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1938 Cadillac Series 60 Navigation
William L. Mitchell's father was a Buick dealer, so he was around automobiles from childhood. As a youth, he studied design and art in New York City - while also becoming a sports car enthusiast. A portfolio of Mitchell's dynamic and modernistic automotive sketches was shown to GM design chief Harley Earl in late 1935. The 23-year-old Mitchell was soon hired into GM Art & Colour.
The young designer was soon assigned to develop a car Earl already had in mind...a trim, sporty sedan that would appeal to the Cadillac owner who preferred to be behind the wheel instead of being chauffeured about. The car was originally modeled as a LaSalle, but soon became the 'Cadillac Sixty.'
Mitchell created a modernized 'three-box' close-coupled sedan with a beautifully rounded trunk. The car sat lower than others and didn't need running boards - the production version would be the first car from a major automaker to lack them. Door windows were convertible-like, with only thin plated frames. The roof flowed down to create a seamless panel between the side windows.
The car reached production as the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special. It would be offered, with facelifts, through 1941. Immediately recognized as a design classic, the original's proportions would influence the look of American cars for years to come. Thanks to this great car's success, both the Cadillac Sixty Special and Bill Mitchell would be making history at GM for a long, long time.
The 1938 Sixty Special is considered a milestone in the history of GM styling. This car broke new styling ground by incorporating such features as concealed running boards, thin chrome window frames, and a totally integrated trunk into a wonderfully sophisticated-looking 'junior edition' Cadillac. This car, serial number 6271158, was originally sold through noted Los Angeles Cadillac dealer Don Lee, for $2399.
The young designer was soon assigned to develop a car Earl already had in mind...a trim, sporty sedan that would appeal to the Cadillac owner who preferred to be behind the wheel instead of being chauffeured about. The car was originally modeled as a LaSalle, but soon became the 'Cadillac Sixty.'
Mitchell created a modernized 'three-box' close-coupled sedan with a beautifully rounded trunk. The car sat lower than others and didn't need running boards - the production version would be the first car from a major automaker to lack them. Door windows were convertible-like, with only thin plated frames. The roof flowed down to create a seamless panel between the side windows.
The car reached production as the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special. It would be offered, with facelifts, through 1941. Immediately recognized as a design classic, the original's proportions would influence the look of American cars for years to come. Thanks to this great car's success, both the Cadillac Sixty Special and Bill Mitchell would be making history at GM for a long, long time.
The 1938 Sixty Special is considered a milestone in the history of GM styling. This car broke new styling ground by incorporating such features as concealed running boards, thin chrome window frames, and a totally integrated trunk into a wonderfully sophisticated-looking 'junior edition' Cadillac. This car, serial number 6271158, was originally sold through noted Los Angeles Cadillac dealer Don Lee, for $2399.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cadillac Series 60
(Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Convertible Chassis#: 8271962 Sold for USD$99,000 2023 Mecum : 2023 Monterey | |
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Sedan Sold for USD$16,500 2020 Mecum : Indy Fall Special | |
1938 CADILLAC LA SALLE SERIES 60 4 DOOR Sold for USD$13,250 2020 McCormick's Auction # 68 | |
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Sedan Chassis#: 8271423 Sold for USD$16,500 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Corpus Christi Old Car Museum Auction | |
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Opera Coupe Sold for USD$39,600 2019 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 65 IMPERIAL SEDAN Chassis#: 7271590 Sold for USD$16,500 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Touring Sedan Sold for USD$14,025 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 60 Sold for USD$55,000 2017 Leake Auction - Dallas | |
1938 Cadillac Series 60 4 Door Sold for USD$25,300 2017 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale Az | |
1938 Cadillac Series 60 Opera Coupe Chassis#: 8271176 Sold for USD$40,000 2016 Mecum : Monterey | |
1938 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD LIMO Chassis#: 3271357 Sold for USD$38,500 2015 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale | |
1938 Cadillac V-8 Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$42,900 2014 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Imperial Limousine Sold for USD$25,000 2011 Mecum Auctions - Dallas, TX Auction | |
1938 Cadillac Series 61 Sold for USD$24,000 2011 Mecum Auctions - St. Charles, IL Auction | |
1938 Cadillac Fleetwood Sold for USD$23,000 2011 Silver Auction - Carson City | |
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Limousine Sold for USD$16,250 2011 Leake Auction, San Antonio, Texas | |
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Limousine Sold for USD$15,250 2010 Leake Car Auctions - 38th Annual Leake Auto Auction - Market Hall | |
1938 CADILLAC OPERA COUPE Sold for USD$30,000 2010 Silver Auction - Arizona in January | |
1938 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD SALOON Chassis#: 506283884 Sold for USD$28,000 2007 Silver Auction - Hot August Nights | |
1938 Cadillac Model 38-6127 Opera Coupe Chassis#: 8270871 Sold for USD$44,000 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook | ![]() ![]() |
Cadillac Series 60s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1938 Cadillac Series 60's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Five-Passenger Sedan | 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $33,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
1938 CADILLAC SERIES 65 CONVERTIBLE SEDAN | 2014 Mecum Dallas | $65,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Convertible Sedan | 7270907 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $62,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
1938 CADILLAC 60 SERIES | 2014 McCormick's Palm Springs # 56 | $19,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Fleetwood 605 | 2013 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL Auction | $25,000 | |||
1938 Cadillac Series 65 Limousine | 2011 Leake Car Auctions Oklahoma City, Ok | ||||
1938 Cadillac Series 60 | 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | $42,500 | $65,000 | $80,000 |
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1938 Cadillac Series 60
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