Cadillac models during the 1930s were powered by eight-, twelve-, and sixteen-cylinder engines, but for 1941, only the eight-cylinder engine remained - the twelve was dropped after 1937 and the sixteen's final year was 1940. Cadillac's eight-cylinder engine was a ninety-degree, L-head, 346 cubic-inch unit introduced in 1937. Cadillac eight-cylinder displacements during the 1930s included 353 CID through 1936 when a 322 CID eight joined the lineup, along with a 346 CID version. Caddilac was diversifying its lineup due to the Great Depression, creating a lower-priced Cadillac, that was similar to a LaSalle but with the Cadillac badge. For 1937, the 346 CID was the sole eight-cylinder option and would continue in the post-war era through 1948 when it was replaced by a new overhead-valve 331 CID eight.
The 1941 Cadillac 346 CID engine had three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg or Carter carburetor, and the blocks cast enbloc with the crankcase. It delivered 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM and was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch and the gearshift on the column. Hydraulic brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power.
The Series 60S, Series 61, Series 62, and Series 63 rested on a 126-inch wheelbase. The 60S had a length of 217.2-inches, the 61 and 62 both measured 216-inches and the 63 at 215-inches. The Series 67 had a 139-inch wheelbase and the Series 75 rested on a 136-inch platform.
The Series 61 took over the market position previously held by the discontinued LaSalle brand, and was offered with two- and four-door Fisher body styles. The Series 63 was available only as a five-passenger touring sedan by Fisher, priced at $1,700. The 60S was priced in the low-$2,000s, offered as a sedan with or without a division window. The Series 62 was a Fisher-bodied coupe, convertible coupe, or touring sedan with prices that ranged from $1,400 to $1,970.
The 1941 styling included a one-piece hood that lowered in the front, a rectangular grille that bulged forward in the middle, rectangular parking lights, and headlights that were built into the nose of the fenders. Except for the Sixty Special, there were three chrome spears were on the rear section of all four fenders. Most bodies came standard with rear wheels hields.
Cadillac built 5,050 examples of the Series 63 in 1941, accounting for approximately seven percent of Cadillac's 66,169 total production.
by Dan Vaughan