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Photo of a Cadillac Series 62

Cadillac Series 62

P-38-inspired fins in 1948. Coupe de Ville and Eldorado started here.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Sixty-TwoA spelled-out name used to market the Series 62.1

At a glance

07.515
11.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
149.7–193 km/hTop speed
0300600
549–583 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,787–2,320 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1261112

Engine
5.7 L Monobloc V8; 5.4/6.0/6.4 L OHV V8s; 1964: 7.0 L179
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearbox
Early 3-speed manual; 4-speed Hydra-Matic from 1941, standard 1950; kept in 19641910
Built at
Detroit Assembly, Detroit, Michigan, United States1

The story

Created as Cadillac's entry model for 1940, the Series 62 introduced Coupe de Ville and Eldorado. It gained P-38-inspired fins in 1948, became Series 6200 in 1959 and was renamed Calais for 1965.1

1940: The torpedo-bodied Series 62 arrives19401942: War brings painted bumpers19421948: P-38-inspired tailfins debut19481949: 160 hp and the first Car of the Year19491953: 532 Eldorados, then a new 1954 body19531957: Eldorado fins and swept pillars19571959: Series 6200 and jet-nozzle taillights19591961: Skegs and a slanted-pillar windshield19611964: 429 engine closes the Series 62 era1964 Cadillac Series 65: 1937–1938Cadillac Series 61: 1939–1951Cadillac Series 62: 1940–1941Cadillac Series 62: 1942, 1946–1947Cadillac Series 62: 1948–1953Cadillac Series 62: 1954–1956Cadillac Series 62: 1957–1958Cadillac Series 6200: 1959–1960Cadillac Series 6200: 1961–1964Cadillac Calais: 1965Cadillac Calais 194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1678910141523
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1937–1938Cadillac Series 65
1939–1951Cadillac Series 61
1940–1941Cadillac Series 62
1942, 1946–1947Cadillac Series 62
1948–1953Cadillac Series 62
1954–1956Cadillac Series 62
1957–1958Cadillac Series 62
1959–1960Cadillac Series 6200
1961–1964Cadillac Series 6200
1965Cadillac Calais
1940The torpedo-bodied Series 62 arrives
1942War brings painted bumpers
1948P-38-inspired tailfins debut
1949160 hp and the first Car of the Year
1953532 Eldorados, then a new 1954 body
1957Eldorado fins and swept pillars
1959Series 6200 and jet-nozzle taillights
1961Skegs and a slanted-pillar windshield
1964429 engine closes the Series 62 era
  1. 1940

    The torpedo-bodied Series 62 arrives

    The new Series 62 replaced the Series 61 for 1940, using a Fisher torpedo body, a 129-inch wheelbase and optional running boards.12

  2. 1942

    War brings painted bumpers

    January's chrome ban brought painted bumpers before production paused in February. Series 62s led the civilian restart for the 1946 model year.1

  3. 1948

    P-38-inspired tailfins debut

    The first all-new postwar body brought Lockheed P-38-inspired fins, while the 346-cu-in flathead V8 carried on.1

  4. 1949

    160 hp and the first Car of the Year

    A 160-hp, 331-cu-in OHV V8 replaced the flathead and shed about 91 kg. Cadillac's entire lineup took the first Car of the Year award.134

  5. 1953

    532 Eldorados, then a new 1954 body

    The limited-run Eldorado convertible introduced Cadillac's production wraparound windshield. A new body followed for 1954.156

  6. 1957

    Eldorado fins and swept pillars

    A redesign brought Eldorado-style fins and taillights, plus windshield pillars swept rearward at their bases.6

  7. 1959

    Series 6200 and jet-nozzle taillights

    The family became Series 6200 as all GM full-size cars shared a basic platform. Huge tailfins carried twin jet-nozzle lamps.17

  8. 1961

    Skegs and a slanted-pillar windshield

    A full redesign shortened the tailfins, added lower fins called Skegs and replaced the wraparound windshield with slanted pillars.8

  9. 1964

    429 engine closes the Series 62 era

    The final Series 62 got a 340-hp 429-cu-in engine and kept Hydra-Matic as de Ville gained Turbo Hydra-Matic. Calais took over for 1965.19

Every generation

  • Cadillac Series 61
    Cadillac Series 611939–1951
  • Cadillac Series 62
    Cadillac Series 621940–1941
  • Cadillac Series 62
    Cadillac Series 621942, 1946–1947
  • Cadillac Series 62
    Cadillac Series 621948–1953
  • Cadillac Series 62
    Cadillac Series 621954–1956
  • Cadillac Series 62
    Cadillac Series 621957–1958
  • Cadillac Series 6200
    Cadillac Series 62001959–1960
  • Cadillac Series 6200
    Cadillac Series 62001961–1964
  • Cadillac Calais
    Cadillac Calais1965

Power over the years

From 150 hp to 340 hp in 23 years.

