Serious Tail Fins! 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Virgil Exner’s exuberant restyle of the 1957 Chrysler – incorporating soaring fins and a delicate greenhouse – posed a problem for GM’s Cadillac division. The ’57 and ’58 Caddies looked like grandmothers among college cheerleaders. But by 1959, Cadillac had cemented its tailfin credentials under Bill Mitchell’s tutelage. Measured by height, nothing matched the Cadillac’s rear fin-fulness, with its multiple bullet taillights, no less. The design ensured that the ’59 models entered the pantheon of historically important cars. Here on eBay is a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville bid to $47,600, reserve not met. Located in Portland, Oregon – about forty miles from yours truly – this car can be driven to its new garage. The seller indicates the Caddy is a three-owner car, with one restoration in 2000 under its belt and a couple of features that set this individual car apart.
The mechanicals include a 390 CID V8 breathing through a four-barrel Carter carburetor, a powerhouse package capable of generating 325 hp. Backed by a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic (seller says three-speed but this year it should be a four), this car wouldn’t top out until it reached 130 mph. The seller indicates that both the engine and transmission were rebuilt when the car was restored, and each has accumulated only about 1100 miles since. The restoration process included a conversion to RideTech Shockwave air suspension with three presets, a five-gallon tank, and two compressors.
The interior is swanky and spotless. Factory air; power steering; power window, locks and seats; and tilt column were all features of the high-end Coupe de Ville trim level. Only the Eldorado eclipsed the de Ville. The clock and radio work and the car does come with a Vintage Air unit in case the new owner wants to perform an upgrade. The rear seating area and headliner are just as clean as the front. One more special touch: during the restoration, the roof of the car was painted with a “lace” pattern – very subtle but a great talking point at Cars ‘N Coffee.
And here’s that iconic rear end. Not just the fins stand out: The Coupe de Ville was also decked with copious trim, a “beauty plate” panel below the trunk, and monumental lights. The bubble-top greenhouse with its slender pillar was the height of style in the day. In terms of values, I wouldn’t blame the seller for a higher reserve than the current bid. Restored coupes can sell for over $50k, even $60k or more. Is this one enticing enough to find a new owner at those prices?
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Comments
Beautiful piece of Americana. Awesome.
That’s one BIG car!
Yeah that’s a big, beautiful car! In my circles we refer to a big ol’ sled like this as a ‘hoopty’, generally meaning that it’s a land yacht and is usually bigger, wider, and longer than your average family car. These cars look best cruising slowly down the boulevard, slow enough for onlookers to take in all it’s glory, and then marvelling at the bullet taillights as she creeps by, a low, throaty rumble emanating from it’s bowels… always wanted one of these, too bad it’s taking so long to get my rich uncle out of the poor house lol…
This takes me back to the days of cruising downtown Denver on cool summer nights in the late 60s and 70s.. taking it slow and easy, hot rods, convertibles or whatever you had.
It comes complete, with a “Docking Permit” in the state of your choice . . .
WOW really nice car, great colors and tasteful upgrades. This is going to go for big money, I just hope the new owner will drive and enjoy it.
By it now before fins come back in style and Tesla and everyone else starts putting fins on everything!!
The ultimate American land yacht, all Cadillacs have an attitude, this one is pissed that is has to put up with other cars on the road!
Michelle, according to former GM designer Dave Holls (whom I knew and was able to interview about this subject), all GM divisions were hit hard by the ’57 Chryslers, and orders came down from the Very Top to do quick and less restrained redesigns that would go into production in ’59. This involved some very clever work, as greenhouses, doorskins, some understructure, etc. were largely shared between all five divisions. That five distinct cars emerged from all this just shows how skillful the designers were.
The late Mr. Holls preferred the ’61 design, which he felt was more subtle and less over-the-top (and thus a better design), but understood why so many of us were knocked out by the ’59s.
By the way, I drove a ’59 and must say the thing intimidated me. It was huge. But I loved it nonetheless.
Thanks for the color! Really appreciate your comment.
Not to argue, but I believe it was the ’60 that Dave Holls loved. His quote was “We finally got it right”. I have a ’59 CdV and my good friend has a ’60 CdV. I respectfully disagree with the great Mr. Holls!
BTW, the ’61 with it’s skeg fins was pretty garish and often criticized, but its popularity is rising these days.
fintastic !!
Being a Cadillac collector it hurts me to see a phenomenal car like this altered with aftermarket air ride. My 59 came with that as one of its options from the factory, but unfortunately it doesn’t still operate.
By far my favorite Cadillac. Painted one of these with “LACQUER”!! Black no less. Want to talk about a long hard job. Turned out beautiful but sure took a while. Wouldn’t change a thing.