This car was designed under the direction of the great Bill Mitchell, who succeeded Harley Earl as vice-president of design for General Motors. Two legendary artists who sculpted some of the most beautiful cars ever built. When Mitchell retired in 1977, legendary GM design went with him until Ed Welburne worked on the 6th gen Camaro and gen 7 Corvette.
The Master at work... I must say that Charles really does bring back the enthusiasm of the era. Owners, would be owners and the general public back then must have felt these things. As true yesterday as they are today -- THANKS CHARLES!
I’m 70 and have loved this model since it was new. The styling echoed the Cadillac Firebird show car which i also went nuts for when i was a kid. By the late 60’s these finned cars were very passé, nobody wanted them and you could by them for nothing. I saw lots of them parked in lower class neighborhoods all beat up and rusted out and ready for the crusher where most of them went. Great to see this one in Concours quality, and those buckets are special.
This is and will always be my dream car. Back when Cadillac stood as the pinnacle of styling, ride, quality and cutting edge options. I ❤️ this car. Many pleasurable miles my friend.
Im in Australia & I own a 61 Cad Coupe de Ville . I absolutely love it . I’ve had hot rods , chevs & Aussie muscle cars & I must say nothing compares to riding in the Cadillac . It’s the epitome of cruising.
SPECTACULAR!!!! I've been around 50-60's Cadillacs all my life and have NEVER seen those bucket seats. Absolutely magnificient! You can tell that owner LOVES that thing, and so do I!!
Just a note to inform you the Eldorado’s had buckets in these years up to 66’ they were similar to Deville but changed in 67’. Buckets in a Deville I’ve never seen till now.
@@dontellgucci1117 Thanks for your comment. My family lived in Los Angles from the 30's. My father had an Eldorado convertible and a matching deVille convertible for mom every year of my entire childhood life from '56 through the 80's and I never once saw bucket seats. Father was a avid collector of Mercedes gullwings, T-birds and Corvettes but daily drove a new Eldo convertible every year. It was just his thing to have matching Cadillac convertibles, Eldo for him, deVille for mom. Older sisters drove Chevrolet convertibles and we never had less than 10-15 vehicles in the driveway. Car enthusiasts for sure, but never remember seeing buckets. Wow. Learn something new every day. Thanks again.
@Patrick PhippsPA I wonder if either your dad took delivery from dealer stock (and those were never ordered with the buckets) or perhaps he never ordered the buckets because you lost a spot in the front middle for another passenger. My family had 4 kids so my sister was always sitting in that spot.
That’s not just a car - it’s a rolling piece of art. Stunning from every angle. By the way, the DeVille script on the front fenders would have been referred to as a “typeface” back in the day. Thanks for sharing it with us!
I had a 61 Caddy identical to this one. Same color. No AC or bucket seats. It was my first car. My parents had owned it and gave it to me. I sold it around 1970 still in mint condition.
The nicest '61 I've ever seen. Not only loaded, but with a gorgeous color. The Palm Springs setting makes you picture one of the Rat-Pack driving this back in the day.
Here we go Charles Phoenix the good Lord made him Divine by Design for our pleasure$$ as usual Charles just hits it outta the park!!! This is one of his best. Thank you Charles
ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!! After the outrageous 59 and the whale 60, the 61 was and is just plain gorgeous...When I was a teen, a man used to cruise Central Ave in a 61 white convertible, with a lipstick red leather interior...and how I lusted for that car...even today.
Live it. We had the same model and color from my uncle who had unfortunately passed. My father bought the car in 64 and I grew up in it. Fond memories. We didn't have buckets though.
I would not be surprised if this is a 100 point car. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The bucket seat option is a mind blower. I doubt there were more than a handful ordered that way. This car may be the only surviving example. Did I already say "beautiful"?
Charles, you really do a great job of reminding us how awe-inspiring the design elements of these cars were. You have tapped into an aspect of automotive appreciation that no one else had the foresight to codify and encapsulate . . . I KNOW!
Without a doubt, the coolest era of Cadillac (sorry '59-'60 fans) and the one I'd really want to have. This is maybe the nicest car Charles has had on his channel. THANKS for posting!
