1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five

Here are limousines with the fins

Those fabulous fins! The 1950s had the “fin race” to see who could fashion the largest, the longest, with the most miles of chrome trim. The fin wars spanned the auto industry in the 1950s and early 1960s. For the 1959 model year the winner was obviously Cadillac. The leader had the tallest tail fins in the industry. The 1959 Fleetwood series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were perfectly suited for those fins.

Their regal not to mention imposing stature maintained the poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac. There was nothing more exclusive than a Fleetwood-bodied Cadillac. The Series Seventy-Five was the quintessential Flagship. In every aspect their mechanical performance conformed with the highly civilized luxury of their appointments….here begins another success story in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

The 1959 Cadillac presented a new realm of motoring majesty. In quality and craftsmanship it was a proud and logical successor to the illustrious Cadillac heritage. The talented artisans of Fleetwood coachcrafters created magnificent architecture for the 1959 Series Seventy-Five. No other motorcar received the respect and admiration of these regal sedans.

Seldom has a manufactured product been bestowed with such world-wide acclaim as the eloquent Series Seventy-Five. Their substantial yet ethereal beauty of silhouette, the elegant understatement of design, and the charisma of being a Cadillac made them classics among motorcars. Their aristocratic flair was dramatic and pronounced. Splendor was the constant companion to the passengers of these supremely gracious automobiles. This was so typical of the “Standard of the World.”

Never before had a car of such stature been so dramatically styled. The Series Seventy-Five was unique among motorcars with exclusive hy-bridge doors that opened into the roof enhanced entry and exit. From the massive front end styling to the graceful sweep of the tail fins, the Cadillac crest never adorned more impressive or distinctive motorcars than these. The Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the only limousines built in America that were specifically designed and built as limousines.

 

The Series Seventy-Five offered impeccably tailored interiors by Fleetwood. Grey and Fawn were the two colors of which wool broadcloth and wool broadcloth and Bedford cord could be selected. Two folding full-width seats accommodated three additional passengers.

In the formal limousine, the glass partitioned chauffeur’s compartment could be ordered in Grey or Fawn leather to match the passenger compartment or black leather could be chosen. For extra special comfort and convenience, the Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the “Standard of the World” in grace and dignity.

The 1959 Cadillacs were powered by the 390 CID 16-valve OHV V8. The engine was equipped with a Carter AFB 2814S 4-bbl down-draft carburetor with equalized manifold, mechanical fuel pump, dry pack air filter, intake silencer, and automatic choke. The engine produced 325 hp @ 4,800 rpm with 583 Nm of peak torque @ 3,100 rpm. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 11.2 seconds, 0-100 mph in 32.8 seconds with a top speed of 119 mph. It did the ¼ mile @ 80 mph in 18.2 seconds. 

The 1959 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five was built as body on frame construction. It was built upon Cadillac’s rugged tubular center X-frame that permitted a lower body for improved appearance and stability. The front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arms, spherical joints , and independent helical coil springs. The rear was the Cadillac four-link drive, helical coil springs, and a hypoid axle with offset differential housing to facilitate Straight-Line Drive. The 1959 Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five rode on a commanding 149.7” wheelbase.

It had the luxury length of 244.8” and was 80.2” wide. The Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were very large front engine rear drive vehicles that held the pavement like a magnet. The extremely long wheelbase made this car ride as though it were on a cushion of air. (A big ole’ rollin’ Barco lounger) The new Cadillac chassis featured improved braking, steering, driving ease and riding comfort. Power steering and power brakes were standard. The 1959 Cadillacs were the “Standard of the World” in performance.

The iconic 1959 Cadillac was known world-wide, it was the tail fin that got the attention. Fleetwood crafted a masterpiece; the Series seventy-Five was the perfect size to compliment the fins. In all their splendor and grandeur both the Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine were the only vehicles built in America specifically designed and built as limousines. These regal sedans were spacious and luxurious.

A Cadillac Fleetwood was eloquence on the grand Cadillac scale in the graciously special world of the brand. It maintained a poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac. Its stately demeanor garnered respect and admiration wherever it was driven; in any gathering of fine automobiles they were immediately identified. A powerful engine, silky smooth performance, and elegant coachcrafting by Fleetwood made the 1959 Series Seventy-Five nine passenger sedan and formal limousine enigmatic presentations in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

Those fabulous fins went down in automotive history. The iconic 1959 Cadillac earned world fame for its fabulous fins. Ether one liked them or they didn’t. There were more likes than the hates. The 1959 Cadillac was the “Standard of the World” in drama…..

Special thanks to Bob Adams at Classic Auto Brokers