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1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Navigation
The Second World War would interrupt everything. It would interrupt lives, relationships, and especially businesses. For those individuals that were fortunate to return, they would have to try and pick up the pieces of their past, cope with their present and try to look forward toward the future. Businesses, particularly the automotive industry, would have to deal with a similar set of circumstances. Because of the war, they would be forced to pick up the pieces of what they had and try and make a way forward for themselves. In the case of Cadillac, however, it would have some very strong pieces in which it could piece back together in order to forge into the future. It would come down to a series and it was the Series 60.
One thing the war would provide to car manufacturers going forward would be-inspiration. And when the Sixty Special was redesigned for the start of the 1948 model year the car would feature trimmed fins that would be inspired by the twin-booms and vertical stabilizers of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. But the Sixty would already have a number of design innovations and features from which Cadillac could draw to help bolster its production and sales.
In the late 1930s, the Sixty Special designed by Bill Mitchell would make its debut. And while it would be Cadillac's lowest-priced line it would feature a number of innovations that would set a new course in car design.
The Sixty Special would be void of running boards and would feature four front-hinged doors. Its aesthetic design would cause the car to look as if it were a convertible. This inevitably would attract the eye toward the rear of the car where an integral trunk would be found.
Laid upon an 'X' frame, the Sixty Special was lower than other Cadillacs but still offered plenty of room inside the cabin. In fact, with the absence of the running boards, the interior of the car would actually grow nearly half a foot without adding to the overall width of the car. Along with a new column-mounted shift lever, the Sixty Special would feature so many innovations at a special price that it would rightfully make up nearly 40 percent of Cadillac's total sales, and in just the first year of the car's production.
But with such innovations and an obvious place in the public's heart, the Sixty Special would not remain a low-priced Cadillac for very long. Starting in 1939, the Sixty Special would take over the Series 70's place in the line. Most of the cars of the period that offered the design and innovation of the Sixty Special were those that were not driven by their owners but incorporated a chauffeur. Bodied by Fleetwood, the Sixty Special would become Cadillac's most luxurious line and would become very popular with owners that wanted to drive the car themselves. Therefore, the Sixty Special would be Cadillac's most luxurious line for the owner-driver. It would maintain this role with Cadillac all the way up to 1976.
The innovations would keep coming. 1939 would see the introduction of the forerunner of the moon roof. Called a 'Sunshine Turret Top Roof', the Sixty Special would offer the option of the retractable metal panel positioned above the front seat. The car would also come with the option of a powered retractable pane of glass separating the front and rear seats.
In 1940, Cadillac would offer three model options of the Sixty Special. A Touring Sedan, a base model, would be offered along with the Imperial Sedan and Town Car models. The Imperial Sedan would feature the pane of glass between the seats while the Town Car would come with the option of a leather roof, or, one that was painted.
The 1941 model year would see Mitchell's original design, in the opinion of many, reach its zenith in beauty. The design would feature a newly redone front end. And for the first time, the rear fenders would feature full skirts.
While Cadillac would continue to make the Sixty Special into 1942, and with another updated design, production would soon cease and Cadillac would instead focus on assembling military equipment.
When the war ceased and Cadillac returned to car production it wouldn't be too long before the company began rolling out Sixty Specials. However, unlike 1939, when the model comprised nearly 40 percent of Cadillac's sales, the 1947 edition of the model would see its percentage drop significantly all the way down to 14 percent. This could be attributed to the lasting effects of the war but it would also be worth noting that the 1946 and 1947 runs would be practically the same as the 1942 models.
Cadillac was aware of this and would stick with making few changes for 1947 because it was planning an all-new design to be unveiled in 1948.