This is drop dead gorgeous! Every line perfect sculpture. Our small town mayor in Antigonish, Nova Scotia had one of these. He was a geology professor at St. Francis Xavier University and full time mayor. The people called him Doc Rocks for obvious reasons. Cadillac was the best way to say I have a PHD and I'm in charge. Actually he was a beautiful man.
I think the 1961 Coupe DeVille and the Fleetwood are under appreciated. The first 1961 Coupe DeVille I ever noticed was one just like this one in the video except without the bucket seat option. I belonged to a woman named Nora. It was the same color. Her next new Cadillac was a 1966 Sedan DeVille, yellow with a black vinyl top and red leather interior. After that was her 1970 Coupe DeVille, gold with a black vinyl top and gold interior. Cadillac ownership implied something back then. Not anymore though. Too much competition now but in the day, Cadillac's could be head turners. I appreciate your appreciation of these classic years old Americana. Its dying.
Actually, 1958 was the last of the Harley Earl designs. He dad reached the GM corporate mandated 65yo retirement age in late 1958. The 1959s were Bill Mitchell's first designs in response to Chrysler's 1957 Forward-Look. These were done as a mini-coup while Earl was touring the European auto shows. This explains why the 1958 GM designs are a one-year-only design.
I owned a 61 Caddy Rag Top...she was same blue as this Coupe....my roof was white canvas power top.... my 1st car...she was 10 years old....good memories...
1961 Year of GM cutting the excess fat and trimmed all the full sized cars. And that didn’t last long. They all Grew back the excess. But that’s what makes being a car buff so entertaining. LOVE LOVE LOVE 💕 This Beauty WOW Charles!
Your enthusiasm for this car is appreciated. 1961 is my favorite year Caddy. This car has been beautifully restored. 1959 was the last year for the Autronic Eye headlight dimmer. Starting in 1960 the new smaller unit was called Guide-matic.
A classic in classic car heaven, Palm Springs. Add narration by Charles Phoenix and you have a national treasure of the highest order...behold the glory. I KNOW!
Beautiful presentation and the narrator is right out of an SNL skit. Unfortunately this flashy Cadillac can't compete with the subtle class of the incredible 1961 Lincoln.
I’m really LOVING 🥰 your Videos more and more!!! What I really LOVE ❤️, is that you really point out the SMALLEST details on these BEAUTIFUL cars!!!! Also, you seem like a FUN guy who seems to know & appreciate these FINE classic automobiles! Keep up the GREAT 👍 work!!!!! Tom, Staten Island, New York 😊
I have a game I play when watching your car reviews: each and every time you use the words, “devine” or “divinity,” I enjoy a martini. (Vodka and a twist, thank you very much.) Rarely am I sober when the credits roll. (I am not complaining, mind you.)
61 Imperial was garish, Lincoln boxy and square, now THIS... Rolling piece of art especially the coupe, King of luxury of the era, I'm not completely sure about the bottom fin, but the overall style here is very impressive!
Awe that rear end. Growing up in our neighborhood we had Tony and Stella whom owned the neighborhood store. Tony bought a 61’coupe Deville in white. That car truly was used for church on Sunday and nothing else. No miles and it’s still around. Whoever bought it shows it at the local car show’s.
Id love to drive a 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, blue and white two tone with that ~thing~ the '57 chevy does to two tone the side as well as separate the top and bottom colors with this boisterous guy telling me alllllll about how beauuuutiful my big blue cadillac is
Charles, you were rather, umm, excited. Were you by chance having a CARGASM?! Don't be ashamed. This Cadillac was exciting! An amazing automobile, a true piece of art on wheels. Almost as beautiful as you. I know 😄
I loved Cadillac's from the 60s but the 1961 to 1965 Lincoln Continental's were my favorites. Especially the 1961 with the recessed headlights. That 1961 redesign saved Lincoln. Olds 98s pillored Luxury Sedans and Buick Electra 225 from 1965 to 1970 were also up there on my list of American luxury cars. Nice memories of an era never to return in my lifetime. The Imperial was fine too. All those luxury cars were head turners.
