1949 was a special year for Cadillac, although the body design wasn’t changed significantly. The most noticeable difference was the grille. (The single piece windscreen was to be introduced in 1950.) However, engineers had developed a new V8 engine. This was inevitable because compression, an important precondition to improve power and efficiency, couldn’t be increased much with the traditional L-head design. The valves were moved into the heads, resulting in better cooling along with a differently shaped combustion chamber that reduced loss of combustion energy to the cooling system. Despite a small decrease in displacement, the first version of the new engine delivered 10 brake horsepower more. The basic construction underwent light improvements before some design changes became necessary in 1957.
The drawing below shows that the new engine was more compact than its predecessor. This was made possible by a flat water pump and mainly by a new crankshaft with shorter piston rods. Weight was reduced by 220 lbs.
In independent tests a maximum speed of about 100 miles per hour was measured. Acceleration time from 0 to 60 miles per hour was 15.8 seconds. In midyear Cadillac introduced the 62 Coupe de Ville, the first hard top model industry-wide. It was priced at $3,497. The cheapest model (61 Club Coupe) bore a price tag of $2,788, and for $4,839 you could buy the top model Fleetwood 75 Business Imperial. Of 92.554 cars built, 80,880 were registered during the calendar year, resulting in a market share of 1, 67% and 18th place in sales ranking.
Power steering and power brakes (not really essential) were not available in 1949. The optional standard heating system came with only one heater under the front seat, while the costlier deluxe Automatic Heating System had two under-seat heaters. This seems curious today, but don’t forget that until the late 1950s buyers could order a new car without a heater.
The chassis was state of the art: knee action shocks, hydraulic drum brakes, coil springs in front and leaf springs on the rear axle. Buyers could choose between a 3-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed Hydra-matic, both with column shift.
Hydraulic windows and front seat were optional on Series 62 coupes and sedans, but standard equipment on Series 60 and 75 Sedans, the Convertible, the Coupe de Ville and Series 75. The hydraulic pump is essential on convertibles to move the top up and down. The Convertible also came with a full leather interior. (Cloth would soak water in an unexpected shower.)
That 1949 has a special significance in Cadillac’s history is underlined by the fact that there is a special interest group within the American Cadillac & LaSalle Club. This group even publishes its own magazine, the ’49 Times.
Ed. Note: Michael is one of 2 Forty Niners Chapter members in Germany. Besides owning a gorgeous ’49 convertible (which can be seen on page 7 of the March ’05 issue of the Times), he is the editor of “Pre-‘50 Magazine”, a German language publication for enthusiasts of American cars of that era, in which this article first appeared.