If the BMW 1M was obvious, this one might be the least.
But it shouldn’t be. The Cadillac Sedan Deville hasn’t gotten a ton of coverage here on Lamley, and the only reason why is I have no idea. Seriously, the Sedan Deville has always been a favorite ever since it debuted in 2008, I just haven’t gotten to giving it a solid feature here on Lamley.
Now is finally the time. When thinking about my Top 5, there were three that needed no debate. This was one of them.
I have professed my love for wagons and pickups in the past, but there is also a soft spot for land yachts. I think I will always enjoy driving smaller cars (BMW 1M), but there is just a lot of joyous love for the yachts. They demand attention, they are always wonderfully detailed, and there is just something about a car that is best driven with one hand on the wheel and the other on the passenger side headrest.
And doing a land yacht can prove a challenge for a diecast maker like Matchbox. The size of the blister and the wheels create limitations on how the car can look, but Matchbox worked through them wonderfully on the Caddie. The scale is a little smaller, and the model proportionally can’t be as long as it could be, but none of that bothers me at all. And the reason? Just look at it. It is a beautiful little model:
Add to that the fact that we have gotten some gorgeous versions. My only gripe with the first few releases was the fact that they sat on the trispoke wheels, when the disc “hubcap” wheels were far more appropriate. That changed with the Gathering Convention Exclusives in rose and purple, that sported whitewall discs, and pretty ever since they have sat on discs.
More importantly, look at the later versions. The Gathering models are my favorites, but not far behind are the Superfast and Lesney Editions, with black roofs and whitewalls. They are most complete, but even mainline and multipack releases have been great, most notable Aretha Franklin’s Caddie in pink. Everyone needs a pink Cadillac in their collection, even if they don’t sell Mary Kay.
One other thing? Look at each release. No crazy tampos, always realistic. The only exception being the 60th Anniversary 10-pack release, but that theme was part of the 10-pack models that year, and it is still a great color and not overly decorated. I don’t have to settle for that strange tampo model that completes the collection. All are worthy additions. And that continues later this year with the release of the Best of the World version:
I was late to Cadillac. Late 80’s and 90’s Cadillacs made the brand easy to hate, or at least not care about. It took cars like the CTS to bring me in, and I am all in at this point. Cadillacs are rad. And while the CTS Coupe and Wagon are way up on my favorites list, it is the Sedan Deville that breaks the Top 5…
(Find the Matchbox Cadillac Sedan Deville on eBay.)
Favorites #1 and #2:
One of my favorite Matchbox cars I first had in the mid-1960's: Standard Jeep (yellow with yellow hubs). I have one again in my current collection. The rest of my Top-5 Matchbox cars: Detomaso Pantera, Ferrari Berlinetta, 1961 Jaguar E-Type Coupe (the newer XKE casting), Lamborghini Miura (the newer casting).
While it pains me to say that I am now out of the running for the top 5 contest, this is easily one of my favorite MB castings in the last 20 years as well. And I actually like the tri-spoke wheels. Fantastic photos as always.
Yes, this caddy caught my eyes too while they were on the pegs years ago, and have a few of them in my collection, even the pink one, which I think the only pink amongst all my cars. Had to have it, just because. I can not explain why, but surely they are very involving cars. I like both wheel variations, but understand why you feel the disc is better.
Yes, this caddy caught my eyes too while they were on the pegs years ago, and have a few of them in my collection, even the pink one, which I think the only pink amongst all my cars. Had to have it, just because. I can not explain why, but surely they are very involving cars. I like both wheel variations, but understand why you feel the disc is better.
Not one I expected, but it is a nice casting! I remember when I first saw it, I felt the proportions were off compared to the wheels, and they are, but it gave it a distinct look.
That tan Lesney version is one of the really earlier cars I bought as a collector. Love the packaging too, so it's still carded.