4 May 2021
Cadillac Deville - A White Rhino in a Lion's World
The 1960 Series 62 Cadillac Coupe Deville Convertible. A car almost as long as its name. This car is the perfect example of a White Rhino in the car world. Big and heavy, unassuming, ..white..., awesome to look at..., and an extinct species.
Cars offer us so much more than HP and acceleration times, which we have forgotten in today's social-media influenced world.
We forget that there are more cars other than Porsche and ///M models (the "perfect" cars), ..and... EVs.
YouTube, Instagram, and even some journalists beyond social media are leaning so much on electric vehicles being "tHe CaRs oF tOmoRrO" that we have almost lost connection to one of the golden eras of global automotive history - '50s American Luxury Cars.
And while the White Rhino is extinct, Lions and heavy Cheetahs (EVs) have dominated. Teslas, Porsches and BMW M cars have taken over the spotlight, because they are "perfect" and do everything well, like the lion.
But, it is all an illusion.
Without focusing too much on the metaphor, the point is that what we call a classic car today, will always be better than what we will call "classic" in 20-30 years from now. A Mazda MX-5 NA is a classic if you ask me.. But:
The original Miata is too close to modern times. When the 1960's Cadillac was out, people had no conscience or care about fuel economy, light-weight, aerodynamic design, or clever engineering. They come from a time where you could have - and enjoy - being big, free, lazy, thirsty, white, and beautiful. Oh wait, no. A feminist would tell me that you can still be that today. Never mind.
I'm not saying Porsche's and ///M cars are bad - They are (almost all) amazing overall cars. But they do not bring out the respect or wonder that a classic '50s-'60s American Deville does. When this car came to Hellenic Spot Car Meet V, the white Deville Convertible drew everyone's attention. It is the car everyone remembers from that day. It is the one everyone secretly wishes they could just be in.
It is the car which just sits cool and steady next to a Corvette C6 ZO6 and says "ok kid, go play, I'll just chill here with your mom".
It is the grandpa who stood strong, looked good, and provided for the family in a time of scarce resources, while making them all feel like there are zero problems in the world - Very reflective of its time, as most mass-owned cars are.
The '50s American Luxury town-car ("de la ville") and every other car of that style and design is extinct because it brings out the envy of those who can't match up to how cool and demanding it is. You know who, the "safety and emissions concerns" people. Sure, they are slow, but I am talking about design and comfort. When people want big, beautiful cars in a time where words like "safety" and "eco-friendly" rule the rules, then you end up with 120hp FWD "Crossovers" (fat sissy city cars), or electric cars which are like massage seats. Lumpy electric boxes that try to make you feel special via a party-trick or two.
A big, slow V8 piece of man-made art may not be good for much on paper. But have you ever seen a vegan after they eat a real burger again? That purity is what we love.
Thankfully this Deville has an owner who can handle such a thirsty, big, heavy, and rare beast, and enjoys every bite, every time.
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