The 1961-66 Cadillacs were the best cars ever made in my opinion. I used to own a 1966 Coupe De Ville. I sold it due to its poor gas mileage (9 mpg), it was too expensive to drive long distances. The quality and workmanship on these cars is astonishing, no plastic was used, all of the interior fittings and controls are metal. The upholstery materials were the finest available and the variety of interior and exterior color options was incredible. The headlamp auto-dimming feature on my 1966 was called the 'autronic eye' and it worked really well. My car had lap seat belts, color-coded to the interior of course.
I was completely blown away by the interior quality and materials used. Pretty incredible! It's neat you owned one of these cars, I'm sure it was fun to drive. Thanks for watching the video!
My neighbor Mr Claxton had a 61 silver Coupe Deville that was in mint condition with under 10 K miles that was a work of art, you are correct everything was shiny metal on the interior you will never see that again !
We had a 59. The filler panel above the rear seat armrest was plastic. Interior was nicely finished . Ours, a series 62 base model, cost $4500 new. I passed my driving test in it in ‘67.
@@JW_Reviews I’ve heard several enthusiasts say that 60s GM and especially Cadillacs were the peak of their quality. They could compare favorably even to Mercedes, something you couldn’t say about subsequent decades at all. Videos like this prove it. That Sedan De Ville is a stunning piece of craftsmanship.
Thank you, Martin! Yes, it is in brilliant condition. It's had good owners in its past but the current owner takes incredible care of it. Thanks for watching the video!
As an owner of multiple Cadillacs, I can say that this 1961 Sedan Deville is a slice of Heaven. Thank you Mr. Wasylyshyn. Thank you Mr. Warn. And where would any of us be without the help of Dad. Great video guys, keep up the positive.
Cadillac offered the remote trunk opening release/close feature beginning with the 1955 model year vehicles. The release button was located inside the glove compartment. However, not all Cadillacs came with that feature. That was an extra cost options on certain models, and for those buyers who ordered that feature, and perhaps other options back then. My 1959 Cadillac Sedan deVille 4-Window series 6339 originally came with that trunk release/close feature and all the other available options, including the air ride suspension, cruise control, air conditioning, AM wonder bar radio, autronic eye, power locks and power windows. The exclusive 1957-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham model took that trunk release feature a step further and incorporated a trunk pull-down feature that allowed you the luxury of closing the open trunk by simply pressing a button located in the glove compartment from within the vehicle. Very good, informative video overview of the 1961 Cadillac Sedan deVille 4 window 6339!
Thank you for that insight on the trunk pull down feature! And what a beauty your Sedan DeVille must be. I love the options that it has! And I'm very fascinated by the Eldorado Brougham. It was certainly ahead of its time. Thank you for watching the video, Dennis!
Fun review, it's always nice to see somebody who was born long after these cars vanished from the roads having sort of a "first encounter" with the styling, tech and overall design of these beautiful machines that - in their day - had no equals among motorcars made anywhere else in the world.
Good point! I hope I do a good job reviewing these cars coming from such a different perspective as most other people who are watching this video. Most of these videos are with cars I'm only experiencing for the first time. And that's right! These Cadillacs were definitely the Standard of the World 😎 Thanks for commenting and watching the video!
man what a beauty...how could anyone not have smile while driving that. 1967 was kind of the turning point for american cars when injection molded plastic really started to make a big presence...1966 and prior it was still metal and glass (mostly), but after that you saw all the intricate plastic designs, since the plastics technology really became much more sophisticated. As Ben Braddock learned, the future is 'plastics'.
It definitely is a very easy car to enjoy driving 😁 Good point! It's amazing how much interior design changed by the end of the 60's... Thanks for watching the video!
thanks for this. my uncle had this exact car. it was the first caddy I ever rode in. great on long trips. i was with him when he got a ticket going 100mph.
You're welcome, William! That's neat that it is the first Cadillac you rode in. Must have brought back some memories! And I'm amazed he was driving that fast lol. Pretty impressive for a big car!
Never FEELS like 100mph, in a pre-80’s Cadillac. Same with the big Oldsmobile’s. My uncle’s deuce and a 1/2? He never did under 110 on the highway. We didn’t know any better & ratted him out. All our parents made him bring it down to 90...
So glad to see a new video. I’ve missed seeing your reviews. Where ever you tape your videos , is such a nice setting. Very peaceful. This 61 is a true work of art !
Thanks, Chris! I wish that I could make more reviews during this time of year. I'm off at college so it's not easy to schedule time for reviews... But I'll always be sure to make them when I have the chance 😁 And I love the area that I film in as well! It's in northwest, Ohio and I love driving around there. Thanks again for watching!
I was a young kid when this came out and remember it well. In 1961 we had a 1955 Rocket 88 Oldsmobile 2 door. Next car was a 62' Olds 98. We had great cars and music back then and most all of are products were stamped with Made in USA.
@@JW_Reviews Definitely appreciate the research that goes into your videos, and the quality of them. I’m guessing you spend a lot of time in the editing process.
@@RossPayne I enjoy doing the research, it’s a great learning experience 😄 And the editing does take lots of time! Especially with the longer videos haha
I remember about fifteen years ago a car dealership near my friend's house having an early '60s Cadillac in their lot right as you pulled in. It was a beautiful and pristine car. They were having trouble selling it for some reason, and after it sat their for a few weeks, some bonehead sideswiped it as they were pulling into the lot one day. It was heartbreaking seeing such an immaculate car classic car get wrecked like that. Not sure what became of that car, but I really hope someone bought it and fixed it. As far as other car brands go, I drive '70s cars (pre-downsizing) almost exclusively, and I think Ford products have a more comfortable interior and ride, but GM vehicles have smoother drivetrains. Admittedly, I've never driven any '70s car new (since they were all built fifteen to twenty years before I was born), so it is possible that every GM I've ever driven just had worn-out seats and suspension and every Ford just had a worn-out drivetrain. My experience with Chryslers is pretty limited: Just one rundown early '70s Fury. It seemed more sporty than cushy.
Wow ! This is one beautiful classic Cadillac Sedan DeVille ! The blue color really shows off the design ! In 1961 USA, this would have been the pinnacle of affluence ... Just would not want to be in accident in one as no crumple zones, 3 point seat belts, air bags etc ... There is a TH-cam vid of a similar year Cadillac and a 2005(?) Cadillac head on crash, the 60's Cadillac did not fair well ... Though this 1961 is still a stunning vehicle ... Slainte' ! Cheers !
Safety is definitely my biggest concern with this car as well as other classics. It's important to be careful when driving them! Thank you so much for watching the video 😁
The TH-cam “head-on crash competition“ video you were referring to was between the 1962 Cadillac and a 2002 Cadillac. The ‘02 won. Not even seatbelts and an air bag could have saved front seat occupants in the ‘62!
What a specimen, such attention to every detail, amazing. Detroit at its finest. The complexity devoted to design harks to a age of beauty and grace that will never return. The roofline is most elegant, my favorite look. Thanks James and to the meticulous owner who keeps this masterpiece whole!
Excellent review and automotive subject! Absolutely love this car, especially in that color! While I might favor the '62 a little more, the '61 was an excellent shake-up of the marvelous '59-'60 Cadillacs. Today, in a world where many cars keep their same basic shape and design for 5+ years, the yearly refreshes and complete restyles every few years is truly impressive.
Thank you so much!! Great point, it's amazing how at that time cars changed very much between each year. Very different from today. Thanks again for watching!
@@JW_Reviews In the early 60s, carmakers were just starting to make a variety of different models. This forced lower production of the larger higher end models. Plus, changing them every year adds to production costs. And the fewer units that are turned out, the higher the production cost per unit.
This is the type of car many of us who were born in the the 50s grew up with. It was a different time back then. As kids we could tell a gm, ford and Chrysler. Kinda hard now. Keep up the good work 👏!!!!!! That's what most of us born back then love.......old cars that remind us of our youth and good times!!!!! Yup!!!!! Bring us more!!!!! Thanks!!!!
I would have loved to have grown up at that time to be able to gawk at these cars when they were new. I will do my best to bring as many of these videos to you as possible 😁 Thanks for watching!
James- This video was enjoyable and you sure did your due diligence regarding the features of this beautiful car. Your personality shines through- you have a way of making the most minute (possibly boring) feature of the car appear amazing! Keep these videos coming please!
Thank you James, the 1961 is the coolest year I think. The jet age styling. My dad bought a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo from a funeral parlor in 1970 for $600! the car was mint! It was silver metalic, had the power glass divider, jump seats, dual air conditioning. We had so much fun in that car, several weddings and trips. Thank you for the memories!
You're welcome! I love the styling of this year too, it really is beautiful. That sounds like an awesome Caddy that your dad bought! So cool, Cadillac limo's are always fantastic 😁 I'm also beyond happy the video brought back some memories. Thank you for watching!
The trunk Pull-Down feature was a “standard” feature on my father’s 1960 CADILLAC SIXTY-SPECIAL (Fleetwood) 8 window, 4 door hardtop; all Black exterior, with a black NYLON roof. (Not vinyl) This model was the longest wheelbase of any Caddy model of the Generations 1959-1964. The pull-down was an option on all other Caddy models beginning in 1959); or earlier. My father’s version had 8 power window switches. I was almost 8 yrs. old when he bought it in ‘59. My favorite of all cars he had. Still my favorite car ever.
Thank you so much, James, for another fantastic video!! The 1961 Cadillac is my very favorite car of all time. A '61 convertible would just put me over the top! These cars from the 50s and 60s were such incredible works of art. Keep up the terrific work that you do on your channel...such a joy! By the way, what is the music selection that you use as background in the video?
Thank you, Craig! I'm glad the 61's are your favorite 😁 I agree! This car is stunning and the true craftsmanship really shows. Good question! This particular song is called "Lionness" by DayFox and it is a "no copyright" song. It can be hard to find music that I can use in my videos as I need to make sure they aren't copyrighted, but I've found some websites where some can be found
After watching this video, it shows just how different the Cadillac styling changed from 60 to 61, excess was out, and svelte sleek lines were in, the 61 looked very futuristic, it was a changing world back then, but the styling of sixties cars would keep changing, until the gas crisis situation changed everything again, but anyway, I enjoyed the video, so keep bringing more wonderful cars for us to enjoy as well as remember a different time & place in life!!!!
Interesting to see a younger car enthusiast review of a car model rarely reviewed - and this one is a beauty of a four window Sedan de Ville! I might have enjoyed a bit more of video on the engine compartment - but overall you have a good balance of reverence and description. In particular you did well in noting the absence of features that we now take for granted. Kudos to you for a fine review.
James, I must compliment you on the Video, especially the intro and bumper music you have chosen. very nice presentation professional job. You have a talent ,this one of your best..
Great tour of one of the fine automobiles of my boyhood. This is a particularly stunning example … anyone would be justifiably proud to show this beauty off on a sunny day! I grew up with Chrysler’s of the 50s and 60s. We had a 59 Imperial sedan which was equipped about the same. Power windows and seats, searching radio featuring a floor mounted switch, above the headlight dimmer, that you’d hit and the tuner would be motorized to the next station. Power antenna, too, and two real oddities of the old Imperial were swivel seats, and the odd flipper below the transmission selector buttons that was the turn signal “lever”. That was a great trip car, and our family of five took a month long road trip from Seattle to Florida in that. Before the interstate system was fully complete, it was mostly two lane travel. The Cadillac is surely a more beautiful car, but the Chrysler Corporation suspensions had perfected a more stable and better handling package, if lacking somewhat in isolation and suppleness, dad could really push that tank down the Hiway … we made it back from Florida in two and a half days, at the end of April, 1963. What a ride!!
