[ last update: 02.07.2015 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1941


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

Unless otherwise specified all photos and illustrations are from Yann Saunders'
collection of Cadillac photos, advertisements and product catalogs,
reproduced courtesy of the Cadillac Motor Car Division and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club

 

[This page was put together with great haste, just before leaving on a 6-week trip to Europe; it needs some more editing and there may be a few errors too.   Only the French text is complete at this time]

The majority of illustrations below are from the superb, spiral bound, hard-covered catalog of Cadillac and Cadillac Fleetwood bodies for 1941, published on September 1, 1940.  Some factory photos as well as a few photos of surviving cars are included;  other will be added later, space permitting. 

Each car is identified by (a) the "Series" code, namely the first two digits, and (b) the "Style" code, that is the last two digits and - in some cases - a letter suffix.  Some additional descriptions of these double-digit body styling codes  may be found in The (New) Cadillac Database© section entitled "Styling".

 

Front and rear clip ID features

41grl2.jpg (6797 bytes)
Rectangular parking lights at the
upper corners of the grille

KIDS41.JPG (5387 bytes)    41FRTCLP.JPG (4608 bytes)
(Left) kids from the fifties with a car of the forties

4141TAIL.JPG (3388 bytes)    4142TAIL.JPG (3721 bytes)
Tail lights and tail-light fin jewel reflectors
Raising the LH fin allows access to the fuel filler
[ the 1942 models also had these rear ID features ]

41detl.jpg (11541 bytes)
Publicity photos of the time

 

 

The Series 61

 

4161cp5.jpg (8276 bytes)
The club coupe for five passengers, style 6127
11812 units built;  cost $1345

 

4161cpin.jpg (7110 bytes)
Rear passenger compartment
of the Series 61 coupe
 

4161cp2.jpg (14183 bytes)    4161cptk.jpg (4528 bytes)
A de Luxe version of the Series 61 coupe was available at a cost of $1435; 3015 of these were built


A survivor in excellent shape

 

 

 

4161sdin.jpg (8006 bytes)
Rear seat of the Series 61 sedan.  Despite its
relatively low price, this was one plush car!

 

4161sd5p.jpg (8752 bytes)
The sedan   for five passengers, style 6109
10925 units built; cost $1445
 

4161sdsl.jpg (5272 bytes)
Sill plate of the 1941 Cadillac models


A De Luxe version of the Series 61 sedan was also available at a cost of $1535; 3495 units were built.
The remainder of the Series 61 production consisted of three bare chassis

 

 

The Series 62

The Series 62 series cars were available also in export "format".  These were knocked down and crated [CKD] for assembly in the country of destination.  Ninety-six De Luxe sedans for 5 passengers were thus exported.

 

4162sdin.jpg (8645 bytes)
The interior of the touring sedan for five passengers,
highlighted with wood trim

 

4162sd1.jpg (8387 bytes)
The sedan for five passengers, style 6219
8012 units were built;  cost was $1495
 

4162sd2.jpg (11604 bytes)    4162sdi2.jpg (6507 bytes)
De Luxe version of the Series 62 sedan also was available.  It was termed style #6219D. 
Production totaled 7754 units.  The De Luxe sedans cost $1585

    
A fine survivor in 2014
[ Photo:  Internet ]

 

 

 

4162cp4.jpg (7529 bytes)
The coupe for four passengers, style 6227
1985 units were built, costing $1420 each

 

4162cpin.jpg (7859 bytes)
Interior layout of the Series 62 coupe; note
plain seat with pleated seat back
 

4162cpi2.jpg (5571 bytes)
Coupe interior (catalog illustration)

Once again, a De Luxe version of the Series 62 coupe  was available. 
It was termed style #6227D.  Production totaled 1900 units; each one cost $1510.

