Beschreibung:

There simply had never been an American production car like the 1941 Cadillac. Its smoothly streamlined styling somehow managed to be austere and audacious at the same time. Cadillac designers put a roll into the sheet metal along the body sides of most models, creating a reflective horizontal highlight that eliminated the need for bright beltline moldings. But there was plenty of chrome elsewhere—the triple chrome spears on each of the four fenders proved especially memorable. GM design chief Harley Earl worked with Cadillac studio head Bill Mitchell (who would succeed Earl as vice-president of design at GM in 1958) to create the 1941 Cadillac. Stylist Art Ross is credited with the first sketches of the car’s broadly rectangular grille—which would be a radical departure from the sharply vee’d vertical grilles of preceding models. The “egg-crate” texture of the 1941 grille would become an essential part of the Cadillac DNA; even now, the newest models feature a grid-type grille inspired by the 1941 design. Form and function were balanced in new ways on the ’41s. The sculpted flying goddess hood ornament lifted to actuate the hood latch, while the streamlined tail lamp housing on the left cleverly concealed the fuel filler cap — a device that would continue to delight Cadillac owners and mystify gas station attendants well into the “tail fin” era. Even the bumpers were more integrated into the overall design than ever before. The interior of the 1941 Cadillac was just as entertaining as the exterior. A lavishly detailed and artfully wood-grained instrument panel dominated by two large round instruments—the speedometer and clock—was just one visual treat. The detailing on seats and door panels in Deluxe models made simply opening door memorable, all the more so on the Convertibles, which were trimmed in sumptuous leather. Cadillacs were among the best equipped and most modern cars on the road in 1941. Standard features included a V8 engine, sealed beam headlamps, 15-inch wheels and fore-and-aft turn signals. The Cadillac V8 engine powering the 1941 models was a 346cid side-valve unit that produced 150bhp. Its strong torque, smooth acceleration and quiet operation made it a delight for drivers. For the first time ever, Cadillac offered its customers a choice of transmissions in this year. They could select either the standard 3-speed manual, as found on the offered car, or choose the new fully automatic GM 4-speed Hydra-Matic, a $125 option. The Series 62 model line consisted of a handsome notchback coupe and sedan, plus the only two Cadillac open models offered in 1941, the Convertible Coupe as seen here, and the Convertible Sedan. All 1941 Cadillacs except the long-wheelbase Series 67 and 75 models were built on a relatively compact 126-inch wheelbase. Price-leader Series 61 fastback coupe and sedan models were introduced for 1941, essentially replacing the discontinued LaSalle. Originally priced at $1,645, the Model 6267-D Convertible Coupe featured Deluxe appointments, which were standard on both this style and the Convertible Sedan. The Convertible Coupe alone had a standard a vacuum-operated power convertible top that retracted and raised the top assembly quietly and quickly. The 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible is one of the great automobiles of the 20th century. The design can justifiably be called iconic, as this particular model is frequently portrayed in print and used in movies to represent its era. Yet, only 3,100 were built out of a total 1941 Cadillac production run of 66,130 units. The consignor reports that the offered car was fully restored in 1982. That frame-off endeavor is documented with photographs. The odometer presently shows 24,000 miles, and is believed to represent the total mileage the car has traveled since new. The consignor further states, “This California black plate car has been Cadillac dealer owned and maintained for showroom display and promotion for the past 30 years.” This Cadillac is a s