Cadillac 62 Generation 1 Series 40-62 6229 Convertible Sedan by Fisher
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Car producer : |
Cadillac |
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Model: |
62 Generation 1 Series 40-62 6229 Convertible Sedan by Fisher |
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Year: |
1940-1941 |
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Type: |
Cabriolet |
The Fisher-bodied Series 62 replaced the Cadillac Series 61 at the lowest rung in the model line-up in 1940. The Series 62 featured a low sleek "torpedo" style C-body with chrome window reveals, more slant in the windshield, and a curved rear window. The new C-body that the 1940 Cadillac Series 62 shared with the Buick Roadmaster and Super, the Oldsmobile Series 90 and the Pontiac Torpedo featured shoulder and hip room that was over 5" wider, the elimination of running boards and exterior styling that was streamlined and 2-3" lower. When combined with a column mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort. These changes had clearly been influenced by the Cadillac Sixty Special. The styling feature distinguishing all V-8 Cadillacs was once again the grille. Although grilles had the same pointed shape as in 1939, the grille bars were heavier and fewer in number. Two sets of louver bars appeared on each side of the hood. Running boards were a no cost option. The Series 62 was available as a club coupe or a sedan, with 2-door and 4-door convertibles introduced mid-year. Sales totalled 5903 in its inaugural year accounting for about 45% of Cadillac's sales.
The identifying feature for all V-8 Cadillacs was once again the grille. Although the grilles were the same pointed shaped as in 1939, the grille bars were heavier and fewer in number. Two sets of louver bars appeared on each hood side panel.
Series 62 featured a low sleek body with chrome window reveals, more slant to the windshield, and a curved rear window. Running boards were no-cost options. Convertible Coupes and Sedans were introduced in midyear.
Sealed beam headlights and turn indicators were standard equipment. The engine manifold was set at five degrees to the engine to cancel the rearward tilt of the engine and give balanced fuel distribution. Serial numbers were located on the left frame side bar, opposite the steering gear. The starting and ending numbers were the same as the engine numbers. The engine number was located on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block, parallel to the dash.
Sales for 1939 eclipsed those of the Sixty Special's initial year. But Cadillac's new Series 62 stole a little of the Sixty Special's thunder in 1940. It was another Bill Mitchell design, a stunning one, utilizing the new, bustle-backed General Motors "C" body, a configuration that had clearly been inspired by the Sixty Special. Offering more than a touch of the latter's styling for substantially less money, the 62 naturally cut into the sales of the more expensive car, replacing it as Cadillac's best-seller.
Arriving in the price bracket just below the Special was the new Series 62, a replacement for the 61 featuring two predictive "torpedo" body styles fresh from the Art & Colour studio, a sedan and a five-passenger coupe. The 62 stole some of the Special's thunder. Another Bill Mitchell design, it employed GM's new C-body, with lines obviously inspired by the Special. This together with prices that were some 16 percent lower--enabled the 62 to oust the Special as Cadillac's volume leader for 1940.
Cadillac had settled on the 5.678 Litre version of the monobloc V-8 for all its eight-cylinder models except LaSalle beginning in 1937. Rated at 135 horsepower at 3400 rpm, the 5.678 litre had five more horses than the 1935 V-8 and 10 more than the one-year-only 5.277 litre monobloc.
