Cadillac Series 61

Cadillac Series 61

1947 Cadillac Series 61 convertible
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1938–1951
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, USA
Predecessor	Cadillac Series 60
Class	luxury car
Layout	FR layout
Designer	Harley Earl

The Series 61 replaced the Series 60/65 (except for the upscale Sixty Special) in 1939. It in turn was replaced by the Series 62 in 1940 only to return to production in model year 1941. Apart from model years 1943-1945 It remained in production through 1951.

1939

First Generation

Model years	1939
Engine	331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)

The Fisher-bodied Series 61 used a 126 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. It was available as a club coupe or sedan. All Cadillacs shared the same 346 in³ L-head V8 in 1939, with power at 135 hp (101 kW) and rising to 150 hp (112 kW) for 1941.

1941

Second Generation

Model years	1941
Platform	B-body
Engine	346 in³ L-head V8 331 in³ OHV V8
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	215 in (5,461 mm)

The 1941 Series 61 had a fastback design.

Series 63

The Series 63 was similar to the 61. It was available as a sedan only and rode on the same wheelbase.

By the time the decision was made to drop the LaSalle for 1941, at least three wood and metal mockups had been made for potential LaSalle models. One was based on the notchback GM C platform which ended up being shared by the Cadillac Series 62, Buick Roadmaster and Super, the Oldsmobile 90 and the Pontiac Custom Torpedo. A second was based on the fastback GM B platform which ended up being shared by the Cadillac Series 61, the Buick Century and Special, the Oldsmobile 70 and the Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo. A third was a modified notchback design, derived from the fastback B-body, but described as "A-body-like"", that ended up being used by the Cadillac Series 63. Any or all of these could have ended up being part of the next LaSalle line. However, it has been inferred that of the three, the third design was most likely to have been a LaSalle, with that platform being assigned exclusively to LaSalle, and that the second design, whose platform was shared with the Series 61, was the next most likely.

Sales of the Series 63 were 5,030 in 1941.

1942-47

Third Generation

1947 Cadillac Series 61 convertible
Model years	1942-47
Platform	B-body
Engine	346 in³ L-head V8 331 in³ OHV V8
Transmission	3-speed manual Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase	126 in (3,200 mm)
Length	215 in (5,461 mm)
Curb weight	4,390 lb (1,990 kg)
Related	Pontiac Streamliner

After the War, the Series 61 returned on a 126 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. The engine remained the same 346 in³ L-head V8 as before.

1948-1951

Fourth Generation

1949 Cadillac Series 61 coupe
Model years	1948-51
Platform	1948-50: C-body 1951: B-body
Engine	346 cu in (5.7 L) Monobloc V8 331 cu in (5.4 L) OHV V8
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual 4-speed Hydra-Matic
Wheelbase	1948-50: 126 in (3,200 mm) 1951: 122.0 in (3,099 mm)
Length	1948-50: 214.0 in (5,436 mm) 1951: 211.8 in (5,380 mm)
Width	1948: 79.0 in (2,007 mm) 1949: 78.9 in (2,004 mm) 1950-1951: 80.1 in (2,035 mm)
Height	62.7 in (1,593 mm)
Curb weight	4,000–4,400 lb (1,800–2,000 kg)
Related	Pontiac Streamliner

The car was restyled in 1948, the first real postwar Cadillac, with tailfins like the Lockheed P-38. The formerly-smaller Series 61 was moved to the Series 62's General Motors C-Body platform, making them very similar apart from this model's less-opulent interior and reduced chrome trim.

The new Cadillac OHV V8 was the big news for 1949, with minor trim differences otherwise. This 331 in³ engine produced 160 hp (119 kW).

For 1951, major styling changes were performed. The cars were lower and sleeker, with longer hoods, and one-piece windshields were fitted. The Series 61 was again moved back to the smaller General Motors B-Body, having been reduced to 122 in (3,100 mm).

The Series 61 was discontinued in the middle of the 1951 model year due to lagging sales.