Back in 1962, there were several “aspirational” cars from Detroit that made quite a statement about the owner (as well as their bank account): a Chevrolet Corvette, a Ford Thunderbird, and, of course, a Cadillac. Yes, sixty-three years ago, “The Standard of the World” was still at the height of its finned luxury car market powers, and their cream-of-the-crop was what’s featured here: the Series Seventy-Five Sedan Limousine. You’re looking at over twenty feet of luxurious prestige reserved for the upper crust, the super wealthy, and as Robin Leach used to say in his British accent, for the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Limousines also served a role in the transportation-for-hire business world and were often used for special occasions (as well as for not-so-special occasions such as the funeral home industry).
The seller doesn’t share any of this Caddy’s history, but it has obviously lived a very pampered life based on its near pristine condition and extremely low mileage. I’d agree with the seller who rates it a 9-out-of-10 car. Other than one repaint to its original dark blue (I believe it’s called York Blue), the rest of the limousine is said to be original. The paint is impressive and shiny, and I see no signs of rust or accident damage. The ’62 Limousine’s long, distinctive top is a carry over from the 1959 Caddy Limo design and even includes the huge “panoramic” wraparound windshield.
The Limo’s interior looks practically new and was the ultimate degree of luxury for Cadillac in 1962. The light-and-medium gray broadcloth seats look clean and comfortable and there are even two folding jump seats. The instrument panel, dash, and steering wheel are also in great shape and the seller says “everything works as it should,” even the factory air conditioning.
Under that lonnnng blue hood is an engine bay that’s not as clean and shiny as the rest of the car. It’s housing a 390-cubic inch V8 that generated 325 horsepower when new. It’s mated to a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and there’s 27,729 miles showing on the odometer. Only 904 of these beauties rolled off the assembly line for the 1962 model year and it’s anybody’s guess how many have survived in this kind of condition. This ’62 Cadillac Seventy-Five Limousine is currently located in Xenia, Ohio and is for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $35,500. A big shoutout to Ted for spotting this lovely, long limousine and sending it our way. So, what do you think about this head turner? Ever seen or ridden in one?
A beautiful, well-kept Series 75. However, I get the feeling that the front and back seats have been reupholstered; the Caddy crest above the rear arm rest I don’t think was original, but the materials used sure look like what Cadillac offered. No matter; it only adds to the prestine condition of this majestic beast!
What a beautiful yacht! I would love to sit in the backseat and say “home James, or can you pass the gray Poupon?”
Not to be picky, this looks to be a Formal Sedan rather than Limousine. It’s hard to say, but interior photos don’t seem to have the glass divider of a Limousine. Of course I’ll return later for further comments.
You’re being picky, Rick. There’s is little difference between the formal sedan & limousine. Why Cadillac even created the difference is a mystery.
No divider window = formal sedan
With divider window = limousine
That’s about it. Just another GM gimmick selling point
But you go ahead and be picky. It’s what makes you you.
I’m usually pickier than you are.
My Dear Cadillac QUEEN, great to find you here in The BARN. In reality, my tastes are simple. I like only the BEST. One reason why I’m here. Now I’m going to pick a little more. IF I’m correct, besides the divider, the Limousine driver seats were usually in black leather while the Formal Sedan driver seats were the same upholstery as the rear passenger seat (as seen here). I think that my late brother’s 68 Series 75 Limousine did have leather in the front, but I was too busy luxuriating in the plush velvet rear compartment to notice. That was a fond memory for a young man who was deep into UPSCALE vehicles. Of course that vision has never changed! Long live The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY! 🙏 Guess you COULD call me PICKY RICKY? 😅 🤣
What a great find and writeup! I started to “nerd out” about the panoramic windshield. The Cadillac limo panoramic windshield was a fixture through 1965 while the “mainstream” Cadillacs ditched it in 1963. The Imperial retained it’s panoramic windshield from the “forward look” through 1966. There was an “older” man, where I grew up in Portage Indiana, that had a 63 Cadillac limo in the mid 1970’s….it was no where near as nice as the subject even though it was only 13 years old at the time.
Any ideas on where to find a replacement window for these vehicles? They are a nice feature, but hard to find from what I’ve found.
“…not so special occasions…”.
I think that the “specialness” or “not so specialness” of the occasion is dependent upon who died…😉
If you cut the middle out of this vehicle, you’d have the 1962 CDV that I drove to high school (and I thought that it was a tank…).
I imagine that the “specialness” or “not so specialness” of the occasion is highly dependent upon who died…. 😉
Nice car! I am surprised that Cadillac chose to use the knee-knocker A-pillar for the limousines though. To get more head room maybe? I could see someone buying this and using it as a “ride share” for parties, formals and such. It would definitely attract attention!
Limousine of that era were a year behind on the newest styling.
Yes, very interesting point. I know the ’49 limousine used the ’48 body and the ’65 limo used a ’64 body. Both were big styling changes from one year to the next. I’m not sure about other years.
Yes sir. They even did it in the 80’s
What a gorgeous interior.
In the summer of 1973 the gas shortage hit Denver hard. Someone donated an exact duplicate to the non-profit I worked for. Drove it several times and it was far more nimble than looks would suggest. It was sold to a used car dealer, never realized how rare it was.
I was stationed at Lowery AFB in 1973, during the gas shortage. One Sunday, I pulled my car into a closed gas station to use the canopy to shade my car while I waxed it. Immediately, cars started to pull in, thinking that the station was open- people were desperate for gas. After explaining to several drivers that there was no gas, I got in my car and left.
In about 1965 my Dad bought a 1959 Caddy “limo?” (no divider glass) it at that time had less than 30K on the odo. It needed tires and exhaust work and that was it. He splurged $200 on the purchase price. He bought it to drive on vacations as we were always bringing other family members with us on vacations. It also worked well as a third car when needed. You should have seen the looks when Mom dropped us off at school! It was a comfortable cruiser on the highway (Dad NEVER drove slow!) and would cruise all day at 70 MPH and still return 16 MPG. We only had it for 3 years before it got traded for an Impala with a 327. I only drove the limo a couple of times but it was not as bad as you would think. It was a tank, but was still a pleasure to drive.
Sorry Rick, but they used to call Ricky
Skaggs Picky Ricky because he was,
and still is, picky about his wardrobe.
As for the car, I wouldn’t kick it out of
my parking space. Prom’*s coming up and you know the kids will wanna
go there first class. Now lessee, what
town was I in when I traveled with Harry Hinthorne? He had one of these. A ’60 I think. It was a great place to while away the hours getting
pleasantly stoned between shows.
Hell, sometimes I didn’t know what city we were in unless one of my guys
told me. Been clean and sober nearly
50 years now. Angel, if I can think of it, I’ll tell you guys about the time I was so drunk that I fell off the stage in a little bar in Gillman, Illinois in 1975 or thereabouts. If I think of it, I’ll
post the story here. Nice Caddy though.
Someone added a dual master cylinder.
Nice looking Cadillac. I wonder who was transported back there when new?
That car will still turn heads today.
Cadillac first started using dual master cylinders in 1962. It was featured on the Biarritz, which was a high-end model. It is therefore possible that it was also used on the 75’s and 60 Specials.