Shaking down a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe... Biggest fins ever?

Driving a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe.

Cadillac dramatically reworked its model lineup for the 1959 model year. The Series 62s received a toothier grille, a dummy grille across the tail, bright window surrounds, and a trim spear along the side. Most famously, a gargantuan fin topped each rear fender, with taillights on each side. The 62s also had rear fender skirts. There were four body styles in the Series 62 – four- and six-window hardtop sedans, a two-door hardtop coupe, and a convertible.

The six-window sedans had a curved rear window, like the coupe, while the four-window sedans were known as “flattops” with a rear drip-rail and wraparound rear window. Series 62s were the most affordable Cadillac at $4,800 to $5,400, and the model was a sales leader for the division at nearly 71,000.

The Cadillac 390-cid V-8 developed 325 horsepower, Hydra-Matic transmission was standard, and most of the accessories now taken for granted on Cadillacs were offered by this time: power steering, windows, brakes, and seats, as well as air conditioning. Air suspension was optional.

Cadillac’s designers dialed back the 1960 Series 62 a bit. Gone were the twin rocket taillights, the fins were reduced in size, and taillights were placed in the rear fender caps. The same body designs were offered in both 6200 and 6300 series, with the same options and engine. Series 62 sales totaled just under 80,000, with the six-window hardtop sedan accounting for nearly a third of the units.

The extravagance of the 1959 Cadillacs has made it an icon of the era, and values reflect that status. Interest in the 1959 Cadillac Series 62 in particular has led to a lot of cars being restored. The 1960 models largely missed this boom, but as a result, there are better original examples to be found. Regardless, both years are quite sound mechanically and are a joy to own, provided you can live with 10 mpg and have a garage large enough to park the nearly-20-foot-long car.

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[charlesdalton]

What an absolute honey of a car! Iconic then, potentially even more so now. A true symbol of the times. Thank you for sharing.

[gregfair]

1959, Best looking Cadillac ever A car I can only wish

[Forge]

Arguably the most beautiful exterior of any car in that era, absolutely stunning

[stigjr]

I was five in 1959 and my folks had a friend who had one. I remember staring at those fins I was hypnotized.

[turdferguson]

It's sad how far Cadillac has fallen, Cadillac used to build the best luxury cars and now they don't even make a full size luxury car.

[LITTLE]

Definitely is one of the slickest cars of that time.

[stevefarris]

I bought a 1959 Cadillac convertible in 1970. It had a bar in the back seat. It was a great chick magnet for the ones who did not pay attention to the year it was built. I sold it for much more than I paid for it. Bachelors days were fun.

[christopherkraft]

What a gorgeous time capsule!!! This 59 Cadillac is iconic, especially with those huge fins!!! Back in the seventies I knew someone that had a 59 Sedan de Ville & he cut off the fins & mounted 1 of them in the middle of the deck lid. Of course you couldn't open the trunk & it looked really wierd but it did get a lot of attention!!! Thanks for showcasing this beautiful gem!!! 👍👍

[joe]

These are the most beautiful American cars ever made - pre or post war - by any company. Absolutely the most stunning, timeless design.

When you turned the corner through the gates of your LMC property, it really felt like Elvis Presley was coming home to Graceland.

[Tbird]

What a beautiful car! Too bad they don’t make them like that anymore! Most cars now ( not the ones you have) have no personality! Thanks for another terrific video! Stay safe and stay healthy!

[Corvid_Moon]

This style needs to be brought back. I've always loved the astro tail lights & fins of these old machines <3

[kevinsmith]

Queen of chrome, my favorite color!😝👍🏻🇺🇸

[vdavis]

Nice '59! As one who has owned a '61 Caddy and 2 1959 Chevys, I'll note that one thing about the big fins is that you always feel like someone is following you.

[geemonster]

That is some beautiful coachwork. The 1959 is my favourite.

[markjohnson]

Nice to see. Would have loved to have seen some detail: engine, dash, underside, trunk....tnx for posting.

[elandennis]

I can’t wait to build my caddy up like this… but red 😍

[steventrosiek]

This is a grail car. Unsurpassed beauty.

[douglasb.]

When people say satisfying, this is exactly what they mean.

[whitsundaydreaming]

That thing is all attitude! And still beloved and relevant 64 years later.

[viciouspoodle]

Only the Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special model had the chromed tail fin bullets. It looks awesome on the Coupe but that is not how the car originally came.