1947 Cadillac Series 62
Some history & technical specifications

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There was a prevailing belief that the '42s were not as well built as the '41s. This wasn't quite true, although the use of lightweight cast-iron pistons instead of aluminum was common. Shoddiness showed up in chrome trim with thin layers of copper and nickel understrikings, or in the inferior grade of plastic that was used everywhere, especially in interior hardware and dashboards. Even the upholstery didn't seem to be quite up to previous standards.

The 1942 Cadillacs were basically similar to '41, but with prices starting at $1450 (up $105) and with longer 129- and 133-‘ch wheelbases for the Series Sixty-Two and Sixty Special, respectively. Body shells were reworked to look rounder and more massive -- it's debatable that they looked any better. Keynotes of Cadillac's facelift were long pontoon fenders that extended into the front doors, a theme repeated on the rear fenders, and a more massive diecast egg-crate grille. After 1942, the Series Sixty-Three and Sixty-Seven were discontinued. Only 16,511 units were built before production switched to M-24 tanks, aircraft engines, and munitions.

Cadillac entered 1942, its Fortieth Anniversary year, with the same 150-bhp V-8 and six series, but model choices were pared to 22. Gone were the two Sixty-One DeLuxes, the Sixty-Two convertible sedan, and the Sixty Special Town Car. Prices now ranged from $1450 to $4060. The 1942 Cadillac was -- and is -- fairly rare because output was halted on February 41 1942. The U.S. had entered World War II on December 8, just hours after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, forcing an industry-wide conversion to the manufacture of war materiel. And in fact, the U.S. Office of Production Management had ordered auto production cutbacks back in August 1941, to 73.5 percent of 1940 output.

If 1941 was the year of the eggcrate grille at Cadillac, then '42 was the year of the bullet -- or pontoon -- shaped fenders. They caused the '42 design to come across as bulkier, particularly the bulbous front units, which swept rearward well into the doors. This fender treatment had apparently developed in the stylists' minds over several years, for one drawing done at the GM studios as early as 1934 showed the extended fender line explicitly. And, of course, it was seen in production on the '41 Sixty Special, albeit in a more squared-off form.

For 1942, Cadillac boasted a wider, bolder eggcrate grille with round parking lights and rectangular fog lamps (when not ordered, fluted chrome caps took their place). Also up front, a seed had been planted that would grow enormously over the years to come, for there on the front bumper was a pair of small (almost embryonic) "Dagmar" bumper extensions. Ed Glowacke would fully develop this design motif in the mid-Fifties.

Cadillac advertised its sealed, ribbed Super-Safe brakes and made a point of demonstrating its All-Weather Ventilation System, which allowed an unobstructed flow of air into the car even in the rain. In addition, a T-type parking brake handle was adopted. The Sixty Specials and Sixty-Twos featured a new instrument panel, as well as longer wheelbases: 133 and 129 inches, respectively The Sixty-Two boasted a new fastback coupe, the Sedanet. Looking even more aerodynamic than the Sixty-One fastback, it was easily identified by its longer rear side windows.

The Sixty Special lost some of its uniqueness as Cadillac continued to consolidate its offerings. It now looked much like the regular Cadillacs, with thick center window posts and single chrome spears on all four fenders. The Special, however, sported a series of 14 vertical chrome hash marks on the lower edges of both the front and rear fenders. Fender skirts were standardized across the board.

It should be noted that although the Seventy-Fives adopted the new '42 front-end styling, they retained 1941's short, square fenders and triple chrome strips behind the wheels. In fact, they would carry on with the same square-rigged lines through 1949

Washington issued "black-out" orders to Cadillac and the rest of the industry on December 31, 1941: no car could be delivered with visible stainless steel trim or chrome, except for bumpers. Metal already chromed or in stainless had to be covered up so that no make would have a sales advantage. Cadillac and the other GM divisions complied by painting the trim in the lighter of their two-tone colors, usually off-white or light gray (some automakers used a thin coat of plastic, most often gray or ivory).

For 1942, the Series lineup remained the same as in 1941.

The grille became more massive, with fewer bars.

Parking lights became round and fog light sockets became rectangular and were included within the grille area.

A bullet shape appeared on the tops of the bumper guard.

Fenders were rounded and longer.

Front fenders on all but Series 75 extended into the front doors.

Series 62 and 60S rear fenders extended forward into rear doors.

The new fenders had heavy moldings along the sides.

Series 75 had the new grille but retained the 1941 fender treatment.

A detail trim change on the 75's was a rounded nose on the hood louvers.

The first general styling change on the Sixty Special destroyed the character of the car.

Bulbous lines plus superfluous trim in the form of louver bars on the quarters and numerous short vertical bars low on the fenders spoiled its appeal.

The only convertible was the Series 62, showing quarter windows for the first time.

A new fresh air ventilating system with air ducts leading from the grille, replaced cowl ventilators.

Handbrake control was changed from lever to T-shaped pull handle.

Radiator shutter control of engine temperature was replaced by a blocking-type thermostat in the water return fitting on the radiator.

Serial numbers were on the right frame side bar, just behind the engine support bracket.
Starting: Same as engine number.
Ending: Same as engine number.

Engine numbers were on the right hand side of the crankcase, just above the water pump.

Engine Numbers on Chrome or polished stainless steel brightwork models
Series 42A-60S = 6380001 - 6391500
Series 42A-61 = 5380001 -5385237
Series 42A-62 = 8380001 - 8384401
Series 42A-63 = 7380001 - 7381500
Series 42A-67 = 9380001 -9380520
Series 42A-75 = 3380001 - 3381200

Engine Numbers on Painted "brightwork" models
Series 428-60S = 6386001 - 6386375
Series 42B-61 = 5386001 - 5386461
Series 42B-62 = 8386001 - 8386560
Series 42B-63 = 7386001 - 7386250
Series 42B-67 = 9386001 - 9386180
Series 42B-75 = 3386001 - 3386327

E ngine
Ninety degree. L-head
Eight Cylinders
Cast iron block (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
Bore & Stroke: 3-1/2 in. x 4-1/2 in.
Displacement: 346 cu. in.
Compression Ratio: 7.25:1
Brake Horsepower: 150 @ 3400 rpm
SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 39.20
Main bearings: Three
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Carburetor: Stromberg AAV-26; Carter WDO 486S.

TECHNICAL
Selective synchro manual transmission.
Speeds: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
Left Hand Drive ; gearshift on column; handbrake at left,
(RHD optional except 60S, 62, 67, 75).
Single disc clutch.
Shaft drive Hotchkiss.
Semifloating rear axle.
Hypoid gears.
Overall Ratio:
60S, 61, 62, 63 = 3.77:1; (3.36:1 opt)
67, 75 = 4.27:1 (3.77:1 opt)
Hydraulic brakes on four wheels.
Slotted disc wheels.
Wheel size: 15 in (16 in. on 67 and 75).

Drivetrain Options:
Automatic transmission: $135.00
Hill-holder (Norol): $12.50

Options

Radio: $65.00
Heater: $59.50-65.00
Seat covers: $9.75/seat
Spotlight: $19.50
Fog lights: $24.50
Backup light: $12.50
Windshield washer: $8.25
Wheel discs: $4.00 each
Trim rings: $1.50 each

References
www.motorera.com

LINKS:

View list of other Cadillac diecast

Toy Wonders link to 1/24 scale vehicles

Toy Wonders link to 1/18 scale vehicles

Toy Wonders diecast directory

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