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1942 Cadillac Series 60 Special

The 1942 model year was abbreviated throughout Detroit due to the United States' entry into World War II. For Cadillac, total production was just 16,513 units, a significant reduction from the 66,169 produced a year earlier.

Although the 1942 Cadillac stying remained mostly unchanged, in the front was a more prominent grille with fewer bars, and the fog lights within the grille became rectangular and the parking lights became round. On top of the bumper guards were bullet-shaped design elements, and fenders became longer and rounder. The rear fenders on the Series 60 and Series 62 entended rather forward, into the rear doors.

The entry-level Cadillac was the Fisher Series 61, with a 126-inch wheelbase, with prices of $1,560 for the club coupe and $1,650 for the sedan. Prices for the Fisher Series 62, resting on a 129-inch wheelbase, ranged from $1,670 to $2,020. The Fisher Series 63 also used a 126-inch wheelbase and was priced at $1,880 for the sedan. Next in the pricing scheme was the Fleetwood Series 60 Special, priced at $2,440 for the sedan, adding an additional $150 for the Imperial sedan with an electrically adjustable glass partition between the front and rear seats.

Above the Series 60 Special, 61, 62, and 63 were the Fisher Series 67 on a 139-inch wheelbase and a Fleetwood Series 75 on a 136-inch platform. Series 67 prices ranged from $2,900 to $3,200 and the Series 75 listed for $3,300 to $4,490.

The Sixty Special was introduced in 1938 wearing designs by Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell and positioned between the entry-level 'Series 60' and the larger-bodied Series cars. First-generation 60 Specials were built at the Fleetwood plant but marketed as a Fisher body in 1938 and 1939.

1942 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Sixty Special
The new-for-1942 Sixty Special had a 133-inch wheelbase, 7 inches longer and 1 inch lower than the 1941 model - the longest non-limousine Cadillac at the time. The new design was more aerodynamic, more streamlined, and less upright than its predecessor, with 'pontoon' fenders, bumper 'bullets,' and bright metal window surrounds. The 'C-Pillar' was wider than its sibling, and decorative chrome louvers were located behind the wheel well openings on the front and rear fenders, and on the roof behind the rear door opening.

Along with additional trim elements and a larger wheelbase, the Sixty Special was endowed with a more luxuriously outfitted interior.

Like other 1942 Cadillacs, a three-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission was standard and braking was supplied by four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The Sunshine Roof option was discontinued due to a lack of popularity and would not return until the 1970 Eldorado. An automatic transmission was a $135 option, and the hill-holder added an additional $12.50 to the base price.

The most popular 1942 Cadillac model was the Series 61 with 5,700 examples sold, followed by 4,961 of the Series 62. Sales of the Series 60 Special and Series 63 were similar, with 1,875 of the former and 1,750 of the latter. 1,527 were Series 75 and a mere 700 were Series 67.

Following World War II, Cadillac resumed production using its pre-war models, including the Series 61, Series 62, Series 60 Special Fleetwood, and Series 75 Fleetwood. The engines, wheelbase sizes, and styling were carried over from 1942. All-new post-war designs were introduced by 1948, and a new overhead valve V8 arrived in 1949.

Cadillac would continue to use the Sixty Special name through 1976, and then from 1987 through 1993.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021

Related Reading : Cadillac 60 / Sixty History

The designation Sixty Special has denoted a specific model since 1938. At first, the name was saved for Cadillacs lowest price range but eventually, the Sixty Special name would be reserved for Cadillacs most luxurious automobiles. 1941 was the final year of Bill Mitchells original Sixty Special design and a brand new 1942 model was in the cards. Nearly 17,900 Sixty Specials were produced from....
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1942 Cadillac Series 60 Special Vehicle Profiles

1942 Cadillac Series 60 Special vehicle information
Convertible Sedan

Designer: Harley Earl

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1942 Series 60 Special
$2,590-$36,305
1942 Cadillac Series 60 Special Price Range: $2,435 - $2,590

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1942 Cadillac Models
$3,150 - $36,305

Sixty Special Fleetwood

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
1,875
133.00 in.
8 cyl., 346.00 CID., 150.00hp
$2,435 - $2,590

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