Cadillac Sixty special problems
The Cadillac Sixty Special is a name used by Cadillac to denote a special model since the 1938 Harley Earl–Bill Mitchell–designed extended wheelbase derivative of the Series 60, often referred to as the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Sixty Special designation was reserved for some of Cadillac's most luxurious vehicles. It was offered as a four-door sedan and briefly as a four-door hardtop. This exclusivity was reflected in the introduction of the exclusive Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham d'Elegance in 1973 and the Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham Talisman in 1974, and it was offered as one trim package below the Series 70 limousine. The Sixty Special name was temporarily retired in 1976 but returned again in 1987 and continued through 1993.
1938–1941
In 1938 the Harley Earl-Bill Mitchell designed Sixty Special replaced the Series 65, slotting it between Cadillac's entry level line, the "Series 60", and the "Senior" large-bodied Series 70 Cadillacs. Although all first-generation 60 Specials were built at the Fleetwood Plant, the 60 Special was marketed as a Fisher Body car in 1938 and 1939.
The new four-door sedan, designed to look like a convertible sedan, showcased trend-setting features including a completely integrated, coupe-like trunk (which launched "three-box" sedan styling); no running boards (which all makes soon followed); convertible-style doors with bright metal window frames (Bill Mitchell called the '38 60 Special "the first hardtop"); a "four-window" canopy with more glass area than any Cadillac before; a steeply-raked windshield and four front-hinged doors. Contrary to what was then prevailing practice for luxury automobiles, the new Sixty Special was intended as an owner-driven car, rather than a chauffeur-driven one.
It was built on a 127.0-inch (3,230 mm) wheelbase - 3-inch (76 mm) longer than the standard Series 60 cars. The new Sixty Special utilized a unique "X" frame underneath, which allowed the 4,170 lb (1,890 kg). car to sit within its frame. This not only gave the new Cadillac the stiffest chassis on the market, but it was also 3 inches lower than other Cadillacs - with no sacrifice in headroom. The disappearance of running boards along the side and its lack of a heavy belt line molding made the sleek car appear even lower. More important, it allowed shoulder and hip room to increase by over 5 inches without an increase in overall width. When combined with the brand-new column-mounted shift lever, the cars offered true six passenger comfort. The Sixty Special was powered by Cadillac's standard 130 hp (97 kW), 346 cu in (5.67 L) V8 engine.
In its debut year, 3,703 Sixty Specials were delivered, at a base cost of US$2,090 ($45,780 in 2023 dollars ) - it was a success in every measure. The new Sixty Special outsold every other Cadillac model in its first year accounting for 39% of all Cadillacs sold. In 1938, aside from the standard 4-door sedan, two prototype models were built on the Sixty Special body - two very dashing four-door convertibles (one owned by GM executive, Larry Fisher, which was demolished by Harley Earl in a traffic accident and one sent to Europe, which was later recalled and consumed by GM Engineering in structural tests in preparation for the 1940 "Torpedo" bodies), plus one Sixty-Special coupe (driven personally for two years by GM President, Bill Knudsen).
A not well-received new front end, which was patterned on the Lincoln Zephyr and lacked the visual punch expected by Cadillac buyers, a modest change in trim level, and some new options appeared for Sixty Special in 1939. First among the new options was a retractable metal panel above the front seat called a "Sunshine Turret-Top Roof", a predecessor to the type of sunroof that would not become more commonplace until the mid-1970s. The sliding roof, patented by GM's Ternstedt Hardware division, was unlatched and slid back into a recess built into the rear portion of the main roof where it would lock in place. Second was an optional retractable division glass in between the front and rear seats. This partition did not have a header in the roof, only channels between the door posts for the retractable glass to travel. The 1938 price of $2,090 remained for 1939 as well. More than 5,500 Sixty Specials were built for 1939, accounting for 40% of all Cadillacs sold, but only 280 of them were equipped with the sun roof option (of those 280 sun roof optioned cars, 55 of them were also equipped with the retractable glass partition). Special orders in 1939 included a convertible sedan built on the Sixty Special chassis for Prince Frederik of Denmark.
