1956 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Sedan (LHD)

Description

Despite the challenge from newly established rivals Lincoln and Imperial, Cadillac remained America’s pre-eminent maker of luxury cars throughout the 1950s and the confidence shown by the company – and the American auto industry as a whole - is perfectly embodied by the longer, wider and lower 1954-1956 models.  Built on a new 129-inch wheelbase frame, the new Cadillac boasted a wraparound windscreen, plenty of chrome embellishments and upswept tail fins.  Alongside the entry-level Series 62 and glamorous Eldorado coupes and convertibles, Cadillac also offered the more upmarket Fleetwood series in both Series Sixty Special and longer-wheelbase Series 75 versions on a stretched 150-inch wheelbase platform.  Boasting “high headroom” styling first seen in 1954 updated each season in keeping with the rest of Cadillac’s range, the Series 75 was available in either Seven-Passenger Sedan or Imperial limousine (with division) guises.  Befitting of Cadillac’s most expensive offering, the 75 came fully loaded with convenience options, while extra cost features included air conditioning, an Autronic eye, automatic headlight dimmer, power brakes and radio.  Cadillac’s in-house coachbuilding division Fleetwood was responsible for the semi-custom bodywork and just 1,095 75 sedans and 955 limousines were built, the majority sold to captains of industry and government leaders.  Under the curvaceous bonnet, Cadillac’s V8 grew in displacement to 365 cubic inches, with 305 horsepower thanks to a four-barrel carburettor while the Hydra-matic transmission was revised for smoother shifting.  A rare sight on Australian roads, the 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood is one of the glitziest cars of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era and a genuine head-turner.