Cadillac history 1957

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1957 CADILLAC

SERIES 62

vertical bright metal moldings, just forward of the rear wheel openings, highlighted by seven horizontal windsplits.
At the upper end this fenderbreak trim joined a horizontal molding that ran along a conical flare extending forward from the taillamps.
A crest medallion was seen on the forward angled rear fins.
Coupe DeVilles and Sedan DeVilles had special nameplates on the front fenders.
Eldorados were further distinguished by the model name above a V-shaped rear deck ornament and on the front fenders.
The rear fender and deck contour was sleekly rounded and the wheel housing was trimmed with broad, sculptured stainless steel beauty panels.
Also seen were pointed, "shark" style fins pointing towards the back of the cars.
A three-section built-in front bumper was another exclusive trait of the two luxury cars, which came with a long list of standard accessories.

I. D. NUMBERS

Serial numbers and engine numbers were the same again.
They appeared
- on a boss on the front righthand face of the engine block;
- on the lubrication plate on the left front door pillar (1953-1957)
- and on the right frame side member behind the motor support.
The first pair of symbols were "57" to designate the model year.
The next two symbols indicated series as follows:
- "62" = Series 62 including Eldorado Specials
- "60" = Series 60 Fleetwood
- "70" = Series 70 Eldorado Brougham
- "75" = Series 75 Fleetwood
The immediately following numbers, beginning at 00000 for each series, indicated the production sequence in consecutive order.
Ending numbers were the same for all series since the engines were installed in mixed production fashion.

Model Number	Body Style	Doors	Model	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
57-62	6239(X)	4-door	Hardtop Sedan	6	4713	4595	32,342
57-62	6239(X)	4-door	Export Sedan	6	4713	4595	384
57-62	6239DX	4-door	DeVille Hardtop	6	5188	4655	23,808
57-62	6237(X)	2-door	Hardtop Coupe	6	4609	4565	25,120
57-62	6237DX	2-door	Coupe DeVille	6	5048	4620	23,813
57-62	6267X	-	Convertible Coupe	6	5225	4730	9,000
57-62	62	-	Chassis only	-	-	-	1

The export sedan was shipped in CKD form to foreign countries.
The symbol "X" after Body Style Number in brackets indicates power windows optional
without brackets indicates this feature standard

SERIES 62 ENGINE

CHASSIS

CONVENIENCE ACCESSORIES

Hydra-Matic drive, power steering and power brakes were standard in all Cadillacs.
Many models (designated by non-bracketed "X" suffix in charts above) also had standard power window lifts.
Fore-and-Aft power seats were standard on the same models.
Six-Way power seats were regularly featured on Eldorados and Sixty Specials.
Air-conditioning, radios, heaters, etc. were optional on most other models (standard in Brougham) along with regular GM factory and dealer installed extras.

HISTORICAL

The 1957 Eldorado Brougham was designed to compete with the Lincoln-Continental Mark II.
The new dual quad headlamps seen on the Brougham were illegal in some states during 1957.
The Brougham air suspension system proved unreliable and Cadillac later released a kit to convert cars to rear coil spring type suspension.
This makes Broughams with the feature rarer and more valuable today.
The Brougham is a certified Milestone Car.
Series 62 sedans were short-deck models with trunks five inches shorter than 60S sedans.
Ball joint suspension was a new technical feature adopted this year.
Model year sales amounted to 146,841 deliveries earning Cadillac Division ninth industry ranking for two years in a row.

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03

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