In 1948, Cadillac would debut its latest design for the Sixty Special. The car would come with a completely new body design including the P-38 Lightning-inspired tail fins. The car would also come with a whole number of features throughout the interior. Room and comfort were obviously at the forefront of Cadillac's concern for its luxurious model. The bench seat would include two-way power as standard. The instrument panel would be an intriguing rainbow design positioning all of the gauges above the steering column. This not only provided better visibility but also created additional legroom. One other feature the Sixty Special would boast would be the inclusion of electrically-powered windows.
The 1949 edition of the Sixty Special would see some changes to the previous year's design. The rainbow instrument panel would be replaced with a much more horizontal design. Also, the 1949 design would be the last time a split front windshield would be used. But perhaps the biggest change would come up in front of the passenger compartment. Other features of the 1949 model would include elongated rear doors and an exterior trim package that was absolutely distinctive to the Series 60 Special that year.
The 1949 model of the Sixty Special would feature Cadillac's new 331 cu.in. 5.42-liter, V8 engine. This short-stroke engine had a high compression that made for a smooth and quiet engine despite developing 160 bhp. This new engine developed 10 more horsepower but was approaching 200 pounds in lighter weight.
The Sixty Special would continue to go through evolutions. The fourth generation, built between 1950 and 1953, would have a special distinction within Cadillac. Building off of the momentum gained with the popular updates and features of the 1949 model, Cadillac would go on to sell, for the first time in its history, 100,000 cars in 1950. In fact, the 100,000 car to roll off the line fittingly would be a Sixty Special.
The Cadillac Sixty Special would continue in production for decades after its initial debut back in the late-1930s. In fact, when production of the Sixty Special ended in 1993, eleven generations of the model had been made over the course of more than fifty years.
One of the 1949 models that helped to infuse new life into the Sixty Special series would be offered at this year's RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Florida. Chassis 496081739 would feature the 331 cu.in. V8 engine and a two-barrel Carter carburetor. Boasting of a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and the familiar soft independent front coil spring and semi-elliptic leaf spring rear suspension, this particular Series 60 consists of Harley Earl styling and P-38-inspired tail fins.
In 1949, Motor Trend would select the Series 60 Special Fleetwood as its first Car of the Year and this particular chassis happens to be one of those acclaimed 60 Special Fleetwoods. Boasting a wheelbase stretching 133', this particular chassis would be purchased brand new by Edwin and Kathleen Suddarth. They would purchase the car at Don Lee Cadillac in California.
Over the course of the next near fifty years, chassis 496081739 would live a rather quiet existence. Then, in the late-1990s, the car would undergo a thorough restoration. The restoration would bolster the condition of the car and would lead to it catching the attention of its current owner in 2008.
The true beauty and elegance of this particular Series 60 still had not been fully realized after its restoration during the late-1990s. Therefore, the current owner would take the Series 60S Special Fleetwood and would invest $35,000 to bring the car to its current condition and quality. But the owner wouldn't stop there. In an effort to make the car a true tourer, Tired Iron Works of Monrovia, California would be contracted to add some more amenities to the car.
The car electronics would be updated to a 12 volt system. And with the update to the 12 volt system an air conditioning system would be added. At well over 4,000 pounds, steering a car of this size is not exactly an effortless affair, at least not in the same vain as most Cadillacs. Therefore, power-steering would also be added to the car to make steering comfortable and easy.
Other such updates and refreshments made to the car would include a rebuilt fuel system with a proper fuel pump and new fuel lines. Additionally, the carburetor would be rebuilt making for a properly running and comfortable car inside and out.
Complete with whitewall tires, and beautiful brightwork accenting a deep maroon finish, this chassis would be entered in the Winter Park Concours event in November of 2011 where it would win Best in Class honors. This would be no easy feat given the fact Cadillac had been featured at the event.
Boasting of a clean and striking interior, this truly extravagant 1949 Cadillac Series 60S Special Fleetwood Sedan would be estimated to draw between $50,000 and $80,000 at this year's RM Auctions at Amelia Island. Sure enough, this imposing, grand and elegant Series 60 would go on to earn a sale price of $52,250.
