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1941 Cadillac Series 61

All 1941 Cadillac models were given fresh styling with distinctive rear designs and an attractive new grille. They were masterpieces of subtle, flowing curves complemented by a bold and distinctive grille with an egg-crate texture, credited to sketches made by Arthur Ross and refined by Harley Earl. The overall styling of the 1941 Cadillac was the evolution of the 1938 Sixty-Special created by GM designer Bill Mitchell. For the first time, headlights were fully integrated into the front fenders and a horizontal-theme grille stretched from side to side. The hood was front-opening, another first, and the gas tank filler was hidden in the left-rear taillight, a feature that would become a Cadillac hallmark in the years that followed. On the rear section of all four fenders were three chrome spears, except on the Sixty Special. Most bodies had rear-wheel shields, a.k.a. fender skirts.

An all-new Torpedo-bodied coupe, called the 'Sedanette,' was exclusive to the Cadillac marque. Series 61 body styles included a coupe, Deluxe Coupe, touring sedan, and a Deluxe Touring Sedan. Both the Coupe and Sedan had fastback styling reminiscent of the aerodynamic coupes of the 1930s. The term 'Sedanette' was a popular way to refer to this styling trait. Series 61 prices ranged from $1,345 to $1,535.

Cadillac's lower-cost companion car, the LaSalle, had been introduced in 1927, and by 1940 had run its course. General Motors management integrated it into the Cadillac product line, so a Series 61 LaSalle successor was introduced, using GM's fastback coupe and sedan B-bodies. Priced from $1,345 to $1,535, the Series 61 was less than $100 cheaper than the C-body 62 and just as popular. Nearly 12,000 examples of the Series 61 five-passenger coupe were sold in 1941 making it the best-selling model in the Cadillac lineup. Series 61 total production reached 29,258 units, making it the most popular in the lineup, followed by the Series 62 with 24,734 units built. 5,050 were Series 63 and 4,101 were Series 60S. A combined total of approximately 3,000 units were made of the Series 67 and Series 75.

The Series 61 rested on a 126-inch wheelbase, the same size as the Series 41-60S, although its length was two inches shorter at 215-inches. The Series 41-62 and 41-63 also had a 126-inch wheelbase. Power was from a 90-degree, L-head, eight-cylinder engine with three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a 346 cubic-inch displacement, and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. A three-speed selective synchromesh transmission was standard and an automatic transmission was an additional $125. Hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners provided the stopping power. The front suspension was independent with coil springs while the rear used a live axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

Cadillac's V16 model had joined LaSalle, fading into the annals of history, but despite these losses, Cadillac would enjoy a record-setting year with 66,130 cars sold in total, putting them on par with Packard.


by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020

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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1941 Cadillac Series 61 Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

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1941 Series 61
$1,540-$11,205
1941 Cadillac Series 61 Price Range: $1,350 - $1,540

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Other 1941 Cadillac Models

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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