I will readily admit that the 1961-62 Cadillacs were never really on my radar. I always felt the outrageous 1959-’60s outshone them completely, and the 1963-’64s seemed more dignified and restrained. And I guess, given the choice, I might still pick a ’60 over a ’61, but this incredibly original black Sixty Special has given me pause. Perhaps all I needed was to find the right 1961-’62 Caddy.
This is the second ‘62 I’ve caught in Tokyo—quite a strange coincidence in itself. Last year, I wrote up a Miller-Meteor limo. Unique sight for sure, but not necessarily something that elicited anything other than curiosity. To quote WC Fields, “I like to look at ’em, but I wouldn’t want to own one”.
OK, I’m not convinced by the front end. It’s very GM, but it doesn’t exactly scream “Cadillac” like the previous and subsequent designs do. Just me? Apparently not, as I understand that even Bill Mitchell thought this front end would have been a better fit for Chevrolet than Cadillac, hence the 1963-’64s harking back to the 1959-’60 design.
However, if you like tailfins—and who wouldn’t?—you have to say they really gave you a lot for your money in these cars. Not only were the ‘regular’ ones still very prominent at a time when most carmakers were busy deleting them, but Cadillac also provided a second pair pointed towards the ground, dubbed ‘skegs’ by the design team. Double the fins, double the fun.
And then there’s that formal roof design, with the one-year-only louvres on the C-pillar. I’m sure many of you based in North America will be familiar with these. But for those of us who didn’t grow up in Fleetwood-lined streets, the detailing really looks striking. My first up-close-and-personal 1962 Sixty Special experience was, I must say, impressive.
And it seems a fair number of well-heeled folks out there were equally struck by the 1962 Fleetwood sedan’s elegance; over 13,000 were sold, despite a hefty $6,366 USD (over $64,000 in 2023 dollars) price. And that’s how much it cost new in the US; in Japan, where this one was shipped when new, the cost must have been substantially higher.
Yes, this car has lived here just over sixty years. There are a couple of signs that do not lie: the fender-mounted passenger-side mirror is typical of larger LHD imports of the time, and the license plate is pre-1970. By the looks of it, the car is also largely original.
The interior has weathered the past six decades with a bit more grace than the body, as far as appearance goes. Who knows how many of the numerous toys this Cadillac came with still function as intended today?
Still, if CC lore is to be believed, Cadillacs of this era were extremely well-built and durable machines, especially compared to the ones made in the late ‘60s (to say nothing of subsequent decades). The ambiance in the back seat is certainly in that post-Space-Age, pre-Brougham time that makes early-’60s designs still look so clean and attractive today.
Under the skin, the 1962 Cadillacs were still pretty much identical to their forebears of the late ’50s. The 6.4-litre (390 cubic inch) V8 provided ample cavalry to spin the rear wheels, via the trusty (but now getting on a bit) 4-speed Hydramatic. Nothing overly radical like disc brakes; unit body; independent rear suspension, or overhead cams to worry about here.
And with the possible exception of the brakes, there isn’t anything to be second-guessed on the chassis. With minimal care, certainly compared to almost any contemporary European luxury car, a Cadillac of this vintage could be counted on to perform its duties with impeccable reliability. That sells, both at home and abroad.
What also sells is the image and the mystique of a name like “Fleetwood Sixty Special”. The ones I’m used to encountering, the ‘80s and ‘90s models, lost their distinctive nature along the model years. The Fleetwood name still meant something to some folks in the early ‘60s; even though it had been integrated in GM back in the late ‘20s, the memory of the coachbuilt era was still present.
GM even kept up the pretense as far as designing a new Fleetwood crest in 1960 to suit the style of the period. In those days, the last place where traditional coachbuilding was still thriving was Italy, so they designed something very much in that vein, complete with a crown on top.
I don’t know why so many Italian carrozzerie seemed to have a thing for crowns, but that certainly left its mark on the unlikeliest of places, such as the Fleetwood Sixty Special.
