Cadillac 62 Generation 2 Series 42-62 6267 Convertible Club Coupe by Fisher
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Car producer : |
Cadillac |
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Model: |
62 Generation 2 Series 42-62 6267 Convertible Club Coupe by Fisher |
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Year: |
1942-1947 |
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Type: |
Cabriolet |
The 1942 Cadillacs were basically similar to '41, but with prices starting at $1450 (up $105) and with longer 3277mm and 3378mm wheelbases for the Series Sixty-Two and Sixty Special, respectively. Body shells were reworked to look rounder and more massive -- it's debatable that they looked any better. Keynotes of Cadillac's facelift were long pontoon fenders that extended into the front doors, a theme repeated on the rear fenders, and a more massive die cast egg-crate grille. After 1942, the Series Sixty-Three and Sixty-Seven were discontinued. Only 16,511 units were built before production switched to M-24 tanks, aircraft engines, and munitions.
Cadillac entered 1942, its Fortieth Anniversary year, with the same 150-bhp V-8 and six series, but model choices were pared to 22. Gone were the two Sixty-One DeLuxe, the Sixty-Two convertible sedan, and the Sixty Special Town Car.
If 1941 was the year of the egg crate grille at Cadillac, then '42 was the year of the bullet -- or pontoon -- shaped fenders. They caused the '42 design to come across as bulkier, particularly the bulbous front units, which swept rearward well into the doors. This fender treatment had apparently developed in the stylists' minds over several years, for one drawing done at the GM studios as early as 1934 showed the extended fender line explicitly. And, of course, it was seen in production on the '41 Sixty Special, albeit in a more squared-off form.
For 1942, Cadillac boasted a wider, bolder egg crate grille with round parking lights and rectangular fog lamps (when not ordered, fluted chrome caps took their place). Also up front, a seed had been planted that would grow enormously over the years to come, for there on the front bumper was a pair of small (almost embryonic) "Dagmar" bumper extensions. Ed Glowacke would fully develop this design motif in the mid-Fifties.
Cadillac advertised its sealed, ribbed Super-Safe brakes and made a point of demonstrating its All-Weather Ventilation System, which allowed an unobstructed flow of air into the car even in the rain. In addition, a T-type parking brake handle was adopted. The Sixty Specials and Sixty-Twos featured a new instrument panel, as well as longer wheelbases: 3378mm and 3277mm, respectively. The Sixty-Two boasted a new fastback coupe, the Sedanet. Looking even more aerodynamic than the Sixty-One fastback, it was easily identified by its longer rear side windows.
For 1942, the Series line-up remained the same as in 1941. The grille became more massive, with fewer bars. Parking lights became round and fog light sockets became rectangular and were included within the grille area. A bullet shape appeared on the tops of the bumper guard. Fenders were rounded and longer. The new fenders had heavy mouldings along the sides. Bulbous lines plus superfluous trim in the form of louver bars on the quarters and numerous short vertical bars low on the fenders spoiled its appeal. A new fresh air ventilating system with air ducts leading from the grille, replaced cowl ventilators. Handbrake control was changed from lever to T-shaped pull handle. Radiator shutter control of engine temperature was replaced by a blocking-type thermostat in the water return fitting on the radiator.
