Cadillac History 1939

Althoughthe economy experienced a gradual increase from 1936 to 1937, it took a slight dive in 1938. However, the economy bounced back in 1939, which meant higher sales throughout the industry. Pointed fronts reappeared on most of this year’s GM cars, and the Sixty-Special was no exception.

Cadillac’s new ensemble was a three-element affair consisting of a slightly raked, prow-shaped vertical radiator flanked by grilles in the “catwalk” area between the front fenders and the main nose section. Above the catwalks were headlamps repositioned higher and closer to the central grille.

The Series 60 was replaced by the 3200mm-wheelbase Series 61, offering the same body types and many of the Sixty-Special’s appearance features. Common to all 1939 Cadillacs were a

• redesigned dashboard,
• newly optional vacuum-operated radio antenna,
• rubber rear fender protectors,
• and something called “Controlled-Action Ride,” a reference to a higher rear axle rotation center claimed to enhance ride comfort.

Aside from this, the Sixty-Special was largely unchanged, presumably on the grounds that it didn’t pay to fool around with a winner. The policy paid off, and once again it was Cadillac’s single best-selling model line. However, the series was expanded for ’39 with two variations of the basic four-door: a sunroof sedan with a sliding section above the front seat area, and a limousine-like Imperial Sedan with division window as well as the sunroof.

A gorgeous Sixty-Special coupe had been built as a one-off for GM president William S. Knudsen and four convertible sedans were built experimentally for the use of other high-level executives, but neither model reached production. Chairman Sloan may have hinted at the rationale for only one basic body style when he noted that the Sixty-Special was “well received in the market and demonstrated the dollars-and-cents value of styling, for customers were ready to take smaller trade-ins [dollar amounts] on old cars to acquire it.”

Cadillac had settled on the 5.678 Liter version of the monobloc V-8 for all its eight-cylinder models except LaSalle beginning in 1937. Rated at 135 horsepower at 3400 rpm, the 5.678 Liter had five more horses than the 1935 V-8 and 10 more than the one-year-only 5295mm monobloc. The Sixty-Special arrived weighing only some 105 kg more than a comparable 1938 Series 60 sedan, so its power-to-weight ratio was less than 14 kg per horsepower, quite good for the period. By contrast, that year’s Packard Super Eight — which, incidentally, cost $700 more than the Special — carried nearly 16 kg per horsepower.

For 1939, Series 61 replaced Series 60 and 65 of 1938. All V-8’s had new grille styling; similar in appearance but different in detail dimensions on each series. The pointed center grille and the functional side grilles were diecast, with fine-pitch bars. A single diecast louver was positioned to the rear of each hood side panel. Headlights were once again attached to the radiator casing.

Sixty Special, now bodied by Fleetwood, was offered with optional Sunshine Turret Top or center division. These options were also available on the Series 61 Sedan. Series 61 was available with or without running boards; had concealed door hinges except for the lower front hinge; and had chrome reveals on all windows.

Chassis changes included:

• Tube and fin radiator core
• Sea shell horns under the plugs
• Cross-link steering on Series 61
• Slotted disc wheels on Series 60S and 61