1939 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Convertible

Cadillac introduced the Series 75 in 1936 as its top-of-the-line V-8 model, a step above the Series 60 line.  Initially offered with both Fisher and Fleetwood bodies, by 1938 only bodies from the high-end Fleetwood could be had.  Nonetheless, the selection was vast with no less than a dozen different all-steel body styles offered in 1939 from formal and upright limousines to two and four door open cars.  Sales were rising and as if in reply to the spirited upswing, GM cars, Cadillac included, tended to sport pointed frontends.  Styling was becoming more modern, with the truck neatly integrated into the body but major changes were still a few years off.  No matter what the body style, a generous 141-inch wheelbase provided ample space for people and luggage.

For consignment, a rare bird for the well heeled in the form of a 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Convertible 4 door sedan.  This example has some faults in the paint but otherwise looks great from an earlier restoration.  This magnificent sedan is a highly sought collectible today as only 2,069 units were built and when broken down by body style for the series this unit is one of 543 to roll down the assembly line.  Right here gracing our the South Mallway of Classic Auto Mall, ripe for the picking.

Exterior
The 1939 Cadillacs genuinely established the brand as America's ultimate automobile status symbol with their modern design and aerodynamics.  The first thing one notices is the fine horizontal bar grille leading in front of the pointed nose, which was GM's design of the era.  Flanking on either side are some smaller curved waterfall vertical ribbed grilles which emulate the front fender curves.  Long encased bullet style headlights are mounted just outboard of the main grille and looming below are waterfall grille assemblies in more shiny chrome.  On either side are the front fenders with inserted covers for the dual spare tires.  This leads us back to the passenger's compartment with rubber covered running boards for safe entrance and exit.  A stainless trim spear runs the length of the passenger's compartment and gives a wonderful curb appeal to the sea of lustrous Monterey Blue paint.  Above resides the beautifully preserved ivory colored canvas top which is nearly a mile long to cover the large spacious passenger compartment.  On the back is a zip down rear glass and some excess glue and caulking is noted on this glass panel.  Pontoon style fenders provide a home for the rear wheels and on the back a slightly hump-back design is formed by the trunk lid.  Chrome bezels all wrap around the taillights which sit at the peak of the sloping rear fenders and a chrome bumper is below with a central Cadillac embossment in your grandmother's script.  Blue steel 16-inch wheels with large chrome standard issue Cadillac caps are wrapped in wide whitewall tires and give footing for this Art Deco designed standard of the world.

Interior
Swinging open the well-balanced front doors allows us to view the quarter sawn oak sills with beige leather coverings for the doors lowers.  These have chrome cranks and actuators as well as padded armrests.  Inside, the simple but elegant original beige leather covered bench is showing some slight soiling and folds which typically comes with aged and used leather.  This bench rests in a beige leather covered bucket framing on the sides.  A beautifully finished faux wood burl paint over the metal dash houses a speedometer, and a few controls, as well as a glovebox.  These are all in the Art Deco style.  In the center is a chrome speaker grille for what is now an AM/FM/CD player which resides below this dash.  A lineup of cream bakelite knobs for the starter, courtesy lights, and cigar lighter to name a few also grace the dash.  The original cream bakelite banjo style steering wheel fronts this dash and is in very good condition with only minor chipping of the finish at the 10 o'clock position.  Very clean deep blue carpeting covers the floors.  Slipping into the rear passenger compartment we are greeted by many hides of luxurious beige overstuffed leather covering the rear bench seat.  This seat is livened up by a fold down armrest and deep plush overstuffed cushions.  The armrests have lighters and ashtrays with their arms and behind the driver's seat are two fold down jump seats, also covered in beige leather, in case a few extras decide to tag along.  Within the panel behind the drivers bench is flip up windshield laden cowl that not only allows easy access for the rear seat passengers, but also keeps the wind out of their soft curls.  Home Jeebs!

Drivetrain
Under the long front hood is an unrestored 346ci V8.  It has a 2-barrel carburetor on top, and a factory 3-speed manual transmission on back.  The rear axle is a 4.58 version.  

Undercarriage
Plenty of patina and undercoating chip off is noted underneath.  X framing is solid and very slight surface rust is noted in the rear pumpkin.  A new fuel pump has been put on, and noted are drum brakes all around.  Independent coil spring front suspension is on, and leaf springs provide the ride in back. 

Drive-Ability
It is nice to play the part driving one of these beauties and this car did not disappoint.  It started right up and ran smoothly and quietly.  Good handing and bias free panic stopping.  While the brake and tail lighting would not illuminate, all else was working very nicely.

Overall a nice example, not perfect, but perfect to drive and enjoy and not have to worry about a bug hitting the paint.  Long and luxurious and a convertible, dress up and let's go for a summer cruise with the wind in our hair and not a care in the world!  Lovely.

TRIM TAG

STYLE NO 39 7529-1939 Cadillac Fleetwood Convertible Sedan
BODY NO 7
TRIM NO 814-Black Leather
PAINT NO 51-Black

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.