1961 Cadillac - What Goes Up Must Come Down

For Cadillac's all new post war models, Harley Earl commissioned designer Frank Hershey to create an automobile based on the profile of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning. That aeronautic theme, as it were, was highlighted by "tail fins" on the upper rear quarter panels that became such a popular design element throughout the auto industry in 1950's, that Cadillac raised the height and length of them at least every three years to keep their fins larger or more ostentatious than those offered by any other manufacturer. 

Cadillac tail fins, which morphed into something that could best be described as "rocket tips" by 1957,  literally peaked in 1959. Starting in 1960, Cadillac's fins began a most merciful and graceful decline in "elevation". By 1965, on Cadillacs, for all intents and purposes, tail fins where gone.  

That subtle year to year decline in the size and angle of fins resulting, if not gloriously then serendipitously, in the 1961 Cadillac; in my humble opinion one of the most gorgeous automobiles ever created. Especially in two door guise like our blue mist subject. Personally, I think tail fins are ridiculous but a 1961 Cadillac would just a big Buick or an Oldsmobile, without them. 

When Harley Earl retired in 1958, one of the first things his replacement, Bill Mitchell did was tone down Cadillac's fins. However, rather than eliminate them in one fell swoop, Mitchell changed them subtlety, their "decent" evolutionary versus the sudden erection that was the design leap from 1956 to 1957 or the priapism that resulted in the goofy 1959 fins. The fins on the '60 were still comically high but for 1961 Cadillac models, something suddenly went right. If for only one year. The '61's tail fins still retained some of the fluidity of the 1959's while not being as horizontally bolt straight as the '62's. It works beautifully to compliment the overall look of the car; even if the aviation/aerospace theme is all but a foot note. If it's a cliche to say they don't build 'em like this anymore so be it. All I know is there's nothing on the road today as gratuitous of design as a 1961 Cadillac.

I'm not sure, honestly, if that's a good thing or not as I'm personally enamored with so few designs today despite the fact that modern automobiles are generally fantastic, bullet proof reliable, transportation devices. One thing that I am sure of is that you can't confuse this 1961 Cadillac with some plebeian, soul less although very dependable appliance; if for no other reason that the car is just so damn good looking.

It's been said that today, the sedan is dead or dying. One of the reasons for that is that people want more from their vehicles than said reliability; cars today, despite being rock solid, are, with some very few exceptions, boring. That's why buyers looking for more than just an appliance are flocking to cross overs because in addition to their dependability and practicality, "CUV's" offer something style wise that they can't find in a sedan. CUV's, for better or worse, have a soul. If the sedan has any chance of a future, and that's a big if, designers would best be suited to look to the incredible GM designs of the early 1960's for inspiration. Not so much to copy the designs or pay homage to them but to be inspired to add much needed chutzpah to whatever it is they're working on. Judging by what I've seen of upcoming 2017 models, they could learn a thing or two from the designs of the past.

Located along the south side of I-40 just west of the Amarillo city line, "Cadillac Ranch" is a roadside homage to the evolution of Cadillac tail fin design from 1949-1964. You're encouarged to deface them with spray paint. Spray cans in hand, my family and I stopped by during our south west driving trip in 2010 just prior to our move to Cleveland, Ohio.