41CP_AC.JPG (10066 bytes)
This fine survivor - one of only three surviving 1941 Cadillacs with air-conditioning! -
belongs to enthusiast Doug Houston of Detroit, MI.  The picture was taken at the
Grosse Pointe War Memorial , in Detroit, on the circular entrance drive

41CpeSidS.jpg (13675 bytes)    41CpeFrS.jpg (10541 bytes)    41CpeRRS.jpg (11251 bytes)
Another fine looking survivor; the year 1941 is the most popular among collectors of pre-WW2 Cadillacs

 

 

 

4162cc.jpg (7380 bytes)
The de luxe convertible coupe, style 6267D
3100 units were built; the cost was $1645

 

4162ccin.jpg (8274 bytes)
All-leather upholstery of the convertible coupe;
luxury at its best
 

4162ccop.jpg (6109 bytes)    4162cvrr.jpg (8292 bytes)
(Left) Catalog illustration; (Right) factory photo

    

    

    

    
This superb survivor was offered for sale by Hyman Ltd., Classic Cars
[ Photos: (C) Hyman Ltd. ]

 

Another survivor (conversion) on Internet
(with some non-original features)

    

    

    

    

 

 

 

4162cvsd.jpg (7338 bytes)
The de luxe convertible sedan, style 6229D
A mere 400 units were built; the cost was $1965

 

4162csin.jpg (7637 bytes)
All-leather upholstery of the
convertible sedan
 

4162csop.jpg (6798 bytes)
Catalog illustration;

41cvsed.jpg (6865 bytes)    41cvsd.jpg (10897 bytes)
Factory photos taken atop the GM building in downtown Detroit


I believe the beautiful survivor on the left belongs to enthusiast Doug Houston of Detroit, MI.

41CVSD.JPG (8624 bytes)    41cvsd2.jpg (9815 bytes)
 Two two more survivors

 

 

 

The Series 63

 

4163tsin.jpg (7222 bytes)
The luxurious rear quarters
(note plain seat cushion but tufted seat back)

 

4163ts1.jpg (8761 bytes)
The touring sedan for five passengers, style 6319
5050 units were built; they cost $1695
 

4163sd2.jpg (9194 bytes)    4163int.JPG (4754 bytes)
Catalog illustrations

 4163llh.jpg (10079 bytes)
Factory photo (poor quality scan)


Factory photo - better quality


41_63b.jpg (17575 bytes)    4163frrh.jpg (11077 bytes)
(Left) Factory publicity photo; (Right and below)   surviving cars

4163a.jpg (4786 bytes)    4163b.jpg (7430 bytes)

 

 

The Fleetwood Series Sixty Special

 

4160st5p.jpg (7758 bytes)
The Sixty Special sedan for five passengers, style 6019;
3693 of them were built and cost $2195 each

 

4160sin.jpg (8007 bytes)
The sumptuous interior of the
Series Sixty Special sedan

 


This fine survivor resides in Cadillac's own collection at the GM Heritage Center in Detroit

4160sdiv.jpg (4684 bytes)    4160s2.jpg (8393 bytes)
Catalog illustrations

Dr41tc.jpg (12083 bytes)
One bare chassis was delivered to an independent coach builder.
This elegant town car may be the result
Fleetwood too built a unique town car on the 126" wheel base chassis
of the Series Sixty Special; it was similar to the car above

The luxurious Sixty Special was available also with an electric division.  Thus outfitted it was termed style #6019F.  
Only 220 of the latter were built; they cost $2345 each

The Sixty Special  was available also with a sun roof.  Thus outfitted it was termed style #6019A.  
Only 185 of the latter were built; each one cost $2280

    

    
A fine survivor

 

 

The Series 67

 

4167sd1.jpg (7848 bytes)
The touring sedan for five passengers, style 6719
315 were built; each one cost $2595

 

4167sdin.jpg (8687 bytes)
Spacious rear quarters of the
touring sedan for five passengers
 

4167ts5d.jpg (4109 bytes)
The partition in style 6719F

A formal version of the Series 67   sedan for 5 passengers also was available.  When fitted
with an electric division, it got style #6719F; only 95 of the latter were built and cost $2745 each

