1949 Cadillac Series 61

The luxury car segment in the post-war era was up for grabs, as many of the prominent marques had introduced stunning, modern, and elegant creations in the immediate years leading up to World War II. The cars that first entered production post-WWII were mildly updated versions of the pre-war era, and it would be several years before automakers would introduce all-new products. For Cadillac, that year was 1948.

Cadillac returned to its trendsetting ways with the introduction of a new design featuring upswept tailfins, a styling cue that would continue to evolve during the 1950s and inspired many increasingly outrageous imitations through the automotive industry. GM Styling Chief Harley Earl and his staff had been given a sneak peek of the new and highly-classified Lockheed P38 Lightning fighter aircraft at Pearl Harbor prior to World War II. The highly advanced aircraft-inspired numerous novel styling models through the development of the postwar Cadillac models, but it was designer Frank Hershey — head of a special projects studio and briefly the Cadillac design team during Mitchell's service as a Navy officer - who fine-tuned and finalized the tailfin design. The finished product earned approval from Earl and Cadillac Chief Engineer Ed Cole and would become a prominent feature on Cadillac models through the 1950s, climaxing in the late 1950s when it grew to new heights and incorporated twin bullet taillamps.

The introduction of the new overhead valve 331 cubic-inch V8 engine for 1949 helped Cadillac win Motor Trend Magazine's first Car of the Year award. The new powerplant was 200 pounds lighter than the 346 cubic-inch Flathead it replaced and was more powerful and more fuel-efficient, thanks in part to its oversquare design, wedge-shaped combustion chambers, and new 'slipper' pistons that allowed for much higher engine speeds and longevity. Engineered by Ed Cole, Jack Gordon, and Harry Barr, it had a cast-iron block, a 7.5:1 compression ratio, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and produced 160 horsepower at 3,800 RPM (vs. 150 hp from the previous engine).

1949 Cadillacs used a competent modular chassis design reinforced with large cross-bracing and suspended by an independent front suspension along with a 'live' rear axle. Hydraulic drum brakes provided the stopping power.

The 1949 Cadillac vehicles wore an extended bonnet line with the Goddess 'hood ornament' moved forward, a new grille that wrapped onto the wings and around to the wheel openings, and new chrome trim. Its appearance was longer, lower, and wider - a design trend that Cadillac and GM would pursue further in future models. All sedan body styles had a larger luggage compartment lid and standard equipment gained twin backup lamps mounted on the deck lid latch panel.

Cadillac's model lineup for 1949 included the 'entry-level' Series 61 rested on a 126-inch wheelbase which it shared with the 'intermediate' Series 62. Prices on the Series 61 ranged from $2,780 for the club coupe and rose to $2,890 for the four-door sedan. The prices of the Series 62 ranged from $2,960 to $3,500. Both the Series 61 and Series 62 wore very similar styling, with the Series 62 receiving additional chrome trim, bright rocker panel moldings, front fender stone shields, and a plusher interior with more standard amenities.

Above the Series 61 and Series 62 was the Series 60 Special Fleetwood resting on a 133-inch wheelbase platform. The four-door sedan body style was priced at $3,839 which was approximately $800 higher than the sedan body style of the Series 62, and circa-$1,000 higher than the Series 61 sedan.

The top-of-the-line and most exclusive 1949 Cadillac model was the SEries 75 Fleetwood resting on a generous 136-inch wheelbase. Bodystyles included 5- and 7-passenger sedans and limousines with prices that ranged from $4,750 to $5,170.

All 1949 Cadillacs employed the new 331 CID OHV V8 and the Hydra-Matic transmission was a popular option, adding $174 (USD) to the base price. Cadillac produced its one-millionth automobile on November 25th of 1949 - a Series 62 Coupe DeVille.

Approximately 60 percent of Cadillac's 1949 production were Series 62 with the majority being the sedan (37,617 of the total 55,643 Series 62). The Series 61 accounted for approximately 24 percent of production with most being the sedan (15,738 vs 6,409 of the club coupe). The 22,148 units of the Series 61 include a single rolling chassis, along with the sedan and club coupe production.

The Series 61 served as the entry-level Cadillac in 1946 and would remain part of the lineup through 1951. For 1952, Cadillac's 50th anniversary year, the 'entry-level' (i.e. most affordable) Cadillac was the Series 62, followed by the Series Sixty Special Fleetwood, and then the SEries 75 Fleetwood.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021