1939 Cadillac Series 75

The Cadillac Series 75 was introduced in 1936, serving as the flagship eight-cylinder model, a step above the Series 60 and below the sixteen-cylinder Series 90. The twelve-cylinder Cadillac had been discontinued following the 1937 model year. Bodies were initially offered by both Fisher and Fleetwood, but by 1938 the latter won out with the Series 75 available strictly as a Fleetwood. Nevertheless, the list of body styles remained vast with several different all-steel bodies offered in 1939 including formal and upright limousines to two- and four-door open cars.

The market experienced an economic downturn in 1938, recovering in 1939, and for Cadillac, sales rose accordingly, from 9,458 examples built in 1938 to 13,633 units the following year. 1938 production of the Series 75 reached 1,911 units followed by 2,069 units a year later.

The Series 75 initially rested on a 138-inch wheelbase platform, growing to 141-inches in 1938, and its 346 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine (which was shared with the Series 60, 65, and 70) produced 135 horsepower with the standard compression ratio of 6.25:1.

Styling cues of the 1938 Cadillac Series 75 included a large vertical cellular grille, an alligator hood, and headlights positioned between the fender and grille, resting on a filler piece. The rear profile was rounder and the trunk was nearly integrated into the bodywork. GM cars of 1939 wore avant-grade styling with the 'forward look' of pointed front ends. The 1939 Cadillac V-8 models had fine-pitched and integrated grille bars. By this point in history, styling had become neatly integrated and bodies had become modern and wore the aerodynamic design trends of the era, however, major changes were still a few years away.

By 1939, the battery had been relocated to the upper right-hand side of the hood, the oil filter had been removed, the suspension by leaf springs with a hypoid rear axle and a 'Synchro-Flex' flywheel. Due to the higher octane fuel, the Series 75 now used a 6.70:1 compression which brought horsepower to 140 bhp. 1938 models had the horn located behind the grille, and in 1939, the sea shell horns were located under the hood.

Along with the 141-inch wheelbase platform, the Series 75 was also available with a much larger 161-inch wheelbase suitable for commercial applications. Body styles included a two- and five-passenger coupe, a five- and seven-passenger sedan, an Imperial and Formal sedan with five to seven seats, a convertible coupe, a convertible sedan, and a seven-passenger town car. Prices ranged from $3,400 to $5,250.

The business cars resting on the 141-inch wheelbase included an eight-passenger touring sedan and touring imperial, priced at $3,15 and $3,370 respectively. The eighth passenger was seated with two others on auxiliary seats.

The L-head eight-cylinder engine displaced 346 cubic inches, used hydraulic valve lifters, three main bearings, a Stromberg carburetor, a cast-iron block with the blocks cast enbloc with the crankcase, and produced 140 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch and column gearshift controls. Hydraulic brakes provided the stopping power.

Optional equipment included a fog light and spotlight, an automatic battery filler, a radio, a heater, and a windshield washer.

The Series 75 would remain part of the Cadillac lineup through the 1987 model year. Following the departure of the sixteen-cylinder Series 90 at the end of the 1940 model year, the Series 75 became the new top-of-the-line model, a position it would hold for the remainder of its existence (albeit, the Series 70 Eldorado Brougham of 1957 and 1958 was more expensive due to its Pininfarina coachwork).

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 5320019
Engine number: 3290431

In 1939, there were a mere 2069 examples of the Series 75 produced. This 1939 Cadillac V8 Convertible Coupe was the recipient of an older high-quality restoration and was originally owned by William Wrigley Jr., of the chewing gum fame and owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

This car left the factory painted Trinidad Gray, color code 60, but is now painted in red-copper metallic with a tan leather interior. It has a beige canvas top that is showing some ware and beginning to fade. In the rear is a large trunk lined in black carpet. The odometer shows just 12,498 miles since new.

In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $75,000 - $100,000. This car has body style 39-7567 and is number 11 of just 27 produced in 1939. It is a very rare car with a history that includes a famous owner. The restoration has held up rather well over the years and it is very presentable in modern times. The large trunk space makes this a suitable candidate for long touring expeditions and the convertible top makes it an all-weather vehicle.

There was no reserve placed on this vehicle meaning the high bidder would become the new owner. At the auction, the lot did find an interested buyer and one who was willing to part with $73,700 including the buyer's premium to own this car. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Imperial Sedan by Fleetwood

With the economy improving in the late 1930s, Cadillac redesigned its automobiles with a more streamlined and stylish look. The late 1930s featured a more rakish front end, and repositioned headlamps.

