1946-1953 (introductory notes) by
Cadillac-LaSalle Club Member, David M. Newlin from Arizona (#25270)
FOR ALL YEARS 1950-1952:
When equipped with turn signals only (no fog lights), the front parking light assemblies have a small
round circular trim piece filling the remainder of the assembly. When ordered
with optional fog lights, a large lens (with dual filaments) occupies the entire
circumference of the assembly. This is true from 1950-1952 and is not a
identification tool. NOTE: The switch for these fog lamps is
located directly above the ignition on the dashboard and twists to turn the lights on
- an otherwise mysterious and unidentified item.
1950 - first year
for tail lights in fins.
1951 - A spotting guide
for 1951 year only; small round dual backup lights (optional) were mounted below
trunk lid on the left and right sides. Front bumper guards are smaller
than later years and vertically mounted. Also, first year for standard backup lights
integral with taillights in fins (moved from lower trunk lid edges as had been the case
since the 1946 models). New bumper guards (front and rear) larger than previous
(which continued through 1952). The front guards also had a distinct
angular assembly line (towards the
outside of the vehicle) on there bumper itself. NOTE: Many sources
state that 1952 was the first year for backup lights integral with the taillights in the
fins. This is incorrect as many pictures and my own 1951 6019X will attest.
1952 - for front turn
signals/fog light, the outside assembly was changed to include a small "lip"
over the top of the light (never seen this in print but it is clear in pictures and I
removed two from a junked 1952 to put on my 1951 - teenage angst, perhaps).
1953 - apparently the
first year for which the bumper guards were referred to as "Dagmars", being
increased in size, moved off the front bumper itself and now located where the
turn signal/fog lights had been in the 1950-1952 models (those lights being moved
directly below the headlights into a more rectangular assembly).
1946-1953 (options)
the Hydro-Lectric (TM) system was available. For open cars (on which it
was standard), this included what have become known as power windows (with master control on the driver's door and
individual controls on each of the other windows), fore and aft front seat adjustment
(hidden button under the left front of the driver's seat) and convertible power top
mechanism. For closed cars (for which it was optional except on the 60 Special and
certain 75 models), the windows and seat only were adjustable. The system
utilized hydraulic lines to all areas and had a small electrically driven hydraulic pump under the hood. Draining fluid lowered the window
(dead silence); pumping fluid raised it (raucous pump noise). Vehicles with this
system (and it was a complete system) had a X after the model number beginning in
1949. The complex Hydro-Lectric system was changed to a more satisfactory
all-electric system in 1954.
I am 99% certain of these comments; however, might do well to have some reviewers take
this on at your convenience.
One small area that is of interest to me. The radio antenna was power-operated
even before World War II but I
believe that it was vacuum-operated (as were the convertible tops until 1942) and perhaps
even after that. Does anyone actually know? Was this an option or
standard equipment with the radio? By the mid-fifties, I am certain it was all
electric with the radio option (almost always an option.....) but don't know when the
change was made. I do not believe that it was ever part of the Hydro-Lectric system.
