1960 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (RHD)

Description

Cadillac’s 1960 range was an elegant reinterpretation of the previous years offering, with subtle modifications including lower rear fins, reshaped front bumpers, vertical stacked tail lamps and a fresh grille design.  The overall appearance was slightly more restrained than the flamboyantly over-the-top 1959 models, but only just – there was stil l plenty of glitz and glamour about the 1960 range.  The Series 6200 featured plain fender skirts and a three-quarter length chrome spear, with a long list of luxury features including power steering, automatic transmission, power brakes, windscreen washers and two-speed wipers, an external mirror and twin reversing lamps.  Mechanical improvements included the tubular X-frame chassis, finned rear brake drums and a vacuum-operated automatic parking brake release system.  Available four body styles, the 6200 range consisted of both four-window and six-window sedans, a hardtop coupe and the most expensive convertible, which came with power windows and two-way power seats as standard.  Mechanically all 1960 Cadillacs rode on a 130-inch wheelbase frame and were powered by a 390-cid V8 rated at 325 horsepower in standard tune (a more powerful 345 hp unit was available, fed by triple Rochester carburettors), while GM’s sophisticated Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was the only gearbox available.  Power brakes and power steering were also standard across the range, with finned rear drums an innovation that year, as was a new vacuum-operated parking brake release system.  The convertible sold in strong numbers, with 14,000 finding new homes in 1960, despite the hefty list price of US$5,455 – more than twice the price of a standard Chevrolet.  Chosen by Car Life magazine as the “Best buy in the luxury field” for 1960, the convertible remains one of Cadillac’s most desirable collector’s cars.