A Brief History of the 1963 Cadillac
The 1961 Cadillac was all-new and while it retained its traditional Cadillac styling cues, it was dramatically updated with crisp, lean bodies, subdued fins and styling flourishes, following much of the design of the limited production 1960 Eldorado Broughams styled by Pinninfarina in Italy. In some ways the 1961 Cads set the trends for automotive design in the 1960s. The heaviness of the 1959-60 Cads was gone, as was the reversed a pillars. Instead, rear slanting A-pillars eliminated the wrapping windshields so predominant in the 1950s. All models had light C-pillars with a lot of glass for a lithe feel to the top. The 1961-62 Cads were called “four finners” with the rear acquiring an extra fin along the bottom of the rear fenders. With a mild facelift in 1962, for 1963 the Cadillac was cleaned up some more. Body sculpturing was simplified. The lower protruding fins were eliminated, and the coupes received a heavier, and more formal, heavier top gave the coupes especially a distinguished look separating it from all previous designs. Over 140 options were available, giving every Cadillac customer the ability to almost build a custom Cadillac for themselves. In 1965 another complete redesign would bring a heavier-looking Cadillac.
1963 Cadillac
A further simplification of the body included extending the front end and trimming the rear fins, while also eliminating the lower fins that jutted out from the rear rockers. The grille was raised into the peak of the hood with the headlights raised and surrounded by body-color sheetmetal. Wool, leather, and nylon upholstery were options, and “Climate Control” which kept the interior at a pre-selected temperature year-round was introduced. A new engine that retained the previous dimensions and horsepower ratings from previous years was also new this year.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1963
- Body Style
- 62-Eldorado Biarritz
- 62-Convertible
- Sixty-Two Two-Door Coupe
- Sixty-Two Four-Door Sedan, Six Window
- Sixty-Two Four Door Sedan, Four Window
- 62-Coupe Deville
- 62-Sedan Deville, Six Window
- 62-Sedan Deville, Four Window
- 60-Fleetwood Sixty Special
- 75-Fleetwood Sedan
- 75-Fleetwood Limousine
- 75-Commercial Chassis
- Engine Options
- 390ci-4bbl, 325hp
1963 Cadillac VIN Decoder:
First and Second Characters: Year
Third Character: Body Style
- B ~ Sedan Deville, 4-Window
- D ~ Sedan Deville, Park Avenue
- K ~ Sixty Two Sedan, 6-Window
- G ~ Sixty Two Coupe
- F ~ Convertible
- L ~ Sedan Deville, 6-Window
- J ~ Coupe Deville
- E ~ Eldorado Biarritz
- M ~ Fleetwood Sixty Special
- N ~ Sixty-Two Sedan Hardtop, 4-Window
- R ~ Fleetwood 75 Sedan 9-Passenger
- S ~ Fleetwood 75 Limousine
- Z ~ Commerical
Fourth-Ninth Characters: Basic Production Numbers