit the skids.
I agree- while I do love the ’65/’66 series, they are too wide for the roads around where I live. The ’79 Eldorado is a realistic size.
IMHO Cadillac got it done best when their nose had the point in it. Immediately recognizable. Something was missing when they flattened it out, as in 1948/49, 1957 -’62, and any time after that when it was prow-less. The mid 1960s were optimal, as the look said, “Better get off the road, there’s only room for one”. That Eldo was certainly a beauty, but the big cars had amazing presence.
’62 was a clean, elegant design. Just enough of everything. ’48-’50s were also great looking cars, but I still prefer Buicks and Pontiacs of the same vintage. ’65-’68s are also not bad, and ’77+ RWDs are significant to me as the last “true” Cadillacs.
My vote—-the 1957-58 Eldorado Brougham 4 Dr Hardtops were the most over the top Cadillacs ever produced and still have a commanding presence. The 1959-60 Eldorado Brougham 4 Dr Hardtops are not as distinctive but even more interesting because of their Italian coachwork.
The most Cadillac of all Cadillacs: The ’30-’31 Sixteen 452 Style 4264-B Transformable Town Brougham by Fleetwood. And the ’34-’37 Sixteen Sport Phaeton Style 5859 by Fleetwood (this one never seen in the metal in the ’30’s but exist now due to vision, coach-building mastery and willingness to finally create it).
For production highlights: The ’38 and ’41 60 Special, the ’49 60 Special and Coupe de Ville, ’60 Eldorado Brougham, ’66 Fleetwood Brougham and ’67 Eldorado.
I hope that in just a few years, I’ll be able to say: the 2018 Cadillac __fill in name__.
Cadillacs are getting darned good. I’m hoping soon they’ll be good, and memorable too.
Hard to say but I’ve always liked the 1967-68 Cadillac Deville’s and Fleetwood’s the best with the 1967-68 Cadillac Eldorado and 1969-70 Cadillac Deville and Fleetwood close behind
Honorable mention:
1971-72 Cadillac Sedan Deville (because of the movie License To Drive)
1979 Cadillac Eldorado (wish the 350 V8 gas engine was available on the remaining Eldorado’s)
1965-66 Cadillac Fleetwood
I’ll probably never own one just because I can’t ever pull the trigger no matter how tempting. The Cadillacs that tempt me the most though are the ’62’s, the 67 Eldorado and the 75/6 monstrosities just because I grew up riding in one. If ever a Cadillac could actually find its way home with me though it’d undoubtedly be a ’77 deVille. The downsized 77’s were not exactly the height of Cadillac quality, but they were certainly the best mix of practical size combined with the last vestiges of classical American excess.
In agreement. A ’77 is as pretty any any of the sixties sculptures, and a lot more affordable. Make mine a Coupe DeVille, sans vinyl roof of course.
I owned a couple of Cadillacs in my time and I am without one now. My favorites fall into two categories, true class and guilty pleasures.
The True class would include:
The post war Coupe de Ville ending with the 1956 models. Although the Sedan de Ville of ’54 to ’56 seem better proportioned than the CdVs of the same period.
1960 Eldorado Seville with air suspension. I knew someone that had one in perfect condition. When that thing came into sight was akin to witnessing an alien space ship landing. Awsome!
1965-1966 Fleetwood Eldorado convertibles, with a nod to the 1966 editions less chromy headlight cornering light treatment.
1966 Fleetwood Brougham. Had one triple black with the walnut wood door caps and t picnic tables. Very elegant.
1967 Eldorado especially in triple black with no vinyl roof. Bill Mitchell razor lines at their best.
Guilty Pleasures
1971-1973 Eldorado convertibles.
1980-1982 Seville Elegante
I had a 1978 Eldorado Biarritz. What a barge but extremely reliable. Next time around I want the earlier 500 and no plastic bumper fillers.
I would go for the 1963 Fleetwood Sixty Special. I had a ’64 Convert but the taller fins of the ’63 and flatter quarter panels just look a little more classic. Also the front end has a softer look than the stern looking ’64. But it has to be the Fleetwood.
Jose. Check out the Dayton Ohio Craigslist. There was a 63 there for sale. It is in a junkyard, and the owners are seeking a home for it. . It was painted gray, looks like rattle can primer. It has been awhile, I would guess it is still there, had a 390 in it, complete car.
All Cadillac previously mentionned and I add to the list the 1953 Cadillac with a body designed by Ghia who was used by actress Rita Hayworth. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/news/a29295/rita-hayworth-cadillac-ghia/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT0x6y_WcqA
And the 75 limousine, like the one used in the tv series Banacek. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_190795-Cadillac-Fleetwood-75-1972.html
My grandfather used to enjoy telling people that Cadillacs drove like trucks. He based this on his experience with a 1915 Cafillac.
In 2013 this 57 De Ville came to us for a complete, frame off restoration . Even if it came on a truck, soon we realized the car was drivable.
The day before it was scheduled to be taken apart, me and two other sales guys decided to go for a spin… the true story?
