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Cadillac De Ville Sedan

Cadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville Sedan
Cadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville SedanCadillac De Ville Sedan
Lot number 40
Hammer value N/S (est. £13,500 - £15,000)
Description Cadillac De Ville Sedan
Registration 255 UXM
Year 1961
Colour White/Pink
Engine size 6,318 cc
Chassis No. 61D109553
Engine No. 61D109553

America’s premier car maker since well before the 1960s, the Cadillac brand has long been synonymous with luxury, mechanical refinement and upmarket good taste (by American standards, anyway…). In common with other US manufacturers, Cadillac’s styling had reached a peak of baroque excess in 1959-60 with gargantuan tail fins and oceans of chrome but this was dramatically reined in for the 1961 season under the guidance of chief stylist William Mitchell who had replaced the flamboyant Harley Earl.

Comparatively crisp, graceful and restrained, the 1961 Cadillacs had much reduced tail fins and simpler grilles with pillarless side windows and a pronounced V-shaped bulge that ran the full length of the car above the sill line that was inspired by the Cyclone concept car of 1959. All were powered by the same 325bhp 390Ci V8 used previously and had redesigned front suspension with a ‘lifetime’ lubrication system that eliminated all chassis lubrication points, minimizing maintenance requirements.

Despite its bulk, the De Ville could romp to 60mph in just 9.5 seconds and was described by ‘Car Life’ as “a living room on wheels… This car is so quiet, so smooth, its hi-fi radio so soothing, its heating-ventilating system so accommodating, that you forget you are in a car.” They concluded that, along with the Lincoln Continental, it was the most comfortable car they had ever tested.

First registered in Monaco in June 1961, this particular car is a rare ‘short deck’ four-door sedan. It was imported to the UK in 1991 where it was first owned by Landhurst Leasing of London and then quickly sold to Derek White of Dorset who kept it until 1998 when it was sold to Alex Barton-Hibbs of Hastings.

The current vendor acquired the car about two years ago and has since treated it to a full repaint and interior retrim. The car is said to be exceptionally sound and rust-free and to drive well once the engine is up to temperature, although the brake servo needs attention as the power brakes are not as effortless as they should be. Features include electric front seats, electric windows, power steering and a nice original radio that is still in full working order.

The car comes with many old MOTs back to 1992 to show regular light use, the mileage rising from 91,264 to 107,650 between then and now. A copy of the original Monaco registration document is also present plus a record of previous UK keepers and a fair amount of literature relating to the model. With an MOT until next March and taxed until February, it is ready to drive away today and could doubtless make a good living as a wedding or Prom hire car.
 

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