Vehicle Description
This 1940 Cadillac Series 75 Town Car is one of just 53 produced in
1940 and was once part of the esteemed Harris Laskey Collection.
Featuring Coachwork by Fleetwood, this was one of the most elegant
and expensive cars produced by Cadillac in the day. Customers could
custom-tailor their Town Cars to exacting specifications -
including colors, amenities and interior materials - literally
creating a custom of their very own. Having undergone an extensive
frame-off restoration with meticulous attention to detail, this car
received the Most Elegant Award at the Santa Barbara Concours
d'Elegance, Second in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance, and Premier Senior and National First Prize from the
AACA. The driver's compartment features a Bakelite steering wheel
and shift knob, and it's upholstered with blue leather and features
matching blue carpeting; the top, both the rear and removable
driver's section are finished in blue with special dyed-grain
leather. The passenger compartment is trimmed in a blue-gray cloth
and features jump seats, wood-grain window surrounds and trim,
privacy blinds and an intercom system. The car is well-equipped
with final-year optional side-mount spare tires, side heaters, a
central Fleetwood clock, a radio, a wood-grain dashboard and
art-deco-style pop-out companions with green-topped cigarette
lighters. Powered by a 346/150hp V8 engine with a 3-speed
synchromesh transmission, it rides on a coil front suspension with
semi-elliptic rear leaf springs and wide whitewall tires. Hydraulic
drum brakes on all four wheels bring the large but stylish car to a
sure-footed stop with relative ease. This would be the final year
for the style introduced in 1938, as 1941 ushered in a more
squared-off, blunted nose and body. Originally purchased only by
the absolute pinnacle of society, Cadillac Series 75 Town Cars were
often customized by their owners with specialized body work and
interior adornments. Howard Hughes bought a black Series 75
Fleetwood Formal Sedan in Los Angeles while he owned MGM Studios,
Ohio industrialist Elroy Kulus had a Series 75 Fleetwood Town Car
rebodied by Brunn to be the last Town Car Brunn would build and
band leader Vaughn Monroe had a Series 75 Town Car built by Inskip
as the "Racing with the Moon" car. The opportunity to acquire a
Series 75 Town Car in such remarkable condition and recognized as
such through various awards is rare indeed. From the Don Williams
Collection.
