Page 98 - Experience Magazine Winter 2023

LOT #1331 - 1941 CADILLAC SERIES 62 CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE - NO RESERVE
COMFORT AND GLAMOUR

MEET THE 1941 CADILLAC SERIES 62

At the onset of 1941, World War II
was in full swing. Despite the global
chaos, American trends in the 1940s
focused on comfort and glamour.
Nowhere was this more evident
than with the styling of the 1941
Cadillac Series 62.
The Series 62 served as the successor
to Cadillac’s Series 61 and came
in four different body styles, two
of which were produced for the
single year only: the two-door
convertible Coupe Deluxe and the
convertible Sedan Deluxe. Fisher
Body in Detroit, Michigan, bodied
each convertible. When the Series
62 made its debut, raw materials
such as steel, rubber, nylon, silk
and oil faced supply shortages,
which changed how things were The 1941 models also saw Cadillac acceleration, quiet operation and
designed. Buildings became balance form and function in new strong torque. The 1941 model
simpler and more efficient, while ways. For example, the sculpted year also represented the first time
furniture became less elaborate “flying goddess” hood ornament Cadillac offered its customers
and more functional. The Big Three lifted to provide access to the hood a choice of transmissions: the
had gradually stopped producing latch, while a taillight housing standard 3-speed manual or
vehicles and utilized their factories concealed the fuel filler cap. The the new fully automatic GM
to build airplanes, tanks and other bumpers on the Series 62 also 4-speed Hydra-Matic, a $125
military vehicles. became more integrated into the optional upgrade.
overall design, and the interior While the Series 62 offered with No
Bill Mitchell was head of the was just as opulent as ever, with
Cadillac studio then and worked a lavishly detailed wood-grain Reserve during the 2023 Barrett-
with GM Design Chief Harley Earl instrument panel. Jackson Scottsdale Auction retains
to create the 1941 Cadillac, one of all its classic prewar stylings, the
the marque’s beautifully executed In 1941, Cadillacs were among the Cadillac has received significant
prewar designs. The car’s rectangular best-equipped and most modern upgrades during its comprehensive
grille, credited to stylist Art Ross, cars on the road. They came restoration, which was completed in
was a radical departure from the standard with features that included November 2021.
sharp vertical grilles of preceding sealed-beam headlamps, 15-inch The heart of the custom Cadillac
models. The new grille, featuring an wheels and turn signals. has been swapped for a new GM
“egg-crate” texture, would become To many drivers’ delight, Cadillac’s 6.2-liter V8 LT4 supercharged crate
an essential part of the Cadillac 346ci L-head V8 engine, capable of engine capable of producing 640
DNA moving forward. 150 horsepower, delivered smooth horsepower. An 8L90E 8-speed

98 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE WINTER 2023