The Fleetwood Sixty Special occupied a still-higher rung on the
Cadillac ladder. This one-model series listed at $6233, and for 1959 it rode
the standard 130-inch wheelbase, rather than the exclusive 133-inch stretch
it had enjoyed in 1958. Although clearly intended as the most prestigious
standard sedan, this six-window model wore more makeup than any other
'59 Caddy. Starting on the rear door and sweeping almost to the rear
bumper was a huge fake air scoop, outlined by chrome strips that shot
forward to the front of the car. The taillight pods on the fins were slathered
in chrome, and the hubcaps were the sportier version used on the
Eldorados. The Fleetwood name stood out in block letters on the lower
front fenders; three rows of jewels sparkled in the rear grille.
The 1960 Fleetwood emerged as a cleaned-up version of the '59, or as
Walter McCall noted, it "retrieved some of its traditional dignity." Gone
were the fake air scoops and the chrome that surrounded them; gone too
were the chrome taillight pods. The fins, although only one inch lower,
looked far more elegant without the bullet taillights. A chrome molding
now ran quietly along the bottom edge of the car from behind the front
wheel to the end of the tail light. Nine small vertical louvers graced the
extreme rear fenders and small cloisonne Fleetwood insignia replaced the
larger lettering of the '59. The top sported a leather-grained fabric that
matched the body color and the interior combined wool broadcloth and
leather.
Dave Hols points out that although most people think the 1963 Pontiac
Grand Prix was the first GM car to substantially slash the use of chrome
trim, this was not the case. The 1960 Fleetwood was really the first "de-chromed" GM car, and particularly
significant because of the Fleetwood's high place in the model lineup.
The big Fleetwood Seventy-Five nine-passenger sedans and limousines
for 1959 and 1960 listed at $9533 and $9748. They rode a stretched
149.8-inch wheelbase, stood two inches lower than a Rolls-Royce, but did
not look as cumbersome even though overall length measured a whopping
244.8 inches. The Fleetwoods featured separate air conditioning and
heating for the front and rear areas, auxiliary seats in the rear, and power
door locks. The chauffeur's compartment was finished in gray or fawn
leather to match the rear compartment, or could be ordered in basic black.
The rear passenger area exuded luxury with sedate gray or fawn Bedford
cords and wool broadcloths. The doors had lights along the bottom to light
up the ground when opened. The limousine window treatment was
deliberately more conservative than other models in the Cadillac lineup,
with squarer lines and a smaller back window for privacy.
SERIES SIXTY SPECIAL
FLEETWOOD
The Sixty Special Fleetwood sedan had the same standard equipment as the 6200 convertible and all 6300
models. This car was outwardly distinguished by a Fleetwood script on the rear deck, nine vertical bright metal
louvers on rear fenders, vertical crest medallions on front fenders and wide full-length bright metal sill
underscores which extended to the fender skirts and lower rear quarter panels.
Model Number
Style Number
Body Type
Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
60-60M
6029M
4-door Hardtop Sedan
6
6233
4880
11,800
SERIES 6700 FLEETWOOD
SEVENTY-FIVE
The long wheelbase sedan and limousine had auxiliary jump seats, high-headroom formal six-window styling,
broad ribbed roof edge beauty panels and trim generally similar to 6200 Cadillacs in other regards. The
limousine passenger compartment was trimmed in either Bradford cloth or Bedford cloth, both in combinations
with wool. Florentine leather upholstery was used in the chauffer's compartment.
Model Number
Style Number
Body Type
Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
60-67R
6723R
4-door Sedan
9
9533
5475
718
60-67S
6733S
4-door Limousine
9
9748
5560
832
60-68
6890
Commercial chassis
-
-
-
2,160
NOTE: The commercial chassis featured a 156 inch wheelbase and was provided to professional car makers for
construction of funeral cars and ambulances, etc.
SERIES 6700 FLEETWOOD SEVENTY-FIVE
ENGINE
V-8 Overhead valves.
Cast iron block
Displacement: 390 cubic inches
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.875 inches
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Brake horsepower: 325 at 4800 rpm
Five main bearings
Hydraulic valve lifters
Carburetors: Carter two-barrel Model 2814S
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 130"
Overall Length: 225"
Tires: 8.00 x 15
Dual exhausts standard
Rear axle ratios: 2.94:1 standard; 3.21:1 optional or mandatory with air conditioning
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
Air conditioning on Series 60 ($474); on Series 75 ($624)
Air suspension on non-Eldorados ($215)
Autronic Eye ($46)
Cruise Control ($97)
Door guards ($7)
Electric door locks ($70)
E-Z-Eye glass ($52)
Fog lamps ($43)
Automatic heating system on Series 60 ($129); on Series 75 ($279)
License plate frame ($6)
Six-Way power seat ($85-113) depending on style number
Power window regulators ($118)
Power vent windows ($73)
Radio with rear speaker ($165); with rear speaker and remote control ($247)
Remote control trunk lock ($59)
White sidewall tires, size 8.20 x 15 four-ply ($57 exchange); size 8.20 x 15 six-ply ($64)
Anti-freeze -20 ° F. ($8); -40 ° F. ($9)
Accessory Group "A" included whitewalls, heater, radio and E-Z-Eye glass for $402 extra and air
suspension, cruise control and Eldorado engine at regular prices
Accessory Group "B" included air conditioner
Whitewalls, heater, radio and E-Z-Eye glass at $876 extra and Six-Way power seat, power vent windows and
power windows at regular prices
Gas and oil delivery charge was $7 and district warehousing and handling charges averaged $15
HISTORICAL
Car Life magazine selected the 1960 Cadillac as its "Best buy in the luxury field."
This was the last year for air suspension and for wraparound windshields, except on the Series 75 Fleetwood
models.
According to contemporary road tests gas economy ratings for 1960 Cadillacs were approximately 14 miles
per gallon at a steady 60 miles per hour.
View My Guestbook
