Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this low-mileage 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special.
The phrase “Bahama Sand” evokes imagery of a beachfront vacation with a piña colada in hand and an umbrella overhead. That’s the official name for the color of this luxury car, and it provides a striking complement to the generous chrome trim, whitewall tires, and a hardtop body design. This Caddy is being offered via dealer consignment, and the auction ends tomorrow.
Design for this 223-inch-long sedan was led by automotive designer Bill Mitchell. He was the son of a Buick dealer and started sketching cars as a child. Later, he worked as an advertising illustrator before being recruited to General Motors by Harley Earl in 1935. And when Earl reached the mandatory retirement age of 65, Mitchell succeeded him and served as head of design at General Motors for almost 20 years (from 1958 through 1977). Over his career, Mitchell’s influence carried through to over 70 million vehicles produced by GM. Chances are, we have all admired his work at some point.
The Sixty Special model can be traced back to the Series 60 which initially came out in 1936. Today’s featured lengthy luxo-sedan came from a time when tailfins were becoming toned down from sky-high proportions after the 1950s. The silhouette looks long, low, and sleek, thanks to a four-door hardtop body style along with streamlined rear fender skirts. Sheetmetal design remained relatively consistent from 1961 through 1964, after which the C-body was modified to ride on a longer wheelbase as a pillared sedan.
Power for this Fleetwood comes from a 429cid OHV big-block V8 backed by a TH-400 three-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows 57,175 miles, and the seller says the number is accurate. The car is reportedly mechanically sound aside from the “Comfort Control” air conditioning system being low on refrigerant. Service history includes a rebuilt radiator, an upgraded electronic ignition system, and a tune-up in recent years.
With a name like Bahama Sand, you’ll think of every ride as a well-deserved vacation. And with a car this size, you can pack as much luggage as you like.
The auction for this 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special ends Friday, October 6, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
She is a beauty!