 1939 Series 75 | 1941 Series 75  |
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1940 Cadillac Series 75 news, pictures, and information | ||
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The 1940 production line saw Cadillac continue their 'projectile' or 'torpedo' body-styling of the previous year, but on the V8s the grill was slightly revised wîth fewer bars of bolder, more substantial design and the introduction of a pair of louver bars on the side panels of the hood. By now sealed beam headlights were standard as were turn indicators, running boards were offered as no cost options, and the engine inlet manifold was set at a five degree angle to cancel its rearward tilt and give more balanced fuel supply. As ever, Cadillac offered a host of V8 models on five different wheelbase lengths, ranging from the 127 inch Sixty Special sedan to the 141 inch Series 40-75 town car. It is believed that Cadillac built just fourteen town cars to this Fleetwood style designation #7553 in 1940. They were by far the most expensive eight cylinder model offered, priced at $5,115, and so may be considered the top of the range. This example is very much the definitive pre-war V8 Cadillac wîth available options including twin side-mounts, which would be discontinued after that season. As the story is told, this Cadillac once belonged to a wealthy woman whose family owned a coal company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the early 1940s, she sold the car to a pharmacy for their use as a delivery vehicle. The young deliveryman, who at the time was attending medical school, purchased this Cadillac as a graduation present to himself. He kept it garaged throughout his ownership and many years later after he passed away, the car was discovered and ultimately purchased from the estate in 1987 by well-known Los Angeles collector Harris Laskey. Shortly after acquiring the car, Mr. Laskey decided to undertake a full, frame-off restoration which was carried out wîth meticulous detail; work only began after tireless searches for each and every item, such as the correct running board end pieces, the special Fleetwood etched side mounted rear-view mirrors, even including the careful choice of special-blended blue paintwork and the dyed grained leather for the driver's section top and rear covering. The interior, both front and rear compartments are beautifully appointed. On the front split seating is deep blue leather wîth matching deep blue carpet. The dash is beautifully wood grained wîth various unique features, including a radio and a clock placed in front of the passenger seat. The Bakelite §teering wheel and gearshift knob, the black ebony insert in the door handles add to the fine details that took place during the restoration. The rear interior, the twin occasional seats and footrests are sumptuously trimmed in blue-gray cloth wîth a matching headliner. The carpet was specially matched too. The Cadillac has a host of fittings, such as side heaters, a central Fleetwood clock, and to each side of the passengers are pop-out companions in period Art Deco style wîth green topped cigarette lighters. There is also a working intercom to instruct the driver. For privacy, blinds are fitted to each rear window. Wood veneer trims complete the presentation. With no expense spared, the results are simply stunning, as the vehicle was restored to the concours order it presents today, a true example of luxury. Harris Laskey showed the Cadillac at numerous concours events, winning the 'Most Elegant' at the Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance and at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won a Second Place in its Class. A Premier Senior Winner and a National First Prize Winner CCCA Award badge are permanently affixed and are a testimony to the fine restoration. When acquired by Laskey, the odometer registered 32,000 miles and it has covered only a limited mileage under the current ownership (the vendor purchased the car from Christie's in 2004 and has recently changed direction wîth his collection.)Source - Christies |  | | Chassis Num: 3320647 |
| Sold for $110,000 at 2007 RM Auctions. | |||
To provide more balanced fuel supply and to cancel its rearward title the inlet manifold was set at a five degree angle. The V8 engines could be found powering the five different wheelbase lengths that Cadillac was offering. On the lower end was the 127 inch wheelbase Sixty Special sedans. The top of the line offering for the eight-cylinder engine was the 40-75 Town Car which rested atop a 141 inch wheelbase. There is believed to have been only fourteen examples created of the town car by Cadillac in 1940. Their high price tag of $5115 was a big deterrent for many buyers but the Fleetwood bodies were undeniably elegant and stately.
This example is equipped with the optional twin side-mounts which were discontinued after 1940. Its first owner was a wealthy woman who's family owned a coal company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle she sold it to a pharmacy for use as a delivery vehicle. The owner then had the vehicle stored away in a garage and kept it. After he passed away it was discovered and purchased from the estate in 1987 by Harris Laskey. A full, frame-off restoration was undertaken and done to precise precision and careful attention to detail. The job was meticulous.
It has been shown at numerous concourses. Among its winnings are the 'Most Elegant' at the Santa Barbara concours d'Elegance. At Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance it was awarded a Second Place in its Class. A Premier Senior Winner and a National First Prize Winner CCCA Award badge are permanently affixed and are a testimony to the fine restoration.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007
 |  |  | Convertible Coupe |
There were a total of 1,525 Series 75 Cadillac models delivered in 1940 with only 30 being the Convertible Coupe. Only a few have survived in modern times.
At auction this car was estimated to sell between $100,000 - $150,000 and was offered without reserve. This estimate appeared to be very accurate and the bidders seemed to agree, as the winning bid settled at $110,000.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007
 |  |  | Convertible Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood |
 |  |  | Town Car Coachwork: Fleetwood |
 |  | Town Car Coachwork: Inskip |
 |  | Coupe Coachwork: Fleetwood Chassis Num: 3340701 |
| Sold for $66,000 at 2011 Gooding & Company. | ||
In 2002, the restoration work on the car was completed. In 2006, it received a complete engine rebuild. Currently, it is finished in black and outfitted with chrome trim. It is upholstered in grey broadcloth and the dashboard is of wood grain with art-delco instrumentation. The engine is an L-head V8 fitted with Stromberg Dual-Downdraft carburetors and develops 140 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Az. It was estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $18,700 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2011
 |  | Sedan Coachwork: Fleetwood |
Fleetwood was Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder, although very little custom building was taking place by 1940. All 1940 V-8 models featured new grille styling. 1940 was the last year Cadillac offered side-mounted spare tires.
The Cadillac 75 series was powered by Cadillac's legendary V-8 powerplant that developed 135 horsepower from its 346 cubic-inches. Wheelbase is 141 inches.
It is believed the current owner of this car is the third owner. The car has been maintained over the years, rather than restored.
The Cadillac Series 75 was the marque's flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillac's would continue from the 1930s through the 1950s. It served as a replacement for the outgoing 355-D and was introduced around the same time as the less-expensive Series 60 model. Outwardly, the Series 80, including the 85, were similar in appearance with the main difference being underhood. The Series 80/85 featured a V12 engine while the Series 70/75 had a V8. The V8 produced 135 horsepower while the V12's output was 150 hp.
In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid 1960s.
The V8 Series 70 of the mid 1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.
There were a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.
The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.
A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.
In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.
The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.
Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.
For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7 inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.
The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.
Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid 1960s.
The V8 Series 70 of the mid 1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.
There were a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.
The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.
A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.
In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.
The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.
Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.
For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7 inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.
The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.
Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
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 | 'Variety' is the buzzword for this year's Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company's national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. 'Last year was our first spring event at the park,' said Auctions America by RM's President ...[Read more...] |
 1940
Cadillac
models |
| Cadillac Model 62 |
| Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen |
| Cadillac Series Sixty |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Chevrolet | Chrysler |
| Dodge | Ford |
| GMC | Hummer |
| Jeep | Lincoln |
| Mercury | Pontiac |
| Saturn | |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1940 |
| Packard Custom Super 8 180 ($2,240-$6,300) |
| Packard 120 ($1,000-$3,800) |
| Cadillac Series Sixty ($2,095-$3,825) |
Average Auction Sale: $67,013 |
| Cadillac: 1930-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Cadillac History |
| Other models by Cadillac |
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| 1939 Series 75 | 1941 Series 75 |
