1941 Cadillac Series 61 (6127) 5-Passenger Coupe 🇺🇸

This 1941 Cadillac series 61  5-Passenger Coupe had been lying in a field in the Pocono mountains for years, then it was rescued by Mr. Tom Kidd, before being purchased by the Nicola Bulgari Car Collection in 2000. The car was in bad shape, after being outside for many years. It underwent a frame-off restoration by Precision Motor Cars, in Allentown, which lasted almost three years, from 2004 to 2006.

1941 was the first year that the Hydramatic automatic transmission was available as an option, but this car was instead equipped with the traditional three-speed manual transmission. Rather, the original buyer specified a radio, costing $69.50, foglights for $14.50, and heater $59.50, a must in the cold Pennsylvania weather. According to the 1941 Book of Special Features, a special all-leather interior was available for a $265 surcharge, and for something less, a part leather/part fabric interior could be ordered. There were over 11,000 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanettes built in the standard series, and 3,000 in the DeLuxe version.

Company
General Motors

Wheelbase
126in

Interior trim
Grey cloth

Brakes
front and rear drums

Make
Cadillac

Length
217.3in

Engine
V8 - 346cid

Tires
7.00x15

Model
Series 61 - Model 6127

Width
75in

Carburetor
1 Carter WDO 506

Original Price
$1,345

Body style
5-Passenger Coupe

Weight
3985lbs

Horsepower
150hp @ 3400rpm

Production
11,812

Model year
1941

Exterior paint
Cavern Green

Transmission
Synchro-shift 3-speed manual

The winds of the war were getting closer and closer to the US. By 1941 all American manufacturers were preparing new models and in secret, they were also gearing up for wartime production. 1941 was going to be the last full year for civilian vehicles, before plants were switched for war activities. Cadillac was no exception, and it had a record year before production was shut off on February 4 1942. The 1941 model year is very important in the Company’s history, as a major restyling firmly established the predominance of Cadillac among the luxury makes. The management decided to cancel the LaSalle nameplate, which was just a cheaper Cadillac and had rarely had good sales. At the same time, they also canceled the V16 engine models, which had a very limited market appeal and offered the same performance as the V8. So Cadillac had become a “one engine one car” company, the introduction of the new modern fully automatic Hydramatic transmission really made the difference in the luxury field, along with the availability of the air conditioning. Styling of the new Cadillac was very modern and fresh, but at the same time the lines were not radical or unnatural. Cadillac for 1941 model year had a new massive chrome grille and restyled front fenders, which would set the style for frontal appearance for many years to come. The grille was a large, vertical design with a very prominent center section and eight horizontal bars. The headlights were completely enclosed in the front fenders, with provisions for built-in accessory fog lights. For the first time, a horizontal valance panel was adopted  between the front fenders and the bumper. The high crowned hood was made in one piece and had no detachable side panels, to improve access to the engine compartment. A new “Flying Lady” hood ornament doubled as a latch, while the Cadillac winged crest was predominant on the front. The engine was the tried and true 346 cubic inch flathead V8 that had been modified to raise horsepower to 150. In conjunction with a 3.36 rear-end ratio, these cars could easily attain a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The fenders were squared off, and the spare tire couldn’t be set in them anymore, as it was mounted vertically inside the trunk. The rear fenders were usually skirted, except on the cheaper 61 Series. For the first time, the gas tank filler was concealed behind the driver side stoplight assembly, starting a tradition that would last for many years. There were a total of 19 models divided into six series. An all-new low-price 61 series replaced the LaSalle offerings, a factor that contributed to the record 1941 Cadillac sales. The new 61 series had the same 126 inch wheelbase as the more expensive 62, 63 and Sixty Special models, but the two and four-door Fisher bodies were of the fastback style, reminiscent of the limited production Aerodynamic Coupes built between in 1933 and 1937 by Fleetwood. Cadillac Motor Car Division had a record year, with over 66,000 cars produced and 30,000 of those were the new series 61. The two-door coupe Series 61 was the hottest selling 1941 Cadillac, with a base price of only $1,345 for the standard version, and $1,435 for the DeLuxe version.