Driven by Sam and Miles Collier
This dictated rearranged valves, a stroke shorter than bore, wedge-shape combustion chambers, and “slipper” pistons. The overhead valve V-8 had other advantages. The last, devised by Byron Ellis, traveled low between the crankshaft counterweights to allow for short connecting rods and, thus, low reciprocating mass. Compression was just 7.5:1, yet could be pushed up to 12:1; the L-head couldn’t stretch that high. Though a cast-iron job like the L-head, it weighed nearly 200 pounds less, thanks to advances in manufacturing techniques pioneered during wartime. Sized at 331 cubic inches, the new V-8 arrived with 160 horsepower, 10 horsepower more than the old 346 L-head despite less displacement, testifying to the design’s efficiency.
Departure of both the Sixteen and Series 72 reduced wheelbases to three: 136 inches for the Series 75, 139 on four new Series 67 sedans, and 126 for others. Developed by sister division Oldsmobile, which had introduced it a year earlier, this excellent automatic transmission would remain an option for all Cadillacs through 1949, after which it fast spread throughout the line as standard equipment. Cadillac’s big mechanical news for 1941 was a first in the luxury class: fully shiftless Hydra-Matic Drive.
But sales of the Series 62 also were up dramatically, the Sixty Special scored a healthy 4,100 sales, and a new Series 63 four-door sedan attracted some 5,000 customers all by itself. The 1942 lineup was mostly the same but had a new look. Unfortunately, this year’s Sixty Special was more like other Cadillacs, and far less “special.” Cadillac built a total 16,511 of its ’42s before war halted production in February 1942. The division then turned out tanks, aircraft engines, and munitions until V-J Day 1945, an impressive output of vital weapons that helped win the war.
There was also a Sixty Special “town car” offered with a painted-metal or leather-covered roof. Displacing the Series 61 as the most-affordable 1940s Cadillac was the Series 62, another future Cadillac fixture. Initial offerings were comprised of a coupe, touring sedan, convertible coupe, and convertible sedan on a 129-inch wheelbase. Just 15 were built; most 1940 Sixty Specials were the standard sedan (4,472 units). If you beloved this article and you also would like to collect more info about Condo for sale Bangkok near BTS nicely visit our internet site. Prices ranged from $1,685 to $2,195.
Consumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for 2007 Cadillacs and hundreds of other new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs. 1930-1939 Cadillac: Cadillac asserts its luxury leadership with magnificent V-16 and V-12 models that were among the greatest cars of an era of great cars. 1950-1959 Cadillac: Cadillac symbolizes the optimism of a swaggering America with soaring tailfins and Elvis-era glamour. A significant and attractive design change occurred for 1941, when Cadillac revived the Series 61 to replace its junior LaSalle line.