0100200300400 194019451950195519601965 hp 1941 · 150 hp · 346 Monobloc V81949 · 160 hp · 331 OHV V81952 · 190 hp · 331 V8, four-barrel1953 · 210 hp · Eldorado1955 · 270 hp · Eldorado dual-quad engine1956 · 285 hp · 365 V81956 · 305 hp · Eldorado V8 / extra-cost option1958 · 310 hp · 365 V81958 · 335 hp · Triple-carb Eldorado option1959 · 325 hp · 390 V81963 · 325 hp · Redesigned 3901964 · 340 hp · 429 engine 340 hp 429 engine 150 hp 346 Monobloc V8
15911131415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1941150346 Monobloc V8
1949160331 OHV V8
1952190331 V8, four-barrel
1953210Eldorado
1955270Eldorado dual-quad engine
1956285365 V8
1956305Eldorado V8 / extra-cost option
1958310365 V8
1958335Triple-carb Eldorado option
1959325390 V8
1963325Redesigned 390
1964340429 engine

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Series 62

    1952

    190 hp

  • Standard

    Series 62 Extended Deck Sedan

    1958

    310 hp
  • Convertible Coupe and Convertible Sedan

    Standard

    Convertible Coupe and Convertible Sedan

    1940–1941

  • Series 62 Sedan DeVille

    Standard

    Series 62 Sedan DeVille

    1956

    285 hp
  • Eldorado Seville and Biarritz

    Special

    Eldorado Seville and Biarritz

    1956–1958

  • Series 62 Eldorado

    Limited

    Series 62 Eldorado

    1953

    210 hp
  • Series 62 Coupe by Ghia

    Special

    Series 62 Coupe by Ghia

    1953

    210 hp

    2 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1940: low torpedo body, sloping windshield and curved rear window.1
  • 1946–47: count the horizontal grille bars—six for 1946, five for 1947.1
  • 1954–56: a wraparound windshield and tapered Dagmar bumper guards.1
  • 1959: exaggerated tailfins carry twin jet-nozzle taillights.7
  • 1961: lower skegs accompany the tailfins; slanted pillars replace the full wraparound windshield.8

Year by year

  1. 1941–1942

    1941 embeds headlights in the fenders; 1942 switches to round parking lights and a heavier egg-crate grille.1

  2. 1948–1949

    1948 introduces tailfins and three chevrons below the taillights; 1949 removes those chevrons.120

  3. 1950–1953

    1950 gains a one-piece windshield; 1952 uses gold V emblems; 1953 puts parking lights below the headlights and adds chrome eyebrows.1

  4. 1954–1958

    1954 brings the wraparound windshield across the range; 1958 adds four headlights and round cleats at the grille intersections.1615

  5. 1959–1961

    1959 has huge fins and twin jet lights; 1960 tones things down; 1961 adds lower skegs and slanted pillars, losing the full wraparound windshield.78

  6. 1963–1964

    The Series 62 convertible ends after 1963; for 1964 the convertible moves to de Ville, leaving Series 62 coupes and sedans.21

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Cadillac Series 62
    Series 62
    Photo of a Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special
    Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special

    Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special

    For 1964, compare the decorative grille between trunk lid and bumper: Fleetwood Sixty Special uses a different design from Series 62.22

Against its rivals

  • Chevrolet V8 convertible (1958)

    Series 62 vs Chevrolet V8 convertible (1958)

