1959 Cadillac DeVille

Automobile styling during the Fifties was filled with wonder and excitement in America, inspired by Jet-Age designs and highlighted by exaggerated tailfins, 'bullet' rear lights, massive chrome grilles, excessive chrome, and dramatic increases in horsepower. The 1959 Cadillacs were among the ultimate expressions of this magical time, with new jewel-like grille patterns, distinctive rooflines, and long and low stances.

For 1959, the Series 62 became its own series - the Series 6200 - and the DeVilles became the Series 6300. The Eldorados were the Series 6400. They all had styling by Harley Earl, rested on a 130-inch wheelbase platform, and had an overall length of 225 inches. The 390 cubic-inch, eight-cylinder, overhead valve engine had a cast iron block, 10.5:1 compression, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and produced 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

Body styles on the DeVille included a 4- and 6-windows sedan, and a coupe. The DeVille Series had script nameplates on the rear fenders. Like the Series 6200, the Series 6300 had large tailfins and twin bullet taillamps. Standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, dual backup lamps, an outside rearview mirror, a vanity mirror, an oil filter, windshield washers and two-speed wipers, an automatic transmission, and two-way power seats. The rear wheels were covered by plain fender skirts.

The Coupe DeVille was the most popular Series 6300 body style, accounting for 21,924 sales. The 6-window found 19,158 willing buyers and the 4-window sedan had 12,308 sales. The total DeVille production, which exceeded 53,000 units, accounted for approximately 37 percent of all Cadillacs sold in 1959. The hardtop coupe was priced at $5,250, and the 4- and 6-window sedans were listed at $5,500.

The Cadillac DeVilles were luxurious, capable of carrying six passengers in style and comfort. The large rear fins were inspired by the space program and the era of jet engines. The interior had electric gauges, a full power complement, and the headlights would turn on at dusk and were capable of switching from high beam to low beam when they sensed oncoming traffic. The eight road lights on the front were both stylish and functional.

The Cadillac DeVille
The Bill Mitchell-designed styling bestowed upon the 1959 DeVille would continue into 1960. When the DeVille nameplate was retired in 2005, it had endured eight generations of styling and various body style configurations. Its origins date to the 'Coupe de Ville' shown during the 1949 Motorama. It was built atop a Cadillac Sixty Special chassis and styled with a one-piece windshield, chrome trim around the front wheel openings, and a dummy air-scoop. Unique features included a telephone in the glove compartment, a secretarial pad in the rear armrest, power windows, and a black interior with gray leather upholstery.

The 1959 and 1960 Cadillac de Ville received a 130-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 225 inches. The 390 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine was paired with a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, and it used the C-body platform. During its inaugural year, over 53,000 examples were sold which accounted for approximately 37 percent of Cadillac's production.

As the Cadillacs entered an all-new decade, the styling would become more restrained, gradually shedding its chrome trim and towering tail fins, and embracing smoother bodylines, a full-width grille, and the removal of the pointed bumper guards. They continued to be well equipped with windshield wipers, two-speed wipers, an automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, dual back-up lamps, power windows, two-way power seats, a vanity mirror, and an outside rearview mirror.

Sales were nearly identical in 1959 and 1960, with 53,390 units built in 1959 and 53,389 in 1960. The combined production of the hardtop coupe was 43,509; 21,533 examples were the four-window sedan; and 41,737 examples were the six-window sedan. The total 'first generation' DeVille's built was 106,779 units.

All-new styling was introduced in 1961 on the DeVille and would continue through 1964. Styling elements included a new slanted back grille, forward-slanting front pillars, and a non-wraparound windshield.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020