Thank you!! Very neat experiences that you had with cars from this time period. Imperials were very technologically impressive! I always thought they were ahead of their time but found their styling to be a little more strange or not quite as thought out as Cadillacs. But thank you for the wonderful comment with your family stories, I loved reading about it!
James, Just watched the segment about the lack of a seatbelt, All 1961 Cadillacs, (and there after till became Government Standard in 1968) came with the "Pre Anchors" already installed in/ under seats, at the factory, Then when , or if ordered, it was a dealer installed option.
The car reviews that you produce just get better and better. I learned so much more about Cadillac in that review of the 61 four-door Deville. The ventilation system, the beautiful inlays in the doors, in the side of the seats; the breathtaking rear window, and the beautiful upholstery and the metal all throughout the cabin. The double fins on the 61 are just perfect. The engine specs were covered really well. You conveyed how enjoyable it is driving a car like that and it showed when you are outside the car or inside the car. So throughly examined and placed in the context of 1961. Great job James.
I really appreciate you saying that, David! It really means a lot. And I'm learning more and more from doing these videos which is really satisfying and enjoyable. Thank you so much for the nice comment, I'm so glad you liked this video 😁
What a beauty. I love the interior especially the dashboard switches and dials, the rocket ship rear design and the panoramic rear window are both epic, thank you
James, I really enjoyed the review of the '61 Cadillac. I love all of the 60's and early 70's Caddy's, but the '61 and '62 with those skeg fins were definitely unique. Did you know that skegs first showed up on the '58 Lincoln? And some might argue, the '60 Oldsmobile as well. That steering wheel and deliciously detailed gauges! Great job pointing out that cornering lights were not launched until 1962. GM offered corning lights on many of their vehicles , not just luxury, but even the midsize the Cutlass, Grand Prix, as well as the 1980 to 1993 Corvette! I love your casual delivery, the personal enjoyment that you display for each vehicle, and the drone shots - nice work! - Mark Edward
I'm really glad you enjoyed this video, Mark! And I had no idea skegs were on Lincolns and even Oldsmobiles earlier than this. Very neat! And I love cornering lights, it's neat to see where they started to be offered and how many cars they were added to. Thank you for the nice comment and for watching the video!
Great video of that blue 1961 caddilac. I bought a 1962 series 62 when I was 19 years old. The way it rode was good. Very smooth and yes, lots of power for a 5,000 pound car. Loved all of the chrome inside and on the dash. Cars were flashy back then.
As a Cadillac owner. (76 El Dorado convertible😎) It’s such a rare treat to see all these Caddys! Interesting, humbling, informative. In the End, My love & reverence only grows & I feel like part of something HUGE. “PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP”🇺🇸 Most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen. Thank you🙏🏽
What a beautiful Grand Dame of a sixties Cadillac! James, I was not aware of the dual fin's clever, finally they are retracting down in size. My opinion the best Cadillac style of fin was 1963. This is a extremely nice survivor.Thanks for this! I believe if you drove a sixties slab side Continental you will change your mind, I will wager a $5.00 bill on that James! Thanks for another great Cadillac content...
Great review and beautiful car! I love the 50's and early 60's cars especially Cadillac's they had so many fine details in them. And had such awesome and fancy names for their colors. Great job can't wait for the next one!
THANK YOU FOR THIS JAMES.....Absolutely BEAUTIFUL REAL Cadillac. As an owner of a 1990 Cadillac Brougham I am a HUGE Cadillac Fan and this was the crème de la crème back then... these were the Standard of the World and the Car of Cars.....they were CADILLACS. !!! Your Video is incredibly shot, the music is amazing, the drone shots are out of this world and your knowledge and research second to none. BRAVO Man. !!! Great Work. Beautiful Cadillac. Please never abandon your Love of Cadillacs for Lincolns. :)
You're very welcome, John! And I agree with you 100%, these were certainly the standard of the world 😎 Thank you so much for those compliments, it really means a lot to me. And don't worry, I appreciate Lincolns but they certainly couldn't kill my love for Cadillac 😁
An excellent example! One thing concerning engine comparisons between a car of this era and the late 70s is the switch from listing power and torque as gross to net in the early 70s. The gross horsepower and torque measure the engine without accessories where the net versions are more realistic measuring these things with the engine hooked up to accessories like it would be in a vehicle. As a result, a car like the one shown will sound like it has a LOT more power than one in the late 70s. Granted, a 60s Cadillac is still going to have more power due to lack of regulations at the time, but the difference is not nearly as great considering that 325 gross HP you cite is probably more like 230 net HP. That is still better than a late 70s Eldorado, but not as crushingly so as it sounds if you use the gross measurements.
She sure is a beauty 😁 And that's VERY helpful to know! I didn't realize that distinction, it'll be helpful for future reviews when looking at a car of this era. Thank you so much for watching the video!
I may be wrong but I think the heater option mentioned is an additional heater for winter climates, not the car's regular heater. Most cars had heaters by the 1960s, with air conditioning being the option that was still somewhat rare.
Ah that would make sense! I unfortunately don't know enough about these cars to know for sure, I'll have to do some research. Thanks for watching the video, David!
The heater delete was probably offered for those living in Miami, FL, Hawaii, and other warm climates where heat wasn't needed. And many of these cars went to Florida, no doubt.
Hello again, James! Please note, I think your videos are great, your knowledge of Cadillac Products and models is amazing, and the cars you have in your videos -- frankly -- leave me drooling!! So, I offer these "period factoids" as an oldster who was around in the 1960's and 1970s to a much younger "car guy" in all humility and with respect. The ignition "acc" thing (far left position of the key) with the ignition key was because of ignition "points". Prior to the introduction of electronic ignition, circa 1975, cars had "points" in the distributor. "Points" were electromechanical devices that turned current on and off in timing with each of the 4, 6, or 8 spark plugs in the car. The high voltage in the ignition systems would literally "burn" the "points", cause them to wear out, and greatly reduce the ignition voltage going to the spark plugs. Then, you had to replace your "points" to restore full voltage in your ignition system (replacing "points" was part of the "tune ups" one had to regularly perform on cars). If your car was not running and you had your ignition in the "on" position to listen to the radio, the ignition system was electrified and could significantly "burn" your points, without the car even running! How do we listen to the radio without "burning" our points? We turn the key to the "acc" position. As you point (no pun intended) out in your video, the car accessories would work in that key position but the ignition system was not electrified; so, no "burned" points! YAY! As for why Cadillac stated it was possible to turn on the heater and A/C at the same time? Well, back then HVAC was not integrated as it is today. Today, even on the coldest winter day, your car's A/C compressor kicks in and the incoming air passes through the A/C evaporator to *dehumidify* the air. The *dehumidified* air then passes to the heater to warm it up. So, your windows are cleared very fast of "fog" and the air is still warm. With the old, unintegrated HVAC systems, you could run your heater without the A/C on. However, your windows took a *lot* longer to defrost, if they defrosted at all (especially the rear windows). We had a 1965 Chevrolet Station Wagon with only a heater (yes, probably an option when purchased!). In winter (I live in California), you could never see out of the windows past the back seat because of the "window fog". People just accepted things like that back then. It's kind of hard to explain - I can't tell you how people backed their cars with the back windows all fogged (I was too young to drive) but I know that they did it!!! Cars were much more dangerous back then - really :) :) :) Finally, it is also hard to explain the general esteem in which GM was held in the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's. They really did have *fantastic* R&D, you **really did** want to see their new cars when they came out (they were always different in some way), and the cars were always amazing (think of the change between the 1968 and 1969 Camaro, for example). I guess the best way to explain it in today's terms would be this: if today, you could combine "Google" and "Apple" into one company (which, of course, you cannot) that was GM in the 1950's, 1960's, and early 1970's. I hope that provides you some helpful perspective!
I appreciate the comments, Keith! It's very helpful as you grew up in this era whereas I did not so I always have more to learn about. I may not remember it all but I'll at least give it a try haha. And that's a great point you mentioned about the high esteem people held GM to back then! Very different now. I would have loved to have been around during those days just to experience it 😁 Thank you for the fantastic comments and for watching the video! I really appreciate it
Marvelously wonderful video on those early 1960's Cadillacs. There were essentially two and a half tons of the most beautiful rolling jeweled works of art.🌿✈🌿
@@whammond511 yes indeed, your absolutely right, I had forgotten actual weight of those early cadi's. My mom had a 1953 sedan Deville it came in at 4750. She also had three 59 coupes Devilles, I think they were 5000 plus, then we had 73's a 75 eldo, your right, those body's were filled out more, not as sleek as the early to mid- sixtys body's. Sure miss those cars.🌿🌿
Wow, James you are really killing it! Amazing review & just fantastic camera work!! You really go out of your way to get gorgeous shots! No one else puts in this much effort to make it so special - pure cinema - feel magic! Your reviews are an homage to style and car design of the past, which is so nice, most guys your age have no interest of cars of this era. GM needs to see this one! That is soo funny they put the Reverse all the way to the right- I bet that went away fast, you have to have conformity on gear position for safety. The floor vents - I remember those- man did they move the air blast on you in the 'no AC days' - only problem was when you stoped- you sweltered. I think the badge on the passenger side was there to show off to your passenger, the coach builder's prestige mark. Love this year Caddy - really classy, beautiful lines and dash, and this year the Chevy 4-door, was known as the "bubble-top" since you are sitting in a glass bubble. I always felt a bit too exposed to others. You are right- it looks like flying spaceship. that was the jet-age and the fins really did it! The condition of this DeVille is fantastic! Incredible interior- no water stains, or sun fade or deterioration. And the chrome! No pitting? Crazy! Love you letting us hear the exhaust, huge V8 sound is so great! Interesting it felt like it handled better than the 70's. Could you turn the wheel with one finger? I think you probably could. I think they thought the less you were engaged- the more luxurious it was. Five Stars on this one James!
247jimbo, the P-N-D-R shift quadrant was very common in early Hydra-matic transmissions and was found on Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Hudson, Studebaker, etc throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s. It is bizarre today to get in one of these older cars and remember that reverse is all the way down, and as you can imagine it did cause problems since there was no neutral between the forward and reverse speeds. It did make rocking a stuck car out of snow or mud much easier though. Here is a little background on when the standardized shift quadrant started to take place: "Public Law 88-515 on August 30, 1964, "to require ... Standard gear quadrant, P-R-N-D-L, automatic transmission." Note: this mandated that any vehicle purchased by any element of the federal government must follow this rule Cadillac I know switched to the P-R-N-D quadrant in 1964 as did many other automotive manufacturers by the early to mid 1960s (Studebaker held out until 1966) with Federal law requiring it in all vehicles (not just federal government issued cars) by 1967.
@@dougmeloan3856 Interesting!! First time I ever heard of this Doug, I wasn't driving till '75, we had a few pre '64s, but I have no idea how they were positioned. Loved our '64 Dodge 880 with the push button trans. Worked so slick- as an observer.
Thank you so much!! I definitely try to put as much style and homage towards the cars in my videos as I can. It makes it all the more fun too! I love hearing how much you know and remember about these cars, crazy to think what even a few decades does to car designs/features. And yes, this car is in brilliant shape! I believe the owner purchased it from Arizona and they don't get much rain or bad weather out there haha. And good question, I think I could have turned the wheel with one finger but it wouldn't have been quite as loose as the 70's cars were 😂 Also, I apologize for not responding to your emails yet! I've been swamped with school recently but I promise I will respond soon!