The old Caddy was a blast to drive: the engine had a steady idle, transmission was shifting smoothly, brakes working good
We took turns at the wheel around town for over one hour.
If the car was mine I wouldn’t restore it… maybe not even paint it. Just drive it the way it was.
I’m not really into Caddys but this one brings me some very good memories.
Talisman.
+1. Not a fan of 1967-1976 regular Cadillacs but these things are so outrageous they deserve a spot if not in the garage at least in your heart,
Very, very tough call.
Anything from the ’30s was superb. The ’49 looks almost perfect, probably the most graceful fastback design ever. The ’59 is so bad it’s good. The ’67 Eldo is a rolling sculpture. So many to choose from…
I’ll go for this 1942 Derham convertible sedan.
Any ~1930 Twelve or Sixteen roadster with the old-style fenders and standalone headlights. To go with my imaginary Packard.
Realistically a 1965 or ’66 two-door coupe with buckets. Classy but not stuffy, great engineering advances and mid-century clean lines. A design so good it caught up to Elwood Engel’s Continental without looking derivative.
After arguing with myself, 1963 or 1964…the decision went to the 63 with its straight-lined grill and rear bumper-mounted lights, and its more-prominent but not excessive tailfins. The Coupes’ roofs looked a bit short (were they really from the same stamper dies as the 1963 Chevrolet four-door hardtops?) so I’m going with the Sedan de Ville.
easy!
1964 Fleetwood sixty special.
you had one on here a while back that was a twin to my dads. in Cadillac black of course!
I’m gong to be bidding against you for that one, Bill.
For me, there will always be only one:
1978/79 Cadillac Seville Elegante.
And, if you please, do not forget to add the optional Astroroof and Trip Computer.
Mine too!
Good choice; that is a mighty sharp-looking car.
In spite of this being “Deadly Sin” month, all the responses highlight the fact that when GM was good, they were really good. When I was growing up, our neighbors ordered up a new Coupe DeVille every year from ’65 to ’74. When the Mrs. died, that was the end of the parade since her husband didn’t drive. The Cinnamon Firemist 1970 CDV (with what I presume was the Antique Dark Brown interior) was my favorite of all. I walked home from school one day in the fall of 1969, and there it was in the driveway. Fred showed me all around it – what a beautiful car, and he was delighted with their choice of color. Most of the 10 cars they bought were some sort of shade of blue, and a couple of them were red, but only one Cinnamon Firemist. This is my favorite.
Of course, there are many others that catch my eye, the ’49 sedanet, the ’57 CDV, the ’61 and ’62 cars, as well as the ’67 Eldo. Even the bustle back Seville.
” GM was good, they were really good.” GM is very good now.
41 Sixty Special
49 Coupe DeVille
59-60 Eldorado Brougham
61-67 Any owner driver model (’67 despite the plastic, just because the exterior looks so good)
I’ve no experience with any but have high hopes because of National Geographic and Harry Winston
Thank you!
Lots of good suggestions already, but I’ll also toss in a sentimental vote for the 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Seville, which has most of what’s groovy about the ’59 while looking ever so slightly less like it should come with its own space helmet.
If I could only choose one Cadillac it would be a 1967 Cadillac Calais 4-dr sedan. Not the hardtop model. (4-door pillarless sedans give me visions of driving in the rain with the windows up . . . but they don’t quite fit together so water comes in and goes everywhere). I believe 1967 was the last year of 4-door Calais sedan with the pillar. Only 2,865 were sold according to the old Cadillac book I’ve got.
Few other things: I picked the Calais because power windows were not standard on the Calais in ’67. They were in ’68. If I have a choice between power windows or roll-down windows I’ll take the crank windows every time. Also, in 1967 the windshield wipers were still ^up^. In 1968, the Caddy hoods were longer to accommodate recessed wipers. I like the visible wipers just fine. Doesn’t detract from the appearance of a 1967 Cadillac to me. They look *nice*. Visible wipers and all.
There’s plenty of other Cadillac’s I’d gladly own from the ’60s and ’70s, but not from 1977 onward. It’s not that I don’t think the downsized ’77 models look nice, but if I’m going to have a Caddy I want a MONSTER-sized one. I wouldn’t turn down a ’76 Fleetwood beastie. 😀
That’s gotta be the lowest production model for the year . . . .
1994-96 Fleetwood. Last and best B body, powered by the potent LT1 engine.
I’ve owned several Cadillacs, even though the recent ownership of a Lincoln converted me to the Ford family of fine cars…… Some of the Cads I loved, none of them did I really dislike, but a few details below….
1985 Eldorado – all class, even with the HT4100
1987 Brougham – S L O W…. 0 – 60 in 10 minutes, but somehow I managed to get a
speeding ticket on this one…
1993 Sedan de Ville – quality and FAST, in a big car kind of way
2006 DTS (Luxury III) – This is the one that I would buy again… it was everything I ever
wanted in a car.
