The Good Old Days

[David Cotton]

I was reading the recent article in Car an Driver on the 2016 Cadillac CTS. It speaks about Cadillac trying to redefine itself and be NON-TRADITIONAL in an attempt to distance itself from being" a purveyor of V-8–powered barges." It went on to say that they hope the CT6 will" further bury Cadillac’s old-school image in another area: its engine lineup. At least for the moment, there’s no V-8 to be found anywhere on the spec sheet".  EXCUSE ME- but what do they think made Cadillac THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD????? It was NOT small uni-body four and six cylinder heaps of plastic. It was large V-8 powered luxury sedans which were built on full frames with some of the most beautiful body lines ever put on any automobile.  All one has to do is look at the Cadillacs of the Fifities and Sixties- these were state of the art, innovative, Quality machines. True testament to this is the large number of these 50 plus year old Cadillacs still on the road today. It disgusts me how Cadillac can turn its back on the very heritage that made it so great to begin with. Cadillacs  lost its once lofty status when the bean counters took over. General Motors at one time actually did make the best car in the World, but they got complacent and allowed their quality to slip and the imports were more than happy to take over. The people who run Cadillac now have ZERO understanding of what a Cadillac is and what it represents. The utter contempt in which they talk about their "old image" is just sad and disturbing. Not all lovers of Traditional Cadillacs are old men with their pants pulled up to their elbows. This stereotype is nothing more than propaganda used to bolster their rejection of their own past. Men and Women from all age brackets love and adore the SIZE, STYLING, AND POWER of REAL CADILLACS. Go to any Classic Car Show and you will only hear people praise these Magnificent Examples Of Rolling Art. The Cadillac of today is trying so hard to be European, more like a Benz or BMW, instead of being ITSELF. What made them great is that Cadillac use to be unique and beautiful. Now they are non-distinctive and cookie cutter. The Age Of Class and Elegance in Automobile design is gone forever and the MORONS that run things now are dancing on its grave.

[Jason Edge]

I see the CT6 and some of the other newer offerings addressing Chris point "One sees a BMW today or a Mercedes, and even an Audi as a more sophisticated luxury car that command respect and show others that you are not only well off, but you have good taste and in a way progressive intelligent way.", head on.

I guess I've never understood what the alternative would be for the masses that condemn everything Cadillac is doing? This is 2015 and yes we could keep building the 1996 Fleetwood Brougham (arguably the last of the really great Big Cadillacs) and never changing it, and of course once that generation dies out just close shop for the Cadillac Brand.I think Cadillac has to reinvent itself, and it cannot do that by going back to something that worked 30 to 50 years ago that to be honest anyone 40 or under never witnessed first hand or can remember anyway. 

The one point I will agree on is QUALITY!   Any luxury car with popular styling that differentiates itself from the rest of the pack AND GREAT QUALITY, has a good chance to success.  I will live and die a fan of the Cadillac Brand and will be pulling for them all the way. I drive a 13 year old Escalade EXT as my daily driver and very proud to wear the Cadillac Badge and for me I find it funny, sad and ironic when I get preached at about my "inferior newer Cadillac".  

The problem is Cadillac lost a lot of its credibility with certain models over the past few decades, however, I do not think turning the clock back 30+ years is going to save Cadillac. I am extremely prejudiced about the 1963 & 64 Cadillacs and think it was their absolute peak in many ways, however, I have driven newer Cadillacs that I believe and know are great cars, and will always drive a Cadillac.

[David Cotton]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your comments. I agree with your point of view, especially how Cadillac use to be  ahead of the pack. When you said "Cadillac was first- with tons of quality, reliability, value and innovation, it really hit home. They were so far advanced over everyone else, then they become complacent and destroyed the brand. The sad truth is it appears that NO ONE at Cadillac today cares about Cadillac, its History or its Legacy.  They have turned their backs on the founding principles that made Cadillac so great. I actually recall an article I read on-line a few years back. The author said that 1964 was the last year Cadillac was innovative, ground breaking and superior to all others. "The 64 Cadillac is a very interesting car and an excellent Cadillac.  1964 introduced the first automatic air conditioner/heater (aka Comfort Control), and was the first year of the 429 – which was the second year of the new Cadillac V8 that replaced the original 331/365/390". I personally feel that Cadillac still made good cars in the late sixties and into the seventies, but after 1964 things started to change at Cadillac Motor Car Division. Only in very small ways but more and more every year that followed. Anyone recall the Cimarron ?
 Which was clearly a Chevrolet with a Cadillac name plate. I honestly feel if the people who ran Cadillac fifty, sixty, or seventy plus years ago could see what has become of it- they would be horrified.It has lost its way and may indeed die off like Pontiac and Oldsmobile- A very disturbing thought but a realistic one.

[David Cotton]

Well said Chris, I truly appreciate your comments. I could not agree more.

[Jason Edge]

My heart is of course with the 50's and 60's Cadillacs, but can find something endearing for just about any generation Cadillac.   Everyone has their own personal tastes which is I think is great. If we all liked the same thing it would be pretty boring.  For example I think the Escalade EXT (truck version) is the most versatile, functional Cadillac ever made. It gives you the Mid-Gate and other capabilities of the Avalanche, and the amenities of a Cadillac and as long as I can find a well maintained EXT as my daily driver they will probably forever be my daily driver vehicle of choice.  Personally, I thought the DTS's, and CTS of the prior years were absolutely boring, but love the sharp, modern design of the new Cadillac line-up.  If I were to go with the more conventional flow and say I hate new Cadillacs I would be lying. I would also be lying if I said I would buy a new one! The last new car I bought I was a young naïve 18 year old... 32 years ago. Since I try to find a car with 20 to 40K miles, maybe a couple of years old, well maintained and plenty of time/mileage left on the warranty.  As a fan of the Cadillac brand... period.... I am pulling for Cadillac to succeed, and perhaps I'm a bit off but I think the perception that Cadillac is trying to overcome is definitely not the Cadillacs of the 50's and 60' and 70's but the Cadillacs of the 80's, 90's and 00's. Just my 2 cents.