Only discovered your channel recently. This 61 brought back memories to me. I turned 16 in 1970 and bought a 61 TBird for $225. My Dad had a 61 Lincoln. My cousin had a 61 Cadillac six window de Ville hardtop. They used it almost exclusively as a highway car, driving to and from my home town in southern Oklahoma to Albuquerque New Mexico. They also drove it to California a few times. Unlike your car, his had factory AC. He was a refrigeration technician so that AC was always pumping out cold air in hot and humid Southern Oklahoma when he visited. Cadillac had pretty good horsepower figures for what was really a small block engine. The Lincoln had an under stressed 430 CI with a two barrel carb that put out 462 lb ft of torque at just over 2000 RPM. Thanks for your video.
Oh my gosh! What a rare treat. My Uncle Gary had a 1961 Coupe deVille for five or six years, a gray silver metallic beast. Were you to ask what I remember about riding in the car, the first was the gas pedal, that seemed merely to stick up from the floor. I also remember the hexagonal key and the way it fit snugly and perfectly into the dash-mounted ignition switch. The roll handles for the wing windows were a common feature for 60's era GM sedans. Woohoo! As a little kid, did I know at the time that the car was a Cadillac? No. In two families with eight of us kids, we tended to ride with similar age cousins, either in the 1963 Ford Thunderbird (my old man) or Gary's Coupe. Yikes, what a bunch of gabbers the aunties were. What there was to be observed, the body work on these period cars is intricate and of a far higher display of craftsmanship than we have seen in decades. Both the uncles hated the fender skirts when it came time to change tires, often in snowy weather. The standout, both cars were the first ones in the extended family with A/C. The rest of the bunch, un-air-conditioned from the northern climes of Idaho, regarded our bunch as being snotty (for riding around in ostentatious cars) and spoiled (for possession of A/C). I would only admit to slightly spoiled. We thought anybody who bought a car without A/C was nuts, which was true in Arizona. Ha. Gas was 29 cents a gallon. Hood pulls and safety belts did not come until much later. That was a different era, when respect for persons and property was high. It was good manners to keep your hands to yourselves. Don't touch! was an oft-repeated rebuke. THANKS as always for detailed presentation and enthusiasm. I love the flat background vistas also, because we miss the 17 years raising our kids in Michigan.
That's awesome your uncle had a '61 Coupe DeVille and you had experiences with the car! I loved hearing your stories about the cars and your experiences in that time period. And very neat to hear that you were from Michigan! Where in Michigan did you raise your kids?
Love the enthusiasm in your presentation. This actually looks like a short deck 1962. In 1962 Cadillac took basically this body and they shortened the rear deck so it would be easier to navigate in tight City Urban spaces. I think they called it the Park avenue short deck. I preferred the short Cadillacs because I think they're much more balanced. As I recall I think all the bright work inside the car around the windows is actually polished aluminum. Much cheaper than Chrome and it will never rust.
You're correct it's a Park Avenue short deck, but those were also offered in '61 and possibly '63. Not many were sold--a couple thousand each year. My grandmother had her carport extended 4 feet to cover the tailfins of her regular-length '64.
@@ralphl7643 Gentlemen I have to differ with you here. If it was a Park Avenue, there would have been Park Avenue badging on the car. It looks short because it was short...er than it has been in ‘60. GM was trying hard to make all their cars smaller to capitalize on the “small” craze that was sweeping the country. By ‘63 the “small” craze had passed and Cadillac went back to their slightly longer wheelbase and significantly longer overall length. Another note; This car and the ‘62 & ‘63 were the last years to use the Cadillac Only 4 Speed Hydramatic Transmission. In ‘64 they switched to the Corporation 3 Speed Turbo Hydramatic.
Thank you very much! And I forgot to mention that Cadillac built a short deck version in the video, but, believe it or not, this is actually the regular length Sedan DeVille. And I'm sure the shorter version would make it much easier to drive and park in garages, I can see why some people wanted them. Thanks for watching the video!
The 61 Cadillac has always been my favorite year in Cadillacs especially the 4 door Flattop. I even love the color on this car. I have a 65 Cadillac deVille convertible and believe it or not, I have just about the same options on mine as this car has. Everything looks about the same. The steering wheel, the radio the clock, even the the spears on the front fenders for the directionals and of course the single side mirror. I too wish Cadillac had two side mirrors. Mine also has the two fins on the rear fenders although they are small and they're incorporated in the tail light bezel. The 65 was the first year for the stacked headlights. Cadillac did away with those for the 69 model. From the way you describe the ride in this car, I think maybe the suspension might be a little better by the time 65 came around as I feel it gives a pretty smooth ride. But the 61 four door flattop will always be my favorite. Thanks for your review. It was really great.
Very neat hearing about your '65 and the similarities and differences between the two! I've ridden in a '69 Sedan DeVille and I believe the ride did get better at that point, but still not quite the same as the 70's Cadillacs I've been in. Thank you for commenting and watching the video! 😁
Who could have a favorite year? Mine was (should be) 76. Convertible Make, of my Lac❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ But... I fall in love with each one he reviews. Keep looking. You might be wrong...
@@JW_Reviews - Hemmings has right now a 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 4Dr Hardtop (no post) for sale from a guy in California. The car is gorgeous. He's asking $9,000 for it. I live in New England so this is not the time to buy a car, especially if you don't have the space to put it, but maybe in Spring.
Such a well done video James. My folks had a 62 Sedan Deville my Father purchased used in 67 for $2450. The part where you show were the corner light was a hoot as I remember it was a big deal to have them on the 62. I recently ran across a 61 Coupe De Ville, which ran and has a clean title, so of course I had to pick it up and am re working it. You just can't beat that sturdy CLUNK when you shut those doors! AND FYI... The 62 Sedan did NOT have that cool Back Glass on the 4 window the 61 is a bubble top.
Thank you, Tim! That's so neat that your father owned a Sedan Deville and that you now have one to fix up. Awesome to hear! And yes, these cars are so solid in every way. I love opening and closing the doors too. And that's interesting to hear that the glass is different on the older models. Too bad they got rid of it as that is one of my favorite things about this car!
James, thank you. Good review, and I was glad that it included a drive. This is the first of your videos that I've seen, and yes, I've subscribed. The heater and a/c having the ability to operate together is probably more about dehumidifying the cabin, such as in rainy weather. That feature was integrated into HVAC systems by the mid-1960's and through to as we now know it. The cooler air from above feature was also retained in later models and through to as we now know it, as the bi-level setting. While modern cars don't have a differential setting of the two temperatures, the upper outlets do provide somewhat cooler air. The idea of this was to offset the heat of the sun coming through the glass during mild weather when some heat was desired, such as in the fall. Prior to the advent of delay wipers, Cadillac's were wonderful for always having three speed wipers, because their low speed was very slow and often could be left running during misty or very light rain. An interesting note on the steering wheel, is that the '61 models had the new smaller steering wheel. Prior to gear shift indicator layout becoming standardized auto manufacturer's used different patterns and one of these favored by GM is in this car. The point being that if the car became stuck in snow/mud and required rocking back and forth by having reverse and low next to each other allowed for a faster change between the two gears. A side note to this is that prior to the use of adding "P" park position, GM had a park position built-in that held the car in place. This was accomplished once the engine was turned off, and then putting the shift lever into "R" reverse. Doing so engaged a park pin that held the car from rolling, the same as the "P" position that was yet to come. The power windows prior to about 1967 would work without the key being on or in the accessory position. They retained power all the time. Nice if it started raining because a good Samaritan could put your windows up, but dangerous if you left your kids in the car just to quickly run into a store. When the system was first changed to requiring that the ignition be turned on for the windows to operate GM included an additional button labeled EMERG. This was located next to the window buttons for "emergency" operation of the windows. By holding that button the windows could then be operated.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the information you've given about the car and some of the features. It's always nice learning more info from my viewers and I often times learn things that I can use in later videos too. And I've seen several Cadillacs with that emerg button and find it really fascinating that Cadillac implemented it. Thank you again so much for watching and subscribing to the channel. I really appreciate the support and hope you'll enjoy the future videos 😁
@@JW_Reviews You're welcome. And thank you for complementing my comment. It probably would have been read by more people if it wasn't so long. Unfortunately, at times a concise description just doesn't give enough information, and as a result clarity can only be achieved by using more words.
The hexagon key unlocked the the doors and ignition. The round key was for the trunk and glove box. This was standard for all GM cars of that era. The bottom reverse shift quadrant position was standard on GM Hydramatic transmissions until they were discontinued after 1964. Chevy’s Powerglide also had reverse on the bottom until 1958.
Very neat that GM cars had those keys for so long! It would be neat if they could offer something like that again. Thank you for the information and for watching the video!
Trunk pull down was available from the mid fifties on Cadillacs that car didn’t have that option. This year was the only year that that steering wheel horn was located on the wheel stacks with a small button. They returned to having the horn activated by pressing any part of the wheel spoke. Cadillac for 62 first offered the duel reservoirs on the power brake booster for added safety. Surprised it didn’t have AC which was become a very popular option as well as electric door locks. If you ordered the self seeking radio you also got a button on the drivers side floor above the high beam button which allowed you to change the radio stations
Yes, I would have thought the power trunk pulldown was optional in '61, but I don't see it in the dealer brochure (of course the brochures didn't always show every last little option.) It was quite a drawing card for Cadillac. My brother's '57 Series 62 had it, and my '90 Coupe de Ville did.
From what I read in the '61 sales brochures and data book trunk pull down was not available. But thank you for the facts! Yes, this car was a stripped down version which is very interesting. Thanks for watching the video!
The first air conditioned car I ever rode in was a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood. It was the same color as this one, with the same color interior. It was in 1961, so the car was brand new, and even though I was only seven , I remember it like was yesterday. it belonged to a doctor, who was friends with my grandparents. Great video, and thanks for the memories.
That is really neat that the car left such an impression on you! But I'm not surprised. This vehicle is incredible and the Fleetwood would be all the more incredible. Thanks for watching the video!
I always liked the '61 because it has the glitz and glamour of the '59-'60, just tastefully neatened-up. The '62 was a cleaner design, but, with the lowered fins and restrained grille, it lost much of the glitz Cadillac had been known for. By the way AC in Cadillacs became commonplace in '63.
@@JW_Reviews YW - It's a bit vague to find exactly when AC became standard in the DeVille's, but being a car fanatic for many years, I'd say you be hard pressed to find a '63 onward with AC delete. By '62 is accounted for the majority of DeVille production.
I’m a resident of Fergus Falls, Mn. Approx. 45 years ago I recall a very dignified, tall, elderly woman here, Ms. Ness, own the exact same Cadillac. The Cadillac dealership, from St. Paul, MN on your sales receipt, hasn’t been around for YEARS, as a matter of fact I never even heard of it, but was about 200 miles from here. The Ness Cadillac was STUNNING, like the one you showcase. I have often wondered what happened to Ms. Ness’s Cadillac, could this be her car?
Now that would be really neat if it was her car! I'm not sure if the current owner knows who the first buyer was... But this car did come from a nearby area as you so it's definitely possible! Thanks for watching the video 😁
Inside hood releases did not become common until the early 1970s. My Grandpa would use a small lock and chain under the hood of his Chevrolet. Heaters were optional because people who lived in Arizona, Nevada, Florida and certain other countries rarely needed them. Whitewall tires were optional because many drivers still drove on unpaved roads which fouled whitewall tires. Curb feelers were used for parallel parking. AC at that time was expensive which explains why convertibles were popular. Lighted visor vanity mirrors first appear as an option on the 1973 Cadillac. Reverse gear was placed on the far right as a safety measure.