2006 STS – FAST and handled like it was on rails, but not comfortable or roomy
As a side note, my cousin owned a 1998 Deville… drove like silk and very roomy, but felt very plasticky and cheap….
Yeah, the DTS was my favorite……
I could talk myself into any Caddy between 1940 and 1967.
After 1967 they slowly became cartoon parodies of themselves.
The largesse of the 59 is appealing to me.
The cars of the 1930s were Cadillac’s best creations, but for daily driving, I’d take a 1967-70 Eldorado, followed by a 1966 or 1967-68 Fleetwood.
I have two all-time favourites; the 1967 Eldorado (had the Johann model kit) and an early CTS-V sedan.
2003 generation CTS
61-64 De Villes
76-79 Seville
77-80 De Ville with 425/368 ci Caddy V8
’72 De Ville, only since it was my parents car growing up.
Maybe not my absolute favourite, but this 1949 deserves at least a showing.
My favorite is 1941 Fleetwood Sixty Special. It’s not just a groundbreaking design, but a very new concept about what a luxury car have to be.
Before 1938, a halo car have to be gargantuan, complicated, and all hand-made. But Sixty Special offered a viable alternative: it was reasonably-sized, a lot cheaper than V12s or V16s, yet it was world-class in every other aspect: look, quality or engineering.
I always thought there is something strange with the first two model year, but I couldn’t find out what bothered me. Now I think their front was it: it’s just too – usual, compared to the other parts of the body. The eggcrate grill of the ’41 completed the work, and became also a hallmark for Cadillac.
I think Sixty Special made a new template for automobile makers, and was the point where GM irreversibly triumphed over venerable Packard. The Clipper was a serious attempt to compete with Caddy, but they screw it up when the design was implemented on every series after the war. Independent luxury brands were all dead by that time, by the way. Lincoln had the Continental, but it was kind of specialty, while Sixty Special defined the design language of the postwar era.
Maybe I’m a bit pathetic, but I really think it was a visionary product of its time. I simply adore it.
1963 and 1964 Fleetwood Sixty Special. Black with grey cloth interior, if possible.
That said, I have a soft spot for the ’75-’76 DeVilles and non-Talisman Fleetwood Broughams and would like to have one. I also have a significantly higher chance of this happening than even getting a ride in a ’63-’64.
92-97 Sevilles
79-85 Eldorados
I so happen to like the look of the 85-86 Sedan DeVilles with the vinyl top of course, not so much the updated 87-88 although.
These CC’s are a treasure trove, always well written and with great comments. Wish I had found and followed them years ago.
Took note of the number of folks who hold in high regard the ’62-68 Cadillacs, also the ’71 SdV and ’79 Eldorado. Am in same camp.
Like Tuco creating his perfect gun from the parts of many, my favorites are an assemblage. Pre-war gravitate towards the ’37 for its streamlined styling, beautiful cast grill, long hood, slender bodies forward of B-pillar and engine still far enough rearward to avoid Pinocchio nose. The extra long-hooded Sixteen reminds me of the Bugs Bunny car that must bend around corners. Great as a museum piece but as an owner/driver I prefer the standard Fisher-bodied 60 Series sedan in fastback form. Problem is, only Pontiac, Olds and Buick used this style, Cadillac/LaSalle offering only the bustle back except for convertible sedan. I would add fender skirts but not side mounts, and remove the running boards. Sixteen instrumentation and interior trim would be great, and if it could be shoe-horned in, the V16 that came out in 1938 would make it one of the fastest “stock” cars of the era. But not supersonic fast, which is what the ’37 hood ornament lady looks like she is flying through. Would probably go with the toned down, very elegant ’36 ornament.
Post-war would mate the ‘60 sedan body to the ’62 limo’s front fenders, hood and bumper/fascia/grill, which would probably fit because the ’61-62 limo front fenders are different from the rest of the ’61-62 line and appear to have been designed to mate to the ’59-60 doors. The only metal work needed would be to either wash away the ‘62 front fender skegs or add skegs to the ’60 body (which look great on the ’60 Eldorado Brougham). For the greenhouse would go with lower windshield and roof height of 4-window sedan and coupe and work in the coupe’s backlight, positioned further back like the 6-window sedan. Inside, the highest trim available including plush carpet.
Read Paul N.’s earlier article about the ’54 Cadillac. His point about height is well-taken. So why is one of my choices a low slung Cadillac? Because I think there are two other dimensions that come into play, the first of course being style. The second is width, which increased about the same time height was lowered, and was perhaps a key reason why American cars got away with low heights from 1957 on, the increased shoulder room helping to balance interior space. It was only years and decades later when cars got narrower without getting taller – through multiple rounds of downsizing and because of the consumer shift to fuel efficient small cars – that interiors started to feel too tight. Today the market has shifted towards max comfort, utility and visibility, styling be damned. Tomorrow who knows, style may yet make a resurgence and in ways that minimize losses in space and utility.
Getting ever closer to favorite Cadillac: ’57 Eldorado Seville married to 133 wb 60 Special and 5 inches added to front overhang.