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1947
Cadillac Series 62
Some history & technical specifications
images from www.motorera.com
There was
a prevailing belief that the '42s were not as well built as
the '41s. This wasn't quite true, although the use of lightweight
cast-iron pistons instead of aluminum was common. Shoddiness
showed up in chrome trim with thin layers of copper and nickel
understrikings, or in the inferior grade of plastic that was
used everywhere, especially in interior hardware and dashboards.
Even the upholstery didn't seem to be quite up to previous standards.
The 1942
Cadillacs were basically similar to '41, but with prices starting
at $1450 (up $105) and with longer 129- and 133-‘ch 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
diecast 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 DeLuxes, the Sixty-Two convertible
sedan, and the Sixty Special Town Car. Prices now ranged from
$1450 to $4060. The 1942 Cadillac was -- and is -- fairly rare
because output was halted on February 41 1942. The U.S. had
entered World War II on December 8, just hours after the Japanese
bombing of Pearl Harbor, forcing an industry-wide conversion
to the manufacture of war materiel. And in fact, the U.S. Office
of Production Management had ordered auto production cutbacks
back in August 1941, to 73.5 percent of 1940 output.
If 1941 was the year of the eggcrate 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 eggcrate 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: 133 and 129 inches, 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.
The Sixty Special lost some of its uniqueness as Cadillac continued
to consolidate its offerings. It now looked much like the regular
Cadillacs, with thick center window posts and single chrome
spears on all four fenders. The Special, however, sported a
series of 14 vertical chrome hash marks on the lower edges of
both the front and rear fenders. Fender skirts were standardized
across the board.
It should be noted that although the Seventy-Fives adopted the
new '42 front-end styling, they retained 1941's short, square
fenders and triple chrome strips behind the wheels. In fact,
they would carry on with the same square-rigged lines through
1949
Washington issued "black-out" orders to Cadillac and
the rest of the industry on December 31, 1941: no car could
be delivered with visible stainless steel trim or chrome, except
for bumpers. Metal already chromed or in stainless had to be
covered up so that no make would have a sales advantage. Cadillac
and the other GM divisions complied by painting the trim in
the lighter of their two-tone colors, usually off-white or light
gray (some automakers used a thin coat of plastic, most often
gray or ivory).
For 1942,
the Series lineup 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.
Front fenders on all but Series 75 extended into the front doors.
Series 62 and 60S rear fenders extended forward into rear doors.
The new fenders had heavy moldings along the sides.
Series 75 had the new grille but retained the 1941 fender treatment.
A detail trim change on the 75's was a rounded nose on the hood
louvers.
The first general styling change on the Sixty Special destroyed
the character of the car.
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.
The only convertible was the Series 62, showing quarter windows
for the first time.
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.
ID Data
Serial numbers were on the right frame side bar, just behind
the engine support bracket.
Starting: Same as engine number.
Ending: Same as engine number.
Engine numbers were on the right hand side of the crankcase,
just above the water pump.
Engine Numbers on Chrome or polished stainless steel brightwork
models
Series 42A-60S = 6380001 - 6391500
Series 42A-61 = 5380001 -5385237
Series 42A-62 = 8380001 - 8384401
