Cadillac Models & History 1942

For1942, the Series lineup remained the same as in 1941.

  • The grille became more massive, with fewer bars.
  • Parking lights became round and fog light sockets became rectangular and were included within the grille area.
  • A bullet shape appeared on the tops of the bumper guard.
  • Fenders were rounded and longer.
  • Front fenders on all but Series 75 extended into the front doors.
  • Series 62 and 60S rear fenders extended forward into rear doors.
  • The new fenders had heavy moldings along the sides.
  • Series 75 had the new grille but retained the 1941 fender treatment.
  • A detail trim change on the 75’s was a rounded nose on the hood louvers.
  • The first general styling change on the Sixty Special destroyed the character of the car.
  • Bulbous lines plus superfluous trim in the form of louver bars on the quarters and numerous short vertical bars low on the fenders spoiled its appeal.
  • The only convertible was the Series 62, showing quarter windows for the first time.
  • A new fresh air ventilating system with air ducts leading from the grille, replaced cowl ventilators.
  • Handbrake control was changed from lever to T-shaped pull handle.
  • Radiator shutter control of engine temperature was replaced by a blocking-type thermostat in the water return fitting on the radiator.

I. D. DATA

Serial numbers were on the right frame side bar, just behind the engine support bracket.

Starting: Same as engine number.

Ending: Same as engine number.

Engine numbers were on the right hand side of the crankcase, just above the water pump.

Engine Numbers on Chrome or polished stainless steel brightwork models

  • Series 42A-60S = 6380001 – 6391500
  • Series 42A-61 = 5380001 – 5385237
  • Series 42A-62 = 8380001 – 8384401
  • Series 42A-63 = 7380001 – 7381500
  • Series 42A-67 = 9380001 – 9380520
  • Series 42A-75 = 3380001 – 3381200

Engine Numbers on Painted “brightwork” models

  • Series 428-60S = 6386001 – 6386375
  • Series 42B-61 = 5386001 – 5386461
  • Series 42B-62 = 8386001 – 8386560
  • Series 42B-63 = 7386001 – 7386250
  • Series 42B-67 = 9386001 – 9386180
  • Series 42B-75 = 3386001 – 3386327

STYLE

Fisher Series 42-61, 126″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-6107 Club Coupe 5 $1560 1834 kg 2,470
42-6107 Club Coupe CKD 5 $1560 1834 kg 12
42-6109 4-door Sedan $1647 1870 kg 3,194
42-6109 4-door Sedan CKD $1647 1870 kg 24

STYLE

Fisher Series 42-62, 129″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-6207 Club Coupe 5 $1667 1866 kg 515
42-6207D Deluxe Club Coupe 5 $1754 1875 kg 530
42-6267D Convertible Club Coupe 5 $2020 1984 kg 308
42-6269 4-door Sedan $1754 1902 kg 1,780
42-6269D 4-door Deluxe Sedan $1836 1911 kg 1,743
42-6269D 4-door Deluxe Sedan CKD $1836 1911 kg 84

STYLE

Fisher Series 42-63, 126″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-6319 4-door Sedan $1882 1870 kg 1750

STYLE

Fleetwood Series 42-60S, 133″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-6069 4-door Sedan $2435 1959 kg 1684
42-6069-F 4-door Imperial Sedan $2589 1984 kg 190
42-60 Chassis 1

STYLE

Fisher Series 42-67, 139″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-6719 Sedan 5 $2896 2093 kg 200
42-6719-F Imperial Sedan 5 $3045 2120 kg 50
42-6723 Sedan 7 $3045 2127 kg 260
42-6733 Imperial Sedan 7 $3204 2170 kg 190

STYLE

Fleetwood Series 42-75, 136″ Wheelbase
Style Number Doors Style Seating Price Weight Production
42-7519 Sedan 5 $3306 2159 kg 205
42-7519-F Imperial Sedan 5 $3459 2186 kg 65
42-7523 Sedan 7 $3459 2182 kg 225
42-7523-L Business Sedan 9 $3152 2159 kg 29
42-7533 Imperial Sedan 7 $3613 2209 kg 430
42-7533-F Formal Sedan 7 $4484 2234 kg 80
42-7533-L Business Imperial 9 $3306 2186 kg 6
42-7559 Formal Sedan 5 $4330 2227 kg 60
42-75 Chassis 1
42-75 Commercial Chassis 425

