Essay On The Cadillac

The Cadillac is the best car in the world. There are a number of reasons for this argument, but the overriding one is that the Cadillac represents America and its image is famous all over the world. Throughout much of the Twentieth Century, most people either owned a Cadillac, or dreamed of owning one. Furthermore, Cadillac has sustained its allure and status to this day. Although it is not the most superior make of car in terms of speed or performance, what it has is a long history and has played an important part in American culture.
For the majority of the Twentieth Century, if a person was deprived and fantasised about being wealthy, the chances are that they fantasized about owning a Cadillac. The Caddy was an element of the American dream, equal to a three-bedroom home and a front garden with a white picket fence. Examples of celebrities who purchased a Cadillac once they had made their fortune are Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and, naturally, Elvis. In the fifties and sixties the only car that could rival the Cadillac as a must-have possession was the Lincoln Continental, but it was a long way behind. In the seventies, no one was anyone if they didn’t have a Caddy. Even in the eighties and nineties, Cadillacs did not lose much attraction.
The Cadillac is an American car owned by General Motors. Cadillac is arguably the oldest car in the world as it was established in 1902. It set the basis for contemporary mass production of vehicles by proving the broad versatility of its precision parts while at the same time launching itself as America's leading prestige car. Cadillac led technological improvements, such as full electrical systems and the steel roof.
Car design of the late forties and fifties was immensely swayed by the progression of aircraft design resulting from World War Two. With Harley Earl's direction Cadillac designs started to demonstrate obvious aircraft inspirations starting with tail fins for the 1948 Cadillac car; these fins were motivated by the Lockheed P-38 Lightening aircraft. During the fifties, the fins became larger each year and the inspirations started to embrace space rockets in addition to aircrafts. The tail fin attained its height in the 1959 Cadillacs for both this make and for the entire automobile trade. The 1959 Cadillac is the most shockingly fin design so far manufactured; it has come to be one of the most major car icons in history. Following 1959 the fins slowly shrank again and then soon vanished completely in the squarer and more classical designs of the sixties.
As car history demonstrates, as the novelty of the Cadillac began to wear off, a new generation wished to move on from their parents’ icons and create replacements. Initially they descended on a similarly timeless variety, the Mercedes Benz. However, it wasn’t long before BMW and Lexus came into high fashion. Such new drivers appeared unaware of the issue that as sheer symbols of visible spending, these alternative cars were simply imitations. No vehicle could really attain the appeal of a Cadillac.
Cadillac was perhaps at its height of popularity in the 1960s, its 1968 model being sought after even today. Many people find the Cadillac nostalgic as it represents the sixties and a time when visiting the drive in for an evening was of the utmost fashion. Furthermore, the car’s appeal isn’t restricted to Americans. There are enthusiasts all over the world who delight in collecting and restoring Cadillac cars.
When considering whether or not the Cadillac is the most alluring car ever made, it is helpful to put it into the context of wider mediums. For example, there are many renowned songs which feature Cadillacs. Some of these include: Brand New Cadillac; Pink Cadillac; Guitars, Cadillacs, etc; Long White Cadillac; Cadillac Ranch; and Red Cadillac A Black Mustache. Cadillac cars are also featured in a great many films and television programs, not to mention books and magazines. Media tends to reflect culture, so the presence of Cadillac in the media proves how important it is to American society, and others around the world.
The Cadillac car is, arguably, the best car in the world. While it does not rival some of today’s modern cars in terms of performance rating, it represents American culture all over the globe. The twentieth century was the century of the Cadillac, and even into the twenty-first century, Cadillac is still a household name. People from all around the world are familiar with it and feel affection and respect for the many designs. The cars appear in songs, films, television and literature, and are still hugely popular. The number of Cadillac cars being collected and restored, even to this day, provides all the evidence required. The Cadillac gets my vote, hands down.