1951
Facts: 8-cylinder, 90° V8, 3.81 x 3.63" b&s, 331
ci, overhead valves, pushrod actuated, 7.5:1 compression ratio, Carter dual down-door aft
carburetor, 160 (133 net) BHP @ 3800 rpm, 3-speed automatic transmission, 3.77:1 rear axle
ratio or 3.36:1 with Hydra-Matic ("75" = 3-speed standard, Hydra-Matic optional,
4.27:1 axle ratio or or 3.77 with Hydra-Matic), live rear axle suspension, semi-elliptic
springs and tube shock absorbers, independent coil-spring front suspension with tube shock
absorbers, 122" wheel base chassis ("62" = 126", "60S" =
133", "75" = 136"), 215.5" over-all length for sedans, others
220.5" ("60S" - 224.5", "75" = 224"), 59" front
track, 63" rear track, 8.00x15 tires ("75" = 7.00x16), weight: 4068-4150
lbs ("62" = 3863-4500, "60S" = 4129-4415, "75" = 4790-4960
lbs), 0-60 mph in 13.5 secs. ("75" = 15 secs.), 100+ mph top speed
("75" = 95 mph", 14-22 mpg ("75" = 10-18 mpg). [Following from JMR
data book], new, increased rear leg room, new enriched "62" interiors; V8 Series
"61", "62", "60-S" and "75"; minor styling
changes including grille openings under headlights, wider more massive "V" is
lower on hood, new headlight rims, new tail-lights, rear vent panes in "62" and
"60S" sedans, new "Cadillac" instrument panel name plate, new
all-weather vent. system, Hydra-Matic dial in upper half of round panel around horn, new
increased capacity generator, oil pressure and ammeter gauges replaced by warning lamps,
cone-type reverse unit in Hydra-Matic allowed fast shifting and rocking car in mud or
snow. In September 1950 the Government passe the Defense Production Act; in the Spring of
1951 there was a 65% cut in steel that was available for private car production. Again
production fell sharply. At the beginning of the year cars were still loaded with bright
work; by April white sidewalls were gone as was much chrome (some replaced with stainless
steel). Cadillac Cleveland plant back in business of building Walker "Bull-Dog"
tanks for Korean war effort on 2½ million sq.ft. premises and with workforce of 4000
(increasing gradually to an estimated 10000); 10 Cadillac models offered in 1951; 17th in
U.S. car sales ranking, "Business Sedan" offered again; new Cadillac service
policy. Accessories: Fleetwood robe, seat covers, standard heater and defroster,
automatic push-button radio with vacuum antenna, Syncro-Matic radio and rear speaker,
outside sun visor, spotlight with built-in rear view mirror, wheel discs, wheel trim
rings, license plate frames, windshield washer, vanity mirror, LH and RH outside rear view
mirrors, combined parking, signal and fog lights, Blue Coral finish protection
Easy ID: Front grille. Like 1950 except that rectangular
housing below headlights features small criss-crossed grille, smaller parking lights in
large round housing in same position as 1950, again lower part of grille wraps around
front of car to wheel openings, again three grille bars (i.e. two rows of large
"egg-crate" openings), wider hood "V", again "Cadillac"
in script lettering behind front wheel openings. Wheel covers interchange with 1948-1950
ands 1952, therefore not reliable for ID purposes.
(body styles): "61" sedan and coupe;
sedan has decorative "V" on outside ¼-panel escutcheon, 5 narrow pleats under
door trim,; "62" coupe, sedan, Coupe de Ville, convertible [have article
by Antoine Imbert from unidentified French-language magazine (possible Belgian, as car
sports Belgian tags)]., Hydra-Matic standard, re-styled interiors and size increase, coupe
and sedan interior have 6" pleats, Coupe de Ville has 3" piping on upper doors
and seat bolsters, 2 robe cords, chrome simulated top bows; convertible has all-leather
interior, piping, with decorative chrome "V" on inner door panels, hydraulic
top, front windows and seat; "60S" sedan, extra long deck, 8 louvers on
rear fender door cap, hydraulic window and seat controls, pleated interior design; "75"
7-p. Limousine, sedan or business sedan, auxiliary seats, same seat motif as 1950, map
compartment under rear arm rests, robe cord, assist grips, foot rests, rear electric
clock, hydraulic windows, division [limousine only] and seat [sedan only]; business sedan
for rental or livery service, rear compartment for 6 passengers, Sedan, NIT
43, p.5, pp.74-77; "75" Limousine with Swiss (ZH) plates, in albums; Series
62 convertible in V8 Magazine (in French), #38, pp. 28-31.
Models:
Series "61" [122" wheel base ]: numbers
from ??? - ???, over-all length ???"
6137 6-passenger Coupe 4070 lbs $2814 ( 2400)
6169 6-passenger Sedan. 4145 lbs $2919 ( 2300)
Series "62" [126" wheel base 3m20]: numbers
from ??? - ???, over-all length 215".
