world

World Classic Autos Index > Guides Index > Cadillac 1946 - 1958

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
6107 2dr Coupe 1946/9
6137 2dr Coupe 1950/1
6109 4dr Sedan 1946/7
6169 4dr Sedan 1948/51
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID Numbers Engine Type
5400001 - 5402975 1946 346 ci V8 150 hp
5420001 - 5428555 1947 346 ci V8 150 hp
48100001 - 486148663 1948 346 ci V8 150 hp
496100000 - 496192552 1949 331 ci V8 160 hp
506100000 - 5061103853 1950 331 ci V8 160 hp
516100000 - 5161110340 1951 331 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 Number Body Type Year Available
6207 2dr Coupe 1946/9
6237 2dr Coupe 1950/8
6267D Convertible Coupe 1946
6267 Convertible Coupe 1947/8
6267X Convertible Coupe 1949/58
6269 4dr Sedan 1946/9
6219 4dr Sedan 1950/6
6239 4dr Sedan 1957/8
6237DX Coupe DeVille 1950/8
6219SX Sedan DeVille 1954
6239DX Sedan DeVille 1956/7
6239EDX Sedan DeVille 1958
6239E Extended Deck Sedan 1958
1953 on - X with the body style number indicates hydraulic option fitted.
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID Numbers Year Engine Type
8400001 - 8418566 1946 346 ci V8 150 hp
8420001 - 8459835 1947 346 ci V8 150 hp
486200001 - 486252704 1948 346 ci V8 150 hp
496200000 - 496292554 1949 331 ci V8 160 hp
506200000 - 5062103857 1950 331 ci V8 160 hp
516200000 - 5162110340 1951 331 ci V8 160 hp
526200000 - 1952 331 ci V8 190 hp
536200000 - 1953 331 ci V8 210 hp
546200000 - 1954 331 ci V8 230 hp
556200000 - 1955 331 ci V8 250 hp
566200000 - 1956 365 ci V8 285 hp
576200000 - 1957 365 ci V8 300 hp
58K000001 - (Sedan) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
58N000001 - (Extended Deck) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
58L000001 - (Sedan DeVille) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
58G000001 - (Coupe) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
58J000001 - (Coupe DeVille) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
58F000001 - (Convertible) 1958 365 ci V8 310 hp
6267SX Eldorado Convertible 1953/5
6267SX Eldorado Convertible Biarritz 1956/8
6237DX Eldorado Coupe SeVille 1956
6237SDX Eldorado Coupe SeVille 1957/8
6239SX Eldorado Sedan SeVille 1957
536200000 - 1953 331 ci V8 210 hp
546200000 - 1954 331 ci V8 230 hp
556200000 - 1955 331 ci V8 270 hp
566200000 - 1956 331 ci V8 305 hp
576200000 - 1957 331 ci V8 305 hp
The 325 hp engine was optional on the SeVille and Biarritz models
58H000001 - (Coupe SeVille) 1958 331 ci V8 335 hp
58E000001 - (Biarritz) 1958 331 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 Number Body Type Year Available
6069 4dr Sedan 1946/8
6069X 4dr Sedan 1949
6019 4dr Sedan 1950/2
6019X 4dr Sedan 1953/6
6039 4dr Sedan 1957
6039X 4dr Sedan 1958
6037X Coupe DeVille (1 only) 1949
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID Numbers Year Engine Type
6400001 - 6405679 1946 346 ci V8 150 hp
6420001 - 6428500 1947 346 ci V8 150 hp
486000001 - 486052706 1948 346 ci V8 150 hp
497500001 - 497577135 1949 331 ci V8 160 hp
506000000 - 5060103580 1950 331 ci V8 160 hp
516000000 - 5160110340 1951 331 ci V8 160 hp
5260S00000 - 1952 331 ci V8 190 hp
5360S00000 - 1953 331 ci V8 210 hp
546000000 - 1954 331 ci V8 230 hp
556000000 - 1955 331 ci V8 250 hp
566000000 - 1956 365 ci V8 285 hp
576000000 - 1957 365 ci V8 300 hp
58M000001 - 1958 365 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 Number Body Type Year Available
7059 4 dr Sedan 1957
7059X 4 dr Sedan 1958
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID Numbers Year Engine Type
577000000 - 1957 365 ci V8 325 hp
58P000001 - 1958 365 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 Number Body Type Year Available
7519 4 dr Sedan 5p 1946/7
7519X 4 dr Sedan 5p 1948/9
7523 4 dr Sedan 7p 1946/7
7523X 4 dr Sedan 7p 1948/50
7523X 4 dr Sedan 8p 1951/4
7523X 4 dr Sedan 7p 1955/6
7523X 4 dr Sedan 9p 1957/8
7523L Business Sedan 9p 1946/50
7523L Business Sedan 8p 1951
7533 Imperial Business 7p 1946/7
7533L Imperial Business 9p 1946/9
7533X Imperial Business 7p 1948/50
7533X Imperial Business 8p 1951/4
7533X Imperial Business 7p 1955/6
7533X Imperial Business 9p 1957
4533X Imperial Business 9p 1958
86 Commerical Chassis 1950/52
Previously available but with no body code
8680S Commerical Chassis 1953/8
The serial numbers matched the motor numbers.
ID Numbers Year Engine Type
3400001 - 6405679 1946 346 ci V8 150 hp
3420001 - 3425036 1947 346 ci V8 150 hp
487500001 - 487546088 194 346 ci V8 150 hp
497500000 - 497577135 1949 331 ci V8 160 hp
507500000 - 5075103857 1950 331 ci V8 160 hp
517500000 - 1951 331 ci V8 160 hp
527500000 - 1952 331 ci V8 190 hp
537500000 - 1953 331 ci V8 210 hp
547500000 - 1954 331 ci V8 230 hp
557500000 - 1955 331 ci V8 250 hp
567500000 - 1956 365 ci V8 285 hp
577500000 - 1957 365 ci V8 300 hp
58R000001 - (Sedan) 1958 365 ci V8 300 hp
58S000001 - (Imperial) 1958 365 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 (*Ad)
Cadillac 1948-1964 Photo Album UK USA Patrick, Mark A. (*Ad)
Cadillac Automobiles 1949-1959 UK USA Clarke R M (*Ad)

More Cadillac Books

Parts

Cadillac 1959 - 1964 | Cadillac 1965 - 1971 | Cadillac Links | Magazines | Pictures | Other Car Links | Values



Contact WorldClassicAutos