Cadillac Series 61

Cadillac Series 61

1947 Cadillac Series 61 convertible
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1939–1951
Assembly Detroit, Michigan, USA
Predecessor Cadillac Series 60
Successor Cadillac Cimarron
Class luxury car
Layout FR layout

The Series 61 replaced the Series 60/65 (except for the upscale Sixty Special) in 1939. It in turn was replaced by the Series 62 in 1940 only to return to production in model year 1941. Apart from model years 1943-1945 It remained in production through 1951.

Contents

1939

First Generation
Model years 1939
Engine 331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 126 in (3,200 mm)

The Fisher-bodied Series 61 used a 126 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. It was available as a club coupe or sedan. All Cadillacs shared the same 346 in³ L-head V8 in 1939, with power at 135 hp (101 kW) and rising to 150 hp (112 kW) for 1941.

1941

Second Generation
Model years 1941
Platform B-body
Engine 346 in³ L-head V8
331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase 126 in (3,200 mm)
Length 215 in (5,461 mm)[1]

The 1941 Series 61 had a fastback design.[1]

Series 63

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

1942-47

Third Generation

1947 Cadillac Series 61 convertible
Model years 1942-47
Platform B-body
Engine 346 in³ L-head V8
331 in³ OHV V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
Hydra-Matic[2]
Wheelbase 126 in (3,200 mm)
Length 215 in (5,461 mm)
Curb weight 4,390 lb (1,990 kg) [3]

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.

1948-1951

Fourth Generation

1949 Cadillac Series 61 coupe
Model years 1948-51
Platform 1948-50: C-body
1951: B-body
Engine 346 cu in (5.7 L) Monobloc V8
331 cu in (5.4 L) OHV V8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase 1948-50: 126 in (3,200 mm)[4]
1951: 122.0 in (3,099 mm)
Length 1948-50: 214.0 in (5,436 mm)[2]
1951: 211.8 in (5,380 mm)
Width 1948: 79.0 in (2,007 mm)
1949: 78.9 in (2,004 mm)
1950-1951: 80.1 in (2,035 mm)
Height 62.7 in (1,593 mm)
Curb weight 4,000–4,400 lb (1,800–2,000 kg)
Related Cadillac Series 62
Buick Roadmaster
Oldsmobile 98
Buick Super
Buick Estate
Designer Harley Earl

The car was restyled in 1948, the first real postwar Cadillac, with tailfins like the Lockheed P-38.[5] The formerly-smaller Series 61 was moved to the Series 62's General Motors C-Body 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).

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 moved back to the smaller General Motors B-Body, having been reduced to 122 in (3,100 mm).

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

References

  1. ^ a b Kimes, Beverly (1996). standard catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4. 
  2. ^ a b Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  3. ^ "1946 Cadillac Series 61 Coupe performance data, specs & photo". Automobile-catalog.com. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/cadillac/series_61_1946-1951/series_61_1946-1951_coupe/1946.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  4. ^ "Directory Index: Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure/1948Cadillac-24.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  5. ^ "Directory Index: Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Cadillac/1948_Cadillac/1948_Cadillac_Brochure/1948Cadillac-10.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
Type 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
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 61/63 WWII 61
65 62 Series 62 6200 Calais
Mid-size Seville
Full-size Coupe de Ville/De Ville
355 70 60S Series 60S Fleetwood Brougham
Limousine 355 67/72/75 Series 75 6700 Series 75 FL Limo
Personal Luxury Eldorado
Halo V-12
V-16 Eldorado Brougham