1961 Cadillacs Still on road

[64\/54Cadillacking]

Very interesting discussion. In his superb book " Cadillac's of the Sixties " Roy Schneider states in the Introduction that real income in the United States went up 30 % in the 1960's this also widened the audience purchasing new Cadillac's at that time and also must influence the total production figures . I say this as the increase would have been felt across all models to some extent. Another factor was competition , Packard was dead , Cadillac was outselling Lincoln and Imperial in multiples. In sales they killed the imports be they German or English. So in short Cadillac in the 1960's found itself in a marketing sweet spot .  That said there was a third factor compared to today  The amount of Government intervention into the Automobile industry was low albeit growing so GM Divisions had an almost open hand in design and styling to create absolute timeless masterpieces of Steel and Chrome and Leather that endure today as icons of the era. At the time these cars were new NO ONE I believe could have foreseen that 40 to 50 years later styling wise cars would be reduced to little round pillared 4 door sedans in about 4 colors that if you remove the badges virtually cannot be told apart. So it did not occur to most owners either new or used to preserve them as they looked forward to the next alluring model to lust after and buy. How many are left of each model year ? , I believe probably somewhere between 5 and 10 % of each model favoring the Convertibles over the closed models in any condition from perfect originals thru total restorations down thru parts cars and derelicts laying in fields. As time marches on and the baby boomers die off I am not certain that the generations of the future will covet these historic vehicles as they mostly will have not had life experience connection with them and they may become transportation white elephants like the brass age cars are today mostly trailed to events rather than safe for future  traffic conditions. Hence their values will go down. One Mans Opinion

What an accurate statement!

Who would of have thought cars of today would look so similar to each other as if every automaker is ripping each other's styling cues into oblivion. Not to mention they all mostly are cheap feeling, cheap looking machines in comparison to the wonderfully overbuilt, lavish and flashy chromed out Cadillac's from 60-64 with interiors that were extremely stylish and attractive.

It's true, once the baby boomers die off, I don't see much interest from younger generations saving the cars in the future unfortunately as it's only going to become more expensive to house, and maintain a classic Cadillac as younger people have less disposable income and a lack of mechanical knowledge these days.

[D.Smith]

I think the 60s and 70s Cadillacs will remain collectible for a lonnng time.    The key reason?  Drivability.   Automatic transmissions, power steering and brakes, all things we take for granted today.   Comfort features too.     Yes people want what they remember from their youth.    But there is a large number of younger people out there who love the 60s and 70s cars that were made long before they were born.   

Yes I think the 40s and 50s cars will continue to move into Museums.  The prices alone of 50s Cadillacs will deter many younger collectors from buying them.     Supply and demand too has a lot to do with it.   The market is still full of 60s and 70s Cadillacs.   

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

61 & 62 models have risen dramatically over the last 5 years or so and seem to be particularly popular with the younger generation of today.





 

[David Greenburg]

Interesting observation, Eric.  I had my '60 Seville and '61 Fleetwood parked side by side this weekend at a cars & coffee event, and I would have to agree that the '61 was getting more attention from the younger crowd. I'll be doing the same thing at a show in a couple of weeks, and will try and observe more closely the people drawn to each.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Yup and 61/62 are also popular among the '60s Chevy crowd as well. They're the most youthful looking full size body Cadillac ever made, IMO. The interest they generate from so many quarters bodes well for future collectibility and appreciation potential. 

I've always said 61/62 is the "Un-Cadillac" Cadillac.

[D.Smith]

Yup and 61/62 are also popular among the '60s Chevy crowd as well. They're the most youthful looking full size body Cadillac ever made, IMO. The interest they generate from so many quarters bodes well for future collectibility and appreciation potential. 

I've always said 61/62 is the "Un-Cadillac" Cadillac.

I can't tell you how many times people have pulled along side of me at traffic lights and said: "Hey nice car!   That's a Chevy right?"    LOL

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I can't tell you how many times people have pulled along side of me at traffic lights and said: "Hey nice car!   That's a Chevy right?"    LOL 

One of the reasons that happens down here is that Cadillac never put enough "Cadillac" name-plates on their cars, and nobody knows what the Cadillac badge is.

Bruce.

[David Greenburg]

In the '50s and '60's, they didn't need badging that said it was Cadillac. You knew what it was, even if you weren't a "car person."

[64\/54Cadillacking]

The 61-62's are one of Cadillac's most radical designs, that really was cool for it's time, and even more so today. The styling isn't elegant, but rather exciting and youthful for sure.

I also feel that these 2 years were the most "Un-Cadillac" of all the years like one other poster said, just because it's styling doesn't resemble any other model year.

They are also one of my favorite Cads.

Anything 65 on down were great cars with loads of flash, quality, and style!

[Big Apple Caddy]

In the '50s and '60's, they didn't need badging that said it was Cadillac. You knew what it was, even if you weren't a "car person."

Magazine and newspaper articles of the time suggest otherwise.  People not being able to tell a Cadillac from a Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, or whatever happened back then too.......as well as before then, and since.