I like the 1967 Lincoln Rag Top....I like how the roof folds down into the trunk for a flush clean look when top is down....Tbirds also did this with rag top models....too bad Cadillac didnt do this feature on their rag tops..... I owned a 61 Cad. 62 series rag top....my first car...she was 10 years old when I bought her....also owed a 64 Coupe Deville and a 67 Coupe deville back then....I have a 2018 XTS thats my daily driver...also have owned 92 Sedan Deville....2006 DTS....and had 84 Caddy Cimmeron....(night mare) car.....big mistake@@robertpace901
Charles, imagine baking a marble cake making a video on said cake and not cutting it open to see the marble. That’s what it’s like seeing these videos without you opening up the trunk, not to mention I wanna see the engines.
You give your descriptions such energy and feeling, just like the cars of the day. Love it! I also enjoy that you really research them or are a car nut since you do know what you are talking about. I was around back then, very young, but around. How many people actually know what a skeg is? Have been a car nut a long time. Thumbs up & subscribed.
When I started collecting cars in 1973 the Greatest Generation was unable to appreciate the styling peak that took place from 57 to 61. Now the Baby Boomers get to have their say. And what do we say ? Yes these are the most beautiful cars ever built ! Charles your series won`t be complete until you have covered the greatest two door hardtop of them all, the 59 Eldorado Seville !
Has any car looked more like a rocket ship 4:48 ? Wonder what the color is...periwinkle? Lilac? Maybe silver/blue/gray? Whatever it is it looks amazing in the late day light.
It looks like it could take off. That's is the epitome of a luxury coupe.
Whom ever designed those cars, they knew what they were doing... a master piece.
This car was designed under the direction of the great Bill Mitchell, who succeeded Harley Earl as vice-president of design for General Motors. Two legendary artists who sculpted some of the most beautiful cars ever built. When Mitchell retired in 1977, legendary GM design went with him until Ed Welburne worked on the 6th gen Camaro and gen 7 Corvette.
A lot of great designers had worked on the 61's. David Holls, Larry Shinoda, Ed Glowacke. I'm sure I missed more legends in the industry.
Charles is a master piece himself. I KNOW.
Hard to believe these were ever produced. Such glorious excess! 🚀✨🛸
The Master at work... I must say that Charles really does bring back the enthusiasm of the era. Owners, would be owners and the general public back then must have felt these things. As true yesterday as they are today -- THANKS CHARLES!
I’m 70 and have loved this model since it was new. The styling echoed the Cadillac Firebird show car which i also went nuts for when i was a kid. By the late 60’s these finned cars were very passé, nobody wanted them and you could by them for nothing. I saw lots of them parked in lower class neighborhoods all beat up and rusted out and ready for the crusher where most of them went. Great to see this one in Concours quality, and those buckets are special.
This is and will always be my dream car. Back when Cadillac stood as the pinnacle of styling, ride, quality and cutting edge options. I ❤️ this car. Many pleasurable miles my friend.
Exquisite!!! As if it just drove off the production line 😍
Im in Australia & I own a 61 Cad Coupe de Ville . I absolutely love it . I’ve had hot rods , chevs & Aussie muscle cars & I must say nothing compares to riding in the Cadillac . It’s the epitome of cruising.
One of the most beautiful, if not magnificent Cadillacs ever made.
Nobody... but nobody can describe a car as sumptuous as YOU Sir ! :-)
I know....
Those details...that colour...that shape...
I love how you say "and just in case you forget what kind of car you are driving..." That line kills me every time. :)
SPECTACULAR!!!! I've been around 50-60's Cadillacs all my life and have NEVER seen those bucket seats. Absolutely magnificient! You can tell that owner LOVES that thing, and so do I!!
Just a note to inform you the Eldorado’s had buckets in these years up to 66’ they were similar to Deville but changed in 67’. Buckets in a Deville I’ve never seen till now.
