The 1960 model year was an impressive beginning to a new decade.
During the Sixties, Cadillac styling became more graceful and restrained as
Bill Mitchell gradually unified the design. Few new engineering advances
were introduced, but orderly design development and a conservative styling
approach set Cadillac apart from other luxury makes and maintained its
reputation as "The Standard of the World." To the American public,
Cadillac remained a symbol of prestige, success, and good taste.
The 1960 Cadillac began the evolutionary process of
toning down the
excesses of 1959. Although it continued the jet plane styling theme of the
'59, its fins were clipped (but still prominent) and Ed Taylor redesigned the
taillights into a thin strip of red plastic neatly blended into the end of the
fin. Supplementing that was a second taillight in each "exhaust port," now
a vertical oval that still housed the backup light as well. the simplified
grille lost its horizontal divider bar and the front bumper was also simpler
and less bulky. New, too, was the instrument panel. All in all, the '60
Caddy had a more formal, yet youthful, look.
The Cadillac Series Sixty-Two hardtop coupe, hardtop sedan, and
convertible were the "entry level" Cadillacs of 1959 and '60; they were
priced at $4892, $5080, and $5455, respectively. The sedan was available
in four- or six-window form for the same price. Series Sixty-Two models
were distinguished by a narrow full-length chrome rub strip that ran from
behind the front wheel to the rear bumper. Cadillac script was located on
the side under the rubbing strip on the front fender and the rear grille had
only one row of "jewels."
One step up the Cadillac ladder came the four- and six-window Sedan
de Ville and Coupe de Ville, priced at $5498 and $5252. Interiors were
finished in Camden cloth with matching leathers, and a metallic cloth was
also listed. Like the Series Sixty-Two, one row of jewels graced the rear,
and a narrow chrome strip ran from behind the front wheel to the rear
bumper, but the Sedan de Ville or Coupe de Ville script was located on the
rear fender.
Cadillac's 1959 and '60 bold sweeping lines stood out as a modern
masterpiece of automotive sculpture. Every luxury and convenience
coddled both driver and passengers, with comfort enough for even the
longest journey. Here was a car designed for comfort, but one that offered
a pleasant surprise when a quick response was needed -- 0-60 mph in just
10.3 seconds. And with the windows up, the interior became hushed, like a
living room on wheels. Cadillac engineering and design had come together
in creating a sumptuous machine.
The 1959-60 Cadillacs were designed during a period of great change
within GM. Harley Earl was heavily involved with the '59s, but Bill
Mitchell took over after Earl's retirement and was mainly responsible for
the 1960 models. Under Mitchell, a new freshness permeated the air -- a
freshness and youthfulness that was to become the hallmark of most cars
developed under his regime.
The '59s and '60s have had their share of foes over the years, but there
is certainly a time and a place for them. Perhaps Earl, Mitchell, Hols,
Glowacke, and Scheelk designed a car whose time is now. It is seen
everywhere these days: TV, movies, and even in commercials for new
Cadillacs! People can't get enough of the 1959-60 Cadillac's flamboyance,
and prices are escalating accordingly. It is such a welcome relief to see one
parked amongst the little boxes-on-wheels of today. Ah, the genius of it all.
Books about Cadillac |
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