1959 Cadillac Series 6700 Fleetwood 75

The 1959 Cadillac model lineup included the Series 6200, the DeVille, the Eldorado and Brougham, and the Series Sixty Special Fleetwood, all resting on a 130-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 225 inches. Above them, in all aspects, was the Series 75 Fleetwood offered as a sedan or Imperial limousine, both with seating for nine passengers, with a wheelbase of 149.75-inches and a length of 244.8-inches (the commercial wheelbase measured 156-inches). Pricing on the 1959 Cadillacs ranged from $5,080 to $7,400 (not including the Italian-bodied Brougham Hardtop) while the Series 75 Fleetwood began at $9,530. The Imperial Limousine body style had a moveable glass division and auxiliary jump seats.

During the 1950s, styling on the Series 75 Fleetwood was approximately every two years, and the 1959 models came with all-new Bill Mitchell-penned styling that would carry through to 1960. In keeping with the extravagant and excessive styling of the era and the ultimate expression of Harley Earl's jet-plane-inspired designs, the Series 75 received a large tailfin, new jewel-like grille patterns with similar deck-lid beauty panels, and twin bullet taillamps. Fleetwood lettering was placed on the rear decklid trim strip and single-side trim moldings extended from the front wheel housing to the rear of the car.

Power was from a 390 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, 10.5:1 compression, three Rochester two-barrel carburetors, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivering 345 horsepower at 4800 RPM. It was backed by a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and power brakes provided the stopping power. Standard equipment included dual backup lamps, windshield washers, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, power steering, dual outside rearview mirror, oil filter, power vent windows, and a vanity mirror.

Production remained limited with 710 examples of the sedan and 690 of the Imperial sedan. An additional 2,102 examples were supplied as chassis to be bodied for various commercial purposes including ambulances, hearses, and limousines.

The following all Cadillacs including the Series 75 received more subtle and refined styling, with the Series 75 being fitted with a full-width grille, less chrome trim, lower tailfins with oval-shaped nacelles encasing stacked taillights and backup lamps, devoid of the pointed front bumper guards, and front fender-mounted directional indicator lamps. Prices remained unchanged and production was also similar, with a total of 3,710 examples built (an increase of 208 units).

Fleetwood

The name Fleetwood was in reference to The Fleetwood Metal Body Company founded in 1909 in Pennsylvania which quickly earned a reputation for producing top-tier bodies on the upmarket chassis of the day. Their work was used by royalty, American presidents, dignitaries, and screen stars alike. The business was acquired by Fisher Body in 1925 and thereby subsumed into General Motors combine in 1929. For many years Fleetwood continued to manufacture bespoke bodies, in particular for Cadillac, with the name eventually being adopted for the high-end versions of that company's regular model range.

by Dan Vaughan

Imperial Sedan

There was no greater display of wealth 50 years ago than arriving at an event in a Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Sedan - the limousine model of the Fleetwood line-up.

With an overall length of over 20 feet, room for nine passengers, and all of the design extras, the 1959 Cadillac limousine may be the most celebrated automobile of its era. Included in the design extras were extravagant tailfins - a feature that was introduced by Cadillac in 1948 - quad-headlights, twin bullet taillights, and a double egg-crate grille.

Inside this 1959 Cadillac limousine, many convenience features can be found including divider glass windows, power windows, leather seats, rear clock, rear radio controls, and rear air conditioning. It is powered by a 390 cubic-inch V-8 engine that develops 345 horsepower. With a base price tag of $9,748, the 1959 Cadillac Imperial sedan/limousine was limited to the wealthy. Production numbers totaled a mere 690.

Imperial Sedan
Chassis number: 59S111082

Cadillac produced 690 examples of its Fleetwood Seventy-Five, nine-passenger Imperial Sedan in 1959, and this particular example was purchased new by the State of Alabama for the use of the state's Governor, receiving Alabama registration plate '1.' The car was used by no fewer than five Governors, beginning with 'Big Jim' Folsom and continuing through the administrations of John Patterson; George Wallace; Lurleen Wallace, wife of her predecessor; and finally Albert Brewer, who succeeded Mrs. Wallace following her passing in 1968.

During the early days of Governor Brewer's term, it was announced that the Cadillac would be heading to public auction. Soon after the announcement, Gerald Wallace, brother of George Wallace, voiced his interest in the vehicle due to strong sentimental ties to the car. It was requested that the car be given to George Wallace, but since the sale was already announced, this was not possible. Instead, the State of Alabama finance director Bob Ingram and his assistant Tom Brassell pooled their own private funds to buy the car at the auction for $2,200 and present it to Governor Wallace. When Mr. Ingram called to present the Cadillac to its former passenger, Governor Wallace 'snorted that he had no interest in the car whatsoever. When I told him what Gerald had told me, he said he had no idea where his brother got such an idea.' Shortly after receiving the gift he apparently never wanted, Governor Wallace bestowed the former 'Cadillac No. 1' on the father of the current owner. The car has remained in the family collection for over five decades.

The large Cadillac is currently in original condition, including its factory paint and wool broadcloth upholstery of the rear compartment.

by Dan Vaughan

The Cadillac Series 75 was the marque's flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower-priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillac's would continue from the 1930s through the 1950s. It served as a replacement for the outgoing 355-D and was introduced around the same time as the less-expensive Series 60 model. Outwardly, the Series 80, including the 85, were similar in appearance with the main difference being underhood. The Series 80/85 featured a V12 engine while the Series 70/75 had a V8. The V8 produced 135 horsepower while the V12's output was 150 hp.

In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long-wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid-1960s.

The V8 Series 70 of the mid-1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.

There was a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.

The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.

A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.

In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.

The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.

Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.

For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7-inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.

The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.

Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.

by Dan Vaughan