Body by Fleetwood
1936 Cadillac Series 75 Convertible Sedan
CHASSIS NO: 3A1281
• Pictured in Maurice Hendry’s definitive “Cadillac, the
Complete Seventy-Year History”
• Striking and versatile CCCA Full Classic® automobile ready to
show, tour, and enjoy
• Fresh ground-up restoration with new paint, chrome, full leather
interior, and carpeting
• New convertible top, rebuilt and restored instruments, radio, fog
lamps, division window
346 cid L-head V-8 engine, dual downdraft carburetion, 135 HP, three-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel Bendix hydraulic drum brakes; wheelbase: 138”
In 1934, Cadillac body styling moved in radical fashion from classical formality to a new era with sleek streamlining in full evidence. A new X-frame chassis frame supported the new bodywork, which featured airfoil-shaped front fenders and a steeply raked V-shape radiator shell, ending with the rear fenders sweeping neatly into the rear deck. Minimal chrome trim was utilized, while an extended hood with horizontal cooling louvers visually lengthened the entire car. Improved body construction isolated passengers from engine heat and road noise, while the new “Knee-Action” independent front-suspension system greatly improved ride and enhanced roadholding. Cadillac’s basic body-design language remained essentially unchanged for 1935 and 1936, apart from a narrower radiator shell, repositioned headlamps, and the appearance of built-in luggage trunks.
In particular, the 1936 model year was quite important in terms of Cadillac’s ongoing success, with a widened product selection including the entry-level 36-60 bringing Cadillac ownership to a new set of buyers. For the first time since 1914, Cadillacs were designated by model year, with annual model changeovers and new-car introductions held each fall annually. This new practice contrasted with Cadillac’s archrival Packard, which referred to its new product lines as “Series” and not by specific model years. An all-new 346 cubic-inch, L-head V-8 engine debuted for 1936, with simplified design and improved serviceability. Featuring one-piece cylinder block architecture, downdraft carburetion, and advanced manifold design, this new Cadillac V-8 was stronger, yet weighed just 20 pounds more, than the engine it replaced. While lacking the glamour of the V-12 and V-16, the new V-8 was an outstanding and nearly-silent powerplant that outlived them both with numerous methodical refinements, eventually going on to serve as Cadillac’s sole available engine from 1941 through 1948.
Of all the Cadillac models for 1936, the V-8-powered Series 70 and longer-wheelbase (138 inches) Series 75 lines stood as the marque’s anchor products, with 2,000 Series 70 models and 3,227 Series 75 examples produced. Both were bodied exclusively by Fleetwood. As Cadillac’s ultimate V-8 model range, Series 75 was available in a wide selection of ten factory-catalogued body styles, with the elegant yet sporting Style 36-7529 5-Passenger Convertible Sedan the sole open model.
This 1936 Cadillac Series 75 Convertible Sedan is a wonderful example, depicted in color on page 194 of Maurice D. Hendry’s definitive book "Cadillac, the Complete Seventy-Year History," first published in 1973. Rarely does a 1936 Cadillac, and certainly one of this quality, appear for sale. As offered, it benefits handsomely from a fresh ground-up restoration completed over the past two years by marque specialists including new paint and restored brightwork, plus installation of all new full leather upholstery, new carpeting, a new black canvas top and boot cover with red piping, and correct new molded running boards. The instruments were all rebuilt and cosmetically restored as well. The engine compartment was detailed to match, housing Cadillac’s robust 346 cubic-inch V-8, which features a set of porcelain-finished exhaust manifolds. Highly desirable period features include a division window, fog lamps, a radio, and dual, highly rare Lorraine spotlights. Appropriately recognized by the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) as a Full Classic® automobile, this gorgeous 1936 Cadillac Series 75 5-Passenger Convertible Sedan is ready to show, tour, and enjoy, and it will provide a welcome and outstanding entry into a wide array of desirable classic car events for its fortunate new owner.
