The sleek lines and distinctive tail fins of the 1957 Cadillac Coupe deVille are quintessential Americana. No matter what shade the Coupe deVille is dressed head-to-toe in, the vehicle is legendary. She became an American icon when the stunning beauty’s chrome accents were outshined by a pink hue. The Pink Cadillac Coupe deVille’s head-turning ability was so fierce that both music and film have immortalized her.
When one googles Pink Cadillac, the famous name associated with the car the most is Elvis Presley. Yet, before Elvis made the desire for a pink Cadillac main-stream, the heavy-weight champion, Sugar Ray Robinson introduced the idea to popular culture. The story goes that Sugar Ray, and his manager were at a racetrack in Florida famous for their live flamingos in the infield. Robinson commented to his manager that the vivid flamingo pink color would look fantastic on a new Cadillac. Sugar Ray’s manager brushed it off as a whim, but little did he know his star fighter was about to make history outside the ring.
Once home in New York, Robinson found a necktie in the same color as the brightly hued flamingos. He purchased a 1950 Cadillac Eldorado with a rose color tint and immediately asked the body shop to match the color of his tie. The well-known fuchsia flamingo paint job caught the attention of Elvis Presley when it appeared alongside Sugar Ray in a Life Magazine spread. That a-ha moment is said to have inspired The King’s song, Baby, Let’s Play House.
“Well, you may go to college,
You may go to school.
You may have a pink Cadillac,
But don't you be nobody's fool.”
Not long after releasing the song Elvis purchased a blue 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 and had it custom painted pink by his neighbor to resemble the first pink Cadillac he had owned (wrecked in a crash). The vivid pastel pink is now known as Elvis Rose. Elvis’ second pink Cadillac is his most famous although he went on to own two more. When Elvis gifted the pink Fleetwood to his mother, the roof remained its original black. It wasn’t until 1956 after surviving a wreck that Elvis had the roof painted a very memorable white. Today the famous pink stunner is housed at Graceland.
The 1950s was a decade influenced by the post-World War II boom where Hollywood and American innovation reigned supreme. After such a dark period, consumers were not afraid to add color back into their lives. Chromed out ladies like the Cadillac Coupe deVille came from the factory in a variety of shades including pastels. Whether it was directly Elvis’ influence or a sign of the times, General Motors offered pink as a factory color in 1956. Mountain Laurel, which also happens to be the Pennsylvania state flower, was intended for the deVille coupe and new sedan. The pastel pink color became so popular that Cadillac offered it as a no-cost option in 1957.
With the debut of Elvis pink Cadillac in 1955, it’s hard to dispute that he heavily influenced the popularity of Mountain Laurel in 1956 and 1957. If the pink exterior wasn’t enough to exude the glamour and elegance of the time, the DeVille’s interior had a choice or either matching Mountain Laurel leather and black or Mountain Laurel nylon Starlight (56) and Corinthian (57) cloth interior as a standard selection. Cadillac purposely picked the pastel palette for its growing demographic of buyers - women.
Under the hood, the 1957 Coupe deVille was powered by a 365 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. It was paired with a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission and featured power brakes, power steering, and a power seat as standard equipment. The luxury vehicle also featured air conditioning, a push-button radio, and a full complement of gauges on the dashboard. The higher end amenities combined with the colorful exterior attracted female buyers who wanted glamour and fashion in their automobiles. Owning a Cadillac Coupe deVille meant you were driving in ultimate style and comfort.
Ten years later, in 1967, Mary Kay Founder, Mary Kay Ash, turned a legend into an icon when she ordered her first pink Cadillac Coupe deVille. Mary Kay asked the dealership to match the color of the deVille with the lip and eye palette in her purse. The dealership didn’t think twice since the color she was asking for matched Cadillac’s factory Mountain Laurel color perfectly. 
It didn’t take long for Mary Kay Ash to realize the power that came with driving a pink Cadillac. Therefore, she turned the vehicle into the company’s symbol and motivation for her growing network of cosmetic consultants. In 1969, after rewarding her top five sellers with a brand new, blush-colored Cadillac Coupe deVille, the pink Mary Kay Cadillac became an American symbol of success. The tradition continues to this day within the company although the color of pink has varied throughout the years.
The 1957 Cadillac Coupe deVille was a popular choice among celebrities and other high-profile individuals as it conveyed the glitz and glamour of the time. Even today, it is still considered a classic and remains highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Feel like a 1950’s Hollywood Star or the King of Rock N’ Roll in an original 1957 Mountain Laurel Cadillac Coupe deVille located in our Fort Lauderdale showroom.
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