6219 6-passenger sedan (54596)
id. CKD ( 756)
6237 6-passenger Coupe. 4125 lbs $2992 (10132)
6237DX 6-passenger Coupe de Ville 3857 lbs $3497 (10241)
6267 6-passenger Convertible 4450 lbs $3523 ( 6117)
62 126" wheel base 3m20 chassis ( 2)
Series "60-S" [133" wheel base 3m38]:
numbers from ??? - ???, over-all length 226" 5m76 [longer than "75"
series!].
5-passenger Sedan 4370 lbs $3859 (18631)
Series "75" [146¾" wheel base]
7523L business sedan 4925 lbs $4691 ( 30)
7523X 7-passenger Sedan 4910 lbs $5011 ( 1090)
7533X 9-passenger Imperial 4930 lbs $4890 ( 1085)
86 157" wheel base commercial chassis ( 2960)
1951 model total (110340)
Article on the 1951 models: PM, 8/51
1952
Facts: [source: JMR data book], "Golden
Anniversary" Cadillac, half a century of continuous improvement; new dual exhaust
through bumpers, new dual mufflers, new optional power steering (introduced one year after
Chrysler), new air cleaner, new 45 amp extruded generator, new ribbed brake drums, new
front end ensemble, new 2-tone color combinations offered; new, raised "62"
and "75" rear deck contour providing more ample luggage room, wider front
"V" and crest, "cadet" visor on optional fog lights, wheel base 3m20,
over-all length 5m48; "60-S" wheel base 3m30, over-all length 5m71;
"75" wheel base 3m73, over-all length 6m01; power up to 190HP from 160HP
[highest stock car rating of any US car] by redesigning induction and exhaust system (new
larger exhaust valves, new, wider "free-flow" exhaust ports, new
"free-flow" intake manifold, new ignition wiring) and using new, 4-barrel
carburetor for quick starting in cold weather, no stalling, more fuel economy, more power
and speed, more rigid construction, smooth and ultra-fast acceleration; better
performance, smoother, quieter operation, low weight, greater economy, increased HP, new
dual-range Hydra-Matic (greater driver and passenger comfort, increased performance,
quieter smoother operation, over-run braking not available before on automatic .
transmission, cooler operation, fewer service problems, complete, optional, manual control
of shifting), more braking capacity, power steering and E-Z-Eye glass optional,
elimination of "61" series; Cadillac awarded 1952 Engineering Achievement Award
["Car of the Year"] by MT; only 7 models offered, 16th in U.S. car sales
ranking, Series : "62", "60S", "75" ["61"
and "75" bus. imperial dropped, Korean war years]. Accessories:
signal-seeking radio with rear speaker, automatic push-button radio, LH or RH spotlights
with built in rear view mirror, automatic heating system, fog lamps, LH and RH clamp-on
4x8" visor vanity mirrors, LH and RH 4½" diameter outside rear view mirrors,
inside Plexiglas sun visor, s-steel window "ventshades" to reduce draft,
"Paratwil", plastic and tartan plaid seat covers, windshield washer,
license-plate frames, wheel discs, wheel trim rings, Blue Coral finish paste. Specifications:
>>>>>
Easy ID: Front grille. Like 1950-51 except that
rectangular housing below headlights features gold-colored, horizontal winged emblem; back
to large parking lights in same position as 1950, again lower part of grille wraps around
front of car to wheel openings, again three grille bars (i.e. two rows of large
"egg-crate" openings). Gold-colored "V" and crest celebrating
Cadillac's Golden Anniversary (50 years of production). Wheel covers interchange with
1948-1951, therefore not reliable for ID purposes.
(body styles): V8 Series "62",
"60-S" and "75" "60S" has new, broad deck lid
"V" with "Fleetwood" script; "62" convertible has
"X" design interior and door panels; "62" coupe and sedan have broad
biscuit & button interior design and broad vertical upper door pleats; "62"
Coupe de Ville has "X" design seat backs (C&D card set);
"60S" interior has 2" piping on seats, upper door panels and front seat
back; factory photo in SS, 2/78, p.5; "75" has tufted biscuit &
button design; "75" Limousine, small photo, CLCA 1985, p.31; prototype of
Eldorado made appearance at Motorama. Options: signal-seeking radio with rear
speaker, optional foot tuning, automatic . push-button radio, LH or RH spotlights,
automatic . heating system, fog lamps, LH and RH rear-view mirrors, vanity mirror,
interior sun visor, s-steel window vent shades, 3 seat cover types, windshield washer,
license plate frames, wheel discs, wheel trim rings, Blue Coral finish protection;
"75" limousine (CCI, 26:2)
Models:
Series "62" [126" wheel base,3m20]: numbers
from ??? - ???, over-all length 215".
