1946 Cadillac Series 62

The Cadillac Automobile Company of Detroit, Michigan completed its first car in October 1902 and quickly established a reputation for its superior precision manufacturing technology. Innovations have kept it at the forefront of the industry, and its cars are recognized worldwide as symbols of wealth and prestige. Nearly every year throughout the 1930s brought about a landmark advance in the development of Cadillac's long-running V-8 engine, which by the end of the decade had been rationalized to a single 346 cubic-inch variant, while the V12 and V16-engined coachbuilder models had been dropped from the lineup.

Cadillac's V8 engine was renowned for its smooth operation and a plethora of torque, often backed by the optional Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

The Fisher-built 'Projectile' or 'Torpedo' bodies first appeared on the 1940 Cadillac range with a revised front-end treatment following a year later, establishing a pattern that would last for several years. Car production halted suddenly throughout the American auto industry in 1942 as factories were retooled in support of the war effort. When peacetime resumed, so did civilian automobile production, but the problem was that the design and development of new models had all but halted during the war as well. Most manufacturers made do with hastily refreshed versions of their existing pre-war models, trying to meet the pent-up demand for new automobiles. All-new designs were being created, but it would be several years (for most manufacturers) before they were ready for introduction.

1946 Cadillac Lineup

The 1946 Cadillac lineup included the entry-level Series 61 priced at $2,050 for the club coupe and $2,180 for the sedan, the bread-and-butter Series 62 priced in the low-$2,000s, the Series 60 Special Fleetwood four-door sedan priced at $3,100, and the range-topping Series 75 Fleetwood priced in the low-to-mid $4,000s. The Series 61 rested on a 126-inch wheelbase, the Series 62 on a 129-inch platform, a 133-inch wheelbase for the Series 60S, and a 136-inch platform for the Series 75. Body styles on the Series 75 included a 5- and 7-passenger sedan, a 7-passenger Imperial Sedan, and a 9-passenger Business Sedan and Imperial Business Sedan. The Series 61 was based on the General Motors 'B-Body' platform which it shared with the Buick 40, Pontiac 26 and 28 series, and the Oldsmobile 70.

All 1946 Cadillac models were powered by the 346 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine with a 7.25:1 compression ratio, hydraulic valve lifters, three main bearings, and delivering 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. All models also received ball-bearing steering, mechanical fuel pump, oil bath air cleaner, synchromesh transmission, automatic choke, intake silencer, directional signals, Torbend disc clutch, Super-Safe hydraulic brakes, and sealed beam lighting. The suspension was comprised of coil springs in the front, wax-lubricated rear springs, hypoid rear axle, double-ride stabilizers, and permanently lubricated universals. They rode on slotted disc wheels and low-pressure tires.

Production started shortly after VE day, however, strikes and sheet-metal shortages held Cadillac to 29,214 examples built for 1946, with the Series 62 accounting for approximately 64 percent of the total production. Cadillac sales rose significantly the following year, with approximately 96,000 orders remaining unfilled.

1946 Cadillac Series 62

The Cadillac Series 62 used the C-Body GM platform shared with its 60 Special Fleetwood siblings, the Buick 50 and 70, and Oldsmobile 90 series. Body styles included a four-door sedan with seating for five priced at $2,360 and a convertible coupe at $2,560, both with notchback styling. The two-door club coupe with seating for five was priced at $2,285 and had fastback styling. Standard equipment included bullet-shaped fenders, skirted rear wheel openings, chrome-plated rear fins, and a three-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission. The four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic was optional, along with fog lights, a white sidewall disc, large wheel discs, and a safety spotlight.

by Dan Vaughan

Club Coupe

As soon as World War II ended, the Detroit 'Arsenal of Democracy' shifted back to producing new automobiles for a car-hungry America. Cadillac, like other manufacturers, re-introduced slightly revised versions of their short-run 1942 models. The rarely seen 1942 Cadillac Series 62 models had featured completely new, extremely handsome styling that, if anything, became even more desirable with the 1946 adaptation.

The Series 62 Club Coupe was an especially stylish car, with its low roofline and side windows accenting its beautifully flowing lines. The massive car had an overall length of 220 inches and a 129-inch wheelbase. It weighed 4,100 lbs.

The Series 62's basic Fisher 'C-Body' design was also used by Oldsmobile and Buick senior lines. Buick called the 2-door style a 'Sedanette,' Oldsmobile termed it a 'Club Sedan' and Cadillac called their version a 'Club Coupe.' The sleek fastback body was continued into 1947, with minor appearance changes, by all three GM divisions and was used by Buick through 1948.

Only 2,323 buyers were lucky enough to take a new Cadillac Series 62 Club Coupe home in 1946. This example cost its original owner $1972.33, including taxes. The current owner has owned this 1946 Cadillac for 21 years and has driven it more than 45,000 miles, participating in many collector car tours. The car's Fleetwood interior was restored, with new old stock cloth, in 2006.

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8416093

The Cadillac Series 62, even though it remained largely unchanged from the prewar 1942 models, was an ultra-modern vehicle and very successful in the immediate post-war era. The interior was luxurious and the pricing was considered quite reasonable, resulting in it becoming Cadillac's best-selling model.