Production of the 1961 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 4-Window was 4,847 units. The Sedan DeVille 6-Window was much more popular and appeared more often in advertising. A short rear deck DeVille Town Sedan began production in 1961 with a seven-inch shorter rear fender. Sales of the Town Sedan were quite low but that model was built for loyal owners who had smaller garages. The cheaper Series 62 models looked the same on the outside except the DeVille script was replaced by a crest on the front fender. All 1961 Cadillacs had color matched wheelcovers which makes restoration much more expensive. The 6-Window design was shared with the Oldsmobile 98 and Buick Electra. At that time it was more premium looking than the 4-Window design shared with cheaper GM B-bodies...making it more popular. The 1961 Lincoln Continental set the benchmark for luxury automotive design that year...from 1962 through 1966 Cadillac lost their jet plane design cues and gradually became more Lincoln in their appearance. The lower skegs on the 1961 and 1962 Cadillacs were inspired by the 1959 Cadillac Cyclone concept car. $6100 is equivalent to about $56,000 in 2021. Love the authenticity of the tires on this example ... though the polishing compound on the paint can be removed with a wet toothbrush.
WOW Chris, you have excelled!! What a FANTASTIC clip to watch!! I thoroughly enjoyed your informative & very entertaining video . . . I’m actually the very proud owner of a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special myself that’s still in mint original condition like this blue beauty you featured here! Mine is finished in Olympic white with turquoise cloth & leather trim which looks absolutely stunning. I live in Australia so these stunning ‘60’s Caddies are a rare beast over here. I hope you feature more beautiful classics mate, I’ll be keeping an eye out for you!! 👍😉
Thank you so much, David! I'm so glad you liked the video. And wow that is a beautiful car you have!! I'd love to review a Fleetwood from this era someday, they are very special cars. And I'm sure it is a rare sight to behold in Australia! Did you ship the car there yourself? Thank you so much for watching the video, I'll be sure to bring more as often as I can 😁
Found this: In short, (pardon the pun) there was no Series 62 Town Sedan offered in 1961. The only "compact" model is properly called the Sedan deVille short deck and it received "deVille" front fender script. "Town Sedan" and "Park Avenue" monikers were not used until 1962.
This agrees with the description in the 1961 dealer brochure. It's simply called the "short deck", and according to Standard Catalog of Cadillac 1903-2000 the short deck bore model no. 61-63C and body style, 6399C, which are distinct from the other body styles.
Marvelous car, stunning interior quality, texture and material quality. Something went terribly wrong at some stage for Cadillac in perceived quality. Was it in the late sixties? Or when did it happen? If they had kept their eyes on the ball quality wise they would have had a much better chance against the brands like Mercedes and BMW. It has been argued that the increase of gasoline prices in the1970 was what started Cadillacs decline. Personally I believe a lack of quality in later models was the main reason.
I agree, quality certainly played a role in Cadillac's downfall. I, personally, believe that some downgrades in quality started in the late 60's which in many ways resemble similar interiors as 70's Cadillacs. But, build quality in general worsened throughout the 70's. Thanks for watching the video!
GM's rectangular-head ignition key replaced the octagonal ones in '69, when locking steering columns were introduced, followed quickly by inside hood releases. The national crime wave started in 1965, the same year the number of births plummeted, but it took a few years for Detroit to react. Funny what young people take for granted versus what we boomers did, like passenger side door locks. I didn't notice when they disappeared because we'd all gone remote. But fender turn signals were cool back then, too, with a nice clunk-clunk sound inside.
Ah that's good to know about the keys, someone else had a similar thought but wasn't sure if that's when the keys shifted to their square shape. It definitely is amazing what changes occur and for what reasons. Thanks for watching the video, Ralph!
James- Can't tell you how much I enjoyed this video! Easily the best review I've seen of a car from this era. As the current owner of both a '61 Olds 98 and a '61 Olds Starfire, it was fascinating to see some of the shared styling and mechanical traits, such as color-coordinated wheelcovers, external hood releases, horn buttons, and even the skeg. Your observations on the 4-wheel drum brakes were spot-on, too. FWIW, AC was a very expensive option back then- one that approached 10% of the price of the car. It was a big deal to have AC... Thanks for a great job from a new subscriber!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! And I'm honored knowing this is your favorite of reviews of cars from this era 😁 And those are very nice cars you have! I do like Oldsmobiles from that era but haven't had much experience with them, hopefully that'll change someday soon! Thank you so much for subscribing and watching the video. I really appreciate the support!
Thank you, Joe! And that's astounding to imagine the price change. Actually, it's not a crazy amount of money considering how much car you get haha. Thanks for watching the video, Joe!
Seems appropriate. But today’s $55k Vic, Will be worth $7k in five years & Kill you on repairs. This one WON’T💡 Privately, I feel THAT’S the reason kids like this Are talking older cars. 👉🏽THEY’VE “DONE THE MATH” 💵 Brand news cars depreciate like MILK! These are the only value in vehicles, Unless you buy a commercial van/truck. All others steal your money.
My Dad had a 1961 Town Sedan deVille. 390 engine, it was a great car. He bought it used in 1969 IIRC, and when he drove my brother and me to school in it the first time, everyone at school were jealous lol It's great reliving one of my favorite vehicles, I would love to have a 61 Coupe deVille convertible.
A friend of mine who belongs to my local Cadillac club was nice enough to let me borrow the car to make the video. I'm glad you liked the video, and it is amazing how different and incredible this car is compared to most modern cars. Thanks for watching the video, Jeremiah!
I'm amazed how difficult it is to find parts! We fortunately found a Cadillac expert who has barns full of many years of Cadillac parts. Maybe you'd have luck on websites specifically selling Cadillac parts? Thanks for watching the video, Ronald!
By the by, thank you for your excellent videos! They brought back some fond memories. I really miss my Fleetwood (The bloody Queen, or just Queen) and my Coupe DeVille (Princess). Both died from lack of minor parts and my inability to do the work they needed. I moved on to Studebakers because of a better supply of parts.
One last piece of iminuthia this was the first year to have overlapping windshield wipers to cover more window area it allowed the blades to be much longer than the previous years
Great review of the 61 Caddy! My mom had the same model in a champagne color. One item you didn’t mention unless I missed it, the hubcaps always had color keyed inserts that matched the body color. You really go to great extents to show the car features and design. Kudos, keep up the great work. I think you give the most entertaining car reviews of anyone.
Thank you, Tom! Hmm is that where the wheel cover paint matches that of the body color? I'm glad you liked the video, I really appreciate the nice comments and continued support 😁
Good review, James. That is an exceptional example of the 1961 model, which has always been my favorite. Did you know that Cadillac made a short deck version of this car called the Park Avenue? Some people preferred a smaller Cadillac, but not many. They discontinued it after just a few years.
Thank you, Kenny! I did know that they made a short deck version (I forgot to mention it in the video) but I had no idea they called it a park avenue. Sounds like Buick took that name from Cadillac! I'm not surprised it was discontinued, it probably didn't sell very well.
@@JW_Reviews In fact, those short deck Cadillacs were offered specifically (so I read) to accommodate San Francisco residents with garages built for smaller vehicles.
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The 1961-66 Cadillacs were the best cars ever made in my opinion. I used to own a 1966 Coupe De Ville. I sold it due to its poor gas mileage (9 mpg), it was too expensive to drive long distances. The quality and workmanship on these cars is astonishing, no plastic was used, all of the interior fittings and controls are metal. The upholstery materials were the finest available and the variety of interior and exterior color options was incredible. The headlamp auto-dimming feature on my 1966 was called the 'autronic eye' and it worked really well. My car had lap seat belts, color-coded to the interior of course.
I was completely blown away by the interior quality and materials used. Pretty incredible! It's neat you owned one of these cars, I'm sure it was fun to drive. Thanks for watching the video!
My neighbor Mr Claxton had a 61 silver Coupe Deville that was in mint condition with under 10 K miles that was a work of art, you are correct everything was shiny metal on the interior you will never see that again !
We had a 59. The filler panel above the rear seat armrest was plastic. Interior was nicely finished . Ours, a series 62 base model, cost $4500 new. I passed my driving test in it in ‘67.
@@JW_Reviews I’ve heard several enthusiasts say that 60s GM and especially Cadillacs were the peak of their quality. They could compare favorably even to Mercedes, something you couldn’t say about subsequent decades at all. Videos like this prove it. That Sedan De Ville is a stunning piece of craftsmanship.
It's style and it's dynamic look outweigh it's minuses.
This could very well be the most beautiful Cadillac I have ever seen! I'm so glad you had an opportunity to review this gem!
What a beauty! Talk about showroom condition - kudos to whoever has taken care of this car!
Thank you, Martin! Yes, it is in brilliant condition. It's had good owners in its past but the current owner takes incredible care of it. Thanks for watching the video!
@@JW_Reviews how many of the Cadillacs you have reviewed have you owned.
As an owner of multiple Cadillacs, I can say that this 1961 Sedan Deville is a slice of Heaven.
Thank you Mr. Wasylyshyn. Thank you Mr. Warn.
And where would any of us be without the help of Dad.
Great video guys, keep up the positive.
We are all so appreciative of your support 😁 So glad you liked the car and watched the video!!
Beautiful car. No one will review a Camry like this 60 years in the future. Most of today's cars are just appliances and will be duly discarded.
Haha good point! Today's cars definitely don't seem as special as this one... Thanks for watching the video!
Cadillac offered the remote trunk opening release/close feature beginning with the 1955 model year vehicles. The release button was located inside the glove compartment. However, not all Cadillacs came with that feature. That was an extra cost options on certain models, and for those buyers who ordered that feature, and perhaps other options back then. My 1959 Cadillac Sedan deVille 4-Window series 6339 originally came with that trunk release/close feature and all the other available options, including the air ride suspension, cruise control, air conditioning, AM wonder bar radio, autronic eye, power locks and power windows. The exclusive 1957-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham model took that trunk release feature a step further and incorporated a trunk pull-down feature that allowed you the luxury of closing the open trunk by simply pressing a button located in the glove compartment from within the vehicle.
Very good, informative video overview of the 1961 Cadillac Sedan deVille 4 window 6339!
Thank you for that insight on the trunk pull down feature! And what a beauty your Sedan DeVille must be. I love the options that it has! And I'm very fascinated by the Eldorado Brougham. It was certainly ahead of its time. Thank you for watching the video, Dennis!
I'd love to see the air ride suspension (and air lift) and the trunk release/close mechanism in action. Could you do a quick video for us ?
Fun review, it's always nice to see somebody who was born long after these cars vanished from the roads having sort of a "first encounter" with the styling, tech and overall design of these beautiful machines that - in their day - had no equals among motorcars made anywhere else in the world.
Good point! I hope I do a good job reviewing these cars coming from such a different perspective as most other people who are watching this video. Most of these videos are with cars I'm only experiencing for the first time. And that's right! These Cadillacs were definitely the Standard of the World 😎 Thanks for commenting and watching the video!
Thank you !! What a beautiful world it was back then !
You're very welcome! Thank you for watching the video, Jerold 😁
I share your awe for this car. There is something that is uniquely appealing about the 1961 Cadillac 4 window sedan. Styling at its most superb.