 

 

 

4167t7in.jpg (8590 bytes)
The plain seating contrasts with the
pleated seat back and door panels

 

4167ts7p.jpg (8138 bytes)
The touring sedan for seven passengers, style 6723
280 of them were built and they cost $2735
 

4167ts7j.jpg (4510 bytes)

The formal version of the Series 67 sedan for 7 passengers was termed the Imperial Sedan;
it was style #6733; appointments were similar to those in the car above; 
all 210 units had an electric division; the cost of this model was $2890

 

 

The Fleetwood Series 75

 

4175ts5p.jpg (7558 bytes)
The touring sedan for five passengers, style 7519
422 of these were built;  the cost was $2995

 

4175ts5i.JPG (8987 bytes)
No auxiliary seating in this spacious, comfortable car
for five passengers (note "flip-over" foot rest)
 

4175ts5v.jpg (5950 bytes)
One hundred thirty-two additional units were built with a formal division separating the chauffeur from the rear compartment passenger;   this model carried style #7519F (see below) and  cost $3150

41bill2.jpg (9113 bytes)    4175bil2.jpg (11130 bytes)

417519fd.jpg (9321 bytes)    417519fa.jpg (5696 bytes)

417519fb.jpg (4776 bytes)    417519fc.jpg (4915 bytes)    417519fe.jpg (6487 bytes)
Above 3 rows: This fine survivor belongs to Bill Fries, CLC member from S. California
[ it is the same body style as my own 1942 Black Pryncess ]


Where is this fine survivor located?

 

 

 

4175t7in.jpg (8398 bytes)
The plushest of the Fleetwood interiors
are found in the Series 75 cars

 

4175ts7p.jpg (8589 bytes)
The touring sedan for seven passengers, style #7523
405 units were built, costing $3140
 

4175im2.jpg (6517 bytes)    4175ts7u.jpg (4168 bytes)    4175peop.jpg (7676 bytes)
Catalog illustrations

Ninety-eight additional units were built with a formal division separating the chauffeur
from the rear compartment passengers; this model carried style #7533F;
it cost $4045 and was the most expensive car in the 1941 line-up

41frml2a.jpg (10394 bytes)
This elegant survivor belonged to a member of the DuPont family;
it has been in the same ownership for over 50 years

41frml2.jpg (8527 bytes)    41frml3.jpg (7352 bytes)    41frml4.jpg (6446 bytes)
This fine survivor was offered for sale on eBay in September, 2005

A further 54 units were built with livery trim (for hire); these were fitted with special auxiliary seating,
wide enough to accommodate  three adults comfortably.  Termed the "business sedan" for nine passengers,
these cars carried style #7523L ["L" being short for "Livery"]; they cost $2895 each;
their finish was less luxurious than in the regular 7-passenger car; six additional "Livery" units were fitted
with a partition and division glass; these carried Fleetwood code #7533L and cost $3050

         

    

    

 

 

 

4175fs.jpg (7347 bytes)
The formal sedan for five passengers, style 7559
75 units were built; they cost $3920

 

4175fsin.jpg (8043 bytes)
The enclosed rear quarters
featured a small rear window

 

4175fsju.jpg (3368 bytes)    4175frml.jpg (11432 bytes)    41frmsdn.jpg (8704 bytes)
(Left) catalog illustration of folding opera seat; (Right)  photo of a survivor in the seventies

This model incorporated lightweight auxiliary seating for two.  Of the two "opera seats", as they were called, 
the one on the left faces the RH side of the car, while that on the right faces the rear.

Series 75 cars all featured a smoking set in the LH rear armrest; there was also a small notepad and pencil in a special slot in the LH arm-rest smoking set; in the RH armest
unit, the  pad and pencil were replaced with a small hand-held vanity mirror for Madame [... so the "vanity items" in the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957-58 were déjà vu!]

