Some colors seem to defy age. That is the case with the particular shade of Green found on this Cadillac Coupe de Ville. This car may have rolled off the line in 1957, but similar colors graced cars produced in the 1970s and 1980s. This Caddy isn’t perfect, but it has no apparent needs and is ready to find a home with a new owner. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Scott for spotting the Caddy listed here on Craigslist in beautiful Bonney Lake, Washington. The seller set their price at $35,000 for a classic that is guaranteed to turn heads.
This 1957 Coupe de Ville is an eye-catching car, and I wondered whether the paint shade was original when I first spotted it. However, I was able to find a Cadillac Color Chart for that model year, confirming it as a regular production shade called Plantation Green. I am not ashamed to say that not only is this the first time I have seen it gracing the flanks of a Caddy from this era, but that I really like it. The seller is sparing with their information, making it impossible to determine whether the vehicle has ever received any form of restoration. The paint holds an incredible depth of shine, although close inspection reveals minor chips and imperfections. Addressing these shortcomings would be fairly easy if the buyer seeks perfection, but the non-urgent nature of them means that they could take their time to decide whether to take any action. There is no mention or evidence of rust, and the bright trim provides a striking contrast to the relatively dark paint shade. The tinted glass is in good condition, and the Coupe rolls on a set of Cadillac’s wire wheels.
It is disappointing that the seller doesn’t supply any engine bay shots in their listing. However, if this car is as it left the factory, the new owner receives a 365ci V8, a four-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. Cadillac’s Sales Brochure for that model year quotes power and torque figures of 300hp and 400 ft/lbs, although with the Coupe tipping the scales at around 4,800 lbs, it needs that type of urge if performance is to be anything but pedestrian. The seller indicates that they recently invested some money into this car’s mechanical components, renewing the brakes and the fuel system. They say that it runs and drives extremely well, making the Coupe a turnkey proposition that the new owner could drive home.
The theme of tidy presentation continues inside this Coupe de Ville, which the seller describes as “like new.” That might stretch credibility slightly, but there isn’t much about it that deserves criticism. The cloth and leather upholstered surfaces are remarkably free from wear and stains, while the carpet is equally impressive. There are no headliner tears, and the pad hasn’t succumbed to age or UV exposure. It may not seem lavishly equipped by modern standards, but the new owner does receive power windows, an Autronic eye, a factory AM radio, and an aftermarket stereo squirreled away in the glovebox.
Classics with darker paint shades and sparkling trim are almost assured of generating interest wherever they go, and this 1957 Cadillac Coupe de Ville should be no exception. A reputable paint shop should have little trouble addressing its minor paint imperfections, but I believe that preservation as a genuine survivor would allow the car to earn more respect. Your opinion may differ from mine, but it is opposing points of view that make the classic world so interesting. It will be interesting to gauge whether most of our readers would preserve this gem or treat it to a light cosmetic refresh. What will be more fascinating will be to learn if anyone is tempted to take the next step by contacting the seller to make a play for this Coupe de Ville. I wish you luck if you do.
I can see Carl Perkins or Chuck Berry sporting this whip back in the day and being the only one around with one….
How about Josh Turner dreamin of driving Loretta Lynn’s Lincoln?
A song at that time 🎵 Saw Maybelline 🎶 in a Coupe de Ville 🎵 Then asked Why Can’t you be true? 🎶 And many Cadillac aficionados ask why the new 57 Cadillac body looked shorter. The reverse slant tail fins were then extended for 58. My point? I believe that this may make this Coupe de Ville even more collectible due to low production. It’s a beauty, but out of my reach. Even if I HAD the money, I’d prefer a 58 Sixty Special. And $35,000 could buy several other more desirables. I do love the color, much like my former 78 Grand Marquis and the color of money 💰 Good luck to the next owner. Please keep it as original as possible 🙏
I don’t know how I missed it, but check out the taillights. A strong similarity to 53-54 Packard which James J Nance instructed stylist Dick Teague to DO something about those damn BULL BALL taillights. Maybe Cadillac was still following Packard 🤔
“Plantation green,” in this day and age, that name won’t fly.
But I do like the looks.
For the Caddy experts, was a 4 headlight version available for late ’57 when it was made legal by the feds?
@Allen…I’m pretty sure that Cadillac didn’t have 4 headlamps until 58. The structure wouldn’t have allowed it. Lincoln for 57 hedged it’s bets with an oval frame with headlamps above large parking lights below. As usual for the time, Chrysler was ahead with all divisions built to accommodate single or dual headlamps. So, IMO only Chrysler Corp cars had the option when 4 were approved 👍 Good Lord! I do believe that observation is as complicated as ANY government law or Politician!
@ Allen…it wasn’t until 1958 that Cadillac had dual headlamps. The fender structure though similar was altered to allow them. For 57 Lincoln had an oval structure with headlamps above large parking lights. But no duals. As usual for the time, Chrysler Corp cars were ahead of the rest with all divisions making provisions for single or dual headlamps. So, I believe the only 57 cars with duals were Chrysler Corp cars. Good Lord! That’s almost as confusing as government regulations AND officials! 😲
Thanks Rick!