It definitely is a beautiful car 😎 Thanks for watching the video, Alan!
man what a beauty...how could anyone not have smile while driving that. 1967 was kind of the turning point for american cars when injection molded plastic really started to make a big presence...1966 and prior it was still metal and glass (mostly), but after that you saw all the intricate plastic designs, since the plastics technology really became much more sophisticated. As Ben Braddock learned, the future is 'plastics'.
It definitely is a very easy car to enjoy driving 😁 Good point! It's amazing how much interior design changed by the end of the 60's... Thanks for watching the video!
thanks for this. my uncle had this exact car. it was the first caddy I ever rode in. great on long trips. i was with him when he got a ticket going 100mph.
You're welcome, William! That's neat that it is the first Cadillac you rode in. Must have brought back some memories! And I'm amazed he was driving that fast lol. Pretty impressive for a big car!
These Cadillacs could run 100 all day long.
@@JW_Reviews I've driven my ‘63 Sedan deVille at 120 mph. I had 105 Octane Aviation fuel in it at the time. It was thrilling!!
Never FEELS like 100mph, in a pre-80’s Cadillac.
Same with the big Oldsmobile’s.
My uncle’s deuce and a 1/2?
He never did under 110 on the highway.
We didn’t know any better & ratted him out.
All our parents made him bring it down to 90...
So glad to see a new video. I’ve missed seeing your reviews. Where ever you tape your videos , is such a nice setting. Very peaceful. This 61 is a true work of art !
Thanks, Chris! I wish that I could make more reviews during this time of year. I'm off at college so it's not easy to schedule time for reviews... But I'll always be sure to make them when I have the chance 😁 And I love the area that I film in as well! It's in northwest, Ohio and I love driving around there. Thanks again for watching!
I was a young kid when this came out and remember it well. In 1961 we had a 1955 Rocket 88 Oldsmobile 2 door. Next car was a 62' Olds 98. We had great cars and music back then and most all of are products were stamped with Made in USA.
That's very neat to hear! Sounds like some really neat Oldsmobiles, what great cars to grow up with 😎 Thanks for watching the video!
James…such great videos. You’ve done so much homework…and it shows. Always enjoy your perspective. Thank you young man!
Thanks, Orren! I'm glad you noticed and appreciate the research that went into it 😁
@@JW_Reviews Definitely appreciate the research that goes into your videos, and the quality of them. I’m guessing you spend a lot of time in the editing process.
@@RossPayne I enjoy doing the research, it’s a great learning experience 😄 And the editing does take lots of time! Especially with the longer videos haha
I remember about fifteen years ago a car dealership near my friend's house having an early '60s Cadillac in their lot right as you pulled in. It was a beautiful and pristine car. They were having trouble selling it for some reason, and after it sat their for a few weeks, some bonehead sideswiped it as they were pulling into the lot one day. It was heartbreaking seeing such an immaculate car classic car get wrecked like that. Not sure what became of that car, but I really hope someone bought it and fixed it.
As far as other car brands go, I drive '70s cars (pre-downsizing) almost exclusively, and I think Ford products have a more comfortable interior and ride, but GM vehicles have smoother drivetrains. Admittedly, I've never driven any '70s car new (since they were all built fifteen to twenty years before I was born), so it is possible that every GM I've ever driven just had worn-out seats and suspension and every Ford just had a worn-out drivetrain. My experience with Chryslers is pretty limited: Just one rundown early '70s Fury. It seemed more sporty than cushy.
Wow ! This is one beautiful classic Cadillac Sedan DeVille ! The blue color really shows off the design ! In 1961 USA, this would have been the pinnacle of affluence ... Just would not want to be in accident in one as no crumple zones, 3 point seat belts, air bags etc ... There is a TH-cam vid of a similar year Cadillac and a 2005(?) Cadillac head on crash, the 60's Cadillac did not fair well ... Though this 1961 is still a stunning vehicle ... Slainte' ! Cheers !
Safety is definitely my biggest concern with this car as well as other classics. It's important to be careful when driving them! Thank you so much for watching the video 😁
The TH-cam “head-on crash competition“ video you were referring to was between the 1962 Cadillac and a 2002 Cadillac. The ‘02 won. Not even seatbelts and an air bag could have saved front seat occupants in the ‘62!
@@JW_Reviews Absolutely!! Thank you for stating that important thing!!
What a specimen, such attention to every detail, amazing. Detroit at its finest. The complexity devoted to design harks to a age of beauty and grace that will never return. The roofline is most elegant, my favorite look. Thanks James and to the meticulous owner who keeps this masterpiece whole!
I completely agree! It's a very special and beautiful piece of artwork. Thank you so much for watching the video!
Excellent review and automotive subject! Absolutely love this car, especially in that color! While I might favor the '62 a little more, the '61 was an excellent shake-up of the marvelous '59-'60 Cadillacs. Today, in a world where many cars keep their same basic shape and design for 5+ years, the yearly refreshes and complete restyles every few years is truly impressive.
Thank you so much!! Great point, it's amazing how at that time cars changed very much between each year. Very different from today. Thanks again for watching!
@@JW_Reviews In the early 60s, carmakers were just starting to make a variety of different models. This forced lower production of the larger higher end models. Plus, changing them every year adds to production costs. And the fewer units that are turned out, the higher the production cost per unit.
This is the type of car many of us who were born in the the 50s grew up with. It was a different time back then. As kids we could tell a gm, ford and Chrysler. Kinda hard now. Keep up the good work 👏!!!!!! That's what most of us born back then love.......old cars that remind us of our youth and good times!!!!! Yup!!!!! Bring us more!!!!! Thanks!!!!
I would have loved to have grown up at that time to be able to gawk at these cars when they were new. I will do my best to bring as many of these videos to you as possible 😁 Thanks for watching!
Thanks, James. It's fun to see you appreciate the beauty and quality of an older Cadillac.
You're very welcome, William! Thank you so much for watching
James- This video was enjoyable and you sure did your due diligence regarding the features of this beautiful car. Your personality shines through- you have a way of making the most minute (possibly boring) feature of the car appear amazing! Keep these videos coming please!
Thank you so much, Chris! I'm glad to hear you are so entertained by the videos 😁 More will be on the way soon!
Thank you James, the 1961 is
the coolest year I think. The jet age styling. My dad bought a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo from a funeral parlor in 1970 for $600! the car was mint! It was silver metalic, had the power glass divider, jump seats, dual air conditioning. We had so much fun in that car, several weddings and trips. Thank you for the memories!
You're welcome! I love the styling of this year too, it really is beautiful. That sounds like an awesome Caddy that your dad bought! So cool, Cadillac limo's are always fantastic 😁 I'm also beyond happy the video brought back some memories. Thank you for watching!
The trunk Pull-Down feature was a “standard” feature on my father’s 1960 CADILLAC SIXTY-SPECIAL (Fleetwood) 8 window, 4 door hardtop; all Black exterior, with a black NYLON roof. (Not vinyl) This model was the longest wheelbase of any Caddy model of the Generations 1959-1964. The pull-down was an option on all other Caddy models beginning in 1959); or earlier. My father’s version had 8 power window switches. I was almost 8 yrs. old when
he bought it in ‘59. My favorite of all cars he had. Still my favorite car ever.
Thank you so much, James, for another fantastic video!! The 1961 Cadillac is my very favorite car of all time. A '61 convertible would just put me over the top! These cars from the 50s and 60s were such incredible works of art. Keep up the terrific work that you do on your channel...such a joy! By the way, what is the music selection that you use as background in the video?
Thank you, Craig! I'm glad the 61's are your favorite 😁 I agree! This car is stunning and the true craftsmanship really shows. Good question! This particular song is called "Lionness" by DayFox and it is a "no copyright" song. It can be hard to find music that I can use in my videos as I need to make sure they aren't copyrighted, but I've found some websites where some can be found
Thanks James! Keep up your great work !! 😉
After watching this video, it shows just how different the Cadillac styling changed from 60 to 61, excess was out, and svelte sleek lines were in, the 61 looked very futuristic, it was a changing world back then, but the styling of sixties cars would keep changing, until the gas crisis situation changed everything again, but anyway, I enjoyed the video, so keep bringing more wonderful cars for us to enjoy as well as remember a different time & place in life!!!!
Cadillac styling did change drastically between those years. Pretty incredible! Thanks for watching the video, I'm really glad you enjoyed it 😁
Wow! Outstanding review! I love your enthusiasm and knowledge! Thank you Nick Warn for allowing James to review your car.
Thank you so so much, dad! I'm glad you liked the review. And yes, a huge thank you to Nick!
Thank You Sir!!! Now I see why they call the Cadillac The Grand Daddy!!!
wow awesome review! One of the best ride alongs ive seen in a long time, loved the drone footage camera work etc! great job and thanks so much!
Absolutely gorgeous car, work of art. Perfect design and color to highlight the beautiful lines on the car
Interesting to see a younger car enthusiast review of a car model rarely reviewed - and this one is a beauty of a four window Sedan de Ville! I might have enjoyed a bit more of video on the engine compartment - but overall you have a good balance of reverence and description. In particular you did well in noting the absence of features that we now take for granted. Kudos to you for a fine review.
Thank you for the compliments! I'm really glad you liked the review overall 😁 Thanks for watching!
James, I must compliment you on the Video, especially the intro and bumper music you have chosen. very nice presentation professional job. You have a talent ,this one of your best..
Thank you so so much! I'm so glad you thought the video was professional and well done. I really appreciate you saying that, it really means a lot 😁
Great tour of one of the fine automobiles of my boyhood. This is a particularly stunning example … anyone would be justifiably proud to show this beauty off on a sunny day!
I grew up with Chrysler’s of the 50s and 60s. We had a 59 Imperial sedan which was equipped about the same. Power windows and seats, searching radio featuring a floor mounted switch, above the headlight dimmer, that you’d hit and the tuner would be motorized to the next station. Power antenna, too, and two real oddities of the old Imperial were swivel seats, and the odd flipper below the transmission selector buttons that was the turn signal “lever”.
That was a great trip car, and our family of five took a month long road trip from Seattle to Florida in that. Before the interstate system was fully complete, it was mostly two lane travel.
The Cadillac is surely a more beautiful car, but the Chrysler Corporation suspensions had perfected a more stable and better handling package, if lacking somewhat in isolation and suppleness, dad could really push that tank down the Hiway … we made it back from Florida in two and a half days, at the end of April, 1963. What a ride!!
Thank you!! Very neat experiences that you had with cars from this time period. Imperials were very technologically impressive! I always thought they were ahead of their time but found their styling to be a little more strange or not quite as thought out as Cadillacs. But thank you for the wonderful comment with your family stories, I loved reading about it!
James, Just watched the segment about the lack of a seatbelt, All 1961 Cadillacs, (and there after till became Government Standard in 1968) came with the "Pre Anchors" already installed in/ under seats, at the factory, Then when , or if ordered, it was a dealer installed option.
Congrats on your new milestone, you deserve. You will continue to excel because your channel is wonderful!
Thank you so so much! I really appreciate that, I'm excited to see where things go 😁
The car reviews that you produce just get better and better. I learned so much more about Cadillac in that review of the 61 four-door Deville. The ventilation system, the beautiful inlays in the doors, in the side of the seats; the breathtaking rear window, and the beautiful upholstery and the metal all throughout the cabin.
The double fins on the 61 are just perfect.
The engine specs were covered really well.
You conveyed how enjoyable it is driving a car like that and it showed when you are outside the car or inside the car.
So throughly examined and placed in the context of 1961.
Great job James.
