It’s not the first time I’ve said it, but for me, 1954-1956 was the high water mark for Cadillac in the post war era. The ’48-’49s were handsome, but a bit too conservative. Then from ’50-’53, they got too bulgy and fussy. And as you know well, I’ve never been a fan of the lower cars that came along in 1957-1959. The ’54- ’56 got it right: Enough length to be impressive without ridiculous overhangs, and enough stature to be imposing—it’s what a luxury car should be. And although I’m generally not a convertible fan, I could make an exception for this one, especially in this lilac color.
Of course the “Dagmars” on the front are ridiculous and over the top, but if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
Here they are in full profile. Pedestrian safety and damage inflicted on the butts of poor little British sports cars and such was clearly not a concern.
And since I forgot to mention it earlier, I prefer single headlights too.
Safely ensconced back in that vault is a softly-purring 331 cubic inch V8 that was rated at 250 hp in 1955, thanks to a bump in its compression ratio. As my father used to say: “Paul, 250 hp is the maximum any car can safely handle”. Maybe that’s why I like these so much; I wouldn’t want to be unsafe. Come to think of it, I’ve never owned a car with more than 250 hp, not counting my Promaster van. The early influence of parents can be long-lasting.
Now that’s a steering wheel! More like two, actually. Unlike pedestrians, occupants’ safety was being given some thought with that padded dash. The long chrome baton directed the Hydramatic Quartet in the Concerto Automatico in Four Movements.
The seat that dare not be ever sat on.
Except like this, of course.
That delicious bootie has so many fine details.
This license plate “topper” is the icing on this plum cake. “World’s Playground”; a lot more colorful than Eugene’s modest “A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors”. The holes in the trunks are from the missing amblem.
This is exactly where the fin mania should have ended. Oooh; love those protruding exhaust ports in the bumper. I remember Miss Welch’s ’54 sedan blowing miniature mushroom clouds on cold January mornings. When we were kids, we used to make a point to stand in the warm clouds in the church parking lots while folks idled their cars to warm them up. Smelled good to us. But then we were raised at a time when trucks spewing giant clouds of DDT in the air drove up and down the streets to try to save the elm trees and we would follow along behind it on our bicycles, getting doused with the fine mist. No wonder…
I need to end this little thought experiment now, and what better way than with a picture of another lover of these. I always knew you were my kind of woman…
Related gawking:
What a beautiful car, love the color! Just add the missing emblem and fender skirts.
You’re exactly right about the fins — should have stopped there, and those taillights are perfectly placed.
Is that an original colour?
I have my doubts. The missing trim and screams repaint.
Mr Earl’s rule: “There should be entertainment from every angle.”
Even the shapely license plate lights!
I agree that ’56 was Peak Caddy. My first Caddy ride was around 1959 in a ’56 sedan, carpooling with the Speckman family. Mr Speckman was much older than most parents and suffered from heart ailments. His young wife (a nurse) was quite openly gold-digging, and he didn’t seem to mind.
This is an original color, though I’ve only seen one of this series in this color. As usual, the first model of the three year run, ’54-’56,is the cleanest looking. Though a four door hardtop was a worthy addition for ’56. These mid ’50’s Cadillacs are a favorite of mine also. Cadillac was clearly the leader and at the time, it was a car that many people aspired to own.
The ’56 was the cleanest of the three years for Oldsmobile, but I’m prejudiced by having one in the family until ’92.
I never realized how far those Dagmars stick out. I find them even more ridiculous and exaggerated than the 1959 fins.
Agree ’54-’56 peak Cadillac and would add the world class A/C (at that time) to the list. Come to think of it the Germans couldn’t make an A/C worth a damn for many years. Jay Leno has said this for many years.
Let me pull an Eric703 here and identify the location.
Apparently, this small dealership is in Paul’s old stomping grounds in Northern Baltimore County.
There’s a nice el Camino on the parking lot now (or at least when the Google Street View camera came through)….
This is a Cadillac.
It’s nice that they designed the fender skirt so it doesn’t obviously seem to be missing, unlike later years.
Isn’t this the steering wheel that took Sammy Davis’s eye out? PN would have to worry about his nipples.
