Cadillac hit the car-making scene in 1902 with the Runabout and Tonneau models, making them the second-oldest automotive manufacturer in the world. Over its 120-year-long history, Cadillac has produced some show-stopping cars. From the Series 62 Convertible to the effortlessly iconic DeVille
, here are the 10 best old Cadillac cars you need to know about. We've created this comprehensive guide on the absolute best cars that Cadillac has ever made through its century-long history. So whether you’re a Cadillac newbie or a hard-core fan of the brand, we’ve got you covered on the most iconic models from one of the world’s oldest automotive manufacturers.
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Even for a manufacturer as renowned as Cadillac, some models are simply better than others. So what exactly separates the famous from the infamous when it comes to older Cadillacs?
The cars we included on our list hit a few different high points. Some are historically significant, like the Cadillac Seville. Others, like the Cadillac Cien concept car, mark a notable anniversary for the brand. Then there’s the Cadillac Eldorado, a model that endured for nearly half of the brand’s history, making record sales and setting Cadillac up for international success.
10. Cadillac CTS-V Generation 1 (2003-2019)
Far from being the oldest of ‘old’ Cadillacs, the first-generation CTS-V
was introduced in 2003 and was a sure sign of the manufacturer’s twenty-first-century renaissance. Newer CTS-V’s are the true definition of an American muscle car—with 649-horsepower, 855 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 199 mph, all powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. 9. Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (1940-1964)
The Cadillac Series 62 Convertible was popularized by Elvis Presley, whose pink Series 62 served as the inspiration for his song and film of the same name: “Pink Cadillac”. At an impressive 225-inches long, the majority of Series 62 convertibles were powered by a 346 cubic-inch 5.7-liter Monobloc V-8 engine, or a 331 cubic-inch 5.4-liter OHV V-8 engine.
8. Cadillac Seville (1976-2004)
This is perhaps the most memorable Cadillac model due to its recurring presence in films through the 1980s and 1990s. The Seville
has since become synonymous with urban Americana following its introduction in 1976. Beyond its iconic appearance, the fourth-generation Seville received plenty of critical acclaim, going so far as to be named the Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1992.
MORE: Is there a self-driving Cadillac?
7. Cadillac V-16 (1930-1940)
For die-hard Cadillac fans, pre-war models are the epitome of the brand’s glory days. The decadence of the era saw Cadillac at the top of the luxury car world with the introduction of its V-16 model in 1930. Earning the company millions of dollars in sales over its decade-long run, the Cadillac V-16 easily outgunned a market full of V-12 motorcars.
Cadillac had plans to reintroduce the V-16 in 2003, but the concept was scrapped indefinitely when the economic crash of 2008 hit.
6. Cadillac Cien (2002)
Unveiled in celebration of Cadillac’s 100th anniversary, the Cien concept car packed a powerful 7.5-liter V-12 engine and sleek styling inspired by fighter jets. Despite never being manufactured for the public, the Cien was actually a fully functional supercar engineered by ProDrive.
Though Cadillac considered the Cien for small-scale production in 2002, they later decided to scrap the concept, which would have packed a 750-horsepower engine and sold for a whopping $500,000.
5. Cadillac Phaeton 5859 (1937)
Despite debuting during the Great Depression and thus being out of the budget for the majority of American drivers, the Cadillac Phaeton 5859 remains one of the brand’s most iconic cars due to its classic styling. Originally designed by John Hampshire, the Phaeton 5859 would later go on to inspire the design of Cadillac’s 2010 concept car.
This custom-built masterpiece sold for an impressive $962,500 at auction in 2012 and remains one of Cadillac’s coolest cars, even 85 years after production on the model ceased.
4. Cadillac Series 67 Park Avenue (1961)
At 220 inches long, the 1961 Cadillac Series 67 Park Avenue is the perfect example of why Cadillac has maintained a reputation for producing the biggest luxury cars on the market. The Park Avenue was one of Cadillac’s most successful models to date and paved the way for the brand to establish itself as a favorite amongst America’s rich and famous. The Series 67 would later go on to merge with Cadillac’s DeVille
line-up of cars, which just so happens to be the next car on our list. 3. Cadillac DeVille (1959-2005)
A long list of celebrities have taken the wheel of Cadillac DeVille models over the years, including Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. The DeVille nameplate has been used over eight generations of iconic Cadillacs, but was officially retired in 2006 and rebranded as the Cadillac DTS
to match with the brand’s new nomenclature. The DeVille’s iconic styling still conjures up memories of drive-in movie parking lots from the 1970s and 1980s for countless American drivers.
2. Cadillac Eldorado (1952-2002)
The Cadillac Eldorado
is one of the models that moved Cadillac from being an American brand to an internationally-renowned automotive manufacturer. Over its 50-year history, the Eldorado saw twelve generations' worth of updates to its powertrain, styling, and features. One of the most successful, the ninth-generation 1971 Eldorado was powered by a massive 8.2-liter V-8 engine and made record sales at 27,368 units sold. MORE: How to get cheap truck insurance
1. Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (1977-1986)
Finally, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
was the result of downsizing the brand’s luxury sedan blueprint. At 11.5 inches shorter than the previous models, the Fleetwood Brougham maintained its luxurious appearance and added a 7.0-liter V-8 engine and more interior options, attracting even more customers to Cadillac dealerships across the country. How to find affordable Cadillac car insurance
Regardless of whether you snag one of the iconic Cadillac models on our list or any other used Cadillac, each and every one of these luxury cars deserves its own reliable and affordable car insurance
policy. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to find insurance for your used Cadillac when you download the Jerry
app. Getting started with Jerry is easy: just download the app, enter your information, and you’ll get near-instant access to competitive quotes from some of the nation’s top providers.
Once you’ve chosen your quote, Jerry’s team of experts will walk you through the quickest sign-up process known to man for savings that average $800 a year! No matter what Ford you drive, Jerry can help you save on the insurance.
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