I really appreciate you saying that, David! It really means a lot. And I'm learning more and more from doing these videos which is really satisfying and enjoyable. Thank you so much for the nice comment, I'm so glad you liked this video 😁
What a beauty. I love the interior especially the dashboard switches and dials, the rocket ship rear design and the panoramic rear window are both epic, thank you
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching the video, Andrew 😁
I love how you LOVE Cadillacs!....so do I!!😄
Beautiful piece of American automobile history.
I couldn't have said it any better 😎 Thanks for watching the video!
James, I really enjoyed the review of the '61 Cadillac. I love all of the 60's and early 70's Caddy's, but the '61 and '62 with those skeg fins were definitely unique. Did you know that skegs first showed up on the '58 Lincoln? And some might argue, the '60 Oldsmobile as well.
That steering wheel and deliciously detailed gauges!
Great job pointing out that cornering lights were not launched until 1962. GM offered corning lights on many of their vehicles , not just luxury, but even the midsize the Cutlass, Grand Prix, as well as the 1980 to 1993 Corvette! I love your casual delivery, the personal enjoyment that you display for each vehicle, and the drone shots - nice work! - Mark Edward
I'm really glad you enjoyed this video, Mark! And I had no idea skegs were on Lincolns and even Oldsmobiles earlier than this. Very neat! And I love cornering lights, it's neat to see where they started to be offered and how many cars they were added to. Thank you for the nice comment and for watching the video!
@@JW_Reviews You so welcome, James!
Go look at a 42/47 El Dorado.
I grew up w/70’s Cadillacs
My love & wheel-house.💪🏽
I STILL have no words for that black 47 Cadillac!
Work of art🇺🇸
Great video of that blue 1961 caddilac. I bought a 1962 series 62 when I was 19 years old. The way it rode was good. Very smooth and yes, lots of power for a 5,000 pound car. Loved all of the chrome inside and on the dash. Cars were flashy back then.
Nothing like American cars. Simply the best! 🇺🇸👍
As a Cadillac owner.
(76 El Dorado convertible😎)
It’s such a rare treat to see all these Caddys!
Interesting, humbling, informative.
In the End,
My love & reverence only grows
&
I feel like part of something HUGE.
“PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP”🇺🇸
Most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen.
Thank you🙏🏽
keep up the good work man, really hope you explode because your reviews are so good
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that 😁
What a beautiful Grand Dame of a sixties Cadillac!
James, I was not aware of the dual fin's clever, finally they are retracting down in size. My opinion the best Cadillac style of fin was 1963.
This is a extremely nice survivor.Thanks for this!
I believe if you drove a sixties slab side Continental you will change your mind, I will wager a $5.00 bill on that James!
Thanks for another great Cadillac content...
Thank you!! And we'll see about the Lincoln Continentals, if I ever get my hands on one I will certainly review it 😁 Thanks for watching the video!!
Beautiful car. Cadillac has unmatched quality.
It certainly is beautiful 😁 Thanks for watching the video!
What a beautiful automobile 🚘
It certainly is 😁 Thank you for watching the video!
Stunning car! Love the review! That’s when a Cadillac was the standard of the world 🌎
Thank you, Dale! You're absolutely right, it was the standard and it truly shows 😎
Great review and beautiful car! I love the 50's and early 60's cars especially Cadillac's they had so many fine details in them. And had such awesome and fancy names for their colors. Great job can't wait for the next one!
Thank you so much! This car definitely did have lots of fine details and superb quality. Thanks for commenting and watching the video!
THANK YOU FOR THIS JAMES.....Absolutely BEAUTIFUL REAL Cadillac. As an owner of a 1990 Cadillac Brougham I am a HUGE Cadillac Fan and this was the crème de la crème back then... these were the Standard of the World and the Car of Cars.....they were CADILLACS. !!! Your Video is incredibly shot, the music is amazing, the drone shots are out of this world and your knowledge and research second to none. BRAVO Man. !!! Great Work. Beautiful Cadillac. Please never abandon your Love of Cadillacs for Lincolns. :)
You're very welcome, John! And I agree with you 100%, these were certainly the standard of the world 😎 Thank you so much for those compliments, it really means a lot to me. And don't worry, I appreciate Lincolns but they certainly couldn't kill my love for Cadillac 😁
@@JW_Reviews Thanks buddy... !!! :)
And thanks Nick for loaning James your beautiful car!
Yes, I'm extremely thankful that Nick allowed me to review his car. Without him it wouldn't have been possible!
An excellent example! One thing concerning engine comparisons between a car of this era and the late 70s is the switch from listing power and torque as gross to net in the early 70s. The gross horsepower and torque measure the engine without accessories where the net versions are more realistic measuring these things with the engine hooked up to accessories like it would be in a vehicle. As a result, a car like the one shown will sound like it has a LOT more power than one in the late 70s. Granted, a 60s Cadillac is still going to have more power due to lack of regulations at the time, but the difference is not nearly as great considering that 325 gross HP you cite is probably more like 230 net HP. That is still better than a late 70s Eldorado, but not as crushingly so as it sounds if you use the gross measurements.
She sure is a beauty 😁 And that's VERY helpful to know! I didn't realize that distinction, it'll be helpful for future reviews when looking at a car of this era. Thank you so much for watching the video!
I may be wrong but I think the heater option mentioned is an additional heater for winter climates, not the car's regular heater. Most cars had heaters by the 1960s, with air conditioning being the option that was still somewhat rare.
Ah that would make sense! I unfortunately don't know enough about these cars to know for sure, I'll have to do some research. Thanks for watching the video, David!
The heater delete was probably offered for those living in Miami, FL, Hawaii, and other warm climates where heat wasn't needed. And many of these cars went to Florida, no doubt.
Beautiful car in a beautiful color.
Hello again, James! Please note, I think your videos are great, your knowledge of Cadillac Products and models is amazing, and the cars you have in your videos -- frankly -- leave me drooling!! So, I offer these "period factoids" as an oldster who was around in the 1960's and 1970s to a much younger "car guy" in all humility and with respect. The ignition "acc" thing (far left position of the key) with the ignition key was because of ignition "points". Prior to the introduction of electronic ignition, circa 1975, cars had "points" in the distributor. "Points" were electromechanical devices that turned current on and off in timing with each of the 4, 6, or 8 spark plugs in the car. The high voltage in the ignition systems would literally "burn" the "points", cause them to wear out, and greatly reduce the ignition voltage going to the spark plugs. Then, you had to replace your "points" to restore full voltage in your ignition system (replacing "points" was part of the "tune ups" one had to regularly perform on cars). If your car was not running and you had your ignition in the "on" position to listen to the radio, the ignition system was electrified and could significantly "burn" your points, without the car even running! How do we listen to the radio without "burning" our points? We turn the key to the "acc" position. As you point (no pun intended) out in your video, the car accessories would work in that key position but the ignition system was not electrified; so, no "burned" points! YAY! As for why Cadillac stated it was possible to turn on the heater and A/C at the same time? Well, back then HVAC was not integrated as it is today. Today, even on the coldest winter day, your car's A/C compressor kicks in and the incoming air passes through the A/C evaporator to *dehumidify* the air. The *dehumidified* air then passes to the heater to warm it up. So, your windows are cleared very fast of "fog" and the air is still warm. With the old, unintegrated HVAC systems, you could run your heater without the A/C on. However, your windows took a *lot* longer to defrost, if they defrosted at all (especially the rear windows). We had a 1965 Chevrolet Station Wagon with only a heater (yes, probably an option when purchased!). In winter (I live in California), you could never see out of the windows past the back seat because of the "window fog". People just accepted things like that back then. It's kind of hard to explain - I can't tell you how people backed their cars with the back windows all fogged (I was too young to drive) but I know that they did it!!! Cars were much more dangerous back then - really :) :) :) Finally, it is also hard to explain the general esteem in which GM was held in the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's. They really did have *fantastic* R&D, you **really did** want to see their new cars when they came out (they were always different in some way), and the cars were always amazing (think of the change between the 1968 and 1969 Camaro, for example). I guess the best way to explain it in today's terms would be this: if today, you could combine "Google" and "Apple" into one company (which, of course, you cannot) that was GM in the 1950's, 1960's, and early 1970's. I hope that provides you some helpful perspective!
I appreciate the comments, Keith! It's very helpful as you grew up in this era whereas I did not so I always have more to learn about. I may not remember it all but I'll at least give it a try haha. And that's a great point you mentioned about the high esteem people held GM to back then! Very different now. I would have loved to have been around during those days just to experience it 😁 Thank you for the fantastic comments and for watching the video! I really appreciate it
I just discovered your channel, Great Work! 👈👍! More Classic cars please!😁
Marvelously wonderful video on those early 1960's Cadillacs. There were essentially two and a half tons of the most beautiful rolling jeweled works of art.🌿✈🌿
Thank you, Michael! I completely agree with you 😁
You might be surprised to find out that these cars weighed right around 4,000#. It wasn't until the ‘70s that they became so bloated.
@@whammond511 yes indeed, your absolutely right, I had forgotten actual weight of those early cadi's. My mom had a 1953 sedan Deville it came in at 4750. She also had three 59 coupes Devilles, I think they were 5000 plus, then we had 73's a 75 eldo, your right, those body's were filled out more, not as sleek as the early to mid- sixtys body's. Sure miss those cars.🌿🌿
Wow, James you are really killing it! Amazing review & just fantastic camera work!! You really go out of your way to get gorgeous shots! No one else puts in this much effort to make it so special - pure cinema - feel magic! Your reviews are an homage to style and car design of the past, which is so nice, most guys your age have no interest of cars of this era. GM needs to see this one! That is soo funny they put the Reverse all the way to the right- I bet that went away fast, you have to have conformity on gear position for safety. The floor vents - I remember those- man did they move the air blast on you in the 'no AC days' - only problem was when you stoped- you sweltered. I think the badge on the passenger side was there to show off to your passenger, the coach builder's prestige mark. Love this year Caddy - really classy, beautiful lines and dash, and this year the Chevy 4-door, was known as the "bubble-top" since you are sitting in a glass bubble. I always felt a bit too exposed to others. You are right- it looks like flying spaceship. that was the jet-age and the fins really did it! The condition of this DeVille is fantastic! Incredible interior- no water stains, or sun fade or deterioration. And the chrome! No pitting? Crazy! Love you letting us hear the exhaust, huge V8 sound is so great! Interesting it felt like it handled better than the 70's. Could you turn the wheel with one finger? I think you probably could. I think they thought the less you were engaged- the more luxurious it was. Five Stars on this one James!
247jimbo, the P-N-D-R shift quadrant was very common in early Hydra-matic transmissions and was found on Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Hudson, Studebaker, etc throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s. It is bizarre today to get in one of these older cars and remember that reverse is all the way down, and as you can imagine it did cause problems since there was no neutral between the forward and reverse speeds. It did make rocking a stuck car out of snow or mud much easier though. Here is a little background on when the standardized shift quadrant started to take place: "Public Law 88-515 on August 30, 1964, "to require ... Standard gear quadrant, P-R-N-D-L, automatic transmission."
Note: this mandated that any vehicle purchased by any element of the federal government must follow this rule Cadillac I know switched to the P-R-N-D quadrant in 1964 as did many other automotive manufacturers by the early to mid 1960s (Studebaker held out until 1966) with Federal law requiring it in all vehicles (not just federal government issued cars) by 1967.
@@dougmeloan3856 Interesting!! First time I ever heard of this Doug, I wasn't driving till '75, we had a few pre '64s, but I have no idea how they were positioned. Loved our '64 Dodge 880 with the push button trans. Worked so slick- as an observer.
