1940 Cadillac Series 75 Town Car

This Cadillac Series 75 Town Car is one of just 53 produced in 1940 and was once part of the esteemed Harris Laskey Collection. Featuring coachwork by Fleetwood, this was one of the most elegant and expensive cars produced by Cadillac in the day. The passenger compartment features jump seats, a wood grain window surrounds with privacy blinds, and an intercom system to talk to the chauffeur. The car is equipped with optional side-mount spare tires, a central Fleetwood clock, a radio, and a wood-grain dashboard. This particular style was first introduced in 1938 but was replaced in 1941 with a squarer body and a more blunted nose. These Series 75 Town Cars were often customized by their owners with special bodywork, often by Fleetwood. Cadillac 75 owners included Howard Hughes, who owned one of these models while the owner of MGM Studios. A similar Town Car built for band leader Vaughn Monroe was known as the 'Racing with the Moon' car.

This 1940 Cadillac Series 40-75 V8 Fleetwood Town Car was one of 53 produced in 1940, and it continued the 'projectile' or 'torpedo' body styling introduced in the prior year. The grilles were some of the most distinguishable differences over the prior year as they were slightly revised and included fewer bars. Louver bars could now be found on the side panels of the hood.

To provide a 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. It is equipped with a three-speed selective synchronized transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drums.

The car's first owner was a wealthy woman whose 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 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.

• 1 of 53 produced in 1940
• Previously part of the Harris Laskey Collection
• Most Elegant at Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance
• 2nd in Class at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
• AACA Premier Senior and National First Prize
• Coachwork by Fleetwood

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018