Posted February 2, 2014 by 99MilesPerHour "As the Standard of the World Turns"

1959 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Flat Top Sedan

The “Flat Top” hardtop sedan ruled

They were brilliantly new in beauty and bearing. The styling of the 1959 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two hardtop sedan featured an entirely new concept in sedan design. The driver and passengers were surrounded by safety plate glass. The ever so popular Vista Roof design was a single panoramic rear back glass that curved completely around the quarter panels. A unique visor extended beyond that expansive back glass to create the formidable “Flat top” General Motors introduced for the 1959 model year.

Cadillac was the purveyor in hardtop styling. Cadillac introduced the first pillarless hardtop coupe in 1949 as the illustrious Coupe deVille. Cadillac introduced the first pillarless hardtop sedan in 1956 as the Sedan deVille. The rest of the automotive industry soon joined in 100%, everything was pillarless, and the sedan body all but vanished.

The 1959 Series Sixty-Two sported the hardtop sedan styling and tail fins quite well. The Flat Top and iconic tail fins were lavish and poised for the “Standard of the World” in motoring excellence….it was a most dramatic episode in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”

Cadillac was luxury and comfort that the entire world admired. Driver and passengers alike enjoyed conveniences, appointments, and sheer elegance that were unique to this great motorcar. No other car in the world offered its magnificent motoring luxury. The Series Sixty-Two was the most well-known of all Cadillac models. The DeVille Series for example, was a glamour trim option package like Eldorado, for the Series Sixty-Two. They were the most modestly priced of all Cadillacs, yet crafted impeccably as all Cadillacs complete with an interior by Fleetwood and body by Fisher.

The 1959 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Flat Top sedan provided an exciting new measure of motoring satisfaction. Cadillac’s magnificent new design was powered by a 390 CID 16-valve OHV V8 equipped with a Carter AFB 2814S 4-bbl downdraft carburetor with equalized manifold, mechanical fuel pump, dry-pack air cleaner, intake silencer, and automatic choke. An optional triple-deuce (3 2-bbl) was optional at extra cost and boosted the performance level higher.

The engine produced 325 hp @ 4,800 rpm with 583 Nm of peak torque @ 3,100 rpm. The engine was mated to GM’s Hydra-Matic (Jet-away) 4-speed automatic transmission. Performance was rated as 0-60 mph in 10.6 seconds, 0-100 mph in 29.1 seconds with a top speed of 126 mph. It could do the ¼ mile @ 83 mph in 17.7 seconds. The 1959 Cadillacs were the “Standard of the World” in luxury car performance.

The 1959 Cadillac Series Sixty-Two Flat Top sedan was a very large front engine rear-drive vehicle. It was built as body on frame construction with Cadillac’s rugged tubular X-frame which permitted a lower body mount providing more interior front legroom, greater stability, and improved appearance. They had the luxury length of 225″, rode upon a long 130” wheelbase with the wide stance of 80.2” all of which anchored this luxury behemoth to the pavement.

The front suspension used the traditional upper and lower control arms with spherical joints and independent helical coil springs. The rear used a four-link drive and helical coil springs, and a hypoid rear axle with offset differential housing to facilitate Straight-Line Drive. This remarkable system isolated and cancelled road noise and vibration before it reached the interior creating the effortless magic carpet ride. The all-new chassis featured improved braking, steering, driving ease, and riding comfort which proved that the only way to travel….was Cadillac style.

Cadillac presented a new realm in motoring majesty with the 1959 Cadillacs. From the bold front end styling to the sweep of the Vista Roof design to the iconic tail fins….it was every inch a Cadillac. The entire world fell in love with those tail fins….just ask Drew Fowler! The 1959 Series Sixty-Two Flat Top sedan possessed all of the virtues that made a Cadillac the “Standard of the World.” This brilliant new motorcar was the perfect introduction to Cadillac luxury.

The Series Sixty-Two was the easiest step into Cadillac luxury, priced lower than the other Cadillac models; however, it did not stint on traditional Cadillac luxury, quality fit and finish. The interior offered five duo-tone combinations, and two additional selections in Mojave Cloth. The Series Sixty-Two Flat Top sedan had spacious six passenger comfort combined with that poised dignity, which was the hallmark of every Cadillac. The Series Sixty-Two was the “Standard of the world in value.” The completely new profile and interior comfort and convenience continued the affection in the hearts of the world’s motorists. The 1959 Series Sixty-Two Flat Top came standard with power steering, power brakes, and Hydra-Matic Drive.

The 1959 Cadillac and the iconic tail fin went down in automotive history as being the tallest in the industry. It won the “fabulous-fin-wars” of the 1950s hands down. The Series Sixty-Two was one of the most popular model series of the Cadillac brand. This was the most modestly priced introduction to Cadillac luxury. DeVille and Eldorado were both glamour trim option packages for the Series Sixty-Two that became legends….

The 1959 Cadillacs will always entertain world notoriety and a cult following presided over by Drew Fowler out in Colorado, right Drew? I hope this satisfied your “fin-fetish” for the moment. This was another fine classic automobile from Bob Adams Classic Cars. The 1959 Series Sixty-Two Flat Top sedan was another brilliant episode in the continuing saga of….”As the Standard of the World Turns.”