Yes, Sammy Davis Jr. Lost his eye on that steering wheel’s center mini dagmar.
He was driving a 54 Eldorado convertible. The cone in the steering wheel was finally removed for the 56 model year. Between it and the lack of seat belts, that was the proverbial accident waiting to happen. Too bad it took so long for seat belts to be required and used and interiors designed for safety.
https://oddathenaeum.com/the-1954-eldorado-bullet-wheel/
What a beautiful car. I agree with Paul that these cars were the perfect blend of size and utility. I am not much of a fan of low cars and much prefer this era of Cadillac to the befinned behemoths that came a few years later.
On Sunday I saw a Tesla Model 3 that was wrapped in an almost identical lilac color. As much as I think the Model 3 is a clean, and potentially timeless design, the Cadillac has far more presence.
Heavens to Murgatroid, if a Model 3 is what passes for a a timeless design then I want to go backwards in time more than ever! The color, however, is fabulous, I came close to painting my ’58 Olds Super 88 the same delectable shade.
My neighbor across Carnegie Avenue, elderly, widowed, and rich Mrs. Blank – yes, that really was her name – had a black ’55 Fleetwood Sixty Special. On our side of the street the houses weren’t deeply set back and we had an alley, but on the other side the houses were set back with driveways to detached garages.
Every so often that Cadillac would back down the driveway, one of those with two concrete strips and grass in the middle, her maid Emma at the wheel with regal Mrs. Blank and her schnauzer in the rear, ensconced in gray broadcloth.
You can even picture it, because her house – which was built by my great great uncle just before he lost his money in the Crash – is up for sale in a neighborhood that’s seen much better days:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1420-Carnegie-Ave_McKeesport_PA_15132_M30882-36463?from=srp-list-card
“. But then we were raised at a time when trucks spewing giant clouds of DDT in the air drove up and down the streets to try to save the elm trees and we would follow along behind it on our bicycles, getting doused with the fine mist.”
My Dad talks about spraying DDT on the udders of Grandpa’s cows just before he milked them (back in the mid 50’s). To quote Dad, “The flies just dropped off…”
uncle frank (rip) had a ’54 caddie. it had air conditioning to ride around in when most homes and businesses did not have air conditioning but the best trick was if you pushed the little red reflector built into the left taillight, the taillight would pop up and reveal the gas cap. that was cool. plus it had air conditioning.
Love your comment about trailing the DDT trucks. For me it was following the city buses.
I agree with this article in so many ways. But I love the ’57 with its reverse canted fins. It was “58 and ’59 when the truly horrible came along.
This one was a stripped one when new. No fog lights and no Autronic Eye.
These were indeed the Standard of the World back then, and a fine car even now, though perhaps with one flaw – the (original) non-torque-converter 4-speed Hydramatic isn’t very smooth, pretty complicated, and not easy to find anyone who is willing to rebuild one these days, according to my friend who owns one, and prefers his dead-reliable Buick Dynaflow from the same era.
I love these in Coupe form .
All the ‘Dagmar’ Caddies are beauties .
-Nate
The 50’s colors were great. I asked my very stylish wife what color was the first convertible.
No question, “Mauve.”She liked the khaki/tan top as well. “Very 50’s.”-
This series was a high point for sure. But Paul, to borrow your always appreciated candor, the “Enough length to be impressive without ridiculous overhangs” comment is for the coupe and convertible, ridiculous. Seven inches ridiculous.
Dave Holls team designed the 59 Caddy fins. When shown to mgmt, he was told to redo them. So Dave told his team to make them even higher. When mgmt looked again they said NO. We want the first design. And the rest is history.
They had a 365cid and a Jetaway 4speed transmission in 1956. I had 1956 convertible I bought in 1973,and kept till 1982 ,when I sold it.I spent a lot of time restoring the floors(the top leaked prior to my purchase) and ruined the interior),rocker panels,rear quarters,springs,tranny,motor,axle ,brakes,chrome.I lost interest in it after ,I restored it.Air conditioner was absent but available as an option. They don’t make them like that anymore. A great car