Sources:
'Lot No. 185: 1949 Cadillac Series 60S Special Fleetwood Sedan', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r188&Currency=USD). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r188&Currency=USD. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Cadillac Sixty Special', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 March 2012, 10:03 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cadillac_Sixty_Special&oldid=480636778 accessed 16 March 2012 By Jeremy McMullen
One thing the war would provide to car manufacturers going forward would be-inspiration. And when the Sixty Special was redesigned for the start of the 1948 model year the car would feature trimmed fins that would be inspired by the twin-booms and vertical stabilizers of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. But the Sixty would already have a number of design innovations and features from which Cadillac could draw to help bolster its production and sales.
In the late 1930s, the Sixty Special designed by Bill Mitchell would make its debut. And while it would be Cadillac's lowest-priced line it would feature a number of innovations that would set a new course in car design.
The Sixty Special would be void of running boards and would feature four front-hinged doors. Its aesthetic design would cause the car to look as if it were a convertible. This inevitably would attract the eye toward the rear of the car where an integral trunk would be found.
Laid upon an 'X' frame, the Sixty Special was lower than other Cadillacs but still offered plenty of room inside the cabin. In fact, with the absence of the running boards, the interior of the car would actually grow nearly half a foot without adding to the overall width of the car. Along with a new column-mounted shift lever, the Sixty Special would feature so many innovations at a special price that it would rightfully make up nearly 40 percent of Cadillac's total sales, and in just the first year of the car's production.
But with such innovations and an obvious place in the public's heart, the Sixty Special would not remain a low-priced Cadillac for very long. Starting in 1939, the Sixty Special would take over the Series 70's place in the line. Most of the cars of the period that offered the design and innovation of the Sixty Special were those that were not driven by their owners but incorporated a chauffeur. Bodied by Fleetwood, the Sixty Special would become Cadillac's most luxurious line and would become very popular with owners that wanted to drive the car themselves. Therefore, the Sixty Special would be Cadillac's most luxurious line for the owner-driver. It would maintain this role with Cadillac all the way up to 1976.
The innovations would keep coming. 1939 would see the introduction of the forerunner of the moon roof. Called a 'Sunshine Turret Top Roof', the Sixty Special would offer the option of the retractable metal panel positioned above the front seat. The car would also come with the option of a powered retractable pane of glass separating the front and rear seats.
In 1940, Cadillac would offer three model options of the Sixty Special. A Touring Sedan, a base model, would be offered along with the Imperial Sedan and Town Car models. The Imperial Sedan would feature the pane of glass between the seats while the Town Car would come with the option of a leather roof, or, one that was painted.
The 1941 model year would see Mitchell's original design, in the opinion of many, reach its zenith in beauty. The design would feature a newly redone front end. And for the first time, the rear fenders would feature full skirts.
While Cadillac would continue to make the Sixty Special into 1942, and with another updated design, production would soon cease and Cadillac would instead focus on assembling military equipment.
When the war ceased and Cadillac returned to car production it wouldn't be too long before the company began rolling out Sixty Specials. However, unlike 1939, when the model comprised nearly 40 percent of Cadillac's sales, the 1947 edition of the model would see its percentage drop significantly all the way down to 14 percent. This could be attributed to the lasting effects of the war but it would also be worth noting that the 1946 and 1947 runs would be practically the same as the 1942 models.
Cadillac was aware of this and would stick with making few changes for 1947 because it was planning an all-new design to be unveiled in 1948.
In 1948, Cadillac would debut its latest design for the Sixty Special. The car would come with a completely new body design including the P-38 Lightning-inspired tail fins. The car would also come with a whole number of features throughout the interior. Room and comfort were obviously at the forefront of Cadillac's concern for its luxurious model. The bench seat would include two-way power as standard. The instrument panel would be an intriguing rainbow design positioning all of the gauges above the steering column. This not only provided better visibility but also created additional legroom. One other feature the Sixty Special would boast would be the inclusion of electrically-powered windows.
