1957 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Description

I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that there's absolutely nobody on Earth who doesn't think 1950s Cadillacs are cool. Even if you know nothing about cars, you know a 1950s Cadillac when you see it. And when covered in slick black paint, almost nothing riding on four wheels can beat it. This lovely 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville is one of those gorgeous designs that make people nostalgic, and as it turns out, they're also fantastic cars to drive.

Dressed in basic factory Code 10 Black (the car's original car), this is a Cadillac that gets attention everywhere it goes. According to the current owner, this Coupe de Ville was repainted back-to-stock specs at some point in the '90s with the benefit of the original color as a guide, and with that much sheetmetal to deal with, it's a good thing it was in great original shape. The formal color is ideal for a showboat like this, allowing the shape and the details to do the talking and creating a wonderfully period perfect background for all that chrome. 1957 was a redesign year, ushering the two-year only 5th generation line of Series 62 Coupe de Villes, and although there are some similarities left over from the previous generation, the refreshed '57 model does feature several changes – a tubular X-frame that lowered the body, a face-lifted front fascia with rubber bumper guard tips and dual running lights set in the lower bumper section, revised body moldings and stainless trim, and a redesigned rear end with a dual taillight set-up and exhaust exits incorporated into the rear bumper. And yeah, Harley Earl and the boys pretty much got everything right with this beauty. Bodywork is very good, and since there are no replacement panels for these cars, you know it's 100% OEM steel. The rear quarter panels are perhaps the largest ever stamped, and they're nice and straight with no visible signs of patching, and we believe that this has always been a rust-free southern car from the passed-down reports. Sure, it shows a bit of patina just from the passage of time, but it's hard to go wrong with a car that looks this impressive, and in my opinion any of those imperfections are largely outweighed by the stunning look of those 'shark fins' out back. The chrome and trim looks to be a combination of original and refinished pieces, and as you can imagine, the restoration costs on chrome are staggering, so it always pays to work with good base stock and clean original parts.

Inside, there's just no question that this is a product of the rock-and-roll decade. The black brocade fabric is a wonderful contrast to the white leather, and if you try this combination on any car that doesn't have fins, you'll probably be laughed out of the showroom. But on this car, wow, does it look right! The seats and door panels may very well be original, and as such we would not recommend replacement, and by the looks of things inside, only what was essential was ever replaced and only with OEM parts through the years, while most of the original components were simply cared for at a very high level. On the other hand, the carpets are surely newer, and the back seat is so beautifully preserved you'll want to scrub your grandkids before they hop back there for a Sunday cruise. The dash is original as well, and the dazzling chrome instrument panel will most definitely remind you of a Wurlitzer juke box, matching all of the gorgeously ornate chrome accents found throughout the cabin. That's an AM radio in the dash, and it appears to be original and dictates a power antenna that is admittedly struggling to catch a signal (although in my opinion this is a good thing as today's 'music' doesn't deserve to be played in such a timeless icon), a speaker is installed down below, and this Caddy carries choice options like power windows, a power front seat, and yes, functional (albeit rather weak and cool, not cold) factory A/C. In the fully upholstered trunk, you'll find enough room for a month's worth of vacation luggage, as well as a full-sized spare and jack assembly.

Cadillac's 390 cubic inch V8 with a single four-barrel carburetor looks to be from a 1959 model and makes this land cruiser impressively peppy around town. It has that great V8 rumble from the dual exhaust, yet idles smoothly enough to be barely noticeable. The engine bay was freshened at some point (obviously) and now wears chrome Cadillac valve covers and correct corporate blue engine enamel on the engine itself. There are signs of proper maintenance, including replaced belts and hoses, and you'll note that this '57 includes power steering and power brakes, so it's easy to handle around town. Cadillac pioneered automatic transmissions in 1941, and the 3-speed automatic unit living behind this V8 shifts crisply and has that unique Hydramatic feel to it that suggest precision machinery at work. Original steel wheels wear factory chrome hubcaps and a set of 235/75/15 Hankook whitewall radials.

'57 Chevys are cool and all, but the way you really want to travel is in a Tri-5 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. This gorgeous hardtop shows you why in spades. Call today!