1957 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Description

There's absolutely nobody who doesn't think 1950s Cadillacs are cool. Even if you know nothing about cars, you know a 1950s Cadillac when you see it. This lovely 1957 Series 62 hardtop 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 black, this is a Cadillac that gets attention. At some point, the car was repainted using the original color as a guide and with that much sheetmetal to deal with, it's a good thing it was in great 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. Bodywork is excellent, 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 laser straight with no visible signs of patching, and we believe that this has always been a rust-free southern car. 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. The chrome and trim is 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 I would not recommend replacement. On the other hand, the carpets are surely newer, and the back seat is beautifully preserved. The dash is original as well, and the dazzling chrome instrument panel will most definitely remind you of a Wurlitzer juke box. That's an AM radio in the dash, and it appears to be original, with a speaker down below, it carries power windows and power front seat, and yes, the car has functional factory A/C, which is a very rare feature these days. 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 apparently comes 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 valve covers and correct corporate blue engine enamel on the engine itself. There are signs of proper maintenance, including recent 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 unit living behind the V8 shifts crisply and has that unique Hydramatic feel to it that suggest precision machinery at work. The original wheels wear stock hubcaps and a set of 235/75/15 whitewall radials.

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