1957 Cadillac trim question

[Richard Sills]

A friend recently bought a pretty original 1957 Coupe deVille, and noticed one trim variation that appears different from other 1957 deVilles.  On the deck lid, above the large "V", this car has separate letters that spell "CADILLAC" instead of the crest. 

The deck lid has holes for each individual letter, and has no indication that a crest was ever present.  While it is always possible that this was modified by a prior owner, there is no indication of that, and it would be an unusual change since it would take a lot more work to install the separate letters.

I know that Fleetwoods and Eldorados had letters that spelled out their model designations, but has anyone ever seen these "CADILLAC" letters on the trunk lid of a 1957 deVille or Series 62?   

[Otto Skorzeny]

Every one I've seen has a crest in '57 and '58. I doubt a '56 truck lid would fit on a '57 so someone probably just modified it. Does seem odd but stranger things are done to cars.

[Paul Flykt]

I believe Cadillac spelled out above the V is correct for a Coupe de Ville, that's how mine is. My '58 series 62 had the crest above the V.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Of course. I skimmed over the part about it being a coupe de ville and was looking at series 62 cars. How silly of me.

[Richard Sills]

Paul is correct, and thanks also to Walter Youshock for providing good information on this question.

"CADILLAC" spelled out on the deck lid is apparently correct for a '57 deVille.  Walter points out that the 62 series had the trunk crest and the "Cadillac" front fender scripts.  The deVilles had "CADILLAC" in gold block letters on the trunk and "Sedan deVille" or Coupe deVille" in gold script on the front fenders.