1947 Cadillac Series 75

The Cadillac Series 75 was never produced in significant numbers, often for commercial purposes such as limousines, with prices that exceeded those of other Cadillac models. Production rarely exceeded 5,000 units per year for much of its existence, with the figures closer to the 3,000 mark during much of the 1950s and 1960s. 1947 was one of the better years for the large and stately automobile, with 5,036 units built accounting for approximately eight percent of Cadillac's production.

Civilian automobile production resumed in October of 1945, following World War II, and most wore styling from the pre-war era as companies worked aggressively to meet pent-up demand while also working on new designs. The post-war Cadillacs benefitted from the company's wartime experience producing defense materials, with period advertisements stating 'Battle Powered' with 'Victory' engines. The engines and transmissions in use during the war had been thoroughly tested and proven, able to cope with the rigors of war. The 1946 Cadillac engines continued to be the 346 cubic-inch displacement units from the prewar era with the same horsepower rating, despite having many re-engineered internal parts that added strength and reliability. The Hydra-Matic automatic transmission had also received improvement during the war years and arrived in 1946 with strengthened internal components.

Like its siblings, the Series 75 Fleetwood entered the post-war era as a mildly updated version of the 1942 model. It continued to ride on the same 136-inch wheelbase but with fewer body styles offered. As before, Imperial sedans with the division window were offered in a seven-passenger configuration. Nine-Passenger Business Sedans, both with and without division, were offered, primarily for funeral and livery markets. Prices for the 1946 Series 75 ranged from $4,300 to $4,700, or about twice the price of the entry-level Series 61 sedan (at $2,175).

The engine powering 1946 through 1948 Cadillacs was a 346 cubic-inch, L-head V8 with hydraulic valve lifters, three main bearings, and delivering 150 horsepower. Cadillac introduced all-new post-war styling in 1948, and a new overhead-valve V-8 engine in 1949, displacing 331 CID and delivering 160 horsepower.

The Series 75 came standard with lower beltline moldings, hood line moldings, stainless steel running boards, fender skirts, and large wheel discs.

Changes for 1947 were minimal, including a slight increase in prices by approximately $40. The five-passenger sedan was priced at $4,340, the seven-passenger sedan at $4,520, the 9-passenger business sedan at $4,200, the Imperial Sedan at $4,700, and the Imperial Business sedan with seating for nine at $4,390. The most popular was the Imperial Sedan with seating for seven, with 1,005 examples built. Next in popularity was the 7-passenger sedan with 890 examples built, followed by 300 of the five-passenger sedan, 135 of the business sedan, and 80 of the Imperial Business Sedan. Three examples were of the bare 138-inch wheelbase chassis and 2,623 were on the longer commercial chassis that measured 163 inches.

Fleetwood, Series 70, and Series 75
The Series 70 and Series 75 were Cadillac's line of full-sized V-8 powered cars, part of the lineup since the 1930s and remained in production through 1987 (thereafter, on limited on-demand production to 1992). The shorter wheelbase Series 70 was replaced in 1938 by the Series 60, and the Series 75 was incorporated into the Fleetwood line of cars.

The Fleetwood Body Company was formed in 1909 in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania as an independent coachbuilder, soon gaining a reputation for prestige and quality craftsmanship. They created bodies for many luxurious and distinguished automakers of their day including Isotta Fraschini, Rolls-Royce, Packard, Cadillac, and Duesenberg. In 1925, the firm was purchased by the Fisher Body Company and moved to Detroit in 1931, and soon closely integrated with the burgeoning General Motors empire.

The name 'Fleetwood' was affixed to several Cadillac models dating from 1935, often representing the longer wheelbase Cadillac models. Through 1984, all Fleetwood series cars were rear-wheel drive, and for 1985, 'Fleetwood' was used on new front-wheel-drive models which were made through 1992.


by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

Related Reading : Cadillac Series 70 and 80 History

The Cadillac Series 75 was the marques flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower-priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillacs would continue from the 1930s through the 1950s. It served as a replacement for the outgoing 355-D and was introduced around the same time as the less-expensive Series 60 model. Outwardly, the Series 80, including the 85, were similar....
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1947 Cadillac Series 75 Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$845-$4,194
1947 Series 75
$4,710-$13,005
1947 Cadillac Series 75 Price Range: $4,194 - $4,710

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Other 1947 Cadillac Models

Series 75 Generation III

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
5,036
138.00 in., 163.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$4,194 - $4,710
1,262
136.00 in., 163.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$4,680 - $5,200
3,363
146.75 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 160.00hp
$4,750 - $4,750

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