1941 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanette 

When is a coupe not a coupe?  When it's a Sedanette, of course!  The 1941 Cadillac Series 61 came in several configurations and the sedanette was the two-door version.  By today's standard, a huge car but back then, the 10-inch reduction behind Cadillac's Series 75 cars made this the proverbial compact of the day.  By the late 30's, cars were getting rounder…and the '41 Sedanette took curves to a new level with a sloping roofline that doesn't give up until it hits the back bumper.  Surely, it played a part in future automotive design in the United States.   

For consignment, old meets new with this interesting build and unmistakable 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Sedanette.  When the car is headed straight for you, it's hard to distinguish it from other Cadillacs of the era…but as soon as it turns the corner, the visual show begins!  If the flared fenders don't impress you, the long, sloping humpback will surely get your attention.  The forward-leaning B-pillar is poetry in motion…even when it's standing still.  As the car drives away, wide rear hips look like wings carrying a torpedo down the road.  Dramatic indeed and a July 2002 Southern Rodder magazine feature car ta boot! 

Exterior
Flame Red emblazons this car like a billboard…put a cherry on top and you might be mistaken for a fire chief.  The clear coat really makes this car pop and light is reflected by the paint and by the ample chrome that adorns it.  A few areas of touch ups, inclusions and evidence of body filler are noted in the lowers of the body, but one must look hard to find them.  The Flying Goddess hood ornament also shines leaving a bead of chrome behind her that extends up dividing the windshield.  The Caddy emblem on the hood is enhanced by some nice pinstriping and the grille is “large and in charge” leading this car like a freight train.  Long hood vents are a dominant feature on each side and are functional for heat dissipation.   The roofline sweeps dramatically back, splitting the rear fenders which are capped by simple tail lights also highlighted by some pinstriping.  The striping is found on the massive trunk too which has a nicely integrated third brake light.  The rear window is flush to the car like an airplane and polished stone guards shield the rear fenders from damage.  Chrome laden 15-inch wire wheels are surrounded by wide white walls while dual exhaust peek out the back.  So, what's new here?  The side mirrors are from 1984…but that's not all! 

Interior
Entering the car is like going from 1941 to 1984 in an instant!  The seats, parts of the door panel, and the steering wheel are right out of a 1984 Cadillac.  An instrument cluster from an '82 Oldsmobile was adapted to fit the '41 dash and looks cool.  The tuck and roll pattern on the door panels is repeated nicely in the trunk which is also lined with red leather.  And despite it beginning to sound like a Johnny Cash song, it all seems to fit and work well!  Various shades of red cover the interior including the carpet and headliner, both in good shape.  The red dash is interrupted by a modern radio complete with a 4-inch screen…a system they could not even have dreamed about in 1941!  

Drivetrain
Power comes from a Chevy 350ci V8 with Holly Sniper EFI managing the fuel injection.  The small block allows for plenty of room in the engine bay making it easy to service as needed.  Not to be outdone by the interior, the power brake booster is…yep…red!  As are the ignition wires.  It's a tidy package that sends power through a 700R4 automatic transmission and into the 12-bolt rear.  True dual exhaust sends the product of combustion rearward.  

Undercarriage
Ahhh…simplicity!  Openings in the X-frame make way for the driveshaft and exhaust pipes.  Stainless mufflers lead to chrome-tipped tailpipes.  Independent coil sprung suspension and disk brakes up front, leaf springs and drum brakes in the back.  Nothing unusual or out of place, some typical patina for a driver of this caliber, although we did notice some rust-through holes on the rocker panel and some surface rust on the inner body panels. 

 Drive-ability
With the help of electronic fuel injection, the car fired right up and sounded good through the 2” exhaust.  It's an interesting experience piloting an old car with a “modern” steering wheel, but off we went!  You sit tall which helps in seeing over the massive hood and the ride is smooth as the suspension absorbs the imperfections in our track.  Power is REAL good…no problem for the small block to move this behemoth through our test.  Slowing and stopping are no problem – brake bias is on point.  Rear visibility takes some getting used to…the window is high and small relative to the size of this hump-backed beauty….but before long, we were mastering the ship. 

If the shape of this vehicle doesn't get attention, the bright red paint will!  It's a very nice driver from a time when Cadillac was the benchmark and a status symbol all the while wanting to attract a sportier crowd with the smaller Series 61 Sedanette.  The mix of old and new is kind of unique here…it's not resto-modded as much as it is a blend of two eras.  The sheer uniqueness and presence of this vehicle will surely pay off with “smiles per gallon!”

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The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike.

For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

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