1958 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, 2-door, Series 62
Owners: Bernie and Janice Taulborg Collection
Original cost: $4,784.00 (In 1958: average household income, $4,600.00; average home cost, $12,750.00; gallon of gas, 25 cents)
Number made: 23,989
Engine, etc.: 8 cyl.; 364.42 cid; 310 hp; 129 in. wheelbase; 4,630 lbs.
The name for the DeVille was derived from its body styling, with “DeVille” meaning “of the town or city” in French. It was a luxury car produced after the Fleetwood name was dropped by Cadillac. Production began in 1949 and ended in 2005 when it was replaced by the DTS. DTS stands for “DeVille Touring Sedan”.
Cadillacs received a major restyling for 1958. They had more chrome and, to some, were far less stylish than other recent models. There was a new dual-headlamp treatment, a new grille, and unskirted rear wheel housings. The back had large fins which did little for performance and handling but were all about the style of the vehicle, designed by Harley Earl.
Air suspension was used and provided a very soft ride but there was significant body roll when cornering.
Sales were poor which could have been attributed to a nationwide recession as well as the styling changes. Model year production, 121,778, was the lowest since 1954.
Horsepower ratings, however, kept climbing, to 310 hp. The car could “creep” to 60 mph in 11 seconds. This Cadillac was built for comfort, not speed. The car was fitted with drum brakes which often wore out quickly, given its weight.
All 1958 Cadillac models were available with cruise control, high-pressure cooling system, two-speaker signal-seeking radio, and automatic parking brake release. Optional accessories included radio with antenna and rear speaker ($164); six-way seat adjuster ($103); power window regulators ($108); fog lamps ($41); automatic headlight beam control ($48) which was capable of switching from high to low beam when meeting oncoming traffic; and five sabre spoke wheels ($350).
Sources: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946 – 1974. John Gunnell. Krause Publications, 2002.
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11260/Cadillac-Series-62.aspx
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950-1959-cadillac3.htm
http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/cad1950/CAD58S.HTM
See also: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Cadillac/1958_Cadillac/1958_Cadillac_Brochure_1/dirindex.html (Original 1958 brochure no. 1, 1958 Cadillac)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Cadillac/1958_Cadillac/1958_Cadillac_Brochure_2/58cadillac-08.html (Original 1958 brochure no. 2,1958 Cadillac)