ENGINE

Type Ninety degree. L-head
Cylinders Eight Cylinders
Block Cast iron block (blocks cast enbloc with crankcase)
Bore & Stroke 88.9mm x 114.3mm
Displacement 5.678 Liter
Compression Ratio 7.25:1
Brake Horsepower 150 hp @ 3400 rpm
Power 112 kW @ 3400 rpm
SAE/Taxable Horsepower 39.20
Main bearings Three
Valve lifters Hydraulic.
Carburetor Stromberg AAV-26; Carter WDO 486S.

CHASSIS

Series Number Wheelbase Overall length Front Tread Rear Tread Tires
Series 42-60S 3378mm 5690mm 1499mm 1600mm 7.00 x 15
Series 42-61 3200mm 5461mm 1499mm 1600mm 7.00 x 15
Series 42-62 3277mm 5588mm 1499mm 1600mm 7.00 x 15
Series 42-63 3200mm 5461mm 1499mm 1600mm 7.00 x 15
Series 42-67 3531mm 5791mm 1486mm 1588mm 7.50 x 16
Series 42-75 3454mm 5766mm 1486mm 1588mm 7.50 x 16
Series 42-75
Commercial Chassis
4140mm 6427mm 7.50 x 16

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission Selective synchro manual transmission.
Speeds 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
Controls Left Hand Drive: gearshift on column; handbrake at left, (rhd opt except 60S, 62, 67, 75).
Clutch Single disc clutch.
Drive Shaft drive Hotchkiss.
Axle Semifloating rear axle.
Gears Hypoid gears.
Overall Ratio
  • 60S, 61, 62, 63 = 3.77:1; (3.36:1 opt)
  • 67, 75 = 4.27:1 (3.77:1 opt)
Brakes Hydraulic brakes on four wheels.
Wheels Slotted disc wheels.
Wheel size 15 in (16 in. on 67 and 75).

OPTIONS

Automatic transmission $135.00
Hill-holder (Norol) $12.50
Radio $65.00
Heater $59.50-65.00
Seat covers $9.75/seat
Spotlight $19.50
Fog lights $24.50
Backup light $12.50
Windshield washer $8.25
Wheel discs $4.00 each
Trim rings $1.50 each

HISTORICAL NOTES

1942 Cadillac Notes

  • Introduced: September, 1941.
  • Model year sales and production:
    • Series 60S: 1875
    • Series 61: 5700
    • Series 62: 4961
    • Series 63: 1750
    • Series 67: 700
    • Series 75: 1527
  • Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • William Mitchell was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
  • Don E. Ahrens was general sales manager

1942 Automotive Notes

  • Charles E. Wilson was president of GM
  • Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
  • Because of WWII, chrome trim is replaced by black-painted parts
  • Chrysler’s hood opens at the front instead of the side
  • Oldsmobile becomes a division of GM, dropping the “Olds Motor Works” name
  • Studebaker offers a semi-automatic transmission, Turbo-matic Drive
  • U.S. government mandates a national 40 mph maximum speed limit which is later reduced to 35 mph
  • Civilian car production halted on Feb. 9/42
  • Civilian truck production halted on Mar. 3/42
  • Gas rationing begins in December
  • Graham-Paige manufactures amphibian tanks
  • Top model year production for 1942
Chevrolet254,885
Ford160,432
Plymouth152,427
Buick92,573
Series 40ASpecial10,450
Series 40B Special35,085
Series 50 Super33,383
Series 60 Century4,551
Series 70 Roadmaster8,404
Series 90 Limited700
Pontiac83,555
Dodge68,522
Oldsmobile67,783
Studebaker50,678
Hudson40,661
Chrysler36,586
Packard33,776
Nash31,780
DeSoto24,015
Mercury22,816
Cadillac16,511
Series 615,700
Series 624,960
Series 631,750
Series 60 Special1,875
Series 67700
Series 751,526
Lincoln6,547
Crosley1,029