1941 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood

1941 CADILLAC SERIES 60 SPECIAL 346 V8 FLEETWOOD  Heralded as one of Bill Mitchell?s foremost Cadillac designs, with all-new styling for 1941 Powered by a 346-cu.-in. V-8 engine coupled with a three-speed, column-mounted manual transmission CCCA Full Classic, ideal for touring events West Coast Classics are proud to present this 1941 Cadillac Series 60 Special is a Fleetwood-bodied sedan finished in its original El Centro Green Metallic color over a cloth stripe interior It is powered by a 346ci V8 paired with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, and features include steel wheels with hubcaps, bench seats, wood interior trim, a clock, and a radio with a built-in speaker.In the wake of the Great Depression Cadillac surged forward into the modern era with their new models such as this Cadillac Series 60 Special with Body by Fleetwood.Harley Earl had appointed Bill Mitchell as the chief designer for the new Cadillac design studio back in 1936 with a focus on a new wave of styling changes to create a far more modern and progressive new model. When first introduced in 1938, the Series 60 Special was designed for the owner-driver accustomed to a high level of status and luxury while preferring not to employ a chauffeur.By 1940, every Series 60 model would be Fleetwood marketed, which included higher-end molding, trim, and upholstery. Meanwhile, 1941 became a watershed model-year for Cadillac as every model received numerous updatesfor example, the front fenders on the 60 Special now extended into the doorswith completely revised front-end styling and features which were to be used by Cadillac on future models for years to come.The Series 60 came equipped with an automatic heating system, radio and aerial, full wheel discs, whitewall tires, and the 3.36:1 economy rear axle. Refinished in its original 'El Centro Green Metallic' and retaining some of its original upholstery complemented by replacement seat covers, this car wears an older restoration that shows characterful patina throughout. It is powered by a 346-cubic-inch V-8 engine and it has obviously always been faithfully maintained, as it drives extremely well.The Series 60 received styling tweaks for 1941 that included a new, wider front grille. This example is one of 4,101 built for the model year and is finished with the rare flying goddess hood ornament.The paintwork and exterior trim are shown up close in the photo gallery below and show patina and some wear but overall this is a rare truly superb survivor quality car that drives as good as it looks. Body-color steel wheels wear chrome hubcaps with color Cadillac crests as well as wide-whitewall tires. The car features an independent front suspension with coil springs as well as a semi-floating rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The interior features front and rear bench seats with striped cloth upholstery. The door caps are accented with wood, and a radio with a built-in speaker is located in the center of the dashboard alongside a clock.The two-spoke steering wheel frames a painted steel dashboard housing a 100-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows just over 88k miles. True mileage is unknown. The 346ci Monobloc V8 is topped with a single carburetor and was factory rated at 150 horsepower, which is delivered to the rear wheels through a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. These are really great driving cars and as a tour car of the era, these are hard to beat; smooth, quiet, reliable and room for many and are approved CCCA Full Classics. 126" WHEELBASEFENDER SKIRTS ($17.50 A PAIR)RADIO ($69.50)HEATER ($65)SEAT COVERS ($8.75 / SEAT)FOG LIGHTS ($14.50)BACKUP LIGHT ($7.50)WHEEL DISC ($4 EACH) ORIGINAL PAINT CODE 55: EL CENTRO GREEN METALLICORIGINAL TRIM 1358: GREEN STRIPE CLOTHIn 1940, Cadillac released a new line, the Series 62, which replaced 1939's Series 61. It was referred to as the 'Torpedo Body' and was the last full year of production before the Second World War in 1941 saw sweeping changes and a major expansion of Cadillac's line. After 1940, the LeSalle was discontinued and the legendary V16 engine was gone, all models now used the same 346 cu in V8 introduced in 1936 although improved with a power boost and which was now rated at 150 bhp. The '41 Cadillac's introduced the rectangular egg-crate grille that would become the marque's trademark and the hood ornament goddess was new and served as a hood-release handle. You will be hard pressed to find anyone to dispute that the 1941 Cadillac is one of the most elegant automobiles ever to roll off the GM assembly line. More than 60 years later they are one of the few such models still as attractive today as they were to buyers when new. Built on a 126 inch wheelbase channel section frame with a central X crossmember. Inside bench seats dressed in Green color wool broadcloth seat four comfortably and the car boasts a woodgrain instrument panel that houses the standard array of gauges in a beautiful period Art Deco theme with its original AM radio positioned in the center of the panel. The clock matching the speedometer dresses up the passenger side and the car has original factory added options of both the AM Radio ($69.50) and Heater ($59.50-$65).Moving this nearly 4,000 pound coupe is its original 346 cu in Flathead V8 mated to its original standard column shift 3 speed manual transmission which featured synchronized second and third gears. This rare Cadillac will still run down the road at freeway speeds with no hesitation, she has no wobbles or creaks. She has been in a private collection in a controlled environment awaiting restoration for many years. Few of these rare Series 60 Fleetwoods from 1941 remain in such original and fine condition, the last full year of production before the war, making these particular cars extremely collectible and prized amongst Cadillac enthusiasts.This is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving yet unrestored mostly all original example of an obviously always garaged and rust free 1941 Cadillac Series 60 Fleetwood Sedan and definitely a car you can drive and enjoy before restoring and an ideal candidate to restore for the enthusiast. An undisputed very rare, highly desirable, collectible and unabused example of one of the outstanding designs of the early forties pre-war art deco period automobiles and these high quality luxury cars were built to be able to complete long distances both quickly, powered by Cadillac's larger version of it's faithful flathead V8 and in the utmost of luxury!This is one very desirable pre-war classic car in superb running condition for any classic American car enthusiast to drive and enjoy and ultimately restore; a very honest and unabused yet unrestored example of a southern California 1941 Cadillac Series 60 Fleetwood Sedan for any classic American car or Cadillac enthusiast and a Classic Car Club of America Full Classic, this example is an ideal candidate for future touring in its current condition or as the basis for a full restoration!