Some say Cadillac is a mere shadow of its former self, though, unlike other American automakers, it still has low-slung passenger cars in its portfolio. Moreover, some iconic nameplates like the Escalade are still around, and this model is becoming futureproof with the introduction of the GMC Hummer EV-related Escalade IQ.
While Caddy's current vehicle lineup still includes good old sedans, they're not as elegant as they used to be several decades ago. Case in point, let's talk about the Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60, which managed to remain on the stylish side of things from the late 1930s to the early 1990s.
In fact, this model was so tasteful that it granted itself a lot of screen time, with several notable appearances in multiple blockbusters, including The Godfather. You see, several such vehicles appeared in the 1972 movie, with Vito Corleone's favorite being a 1940 car and Peter Clemenza driving a 1955 model.
You, too, could cosplay an elegant mobster (albeit without breaking the law) by buying your very own Cadillac 60. As it happens, we just came across one that's looking for a new home, and it is a spending example. This Cadillac 60 Fleetwood was born in 1961 at the Detroit factory in Michigan and features the smaller displacement engine available for it back then.
Photo: Mecum
It is a 390 ci, a 6.4-liter V8 that was good for 325 horsepower initially, offered alongside a 429 ci unit, mated to either a three- or a four-speed automatic transmission. The odometer reads around 14,000 miles (~22,500 km), so it was mostly kept away from the open road. As a matter of fact, that shiny black paint finish is the original one, and so is the green interior.
According to the listing, this classic Caddy was sold new by Goodwood Cadillac in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and it comes with the original books and manuals. Moreover, it retains the factory air condition so that its future owner won't sweat during the occasional drive on a hot summer's day.
Overall, this is a great proposal that looks even better today than it did back when it left the assembly line, and it deserves a nice and caring home. Not only that, but the person whose name will be written on the papers next should drive it more often. After all, they will likely pay a pretty penny for it, with the estimate being $50,000-$60,000.
As one of the event's stars, this car will go under the gavel on January 2-14, 2024, during Mecum's Kissimmee auction in Florida. Thus, you still have a few weeks left to determine whether it deserves your money. Nonetheless, it would be a pity not to buy it if you're into such rides.
Editor's note:
A previous version of this article erroneously stated it was a '60 Caddy Fleetwood when the correct model year is 1961. H/T to our readers for pointing it out.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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