Vehicle Description
Just as the 1941 models marked the dawn of a new era, the Cadillacs
of 1940 represented the final flourish for the marque's
traditional, Classic Era styling. With a completely redesigned
model on the way, the 1940 cars were the last to offer the grand,
upright grille, separate bullet headlamps, and optional side-mount
spare wheels that defined the previous decade of car design. 1940
was also the final year that customers could opt for the mighty
sixteen-cylinder Series 90. While Harley Earl was soon to introduce
a radically new look, the 1940 Cadillac was still a handsome and
relevant machine, featuring a balanced design combining traditional
themes with modern detailing. The Series 75 remained as the
flagship V8-powered model, sharing the same massive 141-inch
wheelbase chassis with the V16, as well as most of the same
luxurious bodies from the Fleetwood catalog. The Series 75 was
available in twelve different body styles, each hand-crafted by the
expert coachbuilders at Fleetwood. Cadillac/LaSalle sales totaled
nearly 40,000 cars in 1940. That LaSalle sales made up the bulk of
that number reflected the market conditions of the day - the era of
the expensive, coachbuilt classic car was nearing its end. It was
no longer financially viable for Cadillac to offer a full range of
custom coachbuilt automobiles, and the shift toward a completely
standardized range was well underway. As a result, sales of the
so-called "Cadillac-Fleetwood" Series 75 models comprised just 959
cars out of the annual total, with Series 90 V16 cars failing to
break into triple-digits. The Imperial Sedan and 5-Passenger Sedan
made up the bulk of Series 75 sales, while sportier styles sold in
comparatively minuscule numbers. With unique styling and historical
status as the last of the open, two-door coachbuilt Cadillacs, the
Series 75 Convertible Coupe is a highly collectible and desirable
model that remains popular with enthusiasts as much for its looks
as for its outstanding road manners. The Series 75 Fleetwood
Convertible Coupe featured here is one of just 30 such examples
produced in 1940. It has been in the care of several notable
collectors over the years, and comes most recently from an active
CCCA member and touring enthusiast. Wearing an older, high-quality
restoration, this rare and highly desirable Cadillac has mellowed
gently and is ideally suited for tours and casual concours events.
Finished in dark blue and trimmed with a beige top and blue
interior, the presentation is marvelous: Elegantly proportioned,
yet with an imposing presence. Unsurprisingly for a flagship model,
this car is highly optioned, complete with side-mount spare wheels,
Cadillac script bumpers, fog lamps, radio, and heater. The body is
in excellent order, displaying good panel fit and attractive
finishing. Some minor touch-ups can be found on close inspection;
however, the car remains highly appealing and in outstanding order
for use on tours and weekend getaways. Similarly, the brightwork is
in excellent condition, with a few minor imperfections found that
does little to detract from this being a marvelous and
beautifully-presented example. The cabin offers generous front
seats, supplemented by a pair of folding jump-seats in the rear.
Blue leather features on the seats, door cards, and interior
panels. It is in very good order, appearing gently broke-in since
the restoration. The burled walnut woodgrain dash is highlighted
with a central grille that reflects the front-end treatment and
houses the original radio. Modern refinements also include a
heater/defroster unit, roll-up side glass, and a column-shifted
3-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh and overdrive. The tan
canvas top is piped in blue leather, which repeats on the fitted
canvas boot. A transparent protective top cover is also included.
With a grand 141-inch wheelbase, the trunk is generously sized,
allowing plenty of room for enough luggage to support a
long-distance tour or weekend getaway. Powering the car is
Cadillac's legendary L-head V8 engine. The unit displaces 346 cubic
inches and produced 140 horsepower with a generous supply of torque
to move the big Caddy along with relative ease. Cadillac was an
early adopter of the synchromesh gearbox, which, combined with the
column-mounted shifter, allows for effortless progress. An optional
overdrive further enhances this car's long-distance ability. The
engine is pleasingly well-detailed, with correct Cadillac green
engine paint and black porcelain finish manifolds. It shows signs
of light and careful use, while still retaining a period-correct
appearance. Reflective of its outstanding presentation, this rare
and desirable Cadillac earned a CCCA Senior Premier Award. It
remains a gorgeous example, with recent emphasis put on reliable,
enjoyable touring. Few cars can match this Series 75 Convertible
Coupe for sheer presence and elegant style, and we have to agree
with Fleetwood's 1930 catalog, which described this design as "One
of General Motors' Masterpieces."