The Sixty Special is a luxury car produced by Cadillac from 1938 to 1976 and in further series from 1987 to 1993.
Designed by Bill Mitchell, it was derived from the Series 60 (Sixty) and when it debuted in 1938 it was the least expensive model in the range. The first series, with Fleetwood body (hence the name “Fleetwood Sixty Special”) was produced from 1938 to 1941 and featured a fully integrated trunk, the elimination of running boards (a move that would soon be imitated by carmakers throughout the world) and four front-hinged doors.
One of the stiffest chassis on the market, the original X-frame allowed a lower car body without sacrificing interior room. The engine (front mounted, with rear-wheel drive) was an 8V, 5.7 litre unit delivering 130 hp.
The car’s commercial success was outstanding (17,900 of this first series were built) so it was decided to launch a second series in 1942. This would be 25 mm lower and with the longest wheelbase (3400 mm) in Cadillac’s entire production.
In 1948 Cadillac revamped the styling of the whole range and the Sixty Special was no exception. Bill Mitchell himself was responsible for the restyling of the body and in the following year a new 5.4 litre, 140 hp engine with overhead valves was fitted. This was also the last year the split windscreen was fitted.
Fourth series: from 1950 to 1953. The manual transmission was finally replaced by an automatic system while the power output was upped to 160 hp. From one restyling to the next, the opulence and wealth of trim and accessories set the Sixty Special well on the way to becoming one of the most expensive and luxurious Cadillacs ever. Subsequent series did not betray this tradition. The fifth (1954-1956) had a longer wheelbase, a new steering servo and, optionally, a memory four place electric bench. The engine was updated and upgraded with hp now 230. A new 6 litre, 285 hp engine was introduced in 1956.
The sixth series came in 1957: the pillar-free bodywork, electric windows, standard brake servo and 300 hp engine were introduced. Rear fins and a new 6.4 litre, 325 hp engine were adopted in the following, seventh, series (1959-1960).
In the end the number of series totalled eleven and Cadillac produced the model until 1993.
Engine: front-mounted V8, overhead valves
Capacity 6 litres
Rear-wheel drive
Power output 300 hp
Automatic transmission
