1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville

The 1959 Cadillac two-door Seville Hardtop was part of the Series 64 that included the Eldorado Biarritz Convertible and the Series 69 Brougham hardtop. They were positioned above the Series 62 and below the Series Sixty Special Fleetwood models, with prices that began at $7,400 and rose to over $13,000 for the Brougham. Power was from an overhead valve V8 engine with a 390 cubic-inch displacement and fitted with triple Rochester two-barrel carburetors to develop 345 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

The 1959 Cadillacs were certainly iconic, measuring 225 inches from stem to stern, and highlighted by chrome and enormous tail fins. When word escaped Chrysler Corporation of Virgil Exner's swooping 'Forward Look' vehicle designs, General Motors's Styling Chief Harley J. Earl mounted an ambitious program to endow the 1959 Cadillac in the most flamboyant coachwork possible. Earl was known for adapting aircraft designs to his styling exercises, and the 1959 Cadillacs were the epitome of futuristic, sci-fi, and Jet-Age-inspired designs. The vertical tail fins and bullet tail lights stand out as the ultimate 1950s American-design icons, and clashed perfectly with the car's low-slung, tapering silhouette and brightwork.

The name 'Seville' was spelled out behind the front wheel opening. The two-door hardtop Seville came standard with a heater, fog lamps, six-way power seat, air suspension, electric door locks, license frames, radio with antenna and rear speaker, and a remote control deck lid.

Priced at $7,400, the 1959 Cadillac Seville sales reached 975 units.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020