Starting in 1940, and for the remainder of its existence, the Sixty Special would be Fleetwood marketed, enjoying higher-priced molding, trim and upholstery like the Series 75 and 90. Thus it took over the Series 70's place, which was dropped for the 1938 model year, as Cadillac's most luxurious owner-driven large model, a role it would fill through 1976. For 1940, the price (for the third year in a row) and general styling remained the same, with only modest trim changes. Of special note is that 1940 was the last year that side-mounted spare tires (optional on all Cadillacs, including Sixty Special) were offered. The Sixty Special line expanded to four models this year: Touring Sedan (the base model), Imperial sedan (priced at $2,230, it featured a retractable glass partition between the front and rear seats), and two open-front Town Car models (one style with a painted roof, the other with a leather-covered roof). These two very formal cars had a removable roof section over the front seat and a glass division window. Of the Sixty Specials built in 1940, 4,242 of them were the Touring model. There were 113 Imperials (including 3 that were also equipped with the sun roof), and lastly, only 15 Town Car models. Of the 15, 9 had the painted metal roof (priced at $3,465), and 6 were the formal leather-covered roof version (priced at $3,820).
1941 was the last year of Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell's original Sixty Special design, as an all-new 1942 model was in the works. Many consider the 1941 to the most beautiful of this series, though Mitchell himself favored the clean lines of the original 1938 model. For the first time, Cadillac had its own front end design—the wider than high "tombstone" grille with a forward-jutting center section flanked by flat side sections — that would identify Cadillacs for years to come; the new grille appeared as a horizontally-oriented rectangle when viewed head-on hence the nickname. Other changes were longer front fenders that terminated with extension caps attached to the front doors, fully engulfed the lowered, widely positioned headlights and (in concert with a new hood) filled the formerly vacant area adjacent to the engine compartment; the rear fenders now held full skirts as standard. For 1941, the wheelbase was reduced by 1 inch (25 mm), down to 126 in (3,200 mm). Sixty Specials showed a $105 price increase (for the first time) to $2,195. Power was still supplied by the same 346 cu in (5.67 L) Cadillac engine as before, but was now rated at 150 hp (110 kW). Production totals include 3,878 Touring sedans (including 185 with the sun roof option), and 220 Imperial sedans (now priced at $2,345). Only 1 Sixty Special Town Car was made this year and used on the auto show circuit before being purchased by film director, Cecil B. DeMille. Featuring the leather-covered roof, it was the last one to come from Cadillac-Fleetwood.
There were nearly 17,900 Sixty Specials made from 1938 to 1941, including about a dozen custom bodied versions.
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Cadillac Sixty special model years
Common Cadillac Sixty special problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Cadillac Sixty Special cars, several common problems have been identified:
- Rust Issues: Owners have reported rust problems on various parts of the Cadillac Sixty Special, particularly around the rear left side and other areas prone to corrosion. Rust can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle and affect its overall appearance. Regular inspections and rust-proofing treatments are recommended to prevent this issue.
- Electrical System Malfunctions: Some owners have experienced electrical system malfunctions in the Cadillac Sixty Special, leading to issues with power windows, lighting, and other electrical components. These problems can be challenging to diagnose and repair, often requiring the expertise of a qualified mechanic to address wiring issues or faulty components.
- Suspension and Steering Concerns: Complaints have been made about suspension and steering problems in the Cadillac Sixty Special, including issues with the ride quality, steering responsiveness, and alignment. Common complaints include vibrations, clunking noises, and uneven tire wear. Proper maintenance of the suspension system and regular wheel alignments can help prevent these issues.
- Transmission Troubles: Some owners have reported transmission problems with the Cadillac Sixty Special, such as slipping gears, rough shifting, or complete transmission failure. Transmission issues can be costly to repair, so regular fluid checks, servicing, and prompt attention to any signs of trouble are essential to maintain the transmission's longevity.
