Simon Cars - Cadillac 1957/58

Cadillac 1957/58

There was a new GM C-body for 1957 and this was built on an X-frame which allowed lower bodywork and provided extra strength. Wheelbase increased from 129 inches to 129.5. Design originated from the 1954 Motorama Eldorado, X and Y cars by Ed Glowacke, and then worked up into the production 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. The main market Cadillacs for 1957 drew from this special model, and the entry level cars were the Series 62 offered in 2 and 4-door hardtops, and convertible, with Eldorado hardtop and convertibles at the top of the market. Sedan deVille and Coupe deVille models sold between the Series 62 and the Eldorados. Power was given by a 5,972cc V8 in various states of tune. For 1958 a new wider grille was introduced with quad lamps above, and at the rear the wings started to grow. Some models were offered with extended rear decks. A new GM C-body gave the 1959 Cadillacs outlandish styling.

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is the cheaper Series 62, not the Coupe deVille and the badge merely says 'Cadillac' and not 'Coupe deVille'

Cadillac Coupe deVille 1958. The rows of 'cleats' inside the grille could be specified in gold finish - as on this car

Cadillac Eldorado 1957 Seville. Unlike other 1957 Cadillacs, the Eldorado did not have a hood ornament; it also had a unique 3-piece front bumper not given to other Cadillacs. Under the bonnet a 6-litre V8 engine.

Cadillac Fleetwood 1957 Sixty Special. Powered by a 5,972cc (365) 275 bhp V8.

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is a lower-priced model than the Coupe deVille. A 5,972cc V8 engine powered the 1958 Cadillacs

Cadillac Coupe deVille 1957. The 1957 Cadillac was given GM's new C-body on a 129.5 inch wheelbase, and had a 6.0-litre V8 under the bonnet.

Cadillac Coupe deVille 1957. Built on a 129.5-inch wheelbase, it measured 220.9-inches overall. The Coupe deVille shared the same body

Cadillac Eldorado 1957 Seville. The Eldorado benefitted from the new 1957 Cadillac Series 62 body, which also made it cheaper to produce. A 5972cc V8 powered the Eldorado. New for 1957 were the dual parking lamps beneath the grille.

Cadillac Eldorado 1957 Seville. The Eldorado had its own rounded rear fenders and sharp wings, designed by a young Ron Hill. The Eldorado convertible was named 'Biarritz' to separate it from the new hardtop Eldorado Seville.

Cadillac Fleetwood 1957 Sixty Special front

Cadillac Fleetwood 1957 Sixty Special. Built on a 133-inch wheelbase, 224-inches long, compared to the standard Sedan deVille hardtop which was 129.5 and 215.9 inches.

Cadillac Sedan deVille 1958. Following the success of the 2-door Coupe deVille, in 1956 a 4-door hardtop was introduced as the 'Sedan deVille'. A new grille with hundreds of buttons was introduced in 1958 and the rear wings enlarged.

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is the cheaper Series 62, not the Coupe deVille which has heavier chrome above the rear wheel arch

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is the cheaper Series 62, not the Coupe deVille which has heavier chrome above the rear wheel arch

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is a lower-priced model than the Coupe deVille, identifiable by the thin chrome trim across the top of the rear wheel arch.

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is the cheaper Series 62, not the Coupe deVille which has heavier chrome above the rear wheel arch

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. The 1958 Cadillacs grew larger wings

Cadillac Coupe deVille 1957. Wings were big for the 1957 Cadillac and destined to grow

Cadillac Series 62 Coupe 1958. This is the cheaper Series 62, not the Coupe deVille which has heavier chrome above the rear wheel arch

Buick Super 1958 Riviera Sedan. New metal for 1958, and only offered as the 2-door Riviera Coupe (Model 56R), or this 4-door Riviera Sedan (built on a 127.5-inch wheelbase C-body, the 1958 Super (Model 53)

Buick Super 1957 Riviera 4-door Hardtop front

Buick Super 1957 Riviera 4-door Hardtop. The Super has 4 'venti ports'. The engine was a 5,957cc V8. Buick sold 41,665 4-door Hardtop Sedans, 26,529 2-door Hardtop Coupes and 2.056 convertibles.

Chevrolet Impala 1958 Sport Coupe. The first Impala was conceived as a 'halo' model, created out of the 1958 A-body with a shortened cabin.

DeSoto Firedome Sportsman hardtop 1957 front

DeSoto Firedome Sportsman hardtop 1957. The Firedome was the middle of the DeSoto model range and had a 5.9-litre V8. Early 1957 Firedomes had single headlamps.

Edsel Ranger 1958 4-door saloon. Controversial styling by Roy Brown, but really not much worse than other makes such as Buick during 1958.

Imperial Crown 1957 Southampton HardTop side

Imperial Crown 1957 Southampton Hard Top. was the first year that the badge 'Imperial' appeared on a car without 'Chrysler' in front of it as the company tried to create Imperial as the equal of Cadillac and Lincoln. This was the largest Chrysler car for 1957 and was on a longer wheelbase (129-inches) and wider (81.2-inches) than other Chrysler cars

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