6219 6-passenger sedan (42625)
6237 6-passenger Coupe. 4125 lbs $2992 (10065)
6237DX 6-passenger Coupe de Ville, 3857 lbs $3497 (11165)
6267X 6-passenger Convertible 4450 lbs $3523 ( 6400)
Series "60-S" [133" wheel base 3m38]:
numbers from ??? - ???, over-all length 226", 5m76 [longer than "75"
series!].
5-passenger Sedan 4370 lbs $3859 (16100)
Series "75" [146¾" wheel base]
sedan 4925 lbs $4691 ( 1400)
imperial 4930 lbs $4890 ( 800)
8680S 157" wheel base commercial chassis ( 1694)
1952 model total ( 90259)
1953
Facts: V8 Series "62", "60-S" and
"75"; Further power increase to 210HP, 8.25-1 compression ratio, improved
fuel economy, new 12V electric system, optional power steering. Engine = 8-cylinder, 90°
V8, 3.81 x 3.63" b&s, 331 ci, overhead valves, pushrod actuated, 8.25:1
compression ratio, Carter dual down-draft carburetor, 160 (133 net) BHP @ 3800 rpm. [Eldorado
engine: Carter two-stage four-barrel carburetor, 210 BHP gross @ 4150 rpm] 4-speed
automatic transmission, 3.07:1 rear axle ratio with Hydra-Matic ("75" =
Hydra-Matic standard, 3.77:1 axle ratio), live rear axle suspension, semi-elliptic springs
and tube shock absorbers, independent coil-spring front suspension with tube shock
absorbers, 126" wheel base chassis ("60S" = 130", "75" =
146¾"), 215.5" over-all length for sedans, others 220.5" ("60S"
- 224.5", "75" = 236"), 59" front track, 63" rear track,
8.00x15 tires (Eldorado 8.20x15, "75" = 8.20x15), weight: 4068-4150 lbs
("62" = 3863-4500, "60S" = 4129-4415, Eldorado = 4800 lbs,
"75" = 4235-4850 lbs), 0-60 mph in 13.5 secs. ("75" = 14 secs.), 100+
mph top speed ("75" = 100 mph", 14-22 mpg ("75" = 10-18 mpg).
Options/ Accessories: Hydra-Matic transmission (second
year of the dual-range Hydra-Matic introduced in 1952), new air-conditioner ($620 extra!),
automatic heating system, fog lights, Autronic-Eye, nylon, "Paratwil", tartan
plaid and plastic seat covers, outside sun visor, s-steel "ventshades",
license-plate frames, Cadillac wire wheels (set of 5), wheel discs, wheel trim rings,
spoke wheel discs, windshield washer, Blue Coral compound., Autronic-Eye headlight dimmer,
air-conditioning system developed jointly by Cadillac and Frigidaire [evaporator and
blowers located in trunk]; 8 models, 15th in U.S. car sales ranking.
Optional heater for the 1953 Cadillac
Easy ID: Unique wheel covers for 1953 (dished sombrero
with central "cone" featuring Cadillac crest wrapped around cone); front
ensemble: large bumper bullets with upper "fin" in place of parking lights,
"eye-brow" or peaked headlight rings, parking lights in rectangular housing
below headlights, again lower part of grille wraps around front of car to wheel openings,
again three grille bars (i.e. two rows of large "egg-crate" openings), wider,
gold-colored "V". The "Eldorado" was 3" lower than the regular
convertible for 1953.
