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!
Even being a 4dr. it’s still one nice looking personal cruising limousine!
Just absolutely love the flat tops. Might make me an outlier, but I just think they look pretty cool
Tough to tell for sure but it may have fins
This car is beautiful although I, like the vast majority of ’59 and ’60 sedan buyers, prefer the 6-window roof. The wheel covers are 1958 with the red center. ’59s were white centers.
Dan, actually the wheelcovers are `57s. `58s standard wheelcovers had no painted center.
The 6 window 4 door hardtop was Cadillac exclusive, although it strongly resembled the other divisions’ pillared sedans.
The flattop was shared across all five divisions and IMO the Cadillac with its high fins doesn’t pull it off as well as the rest.
My Favorite is the 1964 Model last of the Fins but this Crazy Model came out when I was Born 9/8/1959.
Even though it’s not a sweet looking convertible this car still looks gorgeous and I love this four door style the best. This would be my “Sunday Drive “ car and would love doing it. The 1959-60 Cadillacs are my favorites(especially the convertibles) followed by the 1946-47 models (convertibles also). This was when the Cadillac name meant something.
What a beauty! Hard to beat a 4 door Hardtop Cadillac like this, that’s also a Flat top. Well out of my price range, but I can still drool over it.
Wow! That is one beautiful car! For that price I think it’s fair. It is pricey, but that is one really nice car.
What is mounted behind the grill and in front of radiator and condenser? The 2 matching black box like items shown in hoop open pic.
This would make a great “Low Rider” with black tinted windows
The two matching black, box-like items mounted behind the grille and in front of the radiator are the factory dual-tone trumpeted electric horns (specifically a high-note and a low-note horn.
I know quite a bit about Cadillacs of that vintage. I don’t believe that could be horns. They do not look to to be original equipment and im curious as to what they might be. They almost look like speakers, but I’m not sure why anyone would need 2 in that location.
GONE.
I never liked the 59. I always had several 60s but tell what are those two pod like things that are located in front of what looks like the condenser?
I don’t know why but that kind of looks like a Buick steering wheel. I was sure a 59 had a horn ring.
The 60 did not, but it had a beautiful Cadillac emblem in the middle of the wheel