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Cadillac 1946 - 1958

Series 61
The Series 61 was based on the GM B-body that was shared with the Buick 40, Olds 70 and Pontiac 26 & 28 series. All 1946 Cadillacs like those of all the major manufacturers were a continuation of pre-war styling and engineering. In 1947 there was a minor styling facelift. The grille now had 5 horizontal grille blades instead of six. There were major changes in 1948 including tailfins! A new dashboard will 'rainbow' style instrument cluster. 1949 saw the introduction of an new V8 engine, whilst appearance changes were marginal. Like all 1950 Cadillacs there were extensive changes to the Series 61. Most notably the Series 61 returned to having a shorter wheelbase than the Series 62. 1951 saw few changed from the previous year. Half-way through the year the Series 61 was discontinued due to a lack of sales.
Year
Body/Style Number Body Type Year Available
61072dr Coupe1946/9
61372dr Coupe1950/1
61094dr Sedan1946/7
61694dr Sedan1948/51
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID NumbersEngine Type
5400001- 54029751946346 ci V8 150 hp
5420001- 54285551947346 ci V8 150 hp
48100001- 4861486631948346 ci V8 150 hp
496100000- 4961925521949331 ci V8 160 hp
506100000- 50611038531950331 ci V8 160 hp
516100000- 51611103401951331 ci V8 160 hp

Series 62
The Series 62 was based on the GM C-body that was shared with the Cadillac 60S, Buick 50 and 70, Olds 90. All 1946 Cadillacs like those of all the major manufacturers were a continuation of pre-war styling and engineering. 1947 models featured minor facelift styling changes. For 1948 and 1949 the series was based on the same wheelbase as the Series 61. It was therefore identical to the Series 61 with the exception of trim. For 1950 the Series was more distinctive than the Series 61, being based on a longer wheelbase. 1951 saw few changes from the previous year. The Series 62 had full length underscores on the rocker panels which helped to distinguish it from the Series 61. 1952 was Cadillac's fifieth anniversary, however there were only minor styling changes. A redesigned grille with a heavier integral bumper and bumper guards. Production was brought to a halt in August after a fire at the Hydra-Matic Factory. Later in the production year the Eldorado luxury convertible was added to the range. Standard equipment included hydra-matic suspension, wraparound windshield, cut-down doors, rich leather and cloth trim, wire wells and whitewall tires. A new longer wheelbase was introduced for the Series 62 in 1954. Models were lower and sleeker than previously. Few changes were seen on 1955 models. In 1957 Cadillac adopted a tubular X-frame. This added to structural rigidity to the models. By using three center frame sections, three different overall measurements were available in the range. The Sedan DeVille was bigger than the standards models and the Eldorado derivatives were larger still. The Coupe DeVille and Sedan DeVille models had special nameplates on the front fenders. The Eldorado Brougham of 1957 was introduced to compete with the Lincoln Continental MkII. The 1958 models were essentially carryover models till the 1959 range and featured little change.
1957 Coupe De Ville
Photo copyright © Christina Reynen



Body/Style NumberBody TypeYear Available
62072dr Coupe1946/9
62372dr Coupe1950/8
6267DConvertible Coupe1946
6267Convertible Coupe1947/8
6267XConvertible Coupe1949/58
62694dr Sedan1946/9
62194dr Sedan1950/6
62394dr Sedan1957/8
6237DXCoupe DeVille1950/8
6219SXSedan DeVille1954
6239DXSedan DeVille1956/7
6239EDXSedan DeVille1958
6239EExtended Deck Sedan1958
1953 on - X with the body style number indicates hydraulic option fitted.
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID NumbersYearEngine Type
8400001- 84185661946346 ci V8 150 hp
8420001- 84598351947346 ci V8 150 hp
486200001- 4862527041948346 ci V8 150 hp
496200000- 4962925541949331 ci V8 160 hp
506200000- 50621038571950331 ci V8 160 hp
516200000- 51621103401951331 ci V8 160 hp
526200000- 1952331 ci V8 190 hp
536200000- 1953331 ci V8 210 hp
546200000- 1954331 ci V8 230 hp
556200000- 1955331 ci V8 250 hp
566200000- 1956365 ci V8 285 hp
576200000- 1957365 ci V8 300 hp
58K000001- (Sedan)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
58N000001- (Extended Deck)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
58L000001- (Sedan DeVille)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
58G000001- (Coupe)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
58J000001- (Coupe DeVille)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
58F000001- (Convertible)1958365 ci V8 310 hp
6267SXEldorado Convertible1953/5
6267SXEldorado Convertible Biarritz1956/8
6237DXEldorado Coupe SeVille1956
6237SDXEldorado Coupe SeVille1957/8
6239SXEldorado Sedan SeVille1957
536200000- 1953331 ci V8 210 hp
546200000- 1954331 ci V8 230 hp
556200000- 1955331 ci V8 270 hp
566200000- 1956331 ci V8 305 hp
576200000- 1957331 ci V8 305 hp
The 325 hp engine was optional on the SeVille and Biarritz models
58H000001- (Coupe SeVille)1958331 ci V8 335 hp
58E000001- (Biarritz)1958331 ci V8 335 hp
This engine was optional on other Cadillac models

Series 60 Fleetwood Special
The Series 60 Fleetwood Special was based on the GM C-body that was shared with the Cadillac 62, Buick 50 and 70, Olds 90. All 1946 Cadillacs like those of all the major manufacturers were a continuation of pre-war styling and engineering. Each door was 2 inches wider than the standard Series 60 models. It is easily identified by the four louvers on the rear roof pillar. 1947 models featured a new Fleetwood ornament on the trunk. With the extensive restyling of the Cadillac range the Fleetwood Special can be identified by the eight louvers on the rear fender. Changes matched those of the other Series 60 models. In 1952 Fleetwood appeared on the rear deck instead of Cadillac.