@@dontellgucci1117 Thanks for your comment. My family lived in Los Angles from the 30's. My father had an Eldorado convertible and a matching deVille convertible for mom every year of my entire childhood life from '56 through the 80's and I never once saw bucket seats. Father was a avid collector of Mercedes gullwings, T-birds and Corvettes but daily drove a new Eldo convertible every year. It was just his thing to have matching Cadillac convertibles, Eldo for him, deVille for mom. Older sisters drove Chevrolet convertibles and we never had less than 10-15 vehicles in the driveway. Car enthusiasts for sure, but never remember seeing buckets. Wow. Learn something new every day. Thanks again.
@Patrick PhippsPA I wonder if either your dad took delivery from dealer stock (and those were never ordered with the buckets) or perhaps he never ordered the buckets because you lost a spot in the front middle for another passenger. My family had 4 kids so my sister was always sitting in that spot.
That’s not just a car - it’s a rolling piece of art. Stunning from every angle. By the way, the DeVille script on the front fenders would have been referred to as a “typeface” back in the day. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Well done describing this work of art.
I love that car back in 1976 i was 16 and my uncle gave me his 1961 Cadillac i loved it didnt bucket seats miss it
Perhaps the most beautiful car ever produced!
This blue is the most gorgeous!
Space age styling is mesmerizing.
I had a 61 Caddy identical to this one. Same color. No AC or bucket seats. It was my first car. My parents had owned it and gave it to me. I sold it around 1970 still in mint condition.
The nicest '61 I've ever seen. Not only loaded, but with a gorgeous color. The Palm Springs setting makes you picture one of the Rat-Pack driving this back in the day.
Here we go Charles Phoenix the good Lord made him Divine by Design for our pleasure$$ as usual Charles just hits it outta the park!!! This is one of his best. Thank you Charles
You simply can't beat his description and intonation. He's the best of the BEST !
Thank YOU Charles! What a Gift !
Hi Henry, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
Your enthusiasm cannot be faked, no matter how high on drugs one might get.
How funny! I searched for 1661 Cadillac, clicked your vid and suddenly notice you're driving around in my neighborhood!
The styling is... perfect.
This guy SURELY has a way with words! 😄
Love these vids!
Wow, thanks!
ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!! After the outrageous 59 and the whale 60, the 61 was and is just plain gorgeous...When I was a teen, a man used to cruise Central Ave in a 61 white convertible, with a lipstick red leather interior...and how I lusted for that car...even today.
Live it. We had the same model and color from my uncle who had unfortunately passed. My father bought the car in 64 and I grew up in it. Fond memories. We didn't have buckets though.
ANOTHER BEAUTY, THAT COLOR IS PERFECT FOR ITS LINES!!!!
RALPH NADER LOVED THOSE KNIFE LIKE FINS--LOL!!
What a beautiful car!
This is a beautiful example of a well optioned Coupe de Ville!! From an era when Cadillacs were, well, CADILLACS 🙂
My father had one in the later 70's. I remember riding in it as a small child. The memories.
What can I say. Georgous car and super description. Love the deep announcer voice!!!!
I would not be surprised if this is a 100 point car. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The bucket seat option is a mind blower. I doubt there were more than a handful ordered that way. This car may be the only surviving example. Did I already say "beautiful"?
1961 was the first year that Lincoln outsold Cadillac mainly because of the outrageous styling of these Cadillacs but I LOVE them!
Charles, you really do a great job of reminding us how awe-inspiring the design elements of these cars were. You have tapped into an aspect of automotive appreciation that no one else had the foresight to codify and encapsulate . . . I KNOW!
Without a doubt, the coolest era of Cadillac (sorry '59-'60 fans) and the one I'd really want to have. This is maybe the nicest car Charles has had on his channel. THANKS for posting!
Thanks for watching Kaye Nine Two!
This is drop dead gorgeous! Every line perfect sculpture. Our small town mayor in Antigonish, Nova Scotia had one of these. He was a geology professor at St. Francis Xavier University and full time mayor. The people called him Doc Rocks for obvious reasons. Cadillac was the best way to say I have a PHD and I'm in charge. Actually he was a beautiful man.
