The 1959 Cadillac: Cadillac Designs Its Iconic Fin Masterpiece...Based on a Buick!

Learn the story of the 1959 Cadillac designs, including how they were, in part, designed around the 1959 Buick.

[Alan-lvrw]

The ‘59 is clearly over the top, but that is what made it so iconic. It’s automotive art.

[landiahillfarm]

How can one not but marvel at the 59 Caddy. What an icon.
Congrats on 100K !

[unclebob]

Each divison had a unique tailfin. I had a 59 Pontiac, loved those 'cathead' fins.

[sc]

1959 was the best year for GM cars imo. Cadillac, Buick, olds were all so beautiful !

[johnfrei]

It would be cool if current designers could give us those lighter-than-air rooftops with structural integrity.

[stevebergman]

Congrats on 100, 000! I'm not at all surprised, because you do such a nice job with all of the topics you cover! I'm a lifelong car guy and, while I don't always agree with some of the things you post, I appreciate the thoughtful way in which you present your points of view. Definitely one of my favorite channels!

[fobxxl]

I for one LOVED the '59 BUICK design even more than the Cadillac. From the canted headlights to the sweeping tail fins. Cadillac was more of a shock value for 1959. The most opulent they could make it. I loved the '59 Bonneville as well. The twin fins on each side and the split grill was a totally unique design. Their WIDE TRACK gave them the "Motor Trend" Car of the Year award. It was probably GM'S finest year.

[errorsofmodernism]

The '59 Cadillac must be like a parade float to drive. They are even bigger when seen in person.

[michaelsimko]

I've always been a big fan of the amazing design of the 1959 Cadillacs. The fins are so attractive. The ground clearance is nice and low. Beautiful boulevard cruiser styling with the convertible.

[dave]

Did you ever see the miniseries on TBS years ago called Driving Passion about the automobile in America? Chuck Jordan said of the 1959 Cadillac, “I’ve got to tell you, at the time, it was the thing to do!”

[MillerMeteor]

Very interesting! I have always have been a big fan of the GM full-size cars from all of their makes. I'm also a huge fan of Chrysler's 1957-59 full-size lineup across all makes.

[StupidFastTruck]

Congratulations on 100K subs. When I was growing up in the early 1960 a family friend had a red 1959 Deville Convertible. I loved that car.

[tonydacosta]

Congrats on your first 100 000 subscribers! Wonderful web site and excellent videos.

[DSP]

A great summary of the design of the '59, Adam. And congratulations on reacing 100K subscribers!

[timtrinkaus]

Congrats on the 100K Adam so happy to see that very well deserved with all the hard work and dedication you have put into these videos!! The 1959 Cadillac is by far my favorite year!!

[michaelmullard]

Awesome car. Fascinating story. Thanks, Adam! For lovers of automotive history, these videos are gold.

[whitsundaydreaming]

The Fleetwood/Biarritz versions had multiple rows of rear grille bullets that blow the mind! The amount of hand-built detail in these was insane.

[randyfitz]

What a great presentation of America’s most recognized mid-century luxury automobile: The Standard of the World — Cadillac!

[phillipbouchard]

My Uncle Roland had a 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 4 door hardtop with the " Vista " roofline which he used as a daily driver way up into the 1970's. It was so long it barely fit in his 24'-0" deep garage. His wife had also as a daily driver a 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air 2 door sedan. Who would have thought that these cars would go on to be some of the most collectable cars of the 1950's.

[williammaceri]

Hey Adam, thanks once again for a very informative review of the 1959 Cadillac. This time, I learned a few tidbits regarding the Cadillacs design I never knew, so thank you for that. I have known the Chrysler "Forward Look " really turned the Detroit designers on their ears. But I never knew about the GM C bodies all having the 59 Buick front doors as their starting point. The GM designers deserve a lot of credit for hiding that restraint on all the C bodies. No one could deny that the towering fins on the 59 Cadillac define the entire 50s automotive styling. However, in my opinion, it's actually the grill, headlights, and front bumper that truly are the best parts of the 59 Cadillac's overall design. It's absolutely massive, but it's also an extremely detailed design that's very strong and elegant at the same time. It's the very "Cadillac Look " that was carried through the 60s. The fins were too flamboyant to take seriously. And to think it all started with Chrysler's Forward Look. I always say the Big Three really needed Chrysler to balance out the US auto industry. Chrysler introduced so many important automotive engineering designs that today are industry standards used in the global automotive industry. We owe so much to Chrysler and always will. Thanks again Adam I appreciate your enclopeadic knowledge of our US auto industry's history.