Car: Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Year: 1961
What makes it special: Originally a trim level, the DeVille became a separate model of GM’s Cadillac Division. The 1949 Coupe de Ville, a pillarless 2-door Hardtop body style was the very first year to bear the name, and was a trim level above Cadillac’s Series 62 Luxury Coupe.
What made it famous: Restyled for the 1961 model year, the series also was re-engineered. It now boasted a slanted back grille, sitting between twin headlights. New forward slanting front roof pillars and non-wraparound windshield was featured too. DeVille models featured front designation scripts and a lower body skeg trimmed with a thin, 3/4 length spear molding running from just behind the car’s front wheel opening all the way to the rear of the body. Standard on the DeVille was power brakes, power steering, an automatic transmission, dual back-up lights, windshield washer, dual-speed wipers, wheel coverings, fender skirts, outside mounted rearview mirror, vanity mirror, oil filter, power windows and 2-way power seats. 4-barrel induction systems were the only power choice and dual-exhaust were no longer available.
Why I would want one: I love the crisp lines, the menacing look of the slanted back grille. It’s one of the most stylish cars of the early 1960’s.
Fun fact: The “DeVille” name is from the French “de la ville” or “de ville” which means “of the town.”
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