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1959 Cadillac Series 62

The Cadillac Series 62 was a distinctly American automobile with dramatic and overwhelming proportions and drama. Its most iconic feature was the towering rear tail fins graced with magnum-grade bullet-shaped tail lights. The fins were the largest ever featured on any production car and the work of GM Design Chief Harley Earl. The overall dimensions were nearly identical to its 1958 predecessor, and a full 3 inches lower through the beltline, and sat as much as 5.5 inches lower. The excessive treatment continued to the front, with sculpted brows towering over quad headlights that flanked a grille containing more than a hundred stylized bullets above a chromed bumper. Two distinctive rooflines and roof pillar configurations were available, with body styles consisting of a 4- and 6-window sedan, a hardtop coupe, and a convertible coupe. The interior was luxurious with cushioned leather seating and upholstery, and a vast wraparound windshield. Power steering, four-wheel power brakes, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, outside rearview mirror, and vanity mirror were all standard equipment. Convertible body styles had power windows and a two-way power seat. The overhead-valve V8 engine was backed by a dual-range Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with column shift. Three Rochester 2-barrel carburetors helped the V-8 produce 345 HP at 4,800 RPM. The improved X-frame chassis boasted independent spherical-joint coil-spring front suspension and a 4-link rear axle with coil springs.

The most popular body style was the six-window sedan which found 23,461 buyers. A total of 11,130 examples of the convertible were sold. Total production reached 142,272 cars. The base price was listed at $5,080.

The futuristic design cues of the Series 62 captured the essence of the 'jet age', with many styling elements that could have been sourced from Cold War-era fighter aircraft. The tail fins actually date back to General Motors 3/8-scale 'Interceptor' design studies of the early 1940s led by Mr. Earl's assistant, Julio Andrade. The 'Interceptor' project had been inspired by a trip to a U.S. Army Air Corps base, where GM designers were shown an early example of the top-secret Lockheed P-38 'Lightning' fighter aircraft that would later be used in combat during World War II.


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019

Related Reading : Cadillac Series 62 History

The Harley Earl designed Cadillac Series 62 was a very large vehicle that featured a large, 6,390 cc (390 cubic inches) V-8 engine. The back had large fins that did little for performance and handling but was all about the style of the vehicle. The design of the vehicle was inspired by the space program and the era of jet engines. The large, 4400 lb car was fitted with drum brakes. These often wore....
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1959 Cadillac Series 62 Vehicle Profiles

1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Hardtop Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Engine #: 9G018423
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 59F120177
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Hardtop Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 59F118600
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Hardtop Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1959 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 59F104226

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$590-$4,890
1959 Series 62
$5,453-$22,750
1959 Cadillac Series 62 Price Range: $4,890 - $5,453

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1959 Cadillac Models
$5,250 - $5,500

Generation V Series 6200

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
70,736
130.00 in.
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 345.00hp
$4,890 - $5,453
70,824
130.00 in.
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
$4,890 - $5,450
143,610
129.50 in.
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
$5,020 - $5,590
64,298
129.50 in.
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
$5,025 - $5,595

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