Cadillac Models & History 1956

1956 Cadillac

a facelift was the major restyling news for 1956, there were still many changes in the Series 62 lineup. The annual “beauty treatment” consisted of a new grille with finer textured insert and the repositioning of the parking lights in the bumper, below the wing guards. Buyers were given a choice of a standard satin finish grille or optional gold finish, both selections decorated with Cadillac script on the lefthand side. On the rear side fenders of Series 62 models a narrow chrome molding and nine vertical louvers were seen.

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1956 Cadillac Convertible

The Coupe DeVille had a model nameplate and Cadillac crest on the sides of the front fenders, while the more standard cars had only the crest. The new model Sedan DeVille was a pillarless four-door which sold over 40,000 units compared to only 25,000 for the Coupe Deville and 26,000 for the standard sedan. The series 62 convertible sold 8300 units which was still almost double the number of Eldorado convertibles. The standard four-door 62 sedan was 178mm shorter than the other cars in the series.

I. D. NUMBERS

1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

  • Serial numbers and engine numbers were the same again and were found in the same locations.
  • The first two symbols were “56” to designate 1956 model production.
  • The next two symbols indicated the series as follows:
    • “62” = Series 62
    • “60” = Fleetwood Sixty
    • “75” = Fleetwood 75
  • The remaining digits represented the consecutive unit number and began at 00000 for each series.
  • All series had the same ending number, which would be misinterpreted if listed.

STYLE

Model Number Body Style Door Model Seat Price Weight Production Total
55-62 6219(X) 4 Sedan 6 $4241 2014 kg 26,222
55-62 6219(X) 4 Export Sedan 6 $4241 2014 kg 444
55-62 6239DX 4 Sedan DeVille 6 $4698 2068 kg 41,732
55-62 6237(X) 2 Hardtop Coupe 6 $4146 2009 kg 26,649
55-62 6237DX 2 Coupe DeVille 6 $4569 2020 kg 25,086
55-62 6267X 2 Convertible Coupe 6 $4711 2111 kg 8300
55-62 62 Chassis only 19

NOTE: The symbol X in brackets after Body Style Number indicates hydraulic window lifts optional; without brackets indicates this feature standard.

SERIES 62 ENGINE

Feature Standard Engine Optional Engine
Type V-8: Overhead valves V-8: Overhead valves
Block Cast iron block Cast iron block
Displacement 5.972 Liters 5.972 Liters
Bore and stroke 101.6mm x 92.1mm 101.6mm x 92.1mm
Compression ratio 9.75:1 9.75:1
Horsepower rating 285 hp @ 4600 rpm 305 hp @ 4700 rpm
Power rating 213 kW @ 4600 rpm 227 kW @ 4700 rpm
Main bearings Five Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic Hydraulic
Carburetor Carter WCFB four-barrel, Model 2370S Two (2) Carter WCFB four-barrel, Model 2371S

CHASSIS

Feature Series 62 Sedan Other Series 62
Wheelbase 3277mm 3277mm
Overall Length 5458mm 5636mm
Front Tread 1524mm 1524mm
Rear Tread 1603mm 1603mm
Tires 8.00 x 15 8.00 x 15
Exhaust Dual exhaust

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

1956 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

Air conditioning.
White sidewall tires.
E-Z-Eye safety glass.
Autronic eye automatic headlamp dimmer.
Signal-seeking radio with preselector and antenna.
Heating and ventilation system.
Power window lifts (specific models).
Gold finish grille.
Two-way posture power seat ($81).
Six-way power seat ($97).
(Note: Posture power adjustable seat available on convertible and DeVilles. Six-way power seat available on Coupe DeVille and Sedan DeVille).