Series 42A-63 = 7380001 - 7381500
Series 42A-67 = 9380001 -9380520
Series 42A-75 = 3380001 - 3381200
Engine Numbers on Painted "brightwork" models
Series 428-60S = 6386001 - 6386375
Series 42B-61 = 5386001 - 5386461
Series 42B-62 = 8386001 - 8386560
Series 42B-63 = 7386001 - 7386250
Series 42B-67 = 9386001 - 9386180
Series 42B-75 = 3386001 - 3386327
Style Number |
Doors |
Style |
Seating |
Price |
Weight |
Fleetwood Series 42-60S, 133" Wheelbase |
42-6069 |
4-door |
Sedan |
- |
2435 |
4310 |
42-6069-F |
4-door |
Sedan (Div) |
- |
2589 |
4365 |
Fisher Series 42-61, 126" Wheelbase |
42-6107 |
- |
Club Coupe |
5 |
1560 |
4035 |
42-6109 |
4-door |
Sedan |
- |
1647 |
4115 |
Fisher Series 42-62, 129" Wheelbase |
42-6207 |
- |
Club Coupe |
5 |
1667 |
4105 |
42-6207D |
- |
Opt. Club Coupe |
5 |
1754 |
4125 |
42-6269 |
4-door |
Sedan |
- |
1754 |
4185 |
42-6269D |
4-door |
Opt. Sedan |
- |
1836 |
4205 |
42-6267D |
- |
Optional Convertible Club Coupe |
5 |
2020 |
4365 |
Fisher Series 42-63, 126" Wheelbase |
42-6319 |
4-door |
Sedan |
- |
1882 |
4115 |
Fisher Series 42-67, 139" Wheelbase |
42-6719 |
- |
Sedan |
5 |
2896 |
4605 |
42-6719-F |
- |
Sedan (Div) |
5 |
3045 |
4665 |
42-6723 |
- |
Sedan |
7 |
3045 |
4680 |
42-6733 |
- |
Imperial |
7 |
3204 |
4775 |
Fleetwood Series 42-75, 136" Wheelbase |
42-7519 |
- |
Sedan |
5 |
3306 |
4750 |
42-7519-F |
- |
Sedan (Div) |
5 |
3459 |
4810 |
-7523 |
- |
Sedan |
7 |
3459 |
4800 |
42-7533 |
- |
Imperial |
7 |
3613 |
4860 |
42-7559 |
- |
Formal Sedan |
5 |
4330 |
4900 |
42-7533-F |
- |
Formal Sedan |
7 |
4484 |
4915 |
Business Cars Series 42-75, 136" Wheelbase |
42-7523-L |
- |
Business Sedan |
9 |
3152 |
4750 |
42-7533-L |
- |
Business Imperial |
9 |
3306 |
4810 |
E ngine
Ninety degree. L-head
Eight Cylinders
Cast iron block (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
Bore & Stroke: 3-1/2 in. x 4-1/2 in.
Displacement: 346 cu. in.
Compression Ratio: 7.25:1
Brake Horsepower: 150 @ 3400 rpm
SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 39.20
Main bearings: Three
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-26; Carter WDO 486S.
Chassis
Series Number |
Wheelbase |
Overall length |
Front Tread |
Rear Tread |
Tires |
Series 42-60S |
133 in. |
224 in. |
59 in. |
63 in. |
7.00 x 15 |
Series 42-61 |
126 in. |
215 in. |
59 in. |
63 in. |
7.00 x 15 |
Series 42-62 |
129 in. |
220 in. |
59 in. |
63 in. |
7.00 x 15 |
Series 42-63 |
126 in. |
215 in. |
59 in. |
63 in. |
7.00 x 15 |
Series 42-67 |
139 in. |
228 in. |
58-1/2 in. |
62-1/2 in. |
7.50 x 16 |
Series 42-75 |
136 in. |
227 in. |
58-1/2 in. |
62-1/2 in. |
7.50 x 16 |
Series 42-75 Commercial Chassis |
163 in. |
253-1/32 in. |
- |
- |
7.50 x 16 |
TECHNICAL
Selective synchro manual transmission.
Speeds: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
Left Hand Drive ; gearshift on column; handbrake at left,
(RHD optional except 60S, 62, 67, 75).
Single disc clutch.
Shaft drive Hotchkiss.
Semifloating rear axle.
Hypoid gears.
Overall Ratio:
60S, 61, 62, 63 = 3.77:1; (3.36:1 opt)
67, 75 = 4.27:1 (3.77:1 opt)
Hydraulic brakes on four wheels.
Slotted disc wheels.
Wheel size: 15 in (16 in. on 67 and 75).
Drivetrain
Options:
Automatic transmission: $135.00
Hill-holder (Norol): $12.50
Options
Radio: $65.00
Heater: $59.50-65.00
Seat covers: $9.75/seat
Spotlight: $19.50
Fog lights: $24.50
Backup light: $12.50
Windshield washer: $8.25
Wheel discs: $4.00 each
Trim rings: $1.50 each
HISTORICAL
Introduced: September, 1941
Model year sales and production:
Series 60S: 1875
Series 61: 5700
Series 62: 4961
Series 63: 1750
Series 67: 700
Series 75: 1527
The general manager of Cadillac was Nicholas Dreystadt.
References
www.motorera.com
LINKS:
View list of other Cadillac diecast
Toy
Wonders link to 1/24 scale vehicles
Toy Wonders link to 1/18 scale vehicles
Toy
Wonders diecast directory
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