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1942 Cadillac Series 61

Cadillac introduced the Series 61 in 1939 on a 126-inch wheelbase and powered by a 346 cubic-inch L-head V8 rated at 135 horsepower, rising to 150 bhp for 1941. It replaced the Series 60 and 65 of 1938 and offered in body styles that included a coupe, convertible coupe, convertible sedan, and touring sedan. The Series 61 was briefly retired for the 1940 year, returning in 1941 to help supplement the departure of the LaSalle marque.

The front-end design introduced in 1941 would be used for many years to come, highlighted by a wide rectangular grille that bulged forward in the center, incorporating wide rectangular parking lights, with round headlights built into the nose of the fenders. Three chrome spears were placed on the rear section of all four fenders, except on the Sixty Special. The aerodynamic coupe and sedan body styles of the Series 61 had fastback styling and were priced from $1,345 to $1,540.

Penned by Bill Mitchell under the guidance of VP and Head of GM's Styling division, Harley Earl, this general styling theme would continue through 1948 (except during World War II).

The grille grew even larger in 1942 and lost a few of its horizontal bars. The previous rectangular parking lights were now round and the fog light sockets became rectangular and were incorporated into the grille area. The horizontal grille signaled the entire industry's deviation from vertically based frontispieces. Fenders became longer and rounder, the front fenders extended into the front doors, and bullet-shaped 'Dagmar' tops were placed on the bumper guards.

The war clouds were on the horizon, but before the storm came Cadillac built approximately 5,700 examples of its Series 61, accounting for thirty-five percent of Cadillac's total production. The 346 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine had its cast-iron blocks cast enbloc with the crankcase, three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. It was backed by a selective synchromesh three-speed transmission with a single disc clutch and gearshift controls on the column. Braking was handled by hydraulic drums on all four wheels.

The Fisher Series 61 (42-61) rested on a 126-inch wheelbase which it shared with the Series 63 sedan. This was the smallest wheelbase in the Cadillac lineup, with the range-topping Series 67 using a 139-wheel platform. Body styles on the Series 61 included a club coupe with seating for five selling at a base price of $1,560. The four-door sedan had a base price of $1,650. The Series 61 was the least expensive 1942 Cadillac, followed closely by the Series 62 (priced from $1,660 to $2,020) and the Series 63 at $1,880. The most expensive was the Series 75 with prices that ranged from $3,300 to $4,490.

When World War II came to an end and peacetime resumed, Cadillac restarted civilian automobile production with the Series 61 serving as its entry-level model, the Series 62 as the intermediate, the Series 60 Special sedan, and the range-topping Series 75 Fleetwood. Production of the Series 61 continued through 1951. In 1952, its entry-level duties were taken over by the Series 62.


by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

Related Reading : Cadillac 61 History

The Cadillac 61 was produced from 1939 through 1942 when wartime halted production. When war ceased, production resumed and would continue until 1951. The Series 61 was built on a wheelbase that measured 126-inches and powered by a 346 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine that produced 135 horsepower. By 1941, the power had raised to 150 bhp. In 1948, the Series 61 was re-styled with one of its more....
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1942 Cadillac Series 61 Vehicle Profiles

1942 Cadillac Series 61 vehicle information
Sedan

Coachwork: Fisher

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1942 Series 61
$1,650-$36,305
1942 Cadillac Series 61 Price Range: $1,560 - $1,650

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1942 Cadillac Models
$3,150 - $36,305

Series 61

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
29,258
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$1,350 - $1,540
5,700
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$1,560 - $1,650

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