While we’re looking at shiny knickknacks, let’s check out what’s on the hood. The Cadillac crest is so flattened and stylized as to look like the car ran over its own emblem. I never did understand why they devised such a complex logo. Yes, it’s supposed to be the coat of arms of the French nobleman who founded Detroit, but who ever thought that would make a good car logo? Not that this is the only example, of course. Looking at you, Porsche.
But I’m really having to pick at the odd little nit to find anything to lob a few feeble criticisms at this utterly gorgeous automobile. Truth be told, I’m even starting to warm to that somewhat nondescript kisser. That might have something to do with the car’s condition.
The patina is truly outstanding, though I do hope that whoever is taking care of this car is able to manage the rust. Some bits are starting to look a little brittle. On the other hand, restoring it would be bordering on criminal. Don’t change a thing, just keep it aging slowly like a fine brandy.
This car used to be in a specialized dealer’s shop window, but they closed down their showroom a few months ago, so it’s been parked outside. I was lucky enough to catch it on the day they moved it; I saw it this week and it’s still there, but wearing a great big protective cover. It’s not much, but better than nothing.
Hope it finds a loving home with a heated garage soon. Sleeping rough at 60 is the wrong kind of special.
Related post:
eBay Find: 1962 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special – Instant Respectability., by Gerardo Solis
Beautiful find, scars and all. In fact, the scars give the owner mental permission to drive it with less fear of ruining its perfection.
The 1960 Oldsmobiles also had prominent “skegs” formed from the lower part of the rear fenders, and above them were what some might call tail fins laid down 45 degrees flat (i.e., no tail fins).
I used to wonder why Cadillac hung on to their tail fins as long as they did while most other GM designs did not. Were they waiting for the Chrysler Imperial to ditch their tail fins first?
Cadillac started the tail fin craze in 1948, and they may have felt they were a crucial part of the car’s identity. Cadillac still had vestigial fins well into the ’90s.
What la673 said about Cadillac, which placed big emphasis on styling continuity and low depreciation. Recall the frequent ads showing the new model with a 2-year-old Caddy in the background.
As for the Olds skeg fins, these continued in even more dramatic fashion for 1961:
I am so happy you rook note of Cadillac putting the previous years models on their beautiful ads if the time .
It was brilliant. as it kept the later models ” in style ” & value .
In that era , many nouveau rich , and gosh highrollers traded every year .
This created an abundance of gorgeous older models , practically new available
Cadillac had to keep them desired & respectable.
In 65 , they even had 62s in the ads !
People became fascinated by the style changes , and evey nuance of the many models .
This brilliant branding gave Cadillac a cult , iconic image like no other car .
Cadillac desired like no other car , and ALL over the world !
In my upscale neighborhood; finned Cadillacs were being driven by old money people, including a 62 limousine , into the 80s !
I recall a beautiful high society women , who refused to stop driving her black 58 Coupe Deville into the 80s ; executive with the old Reading Railroad, and his grey 60 , Sedan Deville, and a textile executive widow , with her 62 black Cadillac. Fleetwood, chauffer driven until her decease.
If only Cadillac had this loyal cache, and product today !
Ahhh, another convert to the appreciation society of the early 60’s Sixty Special – welcome, sir! I wrote about my time with a 1963 version in my COAL series, but have long been a fence-sitter on whether I prefer the 1962 or 1963 version of this car. I must say that this 1962 version is simply lovely.
First, I can appreciate why people might have chosen other colors, but nothing shows off one of these Fleetwoods like black paint. The way this car combines a formal traditionalism with the styling adventurism of mid-century America is without peer. And those interiors – yum!!
I can agree that the front is perhaps a bit too understated, but the delightful details on the rear more than make up for that little nit. I can only imagine the impact a car like this would have had on the streets of Japan in 1962. I keep going back to those pictures above. This piece made my day.
I have a tough time deciding whether the 1961 or the 1962 Caddy is more my preference. The 61 was profiled here https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-reviews/vintage-car-life-road-test-1961-cadillac-coupe-deville-still-the-standard-of-the-world. Both very desirable. Both with very regal instrumentation, modest finnage, and nice compact grilles. Not excessive in proportions. Great photos I might add.
I went back and forth about the same thing, but I usually land on the 61.