I think the 1961 Coupe DeVille and the Fleetwood are under appreciated. The first 1961 Coupe DeVille I ever noticed was one just like this one in the video except without the bucket seat option. I belonged to a woman named Nora. It was the same color. Her next new Cadillac was a 1966 Sedan DeVille, yellow with a black vinyl top and red leather interior. After that was her 1970 Coupe DeVille, gold with a black vinyl top and gold interior. Cadillac ownership implied something back then. Not anymore though. Too much competition now but in the day, Cadillac's could be head turners. I appreciate your appreciation of these classic years old Americana. Its dying.
Even the houses around there are styled nice
Love the old Harley Earl designs. Mid-50s through early 60s... the most beautiful cars.
Actually, 1958 was the last of the Harley Earl designs. He dad reached the GM corporate mandated 65yo retirement age in late 1958.
The 1959s were Bill Mitchell's first designs in response to Chrysler's 1957 Forward-Look. These were done as a mini-coup while Earl was touring the European auto shows. This explains why the 1958 GM designs are a one-year-only design.
I love this video and that beautiful Coupe 'd Ville, "I know"!
Mr. Phoenix- the human thesaurus. You have phrase or word for everything. I love it. Beautiful mid-century modernity Cadillac.
This car would look great parked in front of one of the many beautiful mid-century modern houses in Palm Springs.
I owned a 61 Caddy Rag Top...she was same blue as this Coupe....my roof was white canvas power top.... my 1st car...she was 10 years old....good memories...
Had same was a eldorado had lot trouble with it but bucks today .
1961 Year of GM cutting the excess fat and trimmed all the full sized cars. And that didn’t last long. They all Grew back the excess. But that’s what makes being a car buff so entertaining. LOVE LOVE LOVE 💕 This Beauty WOW Charles!
Your enthusiasm for this car is appreciated. 1961 is my favorite year Caddy. This car has been beautifully restored. 1959 was the last year for the Autronic Eye headlight dimmer. Starting in 1960 the new smaller unit was called Guide-matic.
Awsome immaculate forward looking design, frankly a beauty.
A classic in classic car heaven, Palm Springs. Add narration by Charles Phoenix and you have a national treasure of the highest order...behold the glory. I KNOW!
THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR
Beautiful presentation and the narrator is right out of an SNL skit. Unfortunately this flashy Cadillac can't compete with the subtle class of the incredible 1961 Lincoln.
Exquisite is the best word for that car
Gorgeous!!
Great work boys! Loved this one!! 👍
Could very well be the greatest Joyride of all time!
Wow....A very rare interior option - first one I've ever seen with bucket seats. What a car! (Before the accountants ruined GM)
I’m really LOVING 🥰 your Videos more and more!!! What I really LOVE ❤️, is that you really point out the SMALLEST details on these BEAUTIFUL cars!!!! Also, you seem like a FUN guy who seems to know & appreciate these FINE classic automobiles! Keep up the GREAT 👍 work!!!!! Tom, Staten Island, New York 😊
Thank you !!!
I just found one here in Mexico 🇲🇽 and I wanted for me 😍
Exquisite!! And love the narration!!
Thank you kindly!
I have a game I play when watching your car reviews: each and every time you use the words, “devine” or “divinity,” I enjoy a martini. (Vodka and a twist, thank you very much.) Rarely am I sober when the credits roll. (I am not complaining, mind you.)
Love that!
61 Imperial was garish, Lincoln boxy and square, now THIS... Rolling piece of art especially the coupe, King of luxury of the era, I'm not completely sure about the bottom fin, but the overall style here is very impressive!
Love that bubble top!
Awesome video
It’s the car I would enjoy driving! It’s a beauty! ❤️
Awe that rear end. Growing up in our neighborhood we had Tony and Stella whom owned the neighborhood store. Tony bought a 61’coupe Deville in white. That car truly was used for church on Sunday and nothing else. No miles and it’s still around. Whoever bought it shows it at the local car show’s.
would LOVE to c it !!! ...
Masterpiece !! My fave yr.
Spirit of the space age....
Everyone is crazy for the 59/ 60's which are beautiful to be sure . But this thing is an etheral rocket ship ! I mean no bad angle.
WOW!...i want one😍....great color too.
