The Flat Top: 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

In 1959, Cadillac offered the Sedan de Ville with two distinct rooflines. Most buyers chose the traditional six-window sedan, but 12,308 went for the four-window version, with its broad rear glass and flat roof. This turquoise example is one of those cars, and it gives us a chance to look at a design that doesn’t get as much attention as those famous tail fins.

Listed on Craigslist in Simi Valley, California, for $59,500, this Cadillac shows 49,100 miles on the odometer. The seller says it “runs and drives as she looks,” with factory options in working order, modern ice-cold air conditioning, and a Pioneer sound system.

The roof is what sets the four-window sedan apart. Cadillac called its wraparound windshield the Vista-Panoramic, while the broad rear glass and roof overhang gave the car its Flat Top nickname. The roofline makes for a different look than the more conventional six-window sedan.

The turquoise paint carries into the cabin, where dark pleated seat inserts contrast with matching turquoise upholstery. Whitewall tires and Cadillac wheel covers look right at home here, and the engine bay is shown with a blue-painted V8 beneath a large black air cleaner.

Of course, the roofline is only part of the story. The ’59 Cadillac’s towering rear fins and twin bullet-shaped taillights are the details that tend to steal the show, and they marked the high point of Cadillac’s fin era. The fins would be toned down for 1960, making this one-year design especially memorable.

Cadillac’s 390-cubic-inch V8 was rated at 325 horsepower for 1959, and the Sedan de Ville came standard with power steering and power brakes. The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission handled the shifting, while the big V8 supplied the power. These were substantial cars, so having that much engine under the hood was part of the appeal. The engine bay is visible in the photos, and it’s a good reminder that there was plenty going on under those long Cadillac hoods.

Modern air conditioning should make this big Cadillac more pleasant to drive in warm weather, while the Pioneer sound system adds a more contemporary touch. Would you choose the four-window Flat Top over the more traditional six-window Sedan de Ville? Thanks to Zappenduster for sending this Cadillac our way!