Thank you so much!! I definitely try to put as much style and homage towards the cars in my videos as I can. It makes it all the more fun too! I love hearing how much you know and remember about these cars, crazy to think what even a few decades does to car designs/features. And yes, this car is in brilliant shape! I believe the owner purchased it from Arizona and they don't get much rain or bad weather out there haha. And good question, I think I could have turned the wheel with one finger but it wouldn't have been quite as loose as the 70's cars were 😂 Also, I apologize for not responding to your emails yet! I've been swamped with school recently but I promise I will respond soon!
Only discovered your channel recently. This 61 brought back memories to me. I turned 16 in 1970 and bought a 61 TBird for $225. My Dad had a 61 Lincoln. My cousin had a 61 Cadillac six window de Ville hardtop. They used it almost exclusively as a highway car, driving to and from my home town in southern Oklahoma to Albuquerque New Mexico. They also drove it to California a few times. Unlike your car, his had factory AC. He was a refrigeration technician so that AC was always pumping out cold air in hot and humid Southern Oklahoma when he visited. Cadillac had pretty good horsepower figures for what was really a small block engine. The Lincoln had an under stressed 430 CI with a two barrel carb that put out 462 lb ft of torque at just over 2000 RPM. Thanks for your video.
Oh my gosh! What a rare treat. My Uncle Gary had a 1961 Coupe deVille for five or six years, a gray silver metallic beast. Were you to ask what I remember about riding in the car, the first was the gas pedal, that seemed merely to stick up from the floor. I also remember the hexagonal key and the way it fit snugly and perfectly into the dash-mounted ignition switch. The roll handles for the wing windows were a common feature for 60's era GM sedans. Woohoo! As a little kid, did I know at the time that the car was a Cadillac? No. In two families with eight of us kids, we tended to ride with similar age cousins, either in the 1963 Ford Thunderbird (my old man) or Gary's Coupe. Yikes, what a bunch of gabbers the aunties were. What there was to be observed, the body work on these period cars is intricate and of a far higher display of craftsmanship than we have seen in decades. Both the uncles hated the fender skirts when it came time to change tires, often in snowy weather. The standout, both cars were the first ones in the extended family with A/C. The rest of the bunch, un-air-conditioned from the northern climes of Idaho, regarded our bunch as being snotty (for riding around in ostentatious cars) and spoiled (for possession of A/C). I would only admit to slightly spoiled. We thought anybody who bought a car without A/C was nuts, which was true in Arizona. Ha. Gas was 29 cents a gallon. Hood pulls and safety belts did not come until much later. That was a different era, when respect for persons and property was high. It was good manners to keep your hands to yourselves. Don't touch! was an oft-repeated rebuke. THANKS as always for detailed presentation and enthusiasm. I love the flat background vistas also, because we miss the 17 years raising our kids in Michigan.
That's awesome your uncle had a '61 Coupe DeVille and you had experiences with the car! I loved hearing your stories about the cars and your experiences in that time period. And very neat to hear that you were from Michigan! Where in Michigan did you raise your kids?
Rochester Hills, off M-59 and Crooks
Love the enthusiasm in your presentation. This actually looks like a short deck 1962. In 1962 Cadillac took basically this body and they shortened the rear deck so it would be easier to navigate in tight City Urban spaces. I think they called it the Park avenue short deck. I preferred the short Cadillacs because I think they're much more balanced. As I recall I think all the bright work inside the car around the windows is actually polished aluminum. Much cheaper than Chrome and it will never rust.
You're correct it's a Park Avenue short deck, but those were also offered in '61 and possibly '63. Not many were sold--a couple thousand each year. My grandmother had her carport extended 4 feet to cover the tailfins of her regular-length '64.
@@ralphl7643 Gentlemen I have to differ with you here. If it was a Park Avenue, there would have been Park Avenue badging on the car.
It looks short because it was short...er than it has been in ‘60. GM was trying hard to make all their cars smaller to capitalize on the “small” craze that was sweeping the country. By ‘63 the “small” craze had passed and Cadillac went back to their slightly longer wheelbase and significantly longer overall length.
Another note; This car and the ‘62 & ‘63 were the last years to use the Cadillac Only 4 Speed Hydramatic Transmission. In ‘64 they switched to the Corporation 3 Speed Turbo Hydramatic.
Thank you very much! And I forgot to mention that Cadillac built a short deck version in the video, but, believe it or not, this is actually the regular length Sedan DeVille. And I'm sure the shorter version would make it much easier to drive and park in garages, I can see why some people wanted them. Thanks for watching the video!
The 61 Cadillac has always been my favorite year in Cadillacs especially the 4 door Flattop. I even love the color on this car. I have a 65 Cadillac deVille convertible and believe it or not, I have just about the same options on mine as this car has. Everything looks about the same. The steering wheel, the radio the clock, even the the spears on the front fenders for the directionals and of course the single side mirror. I too wish Cadillac had two side mirrors. Mine also has the two fins on the rear fenders although they are small and they're incorporated in the tail light bezel. The 65 was the first year for the stacked headlights. Cadillac did away with those for the 69 model. From the way you describe the ride in this car, I think maybe the suspension might be a little better by the time 65 came around as I feel it gives a pretty smooth ride. But the 61 four door flattop will always be my favorite. Thanks for your review. It was really great.
Very neat hearing about your '65 and the similarities and differences between the two! I've ridden in a '69 Sedan DeVille and I believe the ride did get better at that point, but still not quite the same as the 70's Cadillacs I've been in. Thank you for commenting and watching the video! 😁
Who could have a favorite year?
Mine was (should be) 76.
Convertible Make, of my Lac❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
But...
I fall in love with each one he reviews.
Keep looking.
You might be wrong...
@@JW_Reviews - Hemmings has right now a 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 4Dr Hardtop (no post) for sale from a guy in California. The car is gorgeous. He's asking $9,000 for it. I live in New England so this is not the time to buy a car, especially if you don't have the space to put it, but maybe in Spring.
Absolutely beautiful car!
It certainly is! Thank you for watching the video 😁
Incredible.
This car is practically showroom condition.
Amazing.
Such a well done video James. My folks had a 62 Sedan Deville my Father purchased used in 67 for $2450. The part where you show were the corner light was a hoot as I remember it was a big deal to have them on the 62. I recently ran across a 61 Coupe De Ville, which ran and has a clean title, so of course I had to pick it up and am re working it. You just can't beat that sturdy CLUNK when you shut those doors! AND FYI... The 62 Sedan did NOT have that cool Back Glass on the 4 window the 61 is a bubble top.
Thank you, Tim! That's so neat that your father owned a Sedan Deville and that you now have one to fix up. Awesome to hear! And yes, these cars are so solid in every way. I love opening and closing the doors too. And that's interesting to hear that the glass is different on the older models. Too bad they got rid of it as that is one of my favorite things about this car!
As usual, an outstanding job. If it were up to me I'd appoint you Official Cadillac archivist. Looking forward to the next!
Thank you so much, Joe! That makes me really happy hearing you say that, I really appreciate it 😁
Create video, commentator is exceptional. He gives wonderful justice to the superb cadillacs of all era's.
Thank you.
Thanks again, Michael 😁 I really appreciate the nice compliments!
James, thank you. Good review, and I was glad that it included a drive. This is the first of your videos that I've seen, and yes, I've subscribed.
The heater and a/c having the ability to operate together is probably more about dehumidifying the cabin, such as in rainy weather. That feature was integrated into HVAC systems by the mid-1960's and through to as we now know it. The cooler air from above feature was also retained in later models and through to as we now know it, as the bi-level setting. While modern cars don't have a differential setting of the two temperatures, the upper outlets do provide somewhat cooler air. The idea of this was to offset the heat of the sun coming through the glass during mild weather when some heat was desired, such as in the fall.
Prior to the advent of delay wipers, Cadillac's were wonderful for always having three speed wipers, because their low speed was very slow and often could be left running during misty or very light rain.
An interesting note on the steering wheel, is that the '61 models had the new smaller steering wheel.
Prior to gear shift indicator layout becoming standardized auto manufacturer's used different patterns and one of these favored by GM is in this car. The point being that if the car became stuck in snow/mud and required rocking back and forth by having reverse and low next to each other allowed for a faster change between the two gears.
A side note to this is that prior to the use of adding "P" park position, GM had a park position built-in that held the car in place. This was accomplished once the engine was turned off, and then putting the shift lever into "R" reverse. Doing so engaged a park pin that held the car from rolling, the same as the "P" position that was yet to come.
The power windows prior to about 1967 would work without the key being on or in the accessory position. They retained power all the time. Nice if it started raining because a good Samaritan could put your windows up, but dangerous if you left your kids in the car just to quickly run into a store. When the system was first changed to requiring that the ignition be turned on for the windows to operate GM included an additional button labeled EMERG. This was located next to the window buttons for "emergency" operation of the windows. By holding that button the windows could then be operated.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the information you've given about the car and some of the features. It's always nice learning more info from my viewers and I often times learn things that I can use in later videos too. And I've seen several Cadillacs with that emerg button and find it really fascinating that Cadillac implemented it. Thank you again so much for watching and subscribing to the channel. I really appreciate the support and hope you'll enjoy the future videos 😁
@@JW_Reviews You're welcome. And thank you for complementing my comment. It probably would have been read by more people if it wasn't so long. Unfortunately, at times a concise description just doesn't give enough information, and as a result clarity can only be achieved by using more words.
The hexagon key unlocked the the doors and ignition. The round key was for the trunk and glove box. This was standard for all GM cars of that era.
The bottom reverse shift quadrant position was standard on GM Hydramatic transmissions until they were discontinued after 1964. Chevy’s Powerglide also had reverse on the bottom until 1958.
Very neat that GM cars had those keys for so long! It would be neat if they could offer something like that again. Thank you for the information and for watching the video!
Trunk pull down was available from the mid fifties on Cadillacs that car didn’t have that option. This year was the only year that that steering wheel horn was located on the wheel stacks with a small button. They returned to having the horn activated by pressing any part of the wheel spoke. Cadillac for 62 first offered the duel reservoirs on the power brake booster for added safety. Surprised it didn’t have AC which was become a very popular option as well as electric door locks. If you ordered the self seeking radio you also got a button on the drivers side floor above the high beam button which allowed you to change the radio stations
Yes, I would have thought the power trunk pulldown was optional in '61, but I don't see it in the dealer brochure (of course the brochures didn't always show every last little option.) It was quite a drawing card for Cadillac. My brother's '57 Series 62 had it, and my '90 Coupe de Ville did.
From what I read in the '61 sales brochures and data book trunk pull down was not available. But thank you for the facts! Yes, this car was a stripped down version which is very interesting. Thanks for watching the video!
An Incredibly Beauuuutiful Car!
Thank you so much, James! It certainly is beautiful 😁
Nice car and reviewer! My family owned a 1960 Sedan de Ville in gray our 1st Cadillac !..
The first air conditioned car I ever rode in was a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood. It was the same color as this one, with the same color interior. It was in 1961, so the car was brand new, and even though I was only seven , I remember it like was yesterday. it belonged to a doctor, who was friends with my grandparents. Great video, and thanks for the memories.
That is really neat that the car left such an impression on you! But I'm not surprised. This vehicle is incredible and the Fleetwood would be all the more incredible. Thanks for watching the video!
james your video presentations are spot on !!so mane exquisite cars!! than you so much
Thanks, David! I'm so glad you like the videos 😁
I always liked the '61 because it has the glitz and glamour of the '59-'60, just tastefully neatened-up. The '62 was a cleaner design, but, with the lowered fins and restrained grille, it lost much of the glitz Cadillac had been known for. By the way AC in Cadillacs became commonplace in '63.
