Cadillac Series 61
Cadillac Series 61 | |
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FR layout | |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Cadillac Series 60[1] Cadillac Series 65[1] |
Successor | Cadillac Series 62 |
The Cadillac Series 61 was Cadillac's mainstream product
1939, 1941 (not offered 1940)
First Generation | |
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B-body | |
Related | LaSalle Series 50 Buick Century Oldsmobile Series 70 Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 346 cu in (5.7 L) L-head V8 |
Transmission | 3-speed manual w/Hill-holder 4-speed Hydra-Matic (1941) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 126 in (3,200 mm) |
Length | 207.25 in (5,264 mm)[1] |
The 1939 Fisher-bodied Series 61 used a 126 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. All GM vehicles for 1939 adopted the Torpedo appearance with an extended, protruding bow appearance to enhance its aerodynamic appearance. A number of modern ocean liners had been recently launched and the appearance was very popular at the time. 1939 was also the year of the 1939 New York World's Fair and the streamline appearance gave a futuristic look when it was on display at the Futurama exhibit. The protruding center grille and the functional side grilles were die-cast, with slender bars. Single die-cast louvers were positioned to the rear of each hood side panel for engine compartment ventilation.
It was available as a club coupe, convertible or sedan, and a manual retracting center divider made from safety glass was optional on the sedan, along with the choice to add or remove running boards.[1] A new exterior featured concealed door hinges, and exotic sea shell horns were available. All Series Sixty Special and Series 61's shared the same 346 in³ L-head V8 in 1939,[2] with power at 135 hp (101 kW) and rising to 150 hp (112 kW) for 1941.[1] Prices were the most affordable for Cadillac products with the 2-passenger coupe starting at US$1,695 ($37,128 in 2023 dollars [3]), the Touring Sedan was listed at US$1,805 ($39,537 in 2023 dollars [3]) and the 5-passenger Convertible Sedan was listed at US$2,265 ($49,613 in 2023 dollars [3]).
When the LaSalle product line was cancelled, production was suspended at the LaSalle Factory at Wyoming Road and the facility closed.
In 1941, the Series 61 returned to complement the Series 62 which was introduced in 1940, and the Series 61 replaced the LaSalle in the Cadillac pricing structure. All 1941 Cadillacs used the same
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1940 Cadillac Series 61
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1941 Cadillac grille
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1941 Cadillac Series 61 five passenger coupe
Series 63
The Series 63 was a sedan only for 1941 and 1942. It was only offered with a 126-inch wheelbase shared with the Series 61 and Series 62 but had a six-window B-body shared with the fastback Series 61. The main difference with the Series 63 was the different trunk (not a fastback) and the list price of US$1,695 ($35,112 in 2023 dollars [3]) which meant the optional equipment and appearance features on the Series 61 were standard on the Series 63.[1]
By the time the decision was made to drop the
Any or all of these could have ended up being part of the next LaSalle line. However, it has been inferred that of the three, the third design was most likely to have been a LaSalle, with that platform being assigned exclusively to LaSalle, and that the second design, whose platform was shared with the Series 61, was the next most likely.[4] Sales of the Series 63 were 5,030 in 1941 and 1,750 in 1942 before production was suspended February 4, 1942 to contribute to the war effort.[1]
1942–1947
Third Generation | ||
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Curb weight 4,390 lb (1,990 kg) [6] | |
Model year 1942 saw a dramatic appearance change on all GM vehicles, where the curve of the front fenders extended halfway across the front doors, called "Airfoil" and fastback appearance was adopted company-wide. Vehicles that were built until February 1942 could be identified as lacking chrome trim starting in January when it was prohibited due to wartime production and trim pieces including bumpers were painted.[1] After the War, the Series 61 returned on a 126 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. The engine remained the same 346 in³ L-head V8 as before. The grille became more massive in 1942, with even fewer bars and was the beginning of the traditional "egg crate" appearance that all future products adopted. Parking lights became round and fog light sockets became rectangular and were included in the grille area. A bullet shape appeared on the tops of the bumper guards. Fenders were rounded and longer. Front fenders extended into the front doors.[1] The new fenders had heavy moldings along the sides. A new fresh air ventilating system with air ducts leading from the grille replaced cowl ventilators at the base of the windshield. Handbrake control was changed from lever to tee-shaped pull handle. Radiator shutter control of engine temperature was replaced by a blocking type thermostat in the water return fitting in the radiator.[1]
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1947 Cadillac Series 61
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1947 Cadillac Series 61 convertible rear
1948–1951
Fourth Generation | ||
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Curb weight | 4,000–4,400 lb (1,800–2,000 kg) |
The formerly-smaller Series 61 was moved to the
The big news at Cadillac in 1949 centered on engineering, with the release of a new overhead valve V8 engine. This 331 in³ engine produced 160 hp (119 kW). Only minor appearance changes were seen. They included a more massive grille treatment with grooved extension panels housing the front parking lights and chevron slashes below the taillamps on the coupes. Once again the cars in this line lacked front fender gravel shields and rocker panel moldings and had plainer interior trim. A larger luggage compartment lid was seen on all sedans except early production units. Standard equipment now included twin back-up lamps mounted on the deck lid latch panel.