    New price lower is better

    Series 62$7,500
    Chevrolet V8 convertible (1958)$2,850
    1524

Prices

Value today $14.0K–$178.0K1113

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M$10M 194019501960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $14,000–$178,000 1940 · $1,685 · US base coupe1946 · $2,249 · US base coupe1948 · $2,912 · US base coupe1949 · $2,966 · US base, Sedanette1953 · $7,750 · US base, Eldorado1956 · $6,501 · US base, Eldorado Seville1958 · $4,784 · US base coupe1959 · $4,892 · US base coupe1963 · $5,026 · US base coupe1964 · $5,048 · US base coupe 1940 · US$1,685 · US base coupe, 1940 model year 2016 · $1,430,000 · 1953 Ghia coupe, 34,320 miles shown, Arizona2023 · $17,500 · 1962 convertible project, BaT2024 · $51,500 · 1962 convertible, refurbished, BaT2024 · $25,250 · 1962 coupe, 23k mi shown (rolled over), BaT2024 · $9,000 · 1964 four-window sedan, 26k mi shown, TMU, BaT2025 · $84,000 · 1954 convertible, Monterey2025 · $62,700 · 1941 convertible sedan, under 45,500 shown, Hershey2025 · $29,800 · 1949 four-door sedan, 28k mi shown, BaT2025 · $15,200 · 1941 Deluxe coupe, 5,000 shown, Barn Finds2026 · $178,000 · 1959 convertible, 52k miles shown, BaT2026 · $21,500 · 1941 coupe, 80k miles shown, BaT2026 · $14,000 · 1941 coupe, October resale, BaT2026 · $41,250 · 1962 convertible, 56k miles shown, BaT2026 · $123,200 · 1959 convertible, 44,836 shown, Scottsdale Auction $1.4M Arizona, 2016
1357111314151920212930313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1940Launch price$1,685US base coupe, 1940 model year
1940Price when new$1,685US base coupe
1946Price when new$2,249US base coupe
1948Price when new$2,912US base coupe
1949Price when new$2,966US base, Sedanette
1953Price when new$7,750US base, Eldorado
1956Price when new$6,501US base, Eldorado Seville
1958Price when new$4,784US base coupe
1959Price when new$4,892US base coupe
1963Price when new$5,026US base coupe
1964Price when new$5,048US base coupe
2016Auction sale$1,430,0001953 Ghia coupe, 34,320 miles shown, Arizona
2023Auction sale$17,5001962 convertible project, BaT
2024Auction sale$51,5001962 convertible, refurbished, BaT
2024Auction sale$25,2501962 coupe, 23k mi shown (rolled over), BaT
2024Auction sale$9,0001964 four-window sedan, 26k mi shown, TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$84,0001954 convertible, Monterey
2025Auction sale$62,7001941 convertible sedan, under 45,500 shown, Hershey
2025Auction sale$29,8001949 four-door sedan, 28k mi shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,2001941 Deluxe coupe, 5,000 shown, Barn Finds
2026Auction sale$178,0001959 convertible, 52k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$21,5001941 coupe, 80k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,0001941 coupe, October resale, BaT
2026Auction sale$41,2501962 convertible, 56k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$123,2001959 convertible, 44,836 shown, Scottsdale Auction
2026Value today$14,000–$178,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “An entire division won the first Car of the Year”
    • “Third in class at the Carrera Panamericana”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Cadillac Series 62 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Cad38-45 newcadillacdatabase.org
  3. In the Beginning Of the Year: The 1949 Cadillac Series 62 motortrend.com
  4. Ultimate Car of the Year Finalist: 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Sedanette motortrend.com
  5. The Cadillac Database - Eldorado 1953-55 newcadillacdatabase.org
  6. 1958 Cadillac Series 62 - AutoRestorer autorestorer.com
  7. Classic Car Spotlight: 1959 Cadillac Series 62 | American Collectors Insurance americancollectors.com
  8. 1961 Cadillac Four-Door Hardtop - Cadillac LaSalle Club Museum & Research Center cadillaclasallemuseum.org
  9. 1963 & 1964 Engine and Transmission Facts – 63/64 Cadillac Website 6364cadillac.ning.com
  10. Cadillac Series 61 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $178,000 on April 19, 2026 (Lot #238,567) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  12. Auto-Gigant: Cadillac Series 62 Sedan - AUTO BILD KLASSIK autobild.de
  13. No Reserve: 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,500 on April 23, 2026 (Lot #239,229) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  14. 1956 Cadillac Fact Sheet - Over-Drive Magazine over-drive-magazine.com
  15. 1958 Cadillac Fact Sheet - Over-Drive Magazine over-drive-magazine.com
  16. Cadillac Series 62 For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  17. 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Rewind Review: Strolling Along in a Classic motortrend.com
  18. This flamboyant French-bodied Series 62 is the most outrageous of coachbuilt Cadillacs autoweek.com
  19. 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe by Ghia | Arizona 2016 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  20. cad46-50.htm newcadillacdatabase.org
  21. Price and Production Totals by Year and Body Style - 63/64 Cadillac Website 6364cadillac.ning.com
  22. Kaufberatung – 1964cadillac.de 1964cadillac.de
  23. Cadillac Series 65 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Top Tips for Buying a Used Cadillac (1948-58) - Retro Rides retrorides.com.au
  25. Classic Caddy: GM re-creates a grand car with a great story autoweek.com
  26. Exclusive 2006 Interview with Charles M. (Chuck) Jordan – Dean’s Garage deansgarage.com
  27. Life – Haifischflossen für die Ewigkeit | Heute.at heute.at
  28. Coupe de Ville (film) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  29. 1962 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,250 on October 23, 2026 (Lot #270,240) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 1964 Cadillac Series 62 Four-Window Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,000 on May 29, 2024 (Lot #148,754) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. Bonhams Cars : 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Chassis no. 59F096142 carsd.bonhams.com
  32. 1954 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan | Hershey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  34. No Reserve: 1949 Cadillac Series 62 4-Door Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,800 on April 18, 2025 (Lot #188,168) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. BF Auction: 1941 Cadillac 62 Series Deluxe Coupe | Barn Finds barnfinds.com
  36. 48-Years-Family-Owned 1962 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,250 on July 5, 2024 (Lot #153,355) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • newcadillacdatabase.org
  • motortrend.com
  • autorestorer.com
  • americancollectors.com
  • cadillaclasallemuseum.org
  • 6364cadillac.ning.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • autobild.de
  • over-drive-magazine.com
  • autoweek.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • 1964cadillac.de
  • retrorides.com.au

Photo credits

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