I'm glad you like these '61 Cadillacs! And that's good to know when the AC became standardized. Thanks for watching the video, Joseph!
@@JW_Reviews YW - It's a bit vague to find exactly when AC became standard in the DeVille's, but being a car fanatic for many years, I'd say you be hard pressed to find a '63 onward with AC delete. By '62 is accounted for the majority of DeVille production.
Absolutely gorgeous.......my favorite Cadillac of the 60s.......and favorite car, second only to the 1973s!!!!
I'm glad this one is your favorite from the 60's! Thanks for watching the video, Russell 😁
I’m a resident of Fergus Falls, Mn. Approx. 45 years ago I recall a very dignified, tall, elderly woman here, Ms. Ness, own the exact same Cadillac. The Cadillac dealership, from St. Paul, MN on your sales receipt, hasn’t been around for YEARS, as a matter of fact I never even heard of it, but was about 200 miles from here. The Ness Cadillac was STUNNING, like the one you showcase. I have often wondered what happened to Ms. Ness’s Cadillac, could this be her car?
Now that would be really neat if it was her car! I'm not sure if the current owner knows who the first buyer was... But this car did come from a nearby area as you so it's definitely possible! Thanks for watching the video 😁
Inside hood releases did not become common until the early 1970s. My Grandpa would use a small lock and chain under the hood of his Chevrolet. Heaters were optional because people who lived in Arizona, Nevada, Florida and certain other countries rarely needed them. Whitewall tires were optional because many drivers still drove on unpaved roads which fouled whitewall tires. Curb feelers were used for parallel parking. AC at that time was expensive which explains why convertibles were popular. Lighted visor vanity mirrors first appear as an option on the 1973 Cadillac. Reverse gear was placed on the far right as a safety measure.
It's amazing how different things were with the options/features of cars back then. Thanks again for the helpful facts!
Production of the 1961 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 4-Window was 4,847 units. The Sedan DeVille 6-Window was much more popular and appeared more often in advertising. A short rear deck DeVille Town Sedan began production in 1961 with a seven-inch shorter rear fender. Sales of the Town Sedan were quite low but that model was built for loyal owners who had smaller garages. The cheaper Series 62 models looked the same on the outside except the DeVille script was replaced by a crest on the front fender. All 1961 Cadillacs had color matched wheelcovers which makes restoration much more expensive. The 6-Window design was shared with the Oldsmobile 98 and Buick Electra. At that time it was more premium looking than the 4-Window design shared with cheaper GM B-bodies...making it more popular. The 1961 Lincoln Continental set the benchmark for luxury automotive design that year...from 1962 through 1966 Cadillac lost their jet plane design cues and gradually became more Lincoln in their appearance. The lower skegs on the 1961 and 1962 Cadillacs were inspired by the 1959 Cadillac Cyclone concept car. $6100 is equivalent to about $56,000 in 2021. Love the authenticity of the tires on this example ... though the polishing compound on the paint can be removed with a wet toothbrush.
Thank you for the facts about these DeVille's! They could come in handy for future videos 😎 Thanks for watching!
WOW Chris, you have excelled!! What a FANTASTIC clip to watch!! I thoroughly enjoyed your informative & very entertaining video . . . I’m actually the very proud owner of a 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special myself that’s still in mint original condition like this blue beauty you featured here! Mine is finished in Olympic white with turquoise cloth & leather trim which looks absolutely stunning.
I live in Australia so these stunning ‘60’s Caddies are a rare beast over here. I hope you feature more beautiful classics mate, I’ll be keeping an eye out for you!! 👍😉
Thank you so much, David! I'm so glad you liked the video. And wow that is a beautiful car you have!! I'd love to review a Fleetwood from this era someday, they are very special cars. And I'm sure it is a rare sight to behold in Australia! Did you ship the car there yourself? Thank you so much for watching the video, I'll be sure to bring more as often as I can 😁
Found this:
In short, (pardon the pun) there was no Series 62 Town Sedan offered in 1961. The only "compact" model is properly called the Sedan deVille short deck and it received "deVille" front fender script. "Town Sedan" and "Park Avenue" monikers were not used until 1962.
The short deck cars fetch a premium because of the rarity.
This agrees with the description in the 1961 dealer brochure. It's simply called the "short deck", and according to Standard Catalog of Cadillac 1903-2000 the short deck bore model no. 61-63C and body style, 6399C, which are distinct from the other body styles.
Thanks for letting us know! That makes sense why it was just called the short deck
Best car review yet on this channel
I really appreciate that 😁 I am very proud of this video!
Excellent review! It just hit me that you’re the same guy that reviewed the 1976 Fleetwood Series 75, after seeing the Ohio plates and your house.
Thank you! And that's correct 😁 I'm glad you've seen several videos from the channel and enjoyed them!
Marvelous car, stunning interior quality, texture and material quality. Something went terribly wrong at some stage for Cadillac in perceived quality. Was it in the late sixties? Or when did it happen? If they had kept their eyes on the ball quality wise they would have had a much better chance against the brands like Mercedes and BMW. It has been argued that the increase of gasoline prices in the1970 was what started Cadillacs decline. Personally I believe a lack of quality in later models was the main reason.
I agree, quality certainly played a role in Cadillac's downfall. I, personally, believe that some downgrades in quality started in the late 60's which in many ways resemble similar interiors as 70's Cadillacs. But, build quality in general worsened throughout the 70's. Thanks for watching the video!
GM's rectangular-head ignition key replaced the octagonal ones in '69, when locking steering columns were introduced, followed quickly by inside hood releases. The national crime wave started in 1965, the same year the number of births plummeted, but it took a few years for Detroit to react. Funny what young people take for granted versus what we boomers did, like passenger side door locks. I didn't notice when they disappeared because we'd all gone remote. But fender turn signals were cool back then, too, with a nice clunk-clunk sound inside.
Ah that's good to know about the keys, someone else had a similar thought but wasn't sure if that's when the keys shifted to their square shape. It definitely is amazing what changes occur and for what reasons. Thanks for watching the video, Ralph!
Nick has a great start to a fantastic collection. He’s so smart & talented & you have done a fantastic job of detailing his car, James.
He certainly does! He also has a beautiful '69 DeVille which I'd love to bring to the channel someday 😁 Thank you so much, Tony!!
@@JW_Reviews that Sedan deVille is gorgeous! Love that he’s keeping it in the family.
James, the “ V” logo also imparted Cadillac’s signature V8! Great video & new subscriber!👍🏻
Ah I didn't think of that, very true! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing to the channel, I really appreciate the support 😁
James- Can't tell you how much I enjoyed this video! Easily the best review I've seen of a car from this era. As the current owner of both a '61 Olds 98 and a '61 Olds Starfire, it was fascinating to see some of the shared styling and mechanical traits, such as color-coordinated wheelcovers, external hood releases, horn buttons, and even the skeg.
Your observations on the 4-wheel drum brakes were spot-on, too.
FWIW, AC was a very expensive option back then- one that approached 10% of the price of the car. It was a big deal to have AC...
Thanks for a great job from a new subscriber!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! And I'm honored knowing this is your favorite of reviews of cars from this era 😁 And those are very nice cars you have! I do like Oldsmobiles from that era but haven't had much experience with them, hopefully that'll change someday soon! Thank you so much for subscribing and watching the video. I really appreciate the support!
Probably The Most Iconic Caddy that Epitomizes Cadillac.
Great review of an amazing car. Out of curiosity, I checked the price in today's dollars. It comes out to about $55,000 today. Thanks for the review.
Thank you, Joe! And that's astounding to imagine the price change. Actually, it's not a crazy amount of money considering how much car you get haha. Thanks for watching the video, Joe!
Seems appropriate.
But today’s $55k Vic,
Will be worth $7k in five years
&
Kill you on repairs.
This one WON’T💡
Privately, I feel THAT’S the reason kids like this
Are talking older cars.
👉🏽THEY’VE “DONE THE MATH” 💵
Brand news cars depreciate like MILK!
These are the only value in vehicles,
Unless you buy a commercial van/truck.
All others steal your money.
My Dad had a 1961 Town Sedan deVille. 390 engine, it was a great car. He bought it used in 1969 IIRC, and when he drove my brother and me to school in it the first time, everyone at school were jealous lol
It's great reliving one of my favorite vehicles, I would love to have a 61 Coupe deVille convertible.
Also, since it was the Town deVille, it was the 6 window type.
Where did you find this gorgeous car? What an awesome ride and a great review! They sure don't make cars like this anymore, what a shame. 👏👍
A friend of mine who belongs to my local Cadillac club was nice enough to let me borrow the car to make the video. I'm glad you liked the video, and it is amazing how different and incredible this car is compared to most modern cars. Thanks for watching the video, Jeremiah!
I LOVE Cadillacs! Finding parts however is a frustrating experience. I find it easier to find parts for my Studebaker, and that's saying something!
I'm amazed how difficult it is to find parts! We fortunately found a Cadillac expert who has barns full of many years of Cadillac parts. Maybe you'd have luck on websites specifically selling Cadillac parts? Thanks for watching the video, Ronald!
By the by, thank you for your excellent videos! They brought back some fond memories. I really miss my Fleetwood (The bloody Queen, or just Queen) and my Coupe DeVille (Princess). Both died from lack of minor parts and my inability to do the work they needed. I moved on to Studebakers because of a better supply of parts.
😍 Magnificent Cadillac 💙
It certainly is 😁
What a beauty: when cars were cars. Thank you, EPA…. Apparently this car has been fully restored. Absolutely beautiful.
I love the way you smile so hapily while driving the car! BTW it's pronounced BE-A-RITZ.
Thank you! It's impossible to not smile while being around one of these 😁 Thanks for watching, Robert!
One last piece of iminuthia this was the first year to have overlapping windshield wipers to cover more window area it allowed the blades to be much longer than the previous years
Good to know, thank you!
Great review. I love everything that you highlight about the car. The drone shots at the end gave this video the finishing touches. Excellent work!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the video 😁
A great presentation of a gorgeous car! Brought back memories of my 1961 Buick Electra 225 4DR hardtop. Mine had A/C. Thanks!
Thank you, Lon! Glad it brought back some memories of such a special Buick 😁
Great review of the 61 Caddy! My mom had the same model in a champagne color. One item you didn’t mention unless I missed it, the hubcaps always had color keyed inserts that matched the body color.
You really go to great extents to show the car features and design. Kudos, keep up the great work. I think you give the most entertaining car reviews of anyone.
Thank you, Tom! Hmm is that where the wheel cover paint matches that of the body color? I'm glad you liked the video, I really appreciate the nice comments and continued support 😁
@@JW_Reviews Correct James, hubcap paint inserts match the body color.
Good review, James. That is an exceptional example of the 1961 model, which has always been my favorite. Did you know that Cadillac made a short deck version of this car called the Park Avenue? Some people preferred a smaller Cadillac, but not many. They discontinued it after just a few years.
Thank you, Kenny! I did know that they made a short deck version (I forgot to mention it in the video) but I had no idea they called it a park avenue. Sounds like Buick took that name from Cadillac! I'm not surprised it was discontinued, it probably didn't sell very well.
@@JW_Reviews In fact, those short deck Cadillacs were offered specifically (so I read) to accommodate San Francisco residents with garages built for smaller vehicles.
@@JW_Reviews
Park Avenue was a Buick model.
Cadillac didn’t make different cars for SF buyers.