Cadillac Sixty Special
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| Cadillac Sixty Special | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Parent company | General Motors |
| Production | 1938–1972 1987-1993 |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan |
The Sixty Special name has been used at Cadillac to denote a special model since the 1938 Bill Mitchell-designed Series 60 derivative. Although the 1938 model began in Cadillac's lowest price range, soon the Sixty Special name would be synonymous for some of Cadillac's most luxurious vehicles.
Contents |
[edit] 1938 - 1941
| Series 60 Special | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1938–1941 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 346 in³ Monobloc V8 |
| Wheelbase | 127 in (3226 mm) |
| Related | Cadillac Series 60 |
For 1938, a new model was added to Cadillac's lowest-priced line of cars - the Series 60, named the Sixty Special. It was produced from 1938 through 1941. Trend-setting features included a completely integrated trunk, lack of side running boards (soon all makes followed), and four front-hinged doors. It was built on an impressive 127-inch (3,200 mm) wheelbase - 3-inch (76 mm) longer than the standard Series 60 cars. The new Sixty Special utilized a unique "X" frame underneath, which allowed the 4,170 lb (1,890 kg). car to sit within its frame, This not only gave the new Cadillac the stiffest chassis on the market, but it was also 3" lower than other Cadillacs - with no sacrifice in headroom. The disappearance of running boards along the side, and its lack of belt-line trim, made the sleek car appear even lower. The Sixty Special was powered by Cadillacs standard 130hp, 346cu V8 engine. In its debut year, 3,703 Sixty Specials were delivered, at a base cost of $2,090 each - it was a success in every measure. The new Sixty Special outsold every other Cadillac line that year. In 1938, aside from the standard 4-door sedan, three special order models were built on the Sixty Special body - two very dashing four-door convertibles (each owned by GM executives), and one Sixty-Special coupe (the only one of its kind).
A pleasing new front end, a few minor trim changes, and some unique options appeared for Sixty Special in 1939. First was a retractable metal panel above the front seat called a "Sunshine Turret Top Roof" a predecessor to the moon roof. The sliding roof, patented by GM's Ternstedt Hardware division, was operated by a hand crank. Second was a retractable division glass in between the front and rear seats. This partition did not have a header in the roof, but rather, just channels in between the door posts that the retractable glass would travel in. The $2,090 price from 1938 remained for 1939 as well. More than 5,500 Sixty Specials were built for 1939, but only 280 of them were equipped with the sun roof option (of those 280 sun roof optioned cars, 55 of them were also equipped with the retractable glass partition).
For 1940, the price (for the third year in a row) and general styling remained the same, with only modest trim changes. Of special note is that 1940 would be the last year that side-mounted spare tires (optional on all Cadillacs, including Sixty Special) would be offered. 1940 was also the first year that Fleetwood was now building the Sixty Special bodies. Thus, the Sixty Special line expanded to four models this year: Touring Sedan (the base model), Imperial sedan (priced at $2,230, it featured a retractable glass partition between the front and rear seats), and two open-front Town Car models (one style with a painted roof; the other with a leather-covered roof). These two very formal cars had a removable roof section over the front seat and a glass division window. Of the Sixty Specials built in 1940, 4,242 of them were the Touring model. There were 113 Imperials (including 3 that were also equipped with the sun roof), and lastly, only 15 Town Car models. Of the 15, 9 had the painted metal roof (priced at $3,465), and 6 were the formal leather-covered roof version (priced at $3,820).
1941 was the last year of Bill Mitchell's original Sixty Special design, as an all new 1942 model was in the works. Many consider the 1941 to the most beautiful of this series. A contemporary front end design blended well with the original body, and the rear fenders now held full skirts. For 1941, the wheelbase was reduced by one inch, down to 126". Sixty Special showed a $105 price increase (for the first time) to $2,195. Power was still supplied by the same 346cu Cadillac engine as before, but now rated at 150 hp (110 kW). Production totals include 3,878 Touring sedans (including 185 with the sun roof option), and 220 Imperial sedans (now priced at $2,345). Only 1 Sixty Special Town Car was made this year. Featuring the leather-covered roof, it was the last one to come from Cadillac-Fleetwood.
