Fleetwood History 1960

Fleetwood Models & History 1960

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.

STYLE

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.

STYLE

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

Type	V-8 Overhead valves.
Block	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
Bearings	Five main bearings
Valve Lifters	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
Air conditioning 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
Automatic heating system 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
Radio with rear speaker and remote control	$247
Remote control trunk lock	$59
White sidewall tires, size 8.20 x 15 four-ply	$57 exchange
White sidewall tires size 8.20 x 15 six-ply	$64
Anti-freeze -20 ° F.	$8
Anti-freeze -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 NOTES

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.