Body/Style NumberBody TypeYear Available
60694dr Sedan1946/8
6069X4dr Sedan1949
60194dr Sedan1950/2
6019X4dr Sedan1953/6
60394dr Sedan1957
6039X4dr Sedan1958
6037XCoupe DeVille (1 only)1949
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID NumbersYearEngine Type
6400001- 64056791946346 ci V8 150 hp
6420001- 64285001947346 ci V8 150 hp
486000001- 4860527061948346 ci V8 150 hp
497500001- 4975771351949331 ci V8 160 hp
506000000- 50601035801950331 ci V8 160 hp
516000000- 51601103401951331 ci V8 160 hp
5260S00000- 1952331 ci V8 190 hp
5360S00000- 1953331 ci V8 210 hp
546000000- 1954331 ci V8 230 hp
556000000- 1955331 ci V8 250 hp
566000000- 1956365 ci V8 285 hp
576000000- 1957365 ci V8 300 hp
58M000001- 1958365 ci V8 310 hp

Series 70 Eldorado Brougham
The Series 70 Eldorado Brougham was announced in December 1956 and launched in March 1957. It was a hand-built limited edition 4dr hard top sedan. It featured America's first completely pillarless 4dr door body styling. It even featured a brushed stainless steel roof. Buyers had a choice of 44 full leather interior trim combinations.


Body/Style NumberBody TypeYear Available
70594 dr Sedan1957
7059X4 dr Sedan1958
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID NumbersYearEngine Type
577000000- 1957365 ci V8 325 hp
58P000001- 1958365 ci V8 325 hp

Series 75 Fleetwood
The Series 75 used a unique wheelbase. An extended comm.ercial chassis was also available. All 1946 Cadillacs like those of all the major manufacturers were a continuation of pre-war styling and engineering. The 1947 and 1948 models were almost unchanged from the 1946 model. The 48 models featuring a new dashboard. 1949 saw few changes, the major one was the revised dashboard that was introduced on all Cadillac models. The number of styles in the range was reduced for 1950 from 5 to 3 with the 9 seater variants being dropped. In 1951 there were minor styling changes. Inside all the models offered 8 seats. Along with the other Cadillac models the Series 75 had a lengthened wheelbase for 1954. The Commercial Chassis outsold production models for the first time. From 1955 the Eldorado engine was available at extra cost on the Series 75.


Body/Style NumberBody TypeYear Available
75194 dr Sedan 5p1946/7
7519X4 dr Sedan 5p1948/9
75234 dr Sedan 7p1946/7
7523X4 dr Sedan 7p1948/50
7523X4 dr Sedan 8p1951/4
7523X4 dr Sedan 7p1955/6
7523X4 dr Sedan 9p1957/8
7523LBusiness Sedan 9p1946/50
7523LBusiness Sedan 8p1951
7533Imperial Business 7p1946/7
7533LImperial Business 9p1946/9
7533XImperial Business 7p1948/50
7533XImperial Business 8p1951/4
7533XImperial Business 7p1955/6
7533XImperial Business 9p1957
4533XImperial Business 9p1958
86Commerical Chassis1950/52
Previously available but with no body code
8680SCommerical Chassis1953/8
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID NumbersYearEngine Type
3400001- 64056791946346 ci V8 150 hp
3420001- 34250361947346 ci V8 150 hp
487500001- 487546088 194346 ci V8 150 hp
497500000- 4975771351949331 ci V8 160 hp
507500000- 50751038571950331 ci V8 160 hp
517500000- 1951331 ci V8 160 hp
527500000- 1952331 ci V8 190 hp
537500000- 1953331 ci V8 210 hp
547500000- 1954331 ci V8 230 hp
557500000- 1955331 ci V8 250 hp
567500000- 1956365 ci V8 285 hp
577500000- 1957365 ci V8 300 hp
58R000001- (Sedan)1958365 ci V8 300 hp
58S000001- (Imperial)1958365 ci V8 300 hp

Generally the Convertibles from this area are the most valuable. Generally 100% more than 2 door hardtop models, which in turn are more valuable than 4 door models. Up to 1953 the most valuable model is the 1946 62 Convertible. 1953 was the launch of the Eldorado convertible, these are now worth in the region of $100,000 and clearly the most desirable Cadillac of this era to own.

Books
Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-2000 UKUSA
Cadillac 1948-1964 Photo Album UK USA Patrick, Mark A.
Cadillac Automobiles 1949-1959 UK USA Clarke R M

More Cadillac Books

Models

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