There were nearly 17,900 Sixty Specials made from 1938 to 1941, including about a dozen custom bodied versions.
[edit] 1942
| Sixty Special Fleetwood | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1942 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 346 in³ Monobloc V8 |
| Wheelbase | 1942: 133 in (3378 mm) |
The wheelbase was stretched to 133 in (3,400 mm) for the short 1942 model year. This time, the special was less special, with just exterior chrome accents to differentiate it. Just 1,875 were sold that year.
[edit] 1946 - 1958
| Sixty Special Fleetwood | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1946–1950 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 346 in³ Monobloc V8 330 in³ OHV V8 |
| Wheelbase | 128 in (3250 mm) |
| Related | Cadillac Series 62 |
| Sixty Special Fleetwood | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1951–1953 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 330 in³ OHV V8 |
| Wheelbase | 130 in (3302 mm) |
| Related | Cadillac Series 62 |
| Sixty Special Fleetwood | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 1954–1958 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 330 in³ OHV V8 365 in³ OHV V8 |
| Wheelbase | 133 in (3378 mm) |
| Related | Cadillac Series 62 |
The Sixty Special Fleetwood returned after the war in 1946. This time, it was similar to the C-body Series 62, though with a 2 in (51 mm) stretch to the cabin and doors. More chrome (on the C-pillar this time) denoted the special model.
The Sixty Special Fleetwood continued in the line through the 1950s as a stretched version of the 62. It got the new Cadillac OHV V8 in 1949. The wheelbase was dropped to 130 in (3,300 mm) for 1951 and brought back up to 133 in (3,400 mm) for 1954.
[edit] 1959 - 1972
| Sixty Special Fleetwood | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1959–1960 |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 390 in³ OHV V8 |
| Related | Cadillac DeVille |
In 1959, the memorable "zap!" fins appeared on nearly all Cadillacs this year, including the Sixty-Special. Now riding a three-inch (76 mm) shorter wheelbase (130"), the Sixty-Special continued as a pillar-less hardtop with its own distinct moldings - including a side-mounted dummy air-scoop on the rear fender, and a thin chrome bead that ran from the front fender back to the rear bumper, and then forward again to the front wheel well. The fin-mounted tail lights pods (which were body-colored on lesser Cadillacs) were chromed.
1960 saw new (shorter) rear fins, and a cleaner side-trim design. Wheelbase remained 130", and the $6,233 price was the same as the '59. New for 1960 was a standard vinyl roof covering, and the small chrome "louvers" returned (first seen in '42, last seen in '56).
For 1961, Cadillac's Fleetwood Sixty Special received all-new sheet metal, with a crisp, formal roofline (sometimes fitted with a vinyl covering)- and a mildly shorter 129.5" wheelbase. The small decorative louvers were back, this time just ahead of the tail lights. Sales were up to 15,500 units. With the cancellation of the four-door Eldorado Brougham at the end of 1960, the '61 Fleetwood Sixty Special now became the sedan companion to the Eldorado coupe.
1962's styling remained similar to '61, and Sixty-Special's fender louvers were moved up to the roof, directly behind the rear door opening. A revised grill up front, and a new trim panel below the rear deck lid rounded out the subtle changes. Sales slipped to 13,350 this year at a base price of $6,366.
1963 had all-new styling (on the same 129.5" wheelbase), and a brand new 325 hp (242 kW) powerplant. Sixty-Special shared its (lack of) body-side trim with Eldorado - appearing very clean and formal when compared to the standard Cadillac models. Price was down to $6,300, and sales were up slightly 14,000. While the small decorative louvers continued on the C-pillar, a new Cadillac "wreath and crest" ornament was on the rear fender. The front fender-mounted cloisonne "Sixty Special" emblem (which appeared for 1960) was gone. The formerly standard vinyl top had now become a $125 option on Sixty-Special.
