6 of the Most Iconic Cadillac Models Throughout History

When you think luxury, Cadillac is one of the first brands that pops to mind—in fact, to this day, it’s common to say “the Cadillac of…” to refer to the finest example of something. 

You don’t get a reputation like that by crafting mediocre machines. For over 120 years now, Cadillac has been designing and building the absolute best of the best, and while some models have been more lauded than others, that’s one heck of a track record. 

At Step One Cadillac Fort Walton Beach, we take immense pride in being part of such a storied marque, so we figured we’d take a look at some of the most iconic past Cadillac cars. We don’t have time to go through all of the best Cadillac models over the years, but here are a few of our all-time favorites. 

1915 Cadillac Type 51

It’s hard to imagine a world without V8 engines, but just over 100 years ago, the concept was all but unheard of. That all changed when Cadillac introduced the Type 51, which is one of the first—if not the first—production V8 models ever introduced. In many ways, this car laid the groundwork for generations of future V8 engines, including the monster found under the hood of the current Cadillac CT5-V. 

The engine wasn’t the only innovation in this classic, though. It was also the first left-hand drive Cadillac. Then, the following year, it became the first mass-produced car to feature the modern gear shifter and clutch layout, which is standard in cars to this day. 

1930 Cadillac V-16 

As if eight cylinders wasn’t enough, a decade and a half later, Cadillac decided to outdo themselves again by creating an absolute monster V-16 engine. 

The Cadillac Sixteen was a massive hit when it was first introduced, thanks in part to the wide variety of body styles available. However, it saw a relatively short time in the limelight—production ceased just a decade later, partially due to the global changes brought about by WWII. Still, it remains one of the most highly regarded classic cars of the era, with auction prices sometimes reaching into the millions. 

1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

Very few automobiles are able to capture the design spirit of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s like the Coupe de Ville (and its sibling, the Eldorado). It’s exactly what you picture when you think about luxury cars of the era—massive fins, bullet-shaped taillights, fender skirts, two-tone roofs, and unlimited panache. 

The de Ville series was also made in a sedan body style, but for our money, nothing beats the style of the two-door. In later years, Cadillac decided to tone the styling down a bit, making the fins smaller and more aerodynamic, making the first-gen version one of the most recognizable vehicles of the century. 

1964 Cadillac Series 62 

The Series 62 had already been around for a while by the time the ‘60s rolled around, and the 1964 model was the last before it was dropped from the Cadillac lineup altogether. For its last year, they also beefed the V8 engine up to a 7.0-liter, making it an all-time prize for Cadillac collectors. 

One thing that really made the Series 62 great was its relative affordability. As Cadillac’s entry-level model, it allowed average American families to enjoy a taste of luxury and performance that no other automaker was quite able to match, and it paved the way for contemporary models like the Cadillac CT4. 

2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV 

Jumping ahead to the present century, we have the king of luxury full-size SUVs. 

The Escalade was great when it debuted in 1998, but it really hit its stride in its second generation when it introduced a third row, along with a heaping helping of cutting-edge comfort amenities like seatback-mounted display screens and seats with both heat and cool settings. 

To this day, the Escalade remains the absolute best high-end SUV for families thanks to its signature blend of roominess, power, and top-shelf amenities. 

2023 Cadillac LYRIQ

It took Cadillac a little longer than some to jump onto the electric vehicle train, but that’s only because they were busy perfecting the formula. The LYRIQ is everything you want out of a luxury EV, and it scooped up tons of awards in its inaugural year, including an Editor’s Choice Award from Car and Driver. 

Upon its debut, the LYRIQ offered over 300 miles of range thanks to the Ultium battery platform, and its performance has only gotten better in the couple short years that it’s been on the market. It may be a bit too soon to call it a “classic,” but the LYRIQ is sure to leave a lasting impression on automotive history. 

Lease the Cadillac LYRIQ Near Destin, FL

We may not have any Cadillac V-16s in stock at the moment, but we do have plenty of Cadillac LYRIQs for sale near Shalimar, FL, and our new car specials are priced to give you the best deals in the Panhandle. 

If you’re interested in test driving a piece of luxury car history, contact us online or give us a call today at (850) 344-1496.