Id love to drive a 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, blue and white two tone with that ~thing~ the '57 chevy does to two tone the side as well as separate the top and bottom colors with this boisterous guy telling me alllllll about how beauuuutiful my big blue cadillac is
Very amazing Words cannot did it justice
After Detroit's mostly gaudy and garish 1958-1960 years, they finally reel it back in for 1961.
Charles, you were rather, umm, excited. Were you by chance having a CARGASM?! Don't be ashamed. This Cadillac was exciting! An amazing automobile, a true piece of art on wheels. Almost as beautiful as you. I know 😄
Our neighbor had a white ragtop version of this when I was a kid.
Wow! Such a beautiful Cadillac 💙💙💙 I have a Cadillac collection but this one is missing in my Cadillac collection Lol 😭
I love the fact that it has an AM only radio. FM was not a big thing until the early 1970's.
But I think it was available starting in ‘63 or ‘64.
Cadillac ruled the USA roads back in the 60's ..... Imperial and Lincoln were her rivals ......These 3 American Luxury Car's were the triple crown
I loved Cadillac's from the 60s but the 1961 to 1965 Lincoln Continental's were my favorites. Especially the 1961 with the recessed headlights. That 1961 redesign saved Lincoln. Olds 98s pillored Luxury Sedans and Buick Electra 225 from 1965 to 1970 were also up there on my list of American luxury cars. Nice memories of an era never to return in my lifetime. The Imperial was fine too. All those luxury cars were head turners.
I like the 1967 Lincoln Rag Top....I like how the roof folds down into the trunk for a flush clean look when top is down....Tbirds also did this with rag top models....too bad Cadillac didnt do this feature on their rag tops..... I owned a 61 Cad. 62 series rag top....my first car...she was 10 years old when I bought her....also owed a 64 Coupe Deville and a 67 Coupe deville back then....I have a 2018 XTS thats my daily driver...also have owned 92 Sedan Deville....2006 DTS....and had 84 Caddy Cimmeron....(night mare) car.....big mistake@@robertpace901
How dramatic. Such a fan and yes mama is impressed.
Charles, imagine baking a marble cake making a video on said cake and not cutting it open to see the marble. That’s what it’s like seeing these videos without you opening up the trunk, not to mention I wanna see the engines.
Behold the glory!
How can you not LOVE his Presentation? The "I Knoooowww..... Ohhhhh ah Huh..!"
Good Lord - I need one!!! your descriptions are the best!
I almost feel like I'm in a Cadillac commercial...from 1961! LoL
Love your fluid commentary and love the sleek 60s styling
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching.
You give your descriptions such energy and feeling, just like the cars of the day. Love it! I also enjoy that you really research them or are a car nut since you do know what you are talking about. I was around back then, very young, but around. How many people actually know what a skeg is? Have been a car nut a long time. Thumbs up & subscribed.
Miss Thing getting VERY excited!
Americana at its finest. I'm blown away!
When I started collecting cars in 1973 the Greatest Generation was unable to appreciate the styling peak that took place from 57 to 61. Now the Baby Boomers get to have their say. And what do we say ? Yes these are the most beautiful cars ever built ! Charles your series won`t be complete until you have covered the greatest two door hardtop of them all, the 59 Eldorado Seville !
Geezers that's a freaking nice car.
I should say that Cadillac is the same age as I, but it looks better than I do! ☺️☺️
That's no poor mans Cadillac-he he he he he he!.John M Guinto
Has any car looked more like a rocket ship 4:48 ? Wonder what the color is...periwinkle? Lilac? Maybe silver/blue/gray? Whatever it is it looks amazing in the late day light.
"Taking off in a Coupe de Ville" (Kings of Leon in "Knocked Up")
The rear Quarter Panel is as long as a new Car of today !
you made my day!! (low...) for my pleasuuuure...
Omg! That car is so sexy!!! The fins and the color. Pure Americana
Crazy Man..Car Is Sweet ..Looks Like New...
A friend of my mom's bought a beautiful one just like this, same color, about 1963, she kept referring to it as a Packard LoL
Your videos are so much fun to watch!!
Glad you like them!
a rocket!!!! 🚀😄