Other than a slightly revamped grille and rear bumper, 1964 saw few changes - including the Cadillac wreath and crest ornament moving from the rear fender of the '63 model to take the place of the C-pillar mounted louvers for '64. The '64 Sixty Special (and companion Eldorado convertible) now had nearly no side trim, except for a wide rocker-sill molding which ran from the rear-edge of the front fender wheel well to the rear of the car. Cost was back up the '62 price of $6,366, and sales were up to 14,500 units.
1965 featured all new styling, and a longer 133" wheelbase. The Fleetwood Sixty Special was now back to being a pillared sedan (the B-pillar was absent from 1957), and also new for '65 was the available "Brougham" package, which added $194 to Sixty Special's base price of $6,479. Included in the package was a padded grained-vinyl roof covering with "Brougham" nomenclature on the C-pillar. 18,100 Sixty-Specials were built for 1965.
1966, with minor trim changes, now offered Cadillac buyers two models in this series to choose from - the standard Fleetwood Sixty Special (priced at $6,378) and the new Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham ($6,695). The Brougham option package proved so popular last year that it was named as a separate model for '66. The Brougham model included a formal-looking vinyl roof covering, and luxurious appointments inside such as genuine Walnut trim, and for rear seat passengers - lighted picnic tables, foot rests, and reading lamps. This was the last year that the Sixty-Special would serve as a body-sharing companion to the Eldorado convertible, as the '67 Eldorado moved to front-wheel drive and all new sheet metal. The new Fleetwood Brougham sold over 13,630 copies, surpassing the standard Sixty-Special which sold only 5,445 units.
1967 was all-new styling at Cadillac (but with Sixty-Special continuing with an exclusive 133" wheelbase), and the $6,739 Fleetwood Brougham continued to outsell the $6,423 Sixty-Special - 12,750 units versus 3,550 standard Sixty-Specials.
1968 featured mostly carry-over styling from 1967, but the hood was longer this year, as it extended all the way to the base of the windshield to cover the "hidden" windshield wipers. Also new for '68 was a stylish beveled deck lid. The $6,867 vinyl-roofed Fleetwood Brougham sold 15,300 models this year, while the standard Sixty-Special with its painted metal roof (priced at $6,552) sold just 3,300 cars. Cadillac buyers clearly showed that the $315 price difference was worth every penny.
1969 models ushered in all-new styling, and the two Sixty-Special models held distinct rooflines from the other Cadillacs. A 60/40 split bench seat was standard in the Fleetwood Brougham, optional in Sixty-Special. Safety was a new priority at Cadillac, introducing a new steering column that not only was designed to absorb impact and collapse in a collision, but also held theft-deterrent features such as an ignition key switch activated steering wheel and transmission shifter lock mechanism. Head rests were standard on front seats, while seat belts were provided for all six passengers. The 375hp 472cu engine carried over from 1968. Also of note this year was the disappearance of the small vent windows on the front and rear doors. Fleetwood Brougham, at $7,092, included a vinyl roof top (available in six colors), as well as rear-seat foot rests and an automatic level control for the rear wheels which kept the car level despite the weight of fuel, passengers, or cargo. Fleetwood Brougham's sales of 17,300 units easily surpassed the 2,545 copies of the standard $6,761 Sixty-Special.
The 1970 Sixty-Special received few changes, aside from the usual new grille and tail lamps. Sixty-Special had long been recognized for its bold, bare side body - but this year, the models received a 'chrome with vinyl insert' body-side molding. It was really the first prominent side molding on Sixty-Special since the 'rocket-ship' 1958 model. It did not take away from Sixty-Special's individuality much, and certainly improved the chances of a devastating parking-lot door 'ding' on those smooth, slab sides. Sales and production figures include 16,913 units of the Fleetwood Brougham at $7,284; and just 1,738 units of the Sixty-Special at $6,953. This would be the last year for the standard, metal-roofed Sixty-Special.