Models:
Series: "62", "60S", "75", Eldorado
added; SIA 20, p.54; Limousine : in Japanese catalog for 1987, p.17; 60S photo
(CCI, 29:2); Eldorado 2-door convertible (C&D card set); Ghia 2-door
special coupe (C&D card set); Series "62" [126"
wheel base, 3m20]: over-all length 215". story of surviving Eldorado in France
[Cartier CEO car] in V8, #3, pp.28-33
6219 6-passenger sedan (47316)
id. CKD ( 324)
6237 Coupe 3857 lbs $3497 ( 14353)
6237DX 6-passenger Coupe de Ville, 3857 lbs $3497 ( 14550)
6267X 6-passenger Convertible 4450 lbs $3523 ( 8367)
6267SX 6-passenger Eldorado convertible 4450 lbs $5738 ( 532)
62 chassis ( 4)
Series "60-S" [133" wheel base 3m38]:
over-all length 226", 5m76 [longer than "75" series!].
5-pass. Fleetwood Sedan 4370 lbs $3859 (20000)
Series "75" Fleetwood [146¾" wheel base]
sedan 4925 lbs $4691 ( 1435)
imperial 4930 lbs $4890 ( 765)
8680S 157" wheel base commercial chassis ( 2005)
1953 model total (109651)
Trivia (1): There are some
(frivolous?) theories about the "first" and "last" 1953 Eldorado.
Collector John Miller says #1 fell of a delivery truck en route to Washington D.C. area,
so Cadillac started counting body numbers with #2 which, he assumes, is why the
"last" '53 Eldorado carries #533 and not #532 [the latter car was owned by Dan
Cholak in 1992]. Another theory is that there was an Eldorado prototype, which could have
carried #1 [could this have been the special "Eldorado" model shown in 1952 to
celebrate Cadillac’s "Golden Anniversary"?]. The facts
[provided by Matt Larson of the CLC] are more prosaic. As regards the 1952 prototype: this
is a show car on a 1952 chassis, like the Cadillac Townsman of the same year, prepared for
Cadillac's "Golden Anniversary" celebrations. As for body #1, it was
painted Artisan Ochre (yellow) and sent to Cadillac's New York branch on January 5, 1953;
it was on display at the 1953 Auto Salon held in New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Finally, as to body #2, the build-sheet specifies "Condition for inaugural
parade" (that says it all!); this car was Alpine white. According to Matt Larson, one
body number in the series 1-532 was not used [which one ???] and that is why the highest
body number is 533.
Trivia (2): Frederick Bennet,
the London representative of The Cadillac Motor Car Company, who, in 1903, had taken a
Cadillac runabout on a 1000-mile reliability trial in the United Kingdom, repeated that
feat 10 years and 50 years later, in the same car which, by that time, had clocked
up about 200,000 miles. Indeed, Bennett's grandson, Julian Bennett, successfully repeated
the same feat with the same car in September, 2003.
1953-1954
Article, SIA 1-2/74, p.41 (Lincoln with Cadillac motor)
and p.47 (hearse);
1954
Facts: 8-cylinder, 90° V8, 3.81 x 3.63" b&s, 331
ci, overhead valves, pushrod actuated, 8.25:1 compression ratio, Carter two-stage
four-barrel carburetor (or Rochester 4 bbl on Eldorado), 230 BHP @ 4400 rpm, Hydra-Matic
transmission, 3.07:1 rear axle ratio or 3.36:1 ("75" = 3.77:1), live rear axle
suspension, semi-elliptic springs and tube shock absorbers, independent coil-spring front
suspension with tube shock absorbers ("75" = ladder type frame), 122" wheel
base chassis ("62" = 129", "60S" = 133", "75" =
149.8"), 216.4" over-all length for sedans, others 223.4" ("60S"
- 227.4", "75" = 237.3-244.5"), 60" front track, 63" rear
track ("75" = 62.5-63" front and rear), 8.20x15 tires, weight: 4370-4625
lbs ("Eldorado" = 4665-4880 lbs, "60S" = 4500-4610 lbs, "75"
= 5055-5436 lbs), 0-80 mph in 24 secs. ("Eldorado" = 22 secs., "75" =
0-60 in 15-18 secs.), 115 mph top speed ("75" = 110-115 mph", 14 mpg @ 70
mph ("Eldorado" = 12 mpg, "75" = 10-16 mpg). Seven body styles in
three series together with a new Eldorado special convertible, all with new wrap-around
panoramic windshield; V8 Series "62", "60-S" and "75";
power up to 230HP, Bendix Hydro-Vac power brakes, 4-way power seat; standard equipment
including power steering and windshield washer.
