Cadillac Series 65

1938 Cadillac Series 65

Cadillac Series 65
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Model years	1937–1938
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, USA[1][2]
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Class	Full-Size luxury car
Body style	4-door Sedan[1][2] 4-door Convertible[1][2]
Layout	FR layout[1][2]
Platform	C-body
Related	Cadillac Series 70 Buick Roadmaster
Powertrain
Engine	346 cu in (5.7 L) Monobloc V8[1][2]
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual[1][2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1937: 131.0 in (3,327 mm)[1][2] 1938: 132.0 in (3,353 mm)[1][2] Commercial: 160.0 in (4,064 mm)[1][2]
Length	1937: 208.2 in (5,288 mm)[1][2] 1938: 211.4 in (5,370 mm)[1][2]
Width	1937: 74.4 in (1,890 mm) 1938: 77.6 in (1,971 mm)
Height	1937: 69.5 in (1,765 mm) 1938: 68.0 in (1,727 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Cadillac Series 62

The Cadillac Series 65, after the Series 60, represented the company's second, and, being built on the C-body instead of the B-body, somewhat physically larger entry into the mid-priced vehicle market when it appeared in 1937.

In 1937 it was offered in only one body style, a five passenger touring sedan, built by Fisher on the same 131.0 in (3,327 mm) wheelbase as used by the Cadillac Series 70 and the Buick Roadmaster.^[1][2] The car offered a longer heavier car than the Series 60 at a price below that of the Fleetwood bodied Series 70.^[1][2]

Under the hood was the Monobloc V8. The only displacement that was available was the 346 cu in (5.7 L). This engine produced 135 hp (101 kW) at 3400 R.P.M. The car had Bendix dual-servo brakes, "Knee-Action"^[1] independent suspension in front and a Stromberg carburetor ('37: AA-25; '38: AAV-25) with an electric choke.

In 1938 the Series 65 and the Series 75 shared a new front end style featuring a massive vertical cellular grille, three sets of horizontal bars on the hood sides, alligator hood, and headlights on the filler space between the fenders and the hood.^[1][2] Optional sidemount covers were hinged to the fenders.^[1][2] Quarter windows were of sliding rather than hinged construction.^[1][2] The rear of the body had rounder corners and more smoothly blended lines.^[1][2] Trunks had more of an appearance of being an integral part of the body.^[1][2] Bodies were all steel except for wooden main sills.^[1][2] New chassis details included a column gear shift, horns just behind the grille, battery under the right hand side of the hood, transverse muffler just behind the fuel tank, wheels by a different manufacturer, "Synchro-Flex" flywheel, hypoid rear axle and the deletion of the oil filter.^[1][2]

References