Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Auburn Fall event, September 1-4, 2016.
Chassis No.
8342675
Estimate:
$ 80,000 - $100,000 US
It is thought by some that aesthetically, this was a high point in Cadillac styling. Visually the car is a masterpiece of subtle, flowing curves that began with a new-for-1941 bold and distinctive eggcrate grille. Fenders incorporated the headlights keeping with the styling trends of the day.
This was Cadillac’s last convertible sedan. Harley Earl was particularly smitten with the ’41 model; he had one customized for his personal use. The artisans at Fleetwood and Fisher created the convertible sedan with modified C-type sedan sheetmetal. The upper portion of the rear doors were shortened by seven inches; the rear quarters (above the dogleg) were extended seven inches; the rear quarters were buttressed with flat-bar steel to accommodate and support the top assembly; and the B- and C-pillars were supported by brawny steel braces. Beefed up B-pillars allowed for the elimination of suicide rear doors. Frames were substantially strengthened and windshields were three inches lower. Essentially, the convertible sedan was a semi-custom car.
The 1941 Cadillac Sedan offered here was restored by the well-known collector Len Immke. During this complete restoration the canvas convertible top was replaced along with the white leather interior. The red paint shows very well and is complemented by a tasteful amount of well-polished brightwork and rear fender skirts. Under the hood is a 346-cid, 135-hp V-8 engine that is paired with a smooth shifting three-speed manual transmission.
This was the rarest of Cadillac models for 1941 with just 400 produced for the model year. This would also me the last year for the convertible sedan body style; popular for many years and widely admired to this day.
