The 1958 Fleetwood 60 special. It was the top-of-the-line owner driven Cadillac sedan from a year when even the standard series 62 Coupe And sedans were something to see. But a huge, silent, and flamboyant, yet elegant as every 58 Cadillac may have been, the 60 special was even better. Fins, Chrome, sheer, untarnished size and comfort. It was the Cadillac of Cadillacs. Yes, in the late 1950s, Cadillac was king. It had it all, looks, quality, luxury, performance, and prestige. And, of course, chrome, sheer, wild, unapologetic chrome. The 60 special was traditionally the nicest owner driven Cadillac. With the most Chrome and longest wheelbase. The 60 special is clearly more upscale than the series 62, with a longer wheelbase, fender skirts, mature styling, and at least 12 ft.² of additional chrome. Base price of the 1958 60 special was $6232 or $59,000 today. The 60 special had a curb weight of 4930 pounds and 12,900 were built for that year all of them like every single other Cadillac offered for 1958 was powered by a V-8. Said engine was an overhead valve three 65 in.³ with 310 hp at 4800 RPM. It was top by a car model 2862S4 barrel carburetor.
When you got to a point in your life that you could own a Cadillac, it meant a lot. It meant you made it, you were success, and you could up a tad and enjoy life. Whether that meant you were a successful CPA, I retired attorney, or hard boiled Texas oil man was immaterial. You were a Cadillac man. You made it. So enjoy it. As many 1958 was their year. What could be better than a new 60 special in your driveway.
The Fleetwood was considered handcrafted and built on their own dedicated assembly lines. They were designed to be Best American cars money could buy. And to live up to Cadillacs promise to be the standard of the world. By almost any measure the 58 60 special was magnificent machine, with a big price tag huge personal abilities and movie star good looks to match.