Cadillacs had extensive styling changes in 1950, as its appearance is similar to cross-town rival Chrysler Imperial and the Chrysler New Yorker initially in 1949, and less so with yearly appearance changes. They looked generally heavier and had low sleek contours with longer rear decks, more sweeping front fenders and a broken rear fender line. The hood protruded more at front and was underlined by a more massive eggcrate grille. Round parking lights were used, but as in the past, when buyers chose fog lamps an additional bulb and larger housing were used. This setup combined the fog lamps and the directional signals. One piece windshields were introduced and the leading edge of the rear fenders which had a broken-off look, was highlighted by chrome imitation air slots. The rear fenders were longer and ended in a swooping tailfin design. The Cadillac script again appeared on the sides of the front fenders, but was now positioned closer to the front door opening gap. As far as Series 61 models went a big styling change was a return to marketing this line on the shorter wheelbase B-body than used on the Series 62. This led to some styling differences. For example, the Series 61 Sedan had no rear window ventipanes and featured a rear wraparound backlight. An identifying feature on both models was the absence of rocker panel moldings and rear quarter panel chrome underscores. The Series 61 was 4 inches shorter than in the previous season.
A minor face lift and small trim variations were the main Cadillac styling news in 1951. Miniature eggcrate grilles were set into the outboard grille extension panels below the headlights. Larger, bullet shaped bumper guards were used. The features list included handbrake, warning lamp; key start ignition; steering column cover; Delco-Remy generator; knee-action front suspension; directionals; mechanical fuel pump; dual downdraft carburetor; slipper-type pistons; rubber engine mounts; oversize brakes; Super Cushion tires; one-piece windshield; intake silencer; 160-hp engine; oil bath air cleaner; equalized manifolding; automatic choke and luxury appointments. On the dashboard "idiot lights" were used to monitor oil pressure and electrical charge rate instead of gauges. The smaller body was once again used on the 61s and again identified by the lack of chrome underscores. However a new medallion appeared on the rear roof pillar of the Series 61, above the upper beltline molding.
Racing
In 1950, Briggs Cunningham and his team brought 2 Series 61 DeVilles to the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of the cars, dubbed "LeMonstre", was modified for racing. The other was essentially stock with some minor modifications. The stock coupe finished 10th overall while the modified car finished 11th because Cunningham got stuck in the sand for 30 minutes.[9]
Film use
A 1939 convertible Cadillac Series 61 was used in the Batman film serial of 1943 to represent the Batmobile.[10]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-87341-478-0.
- ^ a b Odin, L.C. World in Motion 1939 – The whole of the year's automobile production. Belvedere Publishing, 2015. ASIN: B00ZLN91ZG.
- ^ a b c d e f 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "1941 Cadillac Series 63: The Last LaSalle". Special Interest Autos (#159 May–June 1997).
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- ^ "1946 Cadillac Series 61 Coupe performance data, specs & photo". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ "Directory Index: Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ "Directory Index: Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ "1950 Cadillac Series 61 DeVille LeMans".
- ^ "Batmobiles 1943".