I didn’t know about the 2-4 headlight law change until I saw pictures of 1957 DeSotos with each style.
@ Allen…it wasn’t until 1958 that Cadillac had dual headlamps. The fender structure though similar was altered to allow them. For 57 Lincoln had an oval structure with headlamps above large parking lights. But no duals. As usual for the time, Chrysler Corp cars were ahead of the rest with all divisions making provisions for single or dual headlamps. So, I believe the only 57 cars with duals were Chrysler Corp cars. Good Lord! That’s almost as confusing as government regulations AND officials! 😲
’57 Cad Eldorados had 4 headlights.
I’m not a fan of lighter greens but this dark green looks spectacular on this car. I haven’t driven an American land yacht like this since I was young (I was born 3 years before this Caddy was) but I do remember the ride was superb, just don’t bend it into a curve too quickly. This car makes a statement!
Are you any relation to the Hawk Weird-Ohs model of Sling Rave Curvette?
No relation but I liked all those crazy Hawk models and the wild Tom Daniel custom and cartoon models. I found it easy to get the username Curvette instead of Corvette with a bunch of numbers behind it and I also think it relates to the curvy lines of Corvettes from the beginning.
Ok, Rick, since I’m expected to make a statement, here it is…
I hate the color. Green is my least favorite color nect to blue. Sometime a turquoise is acceptable but forest green , never.
1957 Cadillacs looked, if not we’re smaller than the ’56. The ’56 were very bulbus. ’57 was cleaned up, flattened out and yes, those forward slanted fins made the car look shorter. The no skirt look didn’t help.
These & 1958 were Harley Earl’s
swan song as Bill Mitchell designed the 1959 Cadillac.
While my aunt and uncle next door had a ’56, another aunt and uncle had a ’57. What can I say? We’re Italian.
I was disappointed. After reading the title, I expected a 1957 Cadillac with a peas and carrots vinyl wrap. No “Ho Ho Ho” for me…
Wow! That looks great. Love the color, its a bit lighter and brighter than the old Emerald Green.
Its been 65 years but, dark green cars remind me of my college ride, a 1952 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 4 dr. sedan in Emerald Green Iridescent. IIRC, Cadillac offered the same Emerald Green paint on their 1953, ’56, ’57 and ’58 models.
I worked summers between semesters for a machinery mfgr. spray painting large equipment. I got the shop supt.’s OK to use the spray booth on a Saturday to paint the Chevy’s fender skirts. I quickly learned the difference between spraying PPG industrial enamel and DuPont Duco automotive lacquer. Fortunately, there was enough scrap 20 gauge sheet metal in the shop to practice on. I forget how many coats I applied but, on the relatively flat surface of the fender skirts, the result looked pretty good. Not sure I could have done that well on a rounded top of fender or other sharply curved surface. I’ve since decided to leave touch-ups and repaints to the pros.
An absolutely gorgeous car from the Mae West bumpers aft.
I never realized the similarity of the entire roof (minus the ‘vent’ bulge) of the ’57 Cad roof and the ’58 Impala roof.
Put on yer high-heel sneakers, set the cruise for triple digits, and head on down the highway. Don’t ferget yer brandy soaked ceegar!
Cool.
Most beautiful Caddy ever , wish it was on this side of the country !
Destined for a long cruise across Route 66.
Adam: Great article title!
I think the limited edition Stainless steel roof Cadillac had the four headlight in 1957.
That would be the Eldorado.
Not to be Picky, but I’m pretty sure that for 57 Eldorado had TWO headlamps and that strange rear end. In 58 Eldorado Brougham (with stainless steel roof) had FOUR headlamps and rear fenders more like the standard Cadillacs. Those bumper guards were called by some DAGMARS after a busty 😳 50s Blonde Bombshell. Perhaps Angel 😇 can verify that. She’s our Cadillac QUEEN and is well aware of my tendency to be Picky Ricky. 😅 🤣
I was just lazy and did not type the entire name…1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham…pronounced bro ham.
Hi guys! My Uncle John had one of these and thought a new Cadillac every year after making his first million hauling fresh produce from Florida to Bloomington with two surplus C-47s with my Uncle Frank.
They would fly down here, land on a crude airstrip that used to be filled with fruits and vegetables as far as you could see. Then, the 2 1/2 ton GMC Cckws would bring the harvested goods to a conveyor that lifted them into the planes. Uncle John told me stories of what it was like to fly produce for a living. He said there were many other pilots doing the same thing. You’d see B-17s, B-24s, C-46s and whatever else they could buy at huge surplus auctions just after WWII. Once my Uncle’s planes were loaded, they’d fly back to
The Bloomington-Normal airport, where they were met by trucks from all the supermarkets that had contracts with them. Even today, I’m
still amazed at how Florida farmers used war surplus stuff to put fresh
produce on everyone’s table when it was winter in the Midwest. As for our
jolly green friend here, I wouldn’t kick it off my driveway either. It’s refreshing to see a Caddy of a different color. Hi Angel! Just trying to get our place dried out after a pipe
sprung a leak between the two bathrooms. But anyhow dear, that’s my story and opinion for what they’re
worth.