Cadillac Series 62

In the 1940s and 1950s, the model range of General Motors’ luxury brand Cadillac was divided into four model series, which were later reduced to three. Until 1951, the Series 61 was Cadillac's base model. Above it was the middle series, the Series 62, which became the base line in 1952 after production of the Series 61 had been discontinued. Both series were available as a two-door coupé and a four-door sedan. The next higher market segment was occupied by the Series 60, which was only offered as a four-door saloon. Finally, the representative vehicles of the Series 75 were intended for chauffeur service. During this period, Cadillac pursued the concept of standardized design. This meant that all four series were technically and stylistically based on the same design. They differed from one another through different wheelbases, exterior and interior decorative elements and equipment features.

First generation: 1959 - 1960

Cadillac's 1959 model year was exceptional due to its body design. Because of the strikingly designed tail fins, these models were regarded as „the automotive symbol of the 1950s“; they were „both the climax and the final word of the wildest styling era in the history of the automobile.“

The design of the 1959 model year was the last regular work of long-time GM designer Harley Earl. In terms of style, the cars had no reference to the previous models. The body, which was basically the same for all the brand's model series, was lower and slimmer overall than the bulky 1958 models. The flanks of the car tapered towards the rear and ended in round openings that were modeled on the exhaust of an aircraft nozzle. Above them were unusually high and pointed tail fins, into which two rocket-shaped tail lights were integrated on each side of the vehicle. According to critics, the tail fins reached „almost ridiculous“ dimensions in this model year. On the new model, the rear wheels were covered by the fenders and the front end had a slimmer design. In addition, the wide rear bumper with its grille design had tail lights on the side that were reminiscent of the outlets of rocket nozzles. Their shape and height was a reaction to the 1957 and 1958 Chrysler models designed by Virgil Exner, whose tail fins were higher than those of the Cadillac vehicles. With the design of the 1959 model year, the GM designers aimed to surpass the Chrysler lines once again.

For the first time, Cadillac offered two different roof designs for the sedan: a version known as Six Windows had a curved roofline similar to the coupé and had three windows on each side of the vehicle (driver's door, rear door, rear side window). A version with a horizontal roof and large rear panoramic window was also available. In this version, the rear window was curved into the sides of the vehicle and extended to the end of the rear door. This version had only two side windows (one in each door). It was therefore referred to as the Four Windows; an alternative name, which refers to the horizontal roof, is Flat Top.

All Cadillacs had an X-shaped ladder frame to which the body was bolted. All Series 62 models were powered by an eight-cylinder V-engine whose displacement had been increased to 6.4 liters (390 cubic inches). The power output was given as 325 SAE hp. A 345 SAE hp version of this engine, which Cadillac also offered, was reserved for the high-priced Eldorado line.