Vehicle Description
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!
