For Sale: 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood in St. Louis, Missouri

Cadillac Motor Company would reveal several new models in 1940 and say goodbye to others, marking the last year for the mighty V-16 engine option in the Ninety Series after 11 years, as well as the final production year of the LaSalle line after 14 years by offering a one-year only Series 52 LaSalle Special. A new Cadillac Series 62 model was unveiled, along with a one-year only Series 72 model attempting to fulfill a new mid-luxury space. A total of seven distinct Cadillac series designs were available, all with various body choices to choose from. A splendid year for Cadillac designers who adopted flush-mounted taillights, and again redesigned the front grill with thicker, diecast horizontal bars flanked by vertical catwalk louvers along each side. Additional dual horizontal side louvers decorated the sides for added cooling. Sealed beam headlights and turn signals were now standard on most models.

It would be the first year Fleetwood would produce the Sixty Special, further endorsing it as Cadillac's premier 4-door sedan. One of the rarest ever produced this year would be the Style 40-6053 Close-Coupled Town Car. Just 15 vehicles were manufactured, nine with a removable metal cover (MB- for metal back) over the driver's compartment, and the other six with a soft leather cover version (LB- leather back). The leather back was the most expensive Sixty Special offered in 1940 with a base price of $3,820!

We are delighted to offer this 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty-Special 6053LB Town Car after it was located in long-term storage from an eccentric Fort Lauderdale collector who owned it for the better part of three decades. Being handicapped for the latter part of his life from being shot in the leg after a heated disagreement with a street thug, he unfortunately found driving his collector cars rather difficult. This particular Cadillac was ultimately parked on jack stands underneath his downtown Fort Lauderdale home with several others until his passing in late 2020. Finished in Cavern Green exterior over a special-order Green Leather chauffer compartment and Green Broadcloth rear passenger compartment, it uniquely has the chance of being the only one produced like it!

It presents very well as a car that was likely restored soon after his original acquisition in the late 1980's or early 1990's. The exterior paint continued to show very well as it was garaged and protected from any severe elements. The interior shows signs of use and enjoyment, as well as areas that remain factory original. A great blend for a driver enthusiast! Powered by its original, number's matching 346ci V8 engine with Stromberg Aerotype carburetor, it produced a factory rated 135 horsepower. Equipment includes 3-speed column-shift transmission, roll-up glass divider window, outside mirror, AM radio, locking gas cap, defrost heater, dash clock, trunk light, and Firestone Deluxe Champion 7.00-16 wide whitewall tires!

Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it received a comprehensive inspection to carefully resurrect it for safe road use again. This began by removing the gas tank to clean and flush the fuel system, replacing the electric fuel pump, and rebuilding the carburetor. The spark plugs would be cleaned, all fluids changed including rear gear oil, new coolant with fresh radiator & heater hoses supplied, new battery with generator wiring repaired, along with a few smaller items and new sealed beam headlights. Underneath, we would replace the front stabilizer links, pitman arm assembly, left front spindle support and perform an alignment. The clutch pivot bushings and rear shock links were replaced, and a completed new exhaust system installed. A brake inspection resulted in new front brake cylinders, new brake fluid, and full brake adjustment. Coker Classic supplied us with new Firestone tires and tubes.

The end result is a Cadillac that eagerly starts and is ready to hit the road once again. Some of the original accessories remain in-operable such as the radio, clock, and trunk light, as we decided to let the next caretaker decide on their importance. As one of only 6 examples ever produced, it was an honor to bring it back to the market for another collector to take advantage of a very special opportunity! It will not likely happen again anytime soon, so astute collectors should act quickly! Please feel free to call with questions or discuss the chance to add it to your garage. As always, thanks for looking!