The 1949 edition of the Sixty Special would see some changes to the previous year's design. The rainbow instrument panel would be replaced with a much more horizontal design. Also, the 1949 design would be the last time a split front windshield would be used. But perhaps the biggest change would come up in front of the passenger compartment. Other features of the 1949 model would include elongated rear doors and an exterior trim package that was absolutely distinctive to the Series 60 Special that year.
The 1949 model of the Sixty Special would feature Cadillac's new 331 cu.in. 5.42-liter, V8 engine. This short-stroke engine had a high compression that made for a smooth and quiet engine despite developing 160 bhp. This new engine developed 10 more horsepower but was approaching 200 pounds in lighter weight.
The Sixty Special would continue to go through evolutions. The fourth generation, built between 1950 and 1953, would have a special distinction within Cadillac. Building off of the momentum gained with the popular updates and features of the 1949 model, Cadillac would go on to sell, for the first time in its history, 100,000 cars in 1950. In fact, the 100,000 car to roll off the line fittingly would be a Sixty Special.
The Cadillac Sixty Special would continue in production for decades after its initial debut back in the late-1930s. In fact, when production of the Sixty Special ended in 1993, eleven generations of the model had been made over the course of more than fifty years.
One of the 1949 models that helped to infuse new life into the Sixty Special series would be offered at this year's RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Florida. Chassis 496081739 would feature the 331 cu.in. V8 engine and a two-barrel Carter carburetor. Boasting of a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and the familiar soft independent front coil spring and semi-elliptic leaf spring rear suspension, this particular Series 60 consists of Harley Earl styling and P-38-inspired tail fins.
In 1949, Motor Trend would select the Series 60 Special Fleetwood as its first Car of the Year and this particular chassis happens to be one of those acclaimed 60 Special Fleetwoods. Boasting a wheelbase stretching 133', this particular chassis would be purchased brand new by Edwin and Kathleen Suddarth. They would purchase the car at Don Lee Cadillac in California.
Over the course of the next near fifty years, chassis 496081739 would live a rather quiet existence. Then, in the late-1990s, the car would undergo a thorough restoration. The restoration would bolster the condition of the car and would lead to it catching the attention of its current owner in 2008.
The true beauty and elegance of this particular Series 60 still had not been fully realized after its restoration during the late-1990s. Therefore, the current owner would take the Series 60S Special Fleetwood and would invest $35,000 to bring the car to its current condition and quality. But the owner wouldn't stop there. In an effort to make the car a true tourer, Tired Iron Works of Monrovia, California would be contracted to add some more amenities to the car.
The car electronics would be updated to a 12 volt system. And with the update to the 12 volt system an air conditioning system would be added. At well over 4,000 pounds, steering a car of this size is not exactly an effortless affair, at least not in the same vain as most Cadillacs. Therefore, power-steering would also be added to the car to make steering comfortable and easy.
Other such updates and refreshments made to the car would include a rebuilt fuel system with a proper fuel pump and new fuel lines. Additionally, the carburetor would be rebuilt making for a properly running and comfortable car inside and out.
Complete with whitewall tires, and beautiful brightwork accenting a deep maroon finish, this chassis would be entered in the Winter Park Concours event in November of 2011 where it would win Best in Class honors. This would be no easy feat given the fact Cadillac had been featured at the event.
Boasting of a clean and striking interior, this truly extravagant 1949 Cadillac Series 60S Special Fleetwood Sedan would be estimated to draw between $50,000 and $80,000 at this year's RM Auctions at Amelia Island. Sure enough, this imposing, grand and elegant Series 60 would go on to earn a sale price of $52,250.
