Those were the days
Elvis Presley started a craze with his pink Cadillacs, Vince Taylor sang about his sweetheart driving off in a "Brand New Cadillac," and President Harry S. Truman used to attend parades in a Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan.
So when it comes to vintage Caddys, the sea is teeming with fish, all sizes, shapes, and colors.
We selected ten models – out of which two are concepts – that intrigue us most, but feel free to voice your personal preferences in the comments section below.
Le Mans concept
Designed by Harley Earl, who also authorized the tail fin design feature, the Cadillac Le Mans prototype took shape as a fiberglass two-seater powered by a 331 cu-in V8 cranking 250 hp.
Just four units were built. One of them, however, went missing in 1953 and never surfaced until the present day.
Cyclone concept
Also signed by Harley Earl, the Cyclone sat on a 104-inch wheelbase and had all-around independent wheel suspension.
One particular design feature tickles our fancy, though: the exhaust ports found just ahead of the front wheels. Oh, and the nose cones flanking its kisser hid a radar-based collision avoidance setup. Remember, the year was 1959.
1941 Custom Limousine "The Duchess"
The Dutchess was all about pampering royal blood. Again, it was spawned by the designed genius of Harley Earl, by that time referred to as the da Vinci of Detroit.
It was built for and owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. King Edward VIII bought it in 1941 for $16,000, becoming one of the first people to use a car fitted with electric windows, jewelry compartments, and cigar lighters.
1942 Cadillac Sixty Special Town Brougham by Derham
Built in very limited numbers (just six units) by Derham, this car took the Sixty Special and turned it into a town car.
Also, here's a fun fact: Derham limousines were in 15 coronations around the world, and the clientele included names like Joseph Stalin, Pope Pius XII, and King Farouk.
1959 Eldorado Seville
Besides being Cadillac's flagship in the late '50s and early '60s, the Eldorado Seville's karma revolved around the fins. We also dig the blindspot-eliminating Vista-Panoramic windscreen.
However, the 345 hp V8 under the hood provided the required touch of power that complemented the body's elegance.
1959 Eldorado Biarritz
Basically a drop-top Seville, Biarritz was Caddy's convertible flagship and together with the Seville, formed the carmaker's top-flight duo.
Just like the Seville, it featured air suspension, power windows, steering, and brakes but offered Cardiff and Florentine leather upholstery four an extra drop of class.
Not to mention than nothing yelled American exuberance better than the fins, bullet headlights, and jet-like rear bumper.
1965 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham
The Fleetwood badge was all about majesty and grandeur. But the Brougham option topped that with even more elegance thanks to a halo-effect roof and combos of Danforth cloth or Danforth cloth and leather mixes.
Priced at $6,479, the base Fleetwood could be turned into a Brougham with extra $194.
Coupé DeVille Series 62
The 1959 Motorama hosted the first Cadillac Coupé DeVille which featured a telephone in the glove department. So-called chrome bows decorating the headliners were there to mirror the ribs of a convertible soft top.
1948 Club Coupé Series 61
With tailfins inspired by the Lockheed P38 Lightning Fighter airplane, the Club Coupé backed its aerodynamic looks with a 346 cu-in V8 renowned for quiet and smooth acceleration.
1937 Cadillac Phaeton 5859
A three-speed manual gearbox connected the driver to the 452 cu-in, overhead-valve V16 engine while the stopping power was ensured by four-wheel vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum brakes.
One such model is an award-winner at Pebble Beach and sold for $962,500. Talk about swankiness.