1959 Cadillac Flat Top Sedan deVille
The 1959 “Flat Top” Sedan deVille….
The 1959 “Flat Top” Sedan deVille was one of Cadillac’s most popular hardtop sedans. The dramatic sweep of the roofline past the panoramic back glass was contemporary for the day. The classic four-window Sedan deVille with the vista roof complimenting the iconic tail fins was dramatic and pronounced. The 1959 hardtop Sedan deVille maintained that poised dignity which was the hallmark of every Cadillac. The fabulous fins of the 1959 Cadillacs were a styling tour-de-force in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”
Those fins were the tallest in the industry, they made history. They also excite Drew Fowler….he is a Corvette man but has a “fin-fetish.” This one’s for you Drew Fowler out in Colorado!
No other Cadillac is more widely recognized as the 1959 Cadillac model year. They were the quintessential status symbol when America was “Fantasy Island” and one’s wildest dream could come true. The 1959 Cadillacs were the pinnacle of excess and the epitome of luxury. Cadillac was the purveyor of the luxury car….and the “Standard of the World” in presence and prestige.
With precise craftsmanship and such universal appeal the 1959 Flat Top Sedan deVille was a totally new concept in fine car design. This one is finished in the 1950s popular “Wood Rose.” There were songs sung about the fabled “Pink Cadillac” all throughout that decade. The Cadillac motorcar was a true legend, the iconic 1959 was the most “NOTORIOUS” Cadillac ever….
Unmistakably Cadillac in stature and majesty, no other car is so visually exciting (ask Drew Fowler) and meticulously engineered. Two all-new high performance engines were available for the 1959 model year, a standard four-barrel carburetor or the optional triple deuce (three 2-bbl). The 1959 Sedan deVille was powered by the Cadillac 390 CID 16-valve OHV V8 engine that produced 325 hp @ 3,100 rpm with 583 Nm of peak torque @ 4,800 rpm.
The engine was equipped with a Carter AFB 2814S down-draft carburetor with equalized manifold, mechanical fuel pump, dry-pack type air cleaner, intake silencer, and automatic choke. The engine was mated to GM’s Hydra-Matic (Jet-away) 4-speed automatic transmission. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds, 0-100 mph in 29.5 seconds with a top speed of 126 mph. It could do the ¼ mile @ 83 mph in 17.8 seconds. To be as large as these cars were, they can really move – fast!
The 1959 Sedan deVille was an extremely large front engine rear drive vehicle. It had the luxury length of 225” rode on a long 130” wheelbase and had an extremely wide stance of 80.2”. The 1959 Cadillacs were built as body on frame construction. They were built upon Cadillac’s rugged X-frame. This design afforded more front seat interior room, greater stability, and improved appearance because it could be built lower.
The front suspension was the traditional upper and lower control arms with spherical joints and independent helical coils springs. The rear featured a four-link drive and helical coil springs. Power brakes were standard with front and rear drums. (Do not scoff this was 1959 and hi-tech for the day) Also standard were power steering and Hydra-Matic drive.
This one’s for you Drew!
The 1959 “Flat Top” had an interior that was airy and spacious….it was like driving your great-room around with you. Visibility was EXCELLENT, none of these grotesque fall-away front fenders….(you know today’s cars, and those front fenders that one cannot see…)
The 1959 Flat Top used a large panoramic rear back glass that gave full view of those fabulous fins making parking (lest we forget…backing) easier, after all….we’d hate to mow-down that little car behind us with those fins, that would not be pretty. (Imagine….life in prison for vehicular manslaughter by shish-kabobbing the family in the wagon behind you with those fins!)
The interiors were upholstered in “Camden Cloth” with matching leather bolsters in three colors, or “Coronado” in four trim combinations. The 1959 Cadillacs were the “Standard of the World” in comfort and convenience. (Be careful of those fins! Like when we were little and our elders and betters would tell us not to run with scissors….and we’d do it anyway to see why not?)
The Flat Top Vista-roof was popular among Sedan deVille buyers. Each sculptured contour, every inch of chrome, stainless-steel or aluminum was artfully and skillfully orchestrated to create an endearing and timeless motorcar. The 1959 hardtop Sedan deVille provided brilliant performance, exceptional luxury, and extraordinary beauty. All 1959 Cadillacs are a masterpiece in everything that makes a luxury car desirable, they are highly collectible and monetarily appreciating rapidly.
These fine automobiles will live on forever, as it will always have a cult following, Drew Fowler of Colorado is the CEO, CFO, & COO. The 1959 Cadillacs were in every way a masterpiece of design, engineering, and styling. Those fabulous fins made the iconic 1959 Cadillacs the most widely recognizable model year for the brand. Their increased comfort, safety, luxury, and value were elements adding to the legend’s formidable reputation. So, this is Andrew Fowler’s favorite model in the continuing saga of….”As the Standard of the World Turns.”
Bob Adams Classic Cars has over 50 years in the business spanning three generations. If you’re in the market for a premium, a collectible to be proud of, go and see Bob. Tell him “99MilesPerHour” sent you!
Daniel Schmitt & Co offers premium collectible classic cars
And here is my interpretation…I love the fins!
and the formidable DeVille legend continues….
NotoriousLuxury 
You are so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve truly read
through a single thing like that before. So
nice to find someone with genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required
on the web, someone with some originality!
