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1954 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood

When peacetime resumed, the Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood was the company's long-wheelbase line of vehicles initially offered in 5-, 7-, and 9-passenger body styles, along with a commercial chassis. It wore unique bodies and was powered by a 346 cubic-inch V-8, L-head engine delivering 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. In 1950 it received an all-new body that was similar to the styling of the other Cadillac models. The 'high-headroom' bodies were in keeping with the car's luxury persona, and jump seats were used for the seven-passenger sedans. The 331 CID engine was now rated at 160 horsepower. Styling changes followed in 1952, in celebration of the company's Golden Anniversary and in a similar fashion to the other Cadillac models. The 331 CID engine now delivered 190 horsepower, increasing to 210 horsepower in 1953.

The 1975 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood was available as an eight-passenger sedan priced at $5,900 or an Imperial Sedan selling for just over $6,000. A commercial chassis was also available and were often used as ambulances, funeral cars, and other commercial purposes.

The wheelbase on the Series 75 measured 149.8 inches, increasing by 2 inches over the previous year's measurement. The overhead-valve V8 had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, an 8.25:1 compression ratio, and delivered 230 horsepower at 4400 RPM.

A V-shaped ornament was placed on the deck lid and the hood, and the 'Fleetwood' ***** also adorned the deck lid. A total of 889 examples of the sedan and 611 of the Imperial Sedan were built. A further 1,635 examples of the commercial chassis were constructed.

by Dan Vaughan

Hearse by Eureka Co.

Nothing says substantial and dignified like a Cadillac. A Cadillac hearse transports a loved one in safety and security, and a side-loading hearse eased the burden of the pallbearers as they carried a heavy casket from the funeral to the hearse at the curb.

The Eureka Co. of Rock Falls, Illinois, introduced the side-loading or three-way hearse in 1926. The side door allowed the casket to be loaded or removed through the rear door or from the left or right side doors.

This Cadillac Three-Way hearse was built as a demonstrator model for the Eureka dealership in Los Angeles, California. Salesman Frank Hubbard drove to Phoenix, Arizona to visit funeral homes and sell the hearse. It was purchased by Whitney & Murphy and was painted white.

In 1968, the hearse was used for the funeral of Pvt. Frank VanLoon, who was killed in Vietnam. Years later, his brother John purchased the hearse from Whitney & Murphy and began its restoration. After his death, the hearse was bought by the current owner Tom Hoczyk, who completed the restoration, including returning the Cadillac to its original gleaming black.

Now restored to its original dignified state, the Cadillac Three-Way Landau hearse is still used for funerals by special request.

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