1959 Cadillac Authenticity
These items are things that are common to all Cadillac models in 1959.
Engine
390 V8 4 Barrel Carburetor– standard engine in all cars except the Eldorado model with 325 HP.
390 V8 3 x 2 Barrel Carburetor– standard in the Eldorado models with 345 HP.
Transmission and Drivetrain
Tires
The 1959 Cadillac had two sizes offered. The Series 62, DeVille and the Fleetwood 60 lines were fitted with 8.00 x 15 bias tires. While the Eldorado and the Series 75 models came standard with 8.20 x 15 bias tires. The 8.00 x15 bias tire could have been upgraded on the cars where this size was standard for $65.00 to the 8.20 x 15 size. The manufacturers of the tires were US Royal, Goodrich, and Firestone. The correct whitewall width is between 2 1/4″ to 2 3/4″. Although whitewalls were a $57.00 option.
The white sidewall option was code W and included in other group option packages such as Group A and B.
US Royal Tire
BF Goodrich
Color Choices
Exterior Color Choices were as follows from the 1959 Cadillac Optional Specifications manual. The factory specified the color combinations that should be made to the exterior, but you could deviate from the offerings. However, a warning was made to be careful not to choose colors that may clash with the interior.