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.
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.