I owned one just like this but it was a bluish green when I was 17.It was my first car,i worked in the vineyards of the Napa valley all summer to get 300 dollars,a good bit of money in 1974 to buy it.I really want to try and get another some day,but as a friend said I am financially challenged, so I need to find a unicorn, some mythical person who still thinks 300 bucks is a lot of money.
i am looking to purchase a 1959 caddy 4 dr ht flat top where will i find one??
Hello Patricia and Happy New year!! Finding a 1959 Cadillac with the 4-door hardtop “Vista” roof aka “Flat Top” is like searching for a ruby in a mountain of glass. Check “Hemming’s Motor News” first. Be careful indiscriminately Googling collector cars, you may get “The gift that keeps on giving”….you want to know the gifts right? OK…Fits of uncontrollable sobbing and weeping when the ole’ credit card bill arrives…you attend an important car show and find out first hand, the car you have on display was actually – many different cars at one time…or, Mr. Fixit, the former owner – made strange and unusual alterations to the car…that no one else can fix…or (drum role) that BEAUTIFUL paint job in the photo that led you to buy it…is now showing signs of crows-feet and or cracking and peeling along with “bubbles” popping up from underneath the paint…a year later! Whether a Series 62 hardtop sedan or Series 62 Sedan deVille, be prepared to shell out the big ones. They are not cheap when they are found in mint condition. Experts call the 1959 Cadillac “The Duesenberg of Tomorrow.” The ’59 Eldorado Biarritz and Seville now sell for six figures plus. Make sure to take the car to an expert when you find a car for sale. I am here to tell you that there are some rolling scrap-heaps out there masquerading as collectible cars!!! Happy Hunting!
99MPH – so where can I find an expert assessor to help price my restoration project 59 Cad Sedan DV stored in the mojave desert.
What exactly did you need to know? Most everyone who built those cars are either retired or deceased. You may go directly to the GM Heritage Center and find the specifications you need. They used to be able to send you the build sheet and specs based on your VIN for a small fee. I am not sure if they do this anymore but you can get the 1959 Cadillac manual with all specs online for free. Google GM Heritage Center and click the link.
E_MAIL ME SO I CAN PURCHASE THIS FLAT TOP THEO 905 389 1227
I STILL LIKE TO MAYBE PURCHASE THIS PINK 1959 4 dr ht FLATTOP I AM GETTING NO RESPONCE IS IT AVAILABLE?? THEO
Hello Theo! I am sorry but that car was sold years ago. This is an old article. Cars from GM with the “Vista Roof” treatment usually sell the same day they are put up for sale. If I run across one for sale I will let you know. Thanks for stopping by, come back soon!
Greg
We picked up our 59 Flat top Sedan Deville locally. It was a total fluke! Original owner, a cute 94 year old man who bought it new for his wife! She passed about 5 years ago, and he couldn’t part with it till recently. ALL ORIGINAL!! No rust, and it pretty dang could shape! We paid $44K without batting an eye! Our “Maxine”, named in honor of the original owner’s late wife is a real head turner! We get thumbs up and oooohs and ahhhs all the time. Even had a elderly man stop me and asked to check it out. He actually offered me double what I paid for it! But sorry, she is not for sale! Love her to pieces!!!!
Congrats Kelly! You got a one in a million deal! The 1959 Cadillac is the most immediately identifiable Cadillac in the history of the brand. This is how treasures are found but it takes the eagle-eye to spot, purchase, then live happily ever after! They sell quickly as witnessed by your purchase. You now have a collector’s car for life! Take care of it…and it will take care of you! You think you’ve had BIG offers to sell it up until now…you haven’t seen anything yet! Polish it regularly, make sure to drive it just enough to keep it from turning into junk. (Yes, cars can become junk by letting them ‘sit’ on display. An automobile is like an athlete – if the athlete just sits around all the time they get fat and out of shape losing muscle tone, a car is the same. If she sits she’s getting fat and old; however, take her out every now and again and watch her come to life – and stay that way! I know how excited you must be! I found a Lincoln Town Car with only 19,738 miles on her odometer and she’s a 2004! Not many can find a brand new car – fifteen years later! This car still smells new sitting in the garage. The original Michelin whitewall tires smell new and still have the little ‘tits’ on the sides! The interior has the intoxicating new car smell. No one had ever sat in the back seat. All leather is like brand new. The exterior is flawless. I named her “Esme” French for esteemed or beloved. I took a greyhound bus to pick her up. The drive home was awesome! I drove it 70-85 mph without any issues. She was so excited it was as though she was saying “DRIVEMEDRIVEMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” An older gent had to sell her because he couldn’t drive anymore. I could tell how much he loved this car….it’s so new it’s frightening!
I am happy to hear about your 1959 Cadillac! I LOVE to hear stories of finding treasures such as yours, thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend Kelly. Take your car out early on Sunday mornings before traffic becomes an issue and drive like the wind! Don’t let it sit. Take it to a Cadillac dealer for a good once over to make sure everything remains in tip-top shape. You have a SERIOUS collector car my friend!
This 59 flat top is in my garage in Hjo
Sweden,and her name is Judith
HELLO ANDERS!!!! Say hello to “Judith” for all the viewers!!! You have a rare gem take car of her! Who would have thought that the tallest fins in the industry would have developed such a cult following all over the world! This is why I keep writing stories and posting photos to keep my genuine Cadillac readers happy – and you do seem happy! Have a great day Anders from the U.S.A.!!
How rear are then,and how much money do you need to buy one in good condition?
1/1/24… found a 6 window ?? In wood rose… what’s a price range for a car like this ? Runs, orig interior lower rockers fixed and bubbling chrome bumpers good… other chrome has some pitting… surface rust but I like it ! Survivor status