Sources:
'Lot No. 185: 1949 Cadillac Series 60S Special Fleetwood Sedan', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r188&Currency=USD). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=AM12&CarID=r188&Currency=USD. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Cadillac Sixty Special', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 March 2012, 10:03 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cadillac_Sixty_Special&oldid=480636778 accessed 16 March 2012 By Jeremy McMullen
2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $40,000-USD $50,000
Sale Price :
USD $42,000
2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $50,000-USD $80,000
Sale Price :
USD $52,250
2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $40,000-USD $60,000
Sale Price :
USD $49,500
2008 RM Auctions - The Astor Collection
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $30,000-USD $40,000
Sale Price :
USD $88,000
1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood
(Data based on Model Year 1949 sales)
| 1949 Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan Chassis#: 496007734 Sold for USD$24,640 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | |
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan Chassis#: 496081739 Sold for USD$42,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction |   |
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan Chassis#: 496041095 Sold for USD$27,500 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Corpus Christi Old Car Museum Auction | |
| 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Sold for USD$9,000 2017 Mecum : Chicago | |
| 1949 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 60 Sold for USD$18,900 2015 McCormick's Auction # 59 | |
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Sold for USD$18,700 2015 Morphy Auctions : Premier Automobile Sale | |
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Touring Sedan Sold for USD$18,000 2015 Mecum - Rogers'Classic Car Museum 2015 | |
| 1949 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 60 SPECIAL 4 DOOR SEDAN Chassis#: 496061148 Sold for USD$22,000 2014 Barrett-Jackson's 43RD Annual Scottsdale Auction | |
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Touring Sedan Sold for USD$15,750 2013 Auctions America - Fall Carlisle | |
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Sedan Sold for USD$14,300 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
| 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty-Special Sold for USD$20,900 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60S Special Fleetwood Sedan Chassis#: 496081739 Sold for USD$52,250 2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla | |
| 1949 Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan Chassis#: 496081739 Sold for USD$49,500 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
| 1949 Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood Four Door Sold for USD$9,075 2010 Worldwide Auctions - The Auburn Auction | |
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Sedan Sold for USD$8,400 2010 Leake Auctions - Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 Special Sedan Chassis#: 496081739 Sold for USD$88,000 2008 RM Auctions - The Astor Collection | |
| 1949 Cadillac 60 Export Sedan Chassis#: FW27203 Sold for USD$575 2004 Bonhams - MOTOR CARS | |
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Sold for USD$12,826 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction | |
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Sold for USD$11,275 2003 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwoods That Failed To Sell At Auction
1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan | 496062825 | 2024 Mecum : Monterey | $17,000 | ||
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special | 2021 Mecum : Tulsa | $50,000 | |||
| 1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan | 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $28,000 | $32,000 | ||
| 1949 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Sedan | 2013 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $17,000 | |||
| 1949 Cadillac 60 Export Sedan | FW27203 | 2004 Bonhams MOTOR CARS | $1,000 | $1,500 | |
| 1949 CADILLAC 60 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | 2002 Palm Beach Auctions February 2002 | $87,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $24,400 range.
| 1959 FORD FAIRLANE SUNLINER GALAXIE CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:C9FC129826 Sold for $24,200 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach |   |
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| 2000 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Chassis#:wp0ca2994ys652482 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Chassis#:vc57s282213 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe Chassis#:1g1gz11g0hp118101 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible Chassis#:5f08c686730 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible Chassis#:wdbsk71f98f139906 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:1z67j3s409710 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe Chassis#:6f07c340744 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Edition Chassis#:1z87l8s905934 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#:1g1yy26ux75102509 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 1969 Nissan Patrol Chassis#:l6027606 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Chassis#:1gcncnec1gz204888 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Houston | |
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| 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#:d7fh328667 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1971 Chevrolet Vega Coupe Chassis#:141771u256863 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Glendale | |
| 1970 Meyers Manx Chassis#:3132155 Sold for $24,200 2025 Mecum : Glendale | |
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1949 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood model years