The 1939 Cadillac 75 Models were completely restyled with a V-shaped grille, more glass area, and a shorter wheelbase. The Imperial sedan rode on a 141-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 346 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 135 horsepower coupled with a three-speed column-mounted manual transmission.

This 'touring' sedan features a divider between the driver and passenger compartments, allowing it to be chauffer driven on formal occasions. The body (style number 7519-F) was made by GM's Fleetwood division, which only produced coachwork for the top-of-the-line Cadillacs. This car was originally sold in Montreal, Canada. It is powered by the noteworthy 'ninety Degree' L-head V8 capable of 145 bhp.

This five-passenger Series 7519F Imperial Sedan version is one of just 53 examples built. Though not confirmed, the DuPont family owned a car just like this and with the extremely limited production, this could be it. It sat five comfortably and weighed in at 4,845 pounds. It was priced at $3,265 base. This model came with a 3-speed column-mounted stick shift manual transmission. There were just 638 seven-passenger models built and only 53 of the 5-passenger models. The wheelbase on all of the 75 Series cars is 141 inches.

This 5-passenger Imperial Sedan came without jump seats and the front seat is cloth. It also has a divider privacy window. A complete restoration returning it to its original glory was completed in 2002. It is driven on a regular basis on Classic Car Club of America and Antique Automobile Club of America tours. The current owner found the car at the annual Hershey show and swap meet in 2011.

Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood

This rare Cadillac is the pinnacle of bold American art deco design. The stylized chrome grill, hood ornament, and interior accouterments harken back to a bygone era. This Fleetwood-bodied convertible was one of only 27 built in 1939, with just five surviving today. Its original sale price of $3,500 ensured exclusivity. This particular car was featured in the factory's Fleetwood brochure, with its striking combination of Kingston gray over green leather. The daunting 141-inch wheelbase was shared with the V-16 models of that year.

This car was originally delivered to Seattle, WA. It was later discovered in 1990, after spending 30 years in a Vancouver auto museum. The car underwent a painstaking three-year restoration to factory specifications. The car has been regularly exercised as originally intended, completing a 2,000-mile tour across the Canadian Rockies and a 1,000-mile jaunt across Europe.

The car entered into the collection of the current owners in early 2009. A sympathetic preservation was performed by Randy Kimberly, which ensures that it remains authentic and reliable for years to come.

Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood

Walt Disney Company purchased this car along with a group of cars of the same year. They were for a promotion set up as a salute to the Queen Mary, which is still docked in Long Beach, California. It is one of only five left in the country and has an interesting history. Research has discovered the car was originally purchased in New York, as a special order car, for what was believed to be a front company for a mafia organization. There were only two previous owners of the car before being purchased by the current owner in 1992. The three-year complete restoration, performed by Steve Cooley Motors Inc., brought it back to original specifications up to and including the antenna under the running board.

Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 29836
Engine number: 3291832

The Cadillac Series 75 was introduced in 1936 as the company's top-of-the-line V8 model, a step above the Series 60 line. Initially, they were offered with both Fleetwood and Fisher bodies. By 1938 only bodies from Fleetwood could be had. The list of available bodies remained extensive with no less than a dozen different all-steel body styles offered in 1939 from formal and upright limousines to two- and four-door open cars.

The styling was becoming more modern, with the trunk neatly integrated into the body. The 141-inch wheelbase provided ample space for luggage and occupants.

This Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Convertible Sedan was the last of just thirty-seven examples that were produced that year. The original owner was the *** of Harrison A. Williams who was to become a Congressman and eventually the first four-time Senator in the history of New Jersey. The Williams family would own the car for approximately two decades before it was sold to a family in New York State. It would have three more caretakers before coming into the possession of its current caretaker, who purchased it in June 2011. A comprehensive refurbishment of the car began a short time later.

The Convertible Sedan has been completely repainted in its original Carolina Green, and re-chromed where needed. In May 2015, the Cadillac won 'Best Cadillac' in the 'All GM Car Show' in Woodland Hills, California.

by Dan Vaughan

The Cadillac Series 75 was the marque's flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower-priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillac's 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 in appearance with the main difference being underhood. The Series 80/85 featured a V12 engine while the Series 70/75 had a V8. The V8 produced 135 horsepower while the V12's output was 150 hp.

In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long-wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid-1960s.

The V8 Series 70 of the mid-1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.

There was a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.

The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.

A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.

In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.

The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.

Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.

For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7-inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.

The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.

Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.

by Dan Vaughan