Options/accessories: Air-conditioner, heating system,
signal-seeking pre-selector radio, fog lamps, Autronic-Eye, LH and RH spotlights, wheel
discs, wire wheels, windshield washer (standard ), RH outside rear view mirror,
"E-Z-Eye" tinted glass, rear compartment radio control, radio foot control
switch, "cushion toppers", twill, tartan plaid, Nylon and plastic seat covers,
visor vanity mirrors, license-plate frames, rubber mats, Fleetwood robes, windshield
washer solvent, body finish, fabric cleaner, "Kar-Kleen", chrome cleaner, chrome
protector, cooling system inhibitor, cooling system cleaner, white sidewall tires,
"Dor-Guards", 3.36-1 rear axle ratio. MT test showed 0-60mph acceleration in
11.3 secs and 16.9 mpg fuel consumption, giving 2000-mile driving range; 8 models, 13th in
U.S. car sales ranking; 1954 Limousine, in book "Automobile and Culture" p.158 (HW
collection) {***};
Easy ID: New front ensemble. Gull-wing front bumper with
large, "bullet" protrusions and large, round parking lights inset in grill
opening; first of the finer egg-crate grilles. Bumper "bullets" are not smooth,
as in 1955 and 1956. Wheel covers interchange with 1955, therefore not reliable for ID
purposes.
 
(body styles): (see also Eldorado section, below);
reproduction of color poster, SIA120, inside cover.; Eldorado Biarritz 2-door
convertible (C&D card set); Liberace special Eldorado (special issue CCIX,
p.22); George Barris' "Parisienne"Eldorado Town Car (special issue CCIX,
p.25); special Le Mans roadster [as restyled in 1959] (special issue CCIX, p.27); AI
1.2.54, p.48. Story of CdV in France, V8, #23, pp.30-33.
Models:
Series "62" [129" wheel base]: numbers from
??? - ???, over-all length ???".
6219 6-passenger sedan (33845)
id. CKD ( 408)
6219SX De Ville sedan ( 1)
6237 Coupe 3857 lbs $3497 (17460)
6237DX 6-passenger Coupe de Ville 3857 lbs $3497 (17170)
6267X 6-passenger Convertible 4450 lbs $3523 ( 6310)
6267SX 6-passenger Eldorado convertible . 4450 lbs $3523 ( 2150)
62 chassis ( 1)
Series "60-S" Fleetwood [133" wheel base,
3m38]: numbers from ??? - ???, over-all length 226", 5m76 [longer than "75"
series!].
5-pass. Fleetwood Sedan 4370 lbs $3859 (16200)
Series "75" Fleetwood [wheel base 149¾"]
sedan 4925 lbs $4691 ( 889)
imperial 4930 lbs $4890 ( 611)
8680S 158" wheel base commercial chassis ( 1635)
1954 model total ( 96680)
1955
Facts: 8-cylinder, 90° V8, 3.81 x 3.63" b&s, 331
ci, overhead valves, pushrod actuated, 8.25:1 compression ratio, Carter two-stage
four-barrel carburetor (or Rochester 4 bbl on Eldorado), 230 BHP @ 4400 rpm, Hydra-Matic
transmission, 3.07:1 rear axle ratio or 3.36:1 ("75" = 3.77:1), live rear axle
suspension, semi-elliptic springs and tube shock absorbers, independent coil-spring front
suspension with tube shock absorbers ("75" = ladder type frame), 122" wheel
base chassis ("62" = 129", "60S" = 133", "75" =
149.8"), 216.4" over-all length for sedans, others 223.4" ("60S"
- 227.4", "75" = 237.3-244.5"), 60" front track, 63" rear
track ("75" = 62.5-63" front and rear), 8.20x15 tires, weight: 4370-4625
lbs ("Eldorado" = 4665-4880 lbs, "60S" = 4500-4610 lbs, "75"
= 5055-5436 lbs), 0-80 mph in 24 secs. ("Eldorado" = 22 secs., "75" =
0-60 in 15-18 secs.), 115 mph top speed ("75" = 110-115 mph", 14 mpg @ 70