I prefer the ’61 front (the round parking lights/turn signals mirror the shape of the headlights) with the ’62 rear (the horizontally arrayed lower lights of the ’61 clash with the vertical fin-mounted taillights).
It’s a shame they only put the body color between the wheelcover vanes for two years (’61 & ‘2). It looks expensive to do and difficult to maintain over time, but it puts this century’s garish exposed-brake wheels in the shade.
I’m not a fan of the curves and “rib” crease above the back window, but I guess they wanted more distinction for the Fleetwood, and they already had two other, cleaner roofs on lower sedans. If only they could have stuck the ’63 Riviera’s roof on it.
Have always liked the 1962 Fleetwood. Beautiful car and this one is a good candidate for a restoration. I hope the car goes to a loving owner soon who will restore it to its original grandeur.
Our down-the-street neighbor in Towson was Mr Stapleton, the Superintendent of Baltimore County Schools, who drove a black ’61 Fleetwood 60 Special, and what an impressive car that was, and is. The ’61s and ’62s to me are the nicest for their restraint, very welcome after ’59 and ’60, especially their more modern front end. Interestingly Dr. Stapleton’s immediate successor was Mr. Sartorious, who lived right around the corner. He always drove Buick Electras, iirc a ’60, then a ’63, and a ’66, all of them also black!
Very nice indeed .
Because rust never sleeps I hope someone with deep pockets saves and restores this car before it’s too late .
-Nate
I always thought the mid 20s Cadillac SRX mimic the fins of the early Caddy.
Me too. Loved it since they first came out with their own version of retro tail fin. Great look.
I totally agree
I’m suprise GM Cadillac didn’t indent an image in itsn 21 cenury tail lights to reminisce the fins of the 57 – 62 model years
I must say, that model of Caddy is quite a find; most surviving examples are DeVilles.
That said, there is something many Cadillac spotters fail to acknowledge: The four-fin look is nothing new. Caddy designers clearly lifted that look from the ’59/’60 Eldorado Brougham, which hardly has any pictorial support because it was just not a seller (the $13g price tag was a factor in that). Going back even further, that look had to be lifted from the ’58 Lincoln, which many consider one of the most outrageous designs to come out of the ’50s; possibly a coincidence, possibly not. At the time, I speculate, Caddy wanted to hold the flavor of the E-B even though it was a doomed model, so they came up with the ’61/2 look. But there was a problem: People were already tired of fins-‘n’-flash, a change heavily influenced by the complexities that led to the flash-recession of ’58. Then, Ford came up with a design that revolutionized car design, a total departure from the ’50s mentality which was hailed by critics and buyers alike as the way of the future. True, Cadillac still maintained its six-figure production numbers in ’61, but that number was lower than it was in ’60. On the other hand, Lincoln’s production numbers increased that year with the debut of its new car (which usually does not happen with a redesign’s debut year). So Caddy was already behind the times with this look, and they would remain so until the ’65 model.
Still, from a purely nostalgic perspective, this Fleetwood with its post-’50s flair would draw even my attention, just because it’s not a common sight like Mustangs or befinned Bel-Airs are.
Quite a find – I’d never have thought GM were exporting cars like this to Japan 60 years ago.
Imagine this parting the traffic in Tokyo when it was new!
Cadillac was once called The Standard of the WORLD. This Fleetwood is an excellent example of that well deserved reputation. Personally preferred 58 Sixty Special to 59 Rocket lacs. 62 was a classy return to Traditional Cadillac elegance. Especially, love formal roof. Hope this one gets a loving restoration. For me the last REAL Cadillacs ended with 92 RWD FLEETWOOD Brougham. Sad to see what now wears Cadillac name. People are paying $75,000 plus for a glorified truck 🚚. Cadillac no longer makes a lucky sedan comparable to this.
Great find and love the pictures of the various details of the car. I like the understated front of this model but I would have been a 2nd hand Chevrolet buyer anyway.
I love the delicate chrome trim especially around the greenhouse and A pillars. I don’t usually like black cars, but the color really suits this, it helps that aged chrome still sparkle.
Its the same age as me, except the car is better looking though.
If anyone knows: was one able to order a Fleetwood without it being a “Sixty-Special” or is it every Fleetwood is a Sixty-Special ❓
They were one and the same at least from 1954-1976.