Slight changes occurred for the 1946 model year; the grille and front parking lamps were slightly altered, the dashboard was mildly changed, and wrap-around bumpers were added. Optional equipment included the 346 cubic-inch V8 engine with dual downdraft carburetors, and the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission - both of these options were installed on this particular Convertible Coupe. It is an unrestored, mostly original car with a single repaint in light blue. There is a power-operated tan convertible top, and blue-painted steel wheels with chrome hubcaps, trim rings, and period-correct whitewall tires. The interior is blue leather upholstery with blue carpeting, a blue painted dash, and a three-spoke steering wheel. Amenities include power windows, a power front seat and a heater, and a pushbutton-operated radio.

In 2009, this Cadillac Series 62 was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The lot was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and was offered without a reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $48,400 including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8409520
Engine number: 8409520

The Cadillac Automobile Company of Detroit was founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer. Their first car was completed in October of 1902 and it was not long before the company's superior precision manufacturing technology gave them a reputation as one of the foremost builders of quality cars in the United States. Over the years, Cadillac continued to excel in technology, build quality, prestige, and design. This was true even during the difficult economic times of the 1930s. Cadillac continued to introduce landmark advancements. The engine lineup included a V8, V12, and V16 options, but by the close of the 1930s, the only engine that remained was the smooth and powerful V8. It had plenty of torque, moderate power, was reliable, and offered smooth operation. For an additional $174, buyers could have the engine mated to a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

In 1940, the Series 62 Cadillacs featured the Fisher-built 'Projectile' or 'Torpedo' bodies. The following year, they were given a revised front-end treatment, establishing a pattern that would continue for several years. The car's stardom was taken to new heights when American sportsman Briggs Cunningham entered a Series 62 in the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hour race. The Coupe de Ville finished 10th at Le Mans that year, driven by the Collier brothers.

This particular example is one of fewer than 1,400 examples produced for the 1946 model year. The early history of the car is not known, but it is believed to have resided in the Denver, Colorado area since new. By the mid-1990s, the car was in the care of Mr. Charlie Wisherd. It is believed that Mr. Wisherd had purchased the about a decade earlier from Mr. and Mrs. Norby, and prior to that, the Cadillac is believed to have been in static storage for about 2 decades. In January of 1995, the car was purchased from Mr. Wisherd by Denver, Colorado resident, Mr. Al White. Soon after, a comprehensive overhaul followed, with the paintwork carefully restored upholstery re-done, and the plating receiving attention.

Mr. Tom Kostelecky of Littleton, Colorado purchased the car from Mr. White's estate in 1998, and soon treated the engine to a complete overhaul. When the work was completed, the Kostelecky's took the car on a 10-day, national CCCA CARavan, where the Cadillac reportedly performed faultlessly.

The current caretaker acquired the car in 2004.

The car is powered by a 346 cubic-inch L-Head V8 engine fitted with a single Two-Barrel carburetor and offering 150 horsepower. There is a 3-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: 8413012
Engine number: 8413012

Automobile production in the United States was suddenly halted in 1942 as factories were retooled in support of the war effort. When peacetime resumed, civilian automobile production could resume - despite the fact that designs were from the early 1940s. The current models with prewar designs wore a subtly reworked front end with a new grille and fender profile. The contoured body would serve as the basis for Cadillac's design language through the rest of the 1940s and into the early 1950s. Several body styles and trim packages were offered with the ultimate two-door offering being the Series 62 Convertible Coupe. Nearly 40,000 units were Series 62 with 1,353 of those being the 1946 Series 62 Convertible Coupe.

This particular example was delivered new to Eberts Cadillac of Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 28th of 1946. Among the list of optional equipment bestowed include a Hydramatic automatic transmission, automatic cabin heater, radio with aerial, and wheel skirts. Standard equipment included power windows, a power seat, and a convertible top.

By December of 1990, this Series 62 was in a private collection in Pennsylvania. The current caretaker acquired the vehicle in 2002.

This Convertible Coupe has been restored to factory-correct standard some years prior during previous ownership. This vehicle wears its original color combination of a black exterior over a tan Bedford cord and red leather upholstery beneath a tan convertible top.

by Dan Vaughan

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 out quickly. If a U-turn needed to be made, the driver would need a parking lot. The turning radius was 24 feet.

The name 'DeVille' would first be used in 1949 on the Coupe De Ville, and later on the 1956 Sedan DeVille. The 1942, 1946, and 1947 versions were similar; they were completely different from the 1941 body styles.

The car was a luxury vehicle that could carry six individuals comfortably. The car was a convertible with the top being raised and lowered automatically. The interior had electrical gauges. The headlights would turn on at dusk and were capable of switching from high beam to low beam when they sensed oncoming traffic. In total, there were eight lights on the front of the vehicle. The four on the top were the driving lights while the lights mounted on the bumper were the parking lamps. To add to the driving comfort, air suspension was used. This aided in providing a very soft ride but there was significant body roll when cornering. With the V8, it was capable of creeping to sixty in 11 seconds. This reinforced the notion that this Cadillac was built for comfort and not for speed. The drivers enjoyed the ride and they looked good cruising along, enjoying the large open road.

by Dan Vaughan