In every car manufacturer’s history, there are some cars that stand out amongst the rest. Sometimes these are the cars that are complete failures, like the Pontiac Fiero, and others they are cars that set the stage for the future of the brand, like the Lamborghini Miura. For Cadillac, there are a handful of cars like this, and some of them you may have even forgotten about. For good or for bad, these 5 Cadillacs changed the brand forever.

1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

The 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible wasn’t just a car, it was a status symbol that brought Cadillac into the world of high-end luxury cars.

It was the last convertible that Cadillac produced with the four-door option, and this remains true to this day. It was also offered in the more standard two-door variation as well, also as a convertible.

Under the hood was a 140hp V8 engine that was surprisingly fast for its time, and it paired to either a 3-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

1948 Cadillac Series 62

Years later the Cadillac Series 62 was still shining, and it wasn’t just a flagship car for Cadillac. The front end of the Series 62 in 1948 set the stage for how cars would look for the next generation. The glossy chrome front bumper became an iconic style for cars of the 1950s both for Cadillac and many other car manufacturers.

The 1948 Cadillac Series 62 also had tail fins, the first design that later took over cars of the 1950s and 1960s to become one of the most classical styling features of the times.

1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

You may not have heard of the Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, but even if you saw this swanky 1959 model driving around today you’d probably have the same reaction as many people did when it was brand new.

The Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was luxury at its finest, with iconic tail fins, chrome detailing and the option for a convertible top, this car was as cool as a cucumber.

Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman

The Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman, or just the Fleetwood for short, was an oversized luxury sedan of the time. It was the highest model Cadillac offered for the time, and it had a price tag to match.

The interior of the Fleetwood is where the car really shined, where the designers at Cadillac ditched leather and opted for more plush, soft seats that put comfort about all else.

Cadillac Seville

Whether you are a fan of Cadillac cars or not, you’ve most likely heard of the Cadillac Seville. This was a 1970s design that was designed to compete with rising luxury sedans. It was significantly smaller than the Fleetwood, which worked to its benefit.

It had some of the most sophisticated techs of the time and was another trendsetter for exterior design style.