THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1959
- Body style
- Coupé
- Type
- Concept
- Production
- 1
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Cadillac Starlight represents a fascinating collaboration between Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina and the prestigious Cadillac brand. Inspired by the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham project, Pininfarina embarked on the creation of four exclusive custom bodies, one of which was the iconic Starlight. Unveiled at the Paris Salon in 1959 and later showcased at the Turin Auto Salon that same year, the Cadillac Starlight immediately captured the imagination of automotive enthusiasts with its striking design and innovative features. One of its most notable attributes was its Plexiglas top, which featured an ingenious “headliner” comprised of four articulated metal panels. When not in use, these panels could be neatly stored, either individually or collectively, behind the parcel shelf, adding a touch of practicality to its avant-garde design. The Cadillac Starlight’s sleek lines and distinctive silhouette made it a standout among luxury automobiles of its time, embodying the pinnacle of automotive elegance and sophistication. Its combination of Italian craftsmanship and American engineering prowess resulted in a vehicle that exuded an air of exclusivity and refinement. Although production of the Cadillac Starlight was limited, its impact on automotive design and innovation remains enduring. Its innovative features and timeless design continue to inspire automotive enthusiasts and collectors, cementing its status as a true classic in the history of luxury automobiles.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production
- 1
- Production type
- Concept
Design & manufacture
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Pininfarina
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Cadillac
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
Paris General · legacy_preserved
- Date
- 1959
- Chassis
- General
Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 3 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| MotorTrend — Cadillac/Pininfarina collaboration www.motortrend.com | Reputable automotive press history |
| Motor-car.net — Cadillac Starlight Concept motor-car.net | Specialist model history |
| Carstyling.ru — 1959 Cadillac Starlight www.carstyling.ru | Specialist design archive |











THE CONVERSATION
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