A Brief History of Vintage Cadillacs

Cadillac, founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, quickly became synonymous with luxury, innovation, and American prestige. Named after the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the brand distinguished itself early with its precision engineering—so much so that it won the prestigious Dewar Trophy in 1908 for setting the standard of interchangeable parts.

Through the 1920s and 1930s, Cadillac solidified its reputation with elegant, custom-bodied vehicles and pioneering technology, such as the first mass-produced V8 engine in 1915. During the Great Depression, Cadillac managed to survive by broadening its appeal without sacrificing luxury.

The post-World War II era ushered in Cadillac’s golden age. Models like the 1948 Series 62 introduced the now-iconic tailfin, inspired by wartime aircraft design. Throughout the 1950s, Cadillacs became larger, flashier, and even more luxurious—highlighted by models like the 1959 Eldorado, famous for its towering fins and lavish chrome details.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Cadillacs maintained their dominance with powerful V8 engines, smooth rides, and technological advancements such as automatic climate control and power everything. The designs matured into clean, stately forms, emphasizing understated opulence.

Vintage Cadillacs—from the Art Deco elegance of the 1930s to the extravagant fins of the 1950s—remain cherished symbols of American automotive artistry, admired for their craftsmanship, bold styling, and historic influence on luxury car design.

Here’s a timeline of iconic vintage Cadillacs:

1902 — Cadillac Founded

Cadillac Motor Car Company is established in Detroit, Michigan.

1915 — Cadillac Type 51

Introduces the first mass-produced V8 engine, setting a new standard for performance.

1927 — LaSalle Introduced

A companion marque to Cadillac, designed by Harley Earl, bringing stylish design to luxury cars.

1930 — Cadillac V16

Launches the world’s first production V16 engine; ultimate luxury for the wealthy elite.

1941 — Series 62

Debuts a sleek, modern look and automatic transmission as an option—a major innovation.

1948 — First Tailfins (Series 62)

Small rear fins appear, inspired by WWII fighter planes, starting a major design trend.

1953 — Eldorado Convertible

Cadillac introduces the luxurious Eldorado, a limited-production convertible that becomes a status symbol.

1957 — Eldorado Brougham

A hand-built, ultra-luxury model packed with technology like memory seats and automatic trunk opening.

1959 — Eldorado and Series 62

Features the largest and most dramatic tailfins ever, making the ’59 Cadillac an American icon.

1965 — Calais and DeVille

Clean, powerful designs emerge, focusing more on understated luxury with technological refinements.

1970 — Fleetwood Eldorado

Cadillac’s first front-wheel-drive Eldorado coupe combines powerful performance with high-end luxury.

Each of these models helped define the Cadillac brand and left a lasting impression on automotive history.