1949 CADILLAC
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SERIES 61

The big news at Cadillac in 1949 centered on engineering, with the release of a new overhead valve V-8 engine. Only minor appearance changes were seen. They included a more massive grille treatment with grooved extension panels housing the front parking lights and chevron slashes below the taillamps on Series 61 coupes. Once again, the cars in this line lacked front fender gravel shields and rocker panel moldings and had plainer interior trims. A larger luggage compartment lid was seen on all sedans, except very early production units. Standard equipment now included twin backup lamps mounted on the deck lid latch panel.

SERIES 61 I. D. NUMBERS

Cadillac serial numbers again matched motor numbers.
They appeared stamped on a boss at the front right-hand face of the engine block and on the right frame side member behind the motor support.
Motor serial numbers 496100000 to 496192552 were used on 1949 Series 61 models.

SERIES 61 STYLE

ENGINE

SERIES 62

The major difference between Series 61 and Series 62 models of similar body style was minor trim variations. The higher-priced series again had grooved, front fender stone shields and bright rocker panel moldings. Chevrons below the taillights were no longer seen. The convertible was an exclusive offering, as was a new pillarless two-door "convertible hardtop" called the Coupe DeVille. A more DeLuxe interior was featured and power window lifts were standard on the convertible coupe and optional with other styles.

SERIES 62 I. D. NUMBERS

SERIES 62 STYLE

NOTE: The sedan for export was shipped in completely-knocked-down (CKD) form to foreign countries.

ENGINE

SERIES 60 SPECIAL FLEETWOOD

The car with the big doors, the 60 Special Fleetwood sedan, again had four chrome slashes on the rear roof pillar, thinner rear fender stone guards with front and rear extensions and Cadillac scripts mounted high on the front fenders, above the crease line. The new grille design with parking lamp extensions was seen along with standard backup lamps. Hydraulic window lifts were also regular equipment on this car. A more conventional dashboard design appeared on all Cadillacs this year, featuring a horizontal speedometer.

SERIES 60 SPECIAL FLEETWOOD I. D. NUMBERS

SERIES 60 SPECIAL FLEETWOOD STYLE

SERIES 60 SPECIAL FLEETWOOD ENGINE

SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD

To accomodate luxury-class buyers, the long wheelbase Fleetwood models were carried over without any basic changes, except for revisions to the dashboard design which followed those on other models.

SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD I. D. NUMBERS

Motor serial numbers 497500000 to 497577135 appeared on 1949 Series 75 models.

SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD STYLE

NOTE: The commerical chassis featured a 163 inch wheelbase and was offered to professional car makers for the construction of funeral vehicles, ambulances, etc.

SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD ENGINE

CHASSIS

POWER TRAIN OPTIONS

CONVENIENCE OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

The one-millionth Cadillac ever produced was a 1949 Coupe DeVille assembled Nov. 25, 1949.

The Milestone Car Society recognizes the following 1949 Cadillacs as Milestone Cars:

• Series 61 coupe (sedanette);
• Series 62 coupe (sedanette);
• Series 62 convertible;
• Series 60 Special Fleetwood sedan.

LITERATURE & LINKS