1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville (RHD)

Description

One of the most ostentatiously styled automobiles ever made, the 1959 Cadillac convertible is the automotive equivalent of Marilyn Monroe – drop dead gorgeous, totally over the top and never to be repeated. From the jewel-like grille to the most recognisable fins of the Jet Age the 1959 Caddie is an icon, celebrated in just about every form of popular culture, from movies to art. Underneath that extravagant bodywork was the most mechanically refined Cadillac yet, using a revamped version of the X-frame chassis introduced in 1957 and a new 390-cid OHV V8 developing 325 horsepower at 4800rpm, thanks to a four-barrel carburettor and dual exhausts. The long list of standard equipment found on all 1959 Cadillacs included power steering, power brakes and Hydra-matic four-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the many features found on the entry level Series 6200, such as the vanity mirror, external rear view mirror, two-speed wipers, twin back-up lamps and an electric antenna, the Series 6300 de Ville range boasted additional mouldings and nameplates, along with power windows and two-way power seats upholstered in a choice of Camden cloth or optional leather. Available in three body styles – two sedans and a coupe – the de Ville sold well, with 19,158 buyers for the six window sedan, 12,308 for the ‘flat-top’ four window sedan and 21,924 for the pillarless coupe as offered here. Billed as “The New Standard of the World of Excellence”, the 1959 Coupe de Ville remains one of the most iconic American classics of all time, highly collectible and the centrepiece of any vehicle collection.