If you wanted to buy your brand-new Cadillac in 1958 and still drive yourself around, there were several options, but the deluxe Series 60 Special Fleetwood being offered here was second only to the ultra-costly Eldorado that notable year. This car, in highly original condition, represents one of the most well-trimmed cars offered by the brand to close out this decade. This would also be the final season that the legendary Harley Earl, GM’s styling vice president, was fully in charge of the design process, and the Series 60 Fleetwood was offered only as a four-door hardtop. With a base price of over $6,100, the 1958 Sixty Special Fleetwood had a curb weight of 4,930 pounds and its overall length was 225 inches, 4 inches longer than standard versions. Its signature, body- length, lower, ribbed, stainless trim and matching fender skirts left no doubt to its ostentatiousness. Beneath its expansive hood here is the Cadillac 365 CI V-8 engine with hydraulic lifters and a 4-barrel carburetor, all backed by an automatic transmission. Both power steering and power brakes are here as well. The massive sheet metal panels are covered in Alpine White, while inside is a richly toned, tan, leather and vinyl interior. Appointments therein include air conditioning, power windows, tinted glass, a clock, radio, heat and defrost, and, of course, chrome trim throughout. The exterior details include the fin-mounted Sixty Special script emblems, the multi-pointed grille design, upper chrome surrounds on the fins, and dual outside mirrors. A Cadillac emblem is on the leading edge of the hood, and single letters for “FLEETWOOD” are spelled out on the decklid. The crowning touch was full-size wheel covers with Cadillac crest centers and wide whitewall tires. The 1958 models from GM were considered to be the most expansively trimmed releases of the finned era, and many of these cars were cast aside as tastes changed. This Series 60 Special Fleetwood remains a true icon to that era.
