1961 Cadillac Series 62 DeVille

Cadillacs received new styling and mechanical upgrades for 1961, with the wheelbase shortened by a half-an-inch, and the overall length shrunk by three inches to 'only' eighteen-and-a-half feet. The previous troublesome air suspension system was replaced by conventional coil springs and the 390 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor was the only available powerplant. The engine had a cast-iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and delivered 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

The previous wraparound windshield was replaced by a flatter curved windshield sourced, with virtually no changes, from the Pininfarina-designed exclusive 1960 Eldorado Brougham. Styling was toned down going into the 1960s, with more restrained use of chrome brightwork, more conservative use of tail fins, and fewer flamboyant features. The tail fins were shorter but sharp as ever with finely detailed taillights set in their trailing edges. Larger doors made entry and exit easier.

The overall design theme of the 1961 Cadillac was more crisp and elegant, yet retained Cadillac's imposing style and presence. Notable features included a new-look full-width grille, boldly sculptured side moldings, and smaller rear fins. The A-pillars slanted forwards for a more streamlined look, accentuated by the angular rear deck and pillars on sedans and hardtops. The Series 6200 and DeVille Series 6300 shared the same platform, now with rubberized front and rear coil springs in place of the somewhat unreliable air suspension system used on previous models. All 1961 Cadillacs, except for the Series 75, rested on a 129.5-inch wheelbase chassis and were powered by the 390 CID V8 backed by GM's Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Power brakes were standard across the range, retaining the finned rear drums and vacuum-operated parking brake release system introduced the previous season.

The Series 6200 model range was offered in four different body styles, the most popular being the six-window sedan, followed by the hardtop coupe, stylish convertible, and four-window sedan. The sedan listed at $5,080, the hardtop coupe at $5,900, and the convertible at $5,450. The most popular was the six-window sedan with 26,216 examples sold, plus an additional 4,700 of the four-window sedan. The hardtop coupe had 16,005 sales and the convertible had 15,500 sales.

Standard amenities included vanity mirrors, windshield washer and dual-speed wipers, power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, outside rearview mirror, fender skirts, wheel discs, dual backup lights, an oil filter, and the four-barrel 390 CID V8.

Above the Series 62 was the DeVille Seris (technically a sub-series), but without the Eldorado Seville and Brougham of the previous year. Body styles included a four-window sedan, a six-window sedan, and a town sedan priced at $5,500, a hardtop coupe at $5,250, and the Biarritz convertible at $6,500. Distinguishable features included lower body 'skeg' with a thin spear molding running along most of the body side. Additional amenities included power windows and a two-way power seat, and the Biarritz convertible added even more items, including a six-way power bench seat, remote control trunk lock, whitewall tires, and power vent windows.

The Series Sixty Special Fleetwood was solely a four-door hardtop sedan with semi-blind-quarter windows, six chevrons slashed on the front fender, model insignia, and priced at $6,230. The Series 75 Fleetwood rested on a larger 149.8-inch wheelbase and was tailored toward commercial applications such as limousines, funeral vehicles, and ambulances. Prices began at $9,530 for the nine-passenger sedan and rose to $9,750 for the Imperial Sedan.

The 55,174 examples of the Series 62 Deville accounted for approximately forty percent of Cadillac's total production. The six-window sedan was the most popular with 26,415 examples sold, plus 4,847 of the four-window sedan. The hardtop coupe had 20,156 examples sold, the town sedan had 3,756 sales, and the Biarritz Convertible remained the most exclusive with 1,450 examples built. The 'Biarritz' had previously been a part of the Eldorado/Brougham series but moved to the DeVille Series for 1961 with the departure of the Italian-built (by Pininfarina and priced at $13,075) Brougham and the SeVille Hardtop coupe (which had 1,075 sales in 1960).

The overall styling theme introduced on the 1961 Cadillac de Ville would continue through 1964. A mild facelift was applied to the 1962 models and a restyling occurred for 1963, with a bolder and longer appearance. The deck lids and hoods were redesigned, and the front fenders projected further forward than the previous year, and the tailfins became even smaller, contributing to the lower profile theme.

The DeVille officially became a separate series in 1965 and was positioned between the Calais and the Sixty Special and Eldorado. It continued to use the 129.5-inch wheelbase but wore all-new styling that would continue through 1970. The DeVille nameplate would be a part of Cadillac for many years, through the mid-200s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021