- Cooling System Challenges: Cooling system problems, including overheating and coolant leaks, have been highlighted by Cadillac Sixty Special owners. Issues with the radiator, water pump, or thermostat can lead to engine overheating and potential damage. Regular coolant checks, proper maintenance of cooling system components, and addressing any leaks promptly are crucial to prevent overheating issues.
By addressing these common problems proactively through regular maintenance, inspections, and timely repairs, Cadillac Sixty Special owners can enhance the reliability and longevity of their vehicles.
How much is a Cadillac Sixty Special?
The average Cadillac Sixty Special costs about $46,995.00.
How long is a 1958 Cadillac Sixty Special?
1957–1958
| Sixth generation | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 133.0 in (3,378 mm) |
| Length | 1957: 224.4 in (5,700 mm) 1958: 225.3 in (5,723 mm) |
| Width | 80.0 in (2,032 mm) |
What car is the poor man's Cadillac?
1957 CHEVROLET EL MOROCCO CONVERTIBLE. Lot #1356 - The rarest of the 1957 Chevys, the "Poor Man's Cadillac." Reuben Allender envisioned a Chevy "Bel Air Brougham" for the blue-collar luxury customer.
Is the 1993 Cadillac Sixty Special reliable?
The 1993 Cadillac Sixty Special receives an average consumer rating of 5 overall and a 5 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Cadillac Sixty special years
We have researched Cadillac problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Cadillac Sixty special cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Cadillac Sixty special model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Cadillac Sixty special model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Cadillac Sixty special years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Cadillac Sixty special car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Cadillac Sixty special , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Steering problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Cadillac Sixty special vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Cadillac Sixty special . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Cadillac Sixty special vehicles.
List of Cadillac Sixty special complaints
Cadillac Sixty special 1993
- Date Of Incident: 2009-04-21
- Date Complaint: 2009-04-24
- VIN: 1G6CB53B4P4
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CADILLAC SIXTY SPECIAL. THE CONTACT STATED HE WENT TO GET HIS TRANSMISSION LINE REPLACE AND THEY PUT THE NEW TRANSMISSION LINE IN BUT THEY BENT THE LINE SO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL NOT FLOW THROUGH PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE REPAIRED AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NEVER CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 125,000.
Cadillac Sixty special 1993
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-25
- Date Complaint: 1998-06-13
- VIN: 1G6CB53B9P4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH, ON A RAINY CONDITION, WHEN SHE NOTICE A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING AND A LIGHT SMOKE COMING BETWEEN STEERING COLUMN AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. DEALER NOTIFIED.
Cadillac Sixty special 1993
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-25
- Date Complaint: 1998-06-10
- VIN: 1G6CB53B9P4
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS TURNING OFF FREEWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND NOTICED LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM STREERING COLUMN AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Recalls Cadillac Sixty special
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Cadillac Sixty special.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Cadillac Sixty special 1993
- Report Received Date: 1994-10-13
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE TRANSAXLE END OF THE LINE ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF SEPARATION OF THE COUPLING, AN OIL LEAK CAN OCCUR WHICH, WHEN EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UPPER TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER LINE TO THE TRANSAXLE.
Latest negative Cadillac Sixty special car reviews
Are you having problems with your Cadillac Sixty special?
Dario Rohan 2024-05-27
Vehicle year: 1993
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be replacing my car soon. I've had my current car for 12 years and it's been great, but the engine is getting tired and it has a lot of miles on it. I'm in the market for a newer vehicle and I'm really excited about the prospect of getting something new. I'm considering either a Cadillac or a GMC Sierra truck, but I have to say, I really enjoy my Chrysler. It gets 20 miles to the gallon on the highway, which is pretty impressive for an American-made car. Overall, I think my Chrysler has been a great investment and I'm looking forward to finding a new car that will be just as reliable and enjoyable to drive. Thanks for listening!