62 Park Ave Caddy

Do any of you Caddy guys know why the body is 7" shorter? Was it a selling point of some sort? Other than the decklid being shorter is there anywhere else they made it shorter? Is the rear seating differant? ect ect. Any info would be helpfull.

 

"Series 62" Cadillacs were the "cheaper"models...the 'named' models: Eldorado, Coupe DeVille, etc. were more expensive, more luxurious, therefore larger...at least, that's the way I got it figured...may be right, may not be...!!!

R-

 

There are other 62 series that are full length at 222" the Park was only 215"

 

http://100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1960/cad62d.htm

Shorter decked DeVille

 

i think they were shorter to fit in the garages of the exploding suburban homes at the time.

caddillac to fit in everyones garage not just the well off

 

BTTT for the morning gang. Thanks for info so for. I have searched info thru search engines already. What I'm really after is some personal info that anyone may have since searches just give me what I already know.

 

I have a friend with a 61 Town Sedan. The Life/Look mag ad said it was built with a slightly shorter deck to make it easier to manuver in big city traffic & to fit in short inner city garages.
Al

 

I didn't know they made shorter deck Cadillacs, did that start in '61?

 

Thanks Cadillac Al, thats something I have not come across yet.

 

I was told it is the 'sport' model. They didn't make very many. I only saw one recently.

 

The 'short deck' Park Avenue or Town Sedan is only shorter in the trunk area. The interior, seats, doors, etc. are all the same as the regular sedans.

 

Years ago a friend loaned me his copy of the 1958 Cadillac "dealer book" as reference for a model project. The book showed all the colors, upholstery, features and benefits of the various models, including the short deck "Park Avenue" 4DHT and the Eldorado Brougham.

According to Cadillac, the main benefit of the short deck sedan was (as "Cadillac Al" stated above) was better maneuverability in traffic in addition to better parkability on the street. But as I recall there wasn't necessarily a downgrade in the trim from the regular model, though I don't remember if it was equivalent to the "Deville" series or the standard "62" series.

I'm pretty sure there were "short deck" cars in '57, and possibly earlier. Hope that helps.

 

i have seen some adds for them advertising them for easier maneuvering in the new york parking garages and fitting into spaces easier. for the elite business man!

i have a 61 myself.

 

It's been mentioned a few times already, but all the reading I'd ever done had said that the Park Avenue was built to be easier to manuver and park in big city type settings. They didn't make many of them, I guess most people weren't interested in a Caddy that was easy to parallel park. They've got a real unique look. I know they have a shorter overall length.. And I'm pretty sure the wheelbase is shorter too.. Not sure on that though. I am sure though that the trim level was at least on par with the mid to top level caddy's of the day.

 

Keep it come'n, this is good. Thanks

 

This is correct from their marketing view. In order to make it that much easier to get around somewhere like "Park Avenue". Style wise I think thy look really kool. The interiors were a bit more lush, options were plenty, basically meant to appeal to the crowd it was named after.

 

Interesting. Never heard of such a Cadillac.

 

Just don't tell your date it's 7" shorter

 

Being employed at Saint Claire Motor Co. at the time, I can only attest to some conversation (backed up by New Car Brochure) between the Sales Manager and every year customer Henry Sutcliffe Coe. (Calif. State Park namesake!)
Joe told Mr. Coe the main advantage of the Park Avenue was "the ease of parking, not to mention agility in traffic"...
It was illustrated in the color brochure, "no 'wasted' trunk space, compact length, yet retains the premium Cadillac wheelbase."

I had just bought a '61 Ford Starliner, otherwise it would have been a white Park Avenue.
(yeah, I was gonna drop it. And lightly scallop it.)

 

It's hard to believe that a stock wheelbase Cadillac sedan with 7" cut out of the trunk would be so agile in traffic.

Now, if you cut three feet out of the rear overhang it might start to look a little more like a quarterhorse than a clydesdale. I'd like to try that with a '63 or 64 that's already in bad shape.

 

one just sold here in Vegas for around 1500.

 

any pics of this caddy ?

 

Sorry no pics. This is a car that was brought to my attention thats for sale. And when I was told it was a Park Avenue I said Caddy does not make that. I was wrong and just got curius about the car.

 

The model carried into 63. Do a google image search for pics. Sometimes they also pop up on evilbay

 

model number 62-63 d
body style number 6389d
body type seating park ave 6pas sedan
fact price 5,631
shipping weight 4,655
production total 2,600
info from standard catalog of cadillac 1903-1990

 

Well got to see the car next to it's big brother. Everything is or I should say they both could be had with all the bells and whistles. So the Park is not a cheapy model, just short. As stated before in the thread it deck led is shorter and the 1/4's. You really can't see the differance until you park them side to side.