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. 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
beige and trimmed with a black top and red leather 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 areas of paint shrinkage and 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. Red 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 a include heater/defroster unit, roll-up side
glass, and a column-shifted 3-speed manual gearbox with
synchromesh. Wide whitewall radial tires have been fitted for
modern touring. The black canvas top is piped in red leather, which
repeats on the fitted canvas boot. 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. 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 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." Offers welcome and trades considered
For additional details please view this listing directly on our
website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7833-1940-cadillac-series-75-convertible-coupe/
