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1949 Cadillac Series 62

General Motors and its top-level Cadillac Motor Division outlasted the majority of its competitors by the late 1930s, many of whom were the victims of the Great Depression. During the early postwar era, GM offered the car-starved public mildly updated pre-war designs while perfecting its first new postwar models. The new Cadillac models for 1948 rested on a new chassis-frame design and body designs inspired by prewar studies of Lockheed's twin-boom, twin-engine P-38 fighter plane. Many clay models and prototypes were built, with this design work headed by Julio Andrade, assistant to GM design chief, Harley Earl. Despite the vast amount of resources and work invested in the early concepts, only the upward-flowing tailfins would grace the 1948 models. Many of the design features, however, were introduced over the following years, first on Cadillacs, then filtered down to the rest of the GM product hierarchy.

After the new-for-1948 models, Cadillac styling for 1949 continued essentially unchanged. Detail refinements included the replacement of the prior 'rainbow' cluster-style dash design with a more conventional layout featuring a horizontal speedometer. The biggest change was the introduction of a new overhead-valve V8 engine which offered an impressive 160 horsepower. With the then-high compression, the new V-8 delivered strong peak torque at just 1,800 engine revolutions. This would become the basis for many generations of Cadillacs to follow. It would also be used successfully by many legendary racers such as Allard and Cunningham. The V8 'valve-in-head' engine was light, smooth, economical to maintain, and offered much performance potential.

For 1949, Cadillac offered four models, including the Series 61 and 62 which were both sales successes and similar, identifiable by minor trim variations. The Series 62 was higher priced, had a distinctive Cadillac grille, and the front fender stone shields and rocker panel moldings were grooved. It was low, had a stretched hood line, and a wide stance. The interior was completely revamped and featured a new instrumentation panel, door moldings, trim, and a stylish line of fabrics.

Motor Trend magazine named its very first 'Car of the Year' in November of 1949. Ford was quickly eliminated, leaving Cadillac and Buick as contenders. Since the Cadillac V-8 developed nearly 20 percent more horsepower and weighed less than the Buick engine, it was the obvious choice.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019

Related Reading : Cadillac Series 62 History

The Harley Earl designed Cadillac Series 62 was a very large vehicle that featured a large, 6,390 cc (390 cubic inches) V-8 engine. The back had large fins that did little for performance and handling but was all about the style of the vehicle. The design of the vehicle was inspired by the space program and the era of jet engines. The large, 4400 lb car was fitted with drum brakes. These often wore....
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1949 Cadillac Series 62 Vehicle Profiles

1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Sedan

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496267947
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Club Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496268896
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 49628189
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496207708
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496233721
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496255635
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Club Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl
Chassis #: 496 279 904
1949 Cadillac Series 62 vehicle information
Club Coupe

Designer: Harley Earl

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$470-$2,965
1949 Series 62
$3,496-$15,195
1949 Cadillac Series 62 Price Range: $2,965 - $3,496

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1949 Cadillac Models

Generation III

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
34,213
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$2,910 - $3,440
55,643
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 160.00hp
$2,965 - $3,496
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 160.00hp
59,818
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 190.00hp
$3,149 - $3,653
81,844
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 160.00hp
$3,440 - $3,985
70,255
116.00 in., 126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 190.00hp
$3,540 - $4,110
85,446
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 210.00hp
$3,570 - $7,750
2
126.00 in.
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 210.00hp

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