There were two Fleetwoods up to 1976, as I understand it. The Sixty Special (standard wheelbase) and the 75 (long wheelbase). But plain “Fleetwood” was not a thing, even though that’s how the car I found is badged.
The Eldorados of the era (Biarritz, Seville, and Brougham) were all considered Fleetwoods as well.
I always thought 1962 was when Cadillac got elegant again, such a beautiful car, it started with the 61 but in 62 the fins came down more and taillights changed a bit to a nicer look. I was a little kid when these came out but always noticed them. My grandparents bought a new 62 Coupe DeVille in a tan/beige color , I liked it better than my grandmothers new 67 Coupe DeVille, I think she did too
Some neighbors “up the hill a bit” got a “63 Caddy Deville”, in “1970′. Was soo expansive, rolling by.
The mom didn’t drive. Then, “late teens” daughter who got a lot of the “males attention” was usually the driver as I recall.
Don’t recall how long the Caddy was around, the two brothers got driving age and a
“mid 60’s Ford came on the scene.Someone in that same block, forget who, had a “VW bug”; green, “66-7ish” I’d say.
H’mm, haven’t thought of that family in years..
I have no idea owned this car originally, but I like to imagine some Japanese monster movie producer had it imported from Hillcrest Cadillac in Beverly Hills after seeing Cadillacs all over LA.
Once in Tokyo it was chauffeur driven to many exotic locations where it was always the center of attraction.
any contact details for the seller?
Wow, TATRA87! Thank you for posting this gem of a find! It is interesting where people’s taste lie. I think I am in the minority, but I actually greatly prefer the ’61 and even more the ’62 over the excessive ’59 and ’60 models, while the ’63 and ’64 models look bland by comparison. This short window really resonates with me somehow. It is flashy, yet somehow retains a dignity about it that I cannot explain. This is especially so with the Fleetwood roofline. Just an amazing car. Beyond the exterior design, the steel on these things is just amazing, and the accessories and fittings so beautiful to look at. It is a bit of Harley Earl overlapping with Bill Mitchell. And though it may not work for some people, Mitchell seems to reign in the flash of Earl with the right amount of restraint and taste. The 1965 models might compete against the ’62 as my absolute favorite Cadillac design, but of course they are very different approaches. I remember seeing a white ’62 Deville at a stoplight 20 years ago on my way to work twenty minutes away. The woman behind the wheel has blonde hair, a white dress, and Rayban wayfarer sunglasses. It was literally like a momentary time warp or better yet, an erotic dream and seeing Marilyn Monroe. I am not into much pop culture, but somehow, that experience has resonated with me since. I loved the ’62 before that, but this apparition just made it absolutely heavenly. Marilyn was dead that August of ’62, and that “we can do anything” attitude that Cadillac was still conveying with its bold styling became significantly more muted with the ’63 models. The ’65’s are beautiful in a different way. The angular lines are more masculine, and more businesslike. If a car design had the mythical “A-Type” personality, the ’65 with stacked lamps would be a perfect example. Back to the subject car, I was just passing time looking up photos of ’62s and came across this recent article. I immediately noticed the mirror on the right side, and suspected it might have been used in Japan. Then I saw the plates, and began reading…. Man, this was America at one of its finest hours. These cars were built to last provided you gave it proper care. Kind of an “Old Money” car where you would buy the best and wear it like comfortable, much loved shoes. It wasn’t disposable, unless you needed the latest design that the Jones’ family had. At that point, Cadillac would be more than willing to offer you something “more up to day” appearance wise to satisfy your petty envy of your neighbors. Myself, I would have been happy buying one new, and keeping it forever. I did see a ’62 for sale at a local service garage (in black,also!) about four years ago. Just the most amazing car! Again, thanks for the report!!!!
The ’59 and ’60 Fleetwoods shared the Deville and series 62 wheelbase, I guess as part of GM’s cost cutting for the emergency restyle that PN pointed out with the shared roofs. The ’61 went back to 133″, a 3.5″ stretch, which lasted until 1977, when they all went to 121.5″, the ’76 Impala’s wb.