For 1971, the line-up was trimmed down to just one Sixty-Special model, the Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham. Still riding on an exclusive 133" wheelbase, but with all-new sheet metal and a distinctive roof design. The formal new roof was clearly reminiscent of Bill Mitchell's original 1938 Sixty Special, with individually-framed, rounded-corner side glass (out-lined by a thin, chrome bead). Also new on the vinyl top were C-pillar mounted opera lamps, and a thick B-pillar - all of which heightened the limousine effect. To complete the "custom-body" look, the front and rear side doors held a narrow body filler panel between them. Despite the formal new look and higher levels of luxury, sales dropped slightly from last year, down to 15,200 units.
1972 was Cadillac's 70th anniversary, and the last year for Sixty-Special. One of the few changes on the '72 was the addition of a chrome molding around the rear window. Sales were a robust 20,750 units - each at a base price of $7,585. The '72 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham weighed in at an impressive 4,858 pounds. Standard equipment included rear-seat reading lamps, automatic level control, and dual-comfort front seats. A wide range of upholstery was available in nine colors of "Sierra" grain leather, four colors of "Matador" cloth, a combination of "Matador" cloth and leather, a "Minuet" fabric in three colors, or a plush "Medici" crushed velour. Although the car (and it's distinctive roof style) remained in similar form though 1976, the Sixty Special name was retired and the 1973 model would be simply called, "Fleetwood Brougham".
[edit] 1987 - 1993
| Sixty Special | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1987 - 1993 |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | C-body |
| Engine(s) | 4.9 L L26 HT-4900 V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 115.8 in (1987 - 1988); 113.8 in (1989 - 1993) |
| Fuel capacity | 18 US gal. |
| Related | Cadillac Fleetwood Oldsmobile 98 Buick Park Avenue Cadillac Coupe de Ville Cadillac DeVille |
The Fleetwood Sixty Special returned in 1987 as the upper model in the front wheel drive Fleetwood line. The 1987 & 1988 Fleetwood Sixty Specials were custom-crafted cars featuring a five-inch (127 mm) wheelbase stretch over the Deville on which they were based. The additional five inches (127 mm) increased the rear seat leg room by an equal amount. They were akin to "Mini~Limousines" that could be owner driven or chauffeur driven. The Fleetwood Sixty Special returned for 1989, now sharing the standard 113.8" wheelbase with Deville and Fleetwood, and continued in production through 1993. When the Fleetwood name supplanted Brougham on the large rear wheel drive Cadillac in 1993, the model that had been the Fleetwood (which was really just a variant of the front-wheel-drive Sedan DeVille) was renamed, simply, "Sixty Special". It had been 55 years since the Sixty Special was introduced, and the first time in over 50 years that the "Fleetwood" name was not used with the "Sixty Special" designation.
While the '87 & '88 Sixty Special had their unique longer wheelbase, the '89 through '93 models were differentiated from the Deville by the special interior trim package that included 22-way power driver and passenger seats. Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro created the glove-soft leather seating which included built-in heating elements, a center clamshell armrest with flip-up seat adjustment control panel, and an electrically-powered slide-out storage bin. This seating package was offered as standard equipment from 1989 through 1992, but became a $3,550.00 option in 1993 (as part of the "Ultra" package). Only 688 of the 5,292 Sixty Specials built in 1993 were ordered with the "Ultra" interior. The breakdown by color is as follows: 03 Pink / 59 Dark Plum / 110 Light Blue / 206 Charcoal-Bronze / 226 Medium Gray / 228 Red / 250 Silver / 310 Medium Blue / 326 Rose-Gray / 445 Maroon / 477 Light Beige / 518 Medium Green / 578 Black / 707 Navy Blue / 849 White.
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| Type | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Entry-level | 60 | 61 | WWII | 61 | Cimarron | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 355 | 70/80 | 62 | Series 62 | 6200 | Calais | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Seville | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | 65 | Coupe de Ville/Sedan DeVille | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60S | Sixty Special Fleetwood | Flwd60S | Fleetwood | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limousine | 355 | 72/75/85 | Series 75 | 6700 | Fleetwood 75 | FL | FB | Brougham | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal Luxury | Eldorado | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Allanté | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Halo | V-16 | Brougham | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
