The 1946 Cadillac Series 61 is a very striking and beautiful
automobile. Truly the "Standard of the World" as Cadillac's
marketing slogan stated. Brought to production quickly after the
end of WWII, it's overall design was based upon the "Torpedo"
bodied Cadillac's produced in the pre-war era. To a nation with a
booming post war economy, the Cadillac Series 61 was a wonderful
car to celebrate in. Styled by renowned designer Bill Mitchell, the
Series 61 has a harmony and gracefulness that has stood the test of
time. The front grill and bumper are bathed in beautiful chrome
bright work, with fared in headlamps and turn signals integrated
into the grill. The 1946 model was the first to use full width wrap
around bumpers, whereas the previous model's bumpers stopped at the
corners, giving a more complete look to the front end. On the hood
is the Cadillac family crest, and the Cadillac "Goddess" soars from
the leading edge. The windshield is of a split design, very common
to pre-war automobiles, while the "pontoon" fenders do a wonderful
job of integrating the wheels into the body. A little chrome trim
on the fenders and the chrome Cadillac script help to bring your
eyes down the side of the car. Out back the rear windshield is also
a multi-piece affair, while the rear tail lamps and turn signals
are integrated into the rear fenders. This was not something very
common to this era of automobiles, as most still had separate light
fixtures that were bolted to the outside of the car. The rear
bumper is also a single piece, chrome covered, wrap around affair,
and does an excellent job of making the overall design appear
rounder and more complete. The wheels are classic steel units,
painted red with chrome caps and wide whitewall tires. The
combination is absolutely fitting of the time period this classic
is from, and provides a little color and dash of flash to offset
the dark painted body.
On the inside, you'll note a very original appearance. The original
wood trim and fabric on the doors has the patina expected in a
seventy year old automobile. The black painted instrument panel
features full instrumentation, with a large speedometer and analog
clock flanking the central grill vents. Above the vents is the
optional push button AM radio, something not usually found in
lesser automobiles of the day. Under the dash you will find an
aftermarket air conditioning unit. Cadillac did not offer the
Series 61 with air conditioning from the factory, but this car has
been upgraded to keep you comfortable on those super hot summer
days. The seats front and rear are classic full width cloth covered
benches. These are super soft and add to the overall comfortable
drive.
Under the hood is the classic Cadillac 346 cubic inch V-8. This
unit used a single carburetor to produce 150hp and 260ft-lbs of
torque. This was a very powerful car in its day, and the torque
moves this full steel bodied car off the line smartly. That power
is sent rearward through a three speed column shifted manual
transmission. The gear box is fully synchronized and makes for
smooth easy shifting.
This beautiful classic Cadillac has received a lot of love and
attention from its current owner. The engine has been recently
rebuilt, along with the gearbox and brake systems. The shock
absorbers have been replaced front and rear, and the wiper system
upgraded from the factory vacuum operated unit to a modern electric
motor. There are extensive records and photos documenting this work
and more that go back 15+ years.
Where else but a Cadillac could you get this combination of class,
style, power, and prestige. If you want to get behind the wheel of
a very original all steel Cadillac, this Series 61 is for you!!
Call or email
[email protected] today and put this beauty in your
garage today!!!
