Designed under the guidance of Cadillac’s chief designer and protege of Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell, the 1941 Cadillacs made a bold and refreshing entrance into the automotive market, achieving record-breaking sales. These vehicles featured smooth, sculpted bodies adorned with chrome accents that gracefully enhanced their flowing contours. Notably, the distinctive horizontal grille, marked by a grid motif, remains an enduring hallmark of Cadillac’s design philosophy.
In its era, the ’41 Cadillac was regarded as one of the most modern automobiles available. Standard amenities included sealed beam headlamps, 15-inch wheels, and front-and-rear turn signals. Opening the hood was a dramatic affair, involving lifting the substantial and exquisitely crafted flying goddess hood ornament to unlatch it. Furthermore, the left tail lamp housing concealed the fuel filler cap, a clever feature that perplexed gas station attendants for years to come.
Powering these remarkable vehicles was a robust 150hp L-head V8 engine. Buyers had a choice between two transmission options: the innovative Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, introduced by Cadillac in 1941, or the standard 3-speed manual transmission.
Source: Bonhams