mph ("Eldorado" = 12 mpg, "75" = 10-16 mpg). V8 Series
"62", "60-S" and "75"; further power increase to 250HP
[270HP On Eldorado ] and improved acceleration, fuel economy improved with 9-1 compression
ratio, redesigned valve rocker arms for freer flow of intake and exhaust gases; new gray
E-Z-Eye glass instead of former green tint at top of panoramic windshield, Hydra-Matic
transmission now standard on all models; 8 models, 12th in U.S. car sales ranking; article
and pictures of interest, MK, 5/85 [convertible story - HW collection]
{***}; Cadillac Bianchi, MK, 5/1990(HW collection) {***}; Series 62 story in
MT 6/55, pp.38-40, +73. Series 62 convertible in France, V8 #29
Options/ accessories: Power brakes, air-conditioner,
heating system, signal-seeking pre-selector radio, new fog lamps, Autronic-Eye, LH and RH
spotlights, new "sabre-spoke" wheels, electric operated vertical front seat
adjuster, new license-plate frames, "E-Z-Eye" tinted glass, rear compartment
radio control, radio foot control switch, "cushion toppers", twill, nylon and
plastic seat covers, visor vanity mirrors, rubber mats, Fleetwood robes, windshield washer
solvent, body finish, fabric cleaner, "Kar-Kleen", Blue Coral compound, chrome
cleaner, chrome protector, cooling system inhibitor, cooling system cleaner, white
sidewall tires, "Dor-Guards"; Eldorado had special circular medallion on front
seat bolster molding [see CLCA annual on Joe Malta's car]; horn button on Eldorado
is also chrome [others are not]; article in MT 1/55, SA2 5/55,
Surviving Eldo in France, V8 #21, pp.38-43.
Easy ID: New front ensemble. New gull-wing front bumper
with smooth, shell-shaped protrusions and large, rectangular parking lights set below
headlights; larger egg-crate grille motif. Horizontal chevrons on rear body, below trunk
lid. Wheel covers interchange with 1954, therefore not reliable for ID purposes.
 
(body styles): NIT 126, p.93, 62 Sedan; 60
Special: with TV, MT, 4/55, p.25; small photo of "75" Limousine,
CLCA 1975, p.27; same, CLCA 1976, p.12-13; model line-up at
Broadmoor, CLCA 1976, p.14; comparison with Imperial, Lincoln, Packard, SIA74,
pp.10-19,64-65; Eldorado convertible: article in C&P, 5/89, pp.20-24.
Models:
Series "62" [129" wheel base]: numbers from
??? - ???, over-all length ???".
6219 6-passenger sedan (44904)
id. CKD ( 396)
6237 Coupe 3857 lbs $3497 ( 27879)
6237DX 6-passenger Coupe de Ville, 3857 lbs $3497 ( 33300)
6267X 6-passenger Convertible 4450 lbs $3523 ( 8150)
6267SX 6-passenger Eldorado convertible . 4450 lbs $3523 ( 3950)
62 chassis ( 7)5
Series "60-S" Fleetwood [133" wheel base,
3m38]: numbers from ??? - ???, over-all length 226", 5m76 [longer than "75"
series!].
5-pass. Fleetwood Sedan 4370 lbs $3859 ( 18300)
Series "75" Fleetwood [149¾" wheel base]
sedan 4925 lbs $4691 ( 1075)
imperial 4930 lbs $4890 ( 841)
8680S 158" wheel base commercial chassis ( 1975)
1955 model total (140777)
____________________
5 Possibly used for the Motorama models (i.e. the
"Celebrity" - prototype Eldorado Seville coupe - and the
"Westchester") and/or the Hess & Eisenhardt custom station wagon models
built this year (not the Broadmoor "Skyview" limousines - these were built on
the "75" chassis)
|