Cadillac History Page Four 1941

Cadillac Models & History Page Four 1941

For1941, the Series 61 designation was brought back, replacing LaSalle in the Cadillac price structure. A new Series 63 was offered in one body style. A new Series 67, with Fisher sedan bodies and the longest wheelbase (3531mm) replaced the 1940 Series 72. For the first time since 1926, all Cadillac products used the same engine.

Front end stylists adopted a theme which was to be repeated for years to come. The one piece hood came down lower in front, included the side panels, and extended sideways to the fenders. A single, rectangular panel of louver trim was used on each side of the hood. Access to the engine compartment was improved, to say the least. The rectangular grill was wide, vertical, and bulged forward in the middle. Rectangular parking lights were built into the top outer corners of the grille. Headlights were built into the nose of the fenders, and provision for built in accessory fog lights was proved under the headlights. Three chrome spears were on the rear section of all four fenders, except on the Sixty Special. Rear wheel shields (fender skirts) were standard on most bodies.

Sixty special front fenders extended into the front doors

Series 61 Coupe and Sedan were fastback styles reminiscent of the Aerodynamic coupes of the Thirties.

Series 62 came in the standard body style lineup, including the only Convertible Sedan for 1941 and the last such body style offered by Cadillac.

Running boards were concealed or no-cost options on all but the 60S and 75; the Sixty Special had none and the 75s had nothing but. Power tops, electric divisions, factory installed air conditioning, and Hydra-Matic transmissions were available.

Serial numbers were located on the left frame side bar, opposite the steering gear. Starting number: Same as the engine number. Ending number: Same as engine number. Engine numbers were on the crankcase, just behind the left cylinder block parallel to the dash.

I. D. DATA

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

• The 1941s models were introduced September, 1940.
• Cadillac offers Hydra-Matic transmission for $110; 30% of buyers choose it
• Cadillac Series Sixty-One replaces LaSalle
• Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager
• Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
• William Mitchell was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
• Don E. Ahrens was general sales manager

1941 Automotive Notes

• Industry production reaches 3,744,300 cars and 1,094,261 trucks
• Charles E. Wilson was president of GM
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
• Packard is first to offer air conditioning, but costs $1080 extra
• Chevrolet features its Master DeLuxe Coupe Pickup like 1940 Studebaker Coupe-Delivery (Car front, truck bed in trunk)
• Hudson features their car-pickup called “Big Boy”
• Nash “600” replaces LaFayette
• Buick features dual carbs (Compound Carburetion). The second carb engages upon acceleration
• Chrysler and DeSoto offer a 4-speed semi-automatic transmission
• Willys begins delivery of Jeeps to the U.S. Army
• Chrysler features its first station wagon: Town and Country
• Packard introduces the Clipper with available “Electromatic” clutch
• Top model year production for 1941

Chevrolet1,008,976 Ford691,455 Plymouth545,811 Buick374,196 Series 40 Special213,743 Series 40A Special26,999 Series 50 Super93,865 Series 60 Century20,905 Series 70 Roadmaster15,582 Series 90 Limited3,102 Pontiac330,061 Oldsmobile265,864 Dodge237,002 Chrysler161,704 Studebaker133,900 DeSoto97,497 Hudson91,769 Nash84,007 Mercury82,391 Packard72,855 Cadillac66,130 Series 6129,250 Series 6224,726 Series 635,050 Series 60 Special4,100 Series 67900 Series 752,104 Willys22,102 Lincoln18,244 Crosley2,289 American Bantam Model 65 (wb 75 in.)138

Keyword: Cadillac History Page Four 1941