Also included in the Series 75 production were five chassis on the same 136-inch wheel base as the cars in this group, and 150 so-called "commercial chassis");
the latter were bought up by specialty coach builders and fitted with bodies for the funeral trade (hearses, flower cars, etc.) and as emergency vehicles (ambulances)

 

 

 

    Details

 41dash3.jpg (6437 bytes)    41dash4.jpg (7994 bytes)
Catalog illustrations showing the instrument panel and controls

    41dash.jpg (9579 bytes)    41DASH.JPG (7560 bytes)
Instrument panels from two surviving cars

41engn.jpg (6840 bytes)
The reliable flat-head V8,
basically unchanged since 1936

 

 

 

1941

L'Amérique n'est toujours pas en guerre du côté des alliés, mais cela ne va pas tarder. La production des automobiles Cadillac cessera au mois de février l'année prochaine (1942) et cela pendant près de quatre ans. En attendant, ce ne sont pas moins de 66'000 Cadillac qui trouveront acquéreurs en 1941, par des temps pourtant difficiles et incertains.

La gamme des Cadillac cette année-là comporte six séries différentes. Ce sont les séries 61, 62, 63 et 60S, d'un empattement de 320cm, et les séries 67 et 75 d'un empattement de 353cm. Les modèles La Salle (séries 50 et 52) ont été retirées de la fabrication et remplacés par les Cadillac de la série 61. La série 67 remplace la série 72 de l'année précédente. Cadillac a cessé également la production des modèles à moteur 16-cylindres (série 90).  La fabrication des V-12, quant à elle, a cessé depuis quatre ans déjà.

Les nouvelles Cadillac ont un moteur V8 de 5,7 litres de cylindrée. A le suite d'une augmentation du taux de compression ainsi que des modifications de détail, au niveau des soupapes par exemple, la puissance passe de 140 à 150CV tandis qu'on a pu baisser la consommation d'environ 15%.

Dans la série 61 sont proposés deux modèles équipés d'un pavillon fuyant. Le coupé 61 possède une large banquette AR, tandis que la berline est équipée de glaces de custode.

Les modèles des séries 61 et 62 sont disponibles en une version standard et une autre de luxe. Seuls deux modèles découvrables figurent au programme de 1941: un cabriolet 2-portes et une grande berline de voyage. La série 63 comporte un modèle unique; c'est une carrosserie nouvelle dotée d'une malle AR et de glaces de custode.

Dans la série 67 on trouve des berlines de 5 et 7 places. La ligne de pavillon est plus basse que celle des modèles de la série 75.

Toutes les voitures de la gamme paraîssent plus lourdes au niveau du capot moteur et des ailes. Les parechocs sont plus solides et comportent de plus gros butoirs.

Le tableau de bord a été redessiné pour plus de confort. A la droite du volant sont groupés la clé de contact, le starter et le démarreur. A gauche on trouve l'interrupteur des phares et ceux des autres accessoires électriques. La colonne de direction et le levier de changement de vitesses sont masqués par un cache en métal de forme elliptique. La manette des clignotants se situe à gauche du volant; elle revient automatiquement au point mort après chaque virage. Un témoin lumineux rouge clignote lorsque l'indicateur de direction est en marche.

Tous les modéles sont équipés d'un allume-cigares automatique à l'avant. Sur la berline 5-places et la berline de tourisme à 7-places de la série 67 ainsi que sur la berline de cérémonie de la série 75, la glace de séparation du chauffeur est actionné par un moteur électrique.

Les moteurs Cadillac de 1941 tournent moins vite en raison de changements au niveau des rapports du différentiel.

* * * * *

Les informations chiffrées sont tirées d'une part de la revue américaine «MOTOR» du mois d'octobre 1940 et du très beau livre illustré intitulé Cadillacs of the Forties de mon ami Roy Schneider (Heritage Press). Quant aux merveilleuses illustrations elle proviennent du superbe catalogue en couleurs de l'année, au format géant.

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image:  1941 Cadillac front clip ]