1940 Cadillac Series 62

The 1940 Cadillac model lineup included the Series 60 Special Fleetwood resting on a 127-inch wheelbase, the Fisher Series 62 on a 129-inch wheelbase, the Fleetwood Series 72 on a 138-inch platform, and the Series 75 on a 141-inch wheelbase. This was the final year for the large, expensive, and luxurious Sixteen Series 90 on a 141-inch wheelbase. Prices ranged from $1,745 for the 'entry-level' Series 62 and rose to over $7,000 for the sixteen-cylinder Series 90.

The previous entry-level Series 61 was replaced for 1940 with the new Series 62, resting on a three-inch longer wheelbase and sharing the bodies of the lower-priced LaSalle, then in its final year of production. This was the final year for the running boards, and deleting them was a no-cost option. The side-mounted spares were an extra-cost feature. Standard equipment included sealed beam headlights and turning indicators.

Styling on the Series 62 included a slanted windshield, curved rear window, and chrome window reveals. The 'projectile' or 'torpedo' body-styling of the previous year continued into 1940, and the grille was slightly revised with fewer bars of bolder, more substantial design, and the introduction of a pair of louver bars on the side panels of the hood. The distinctive bullet-shaped headlamps were reminiscent of the classic 1930s, yet the flowing body without running boards was thoroughly modern.

Body styles on the Series 62 included a five-passenger sedan, a coupe, and a convertible coupe. Besides the sixteen-cylinder model, all 1940 Cadillacs were powered by an L-head 346 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine with hydraulic valve lifters, 6.25:1 compression, and delivering 135 horsepower (the Series 72 and 75 had slightly more power, rated at 140 hp). The engine inlet manifold was set at a five-degree angle to cancel its rearward tilt and gave a more balanced fuel supply. With a unitized block and crankcase, three main bearings with counterweights, and a two-barrel downdraft carburetor, it was reliable and exceptionally smooth. The engine was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch, gearshift controls on the column, and Hypoid gears. Hydraulic drum brakes were located at all four corners.

The coupe listed for $1,685, the Touring Sedan with seating for five had a base price of $1,745, followed by the convertible coupe with seating for two priced at nearly $2,000. The convertible sedan was the most expensive Series 62, with a base price of nearly $2,200.

The 5,903 examples of the Cadillac Series 62 accounted for approximately 45-percent of Cadillac's total 1940 production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021