Cadillac Series 61

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Cadillac Series 61
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 19391951
Predecessor Cadillac Series 60
Successor Cadillac Cimarron
Class Compact luxury car


The Series 61 replaced the small Series 60/65 (except for the upscale Sixty Special) in 1939. It remained in production through 1951.

Contents

[edit] 1939-1942

Generation I
Production 19391942
Engine 331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 126 in
Similar Cadillac Series 63

The Fisher-bodied Series 61 used a 126 in wheelbase. It was available as a club coupe or sedan. All Cadillacs shared the same 346 in³ L-head V8 that year, with power at 135 hp (101 kW) and rising to 150 hp (112 kW) for 1941.

[edit] Series 63

The Series 63 was similar to the 61. It was available as a sedan only and rode on the same wheelbase.

[edit] 1946-1950

Generation II
Production 19461950
Engine 346 in³ L-head V8
331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 126 in
1949 Series 61 Coupe
1949 Series 61 Coupe

After the War, the Series 61 returned on a 126 in wheelbase. The engine remained the same 346 in³ L-head V8 as before.

The car was restyled in 1948, the first real postwar Cadillac, with tailfins like the Lockheed P-38. The formerly-larger Series 62 moved to the Series 61's platform, making them very similar apart from this models less-opulent interior and reduced chrome trim.

The new Cadillac OHV V8 was the big news for 1949, with minor trim differences otherwise. This 331 in³ engine produced 160 hp (119 kW).

[edit] 1951

Generation III
Production 1951
Engine V8
331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 126 in

For 1951, major styling changes were performed. The cars were lower and sleeker, with longer hoods, and one-piece windshields were fitted. The Series 61 was again a short wheelbase model, having been reduced to 122 in.

The Series 61 was discontinued in the middle of the 1951 model year due to lagging sales.


Cadillac road car timeline, 1930s-present -  v  d  e 
Type 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Entry-level 60 61 WWII 61 Cimarron BLS
355 70/80 62 Series 62 6200 Calais Catera CTS
Mid-size Seville STS
Full-size Coupe de Ville/Sedan DeVille DTS
60S Sixty Special Fleetwood Flwd60S Fleetwood Fleetwood
Limousine 355 72/75/85 Series 75 6700 Fleetwood 75 FL FB Brougham
Personal Luxury Eldorado
Crossover BRX
SRX
SUV Escalade
Roadster Allanté XLR
Halo V-16 Brougham