Featured is a beautiful 1952 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan. The 1952 model year commemorated the 50th anniversary of Cadillac and the gold casting V-shaped hood and deck emblems placed on the Cadillac’s were representative of that milestone.
The Cadillac Series 62
The first gen Series 62 was created to be the lowest model in the Cadillac model lineup, and was built as a 5.7 liter V-8 coupe, sedan, or convertible. Production of the first generation Series 62 lasted until 1941. The second generation was produced until 1947. The third generation of the Cadillac Series 62 was introduced for the 1948 model year, (1948 was the first postwar new design Cadillac) and was offered as a series of V-8 engine sedans, coupes, and convertibles. The third generation Series 62 was built until 1953.
1952 Cadillac Styling
Cadillac introduced their first post war new design starting with the 1948 model year. What was seen for the first time with that 1948 Cadillac were small tail fins. Legend has it that these rear fins were inspired by the tail section of the Army’s World War Two P-38 Lightning fighter bomber.
A restyling for Cadillac came out for the 1950 model year. The restyling consisted of updates to the original 1948 design. In 1950 the Cadillac’s were longer and lower.
The Series 62 sedan was also characterized by a higher rear deck lid contour. This provided additional luggage space. Back up lights were now standard equipment and were incorporated in the taillights. The grille wraparound panels were redesigned once again having broad chrome trim below each headlight with side scoop styling and gold-colored winged emblem mounted in the center. At the rear all Cadillacs adopted a through the bumper dual exhaust system. Deck ornamentation took the form of a Cadillac crest over a broad golden “V”. New standard features included self-winding clocks, improved direction signal indicators, glare proof mirrors, stannate treated pistons, and four barrel carburetion.
Cadillac’s Series 62 available for 1952 were a two-door club coupe, convertible and a four-door sedan. In addition there were what was called special models. These included the Sixty Specials and Series 75 Fleetwood Limousines.
The Cadillac Series 62 vs Series 61
The Cadillac Series 62 in general was priced higher than the Series 61. The Series 61 was produced on the shorter B Body with it’s shorter wheelbase. The 1952 Series 61 chassis has 121 inch wheelbase and the Series 62 126 inches. This shorter wheelbase meant that there were styling differences between the two series. One example of this is that the Series 61 has a chrome piece running along the side window while on the 62 Series, it is placed around each individual window. as shown on these photos. The Series 61 had no rear window vent panes like the ones on these photos. Also, the convertible model was only available on Cadillac Series 62’s.
Mechanically, in 1952 the Series 62 offered the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission as standard equipment where it was an option on the Series 61.
1952 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Specifications
Engine for the 52 Cadillac was a 330 cubic inch V-8 with a four-barrel Carter or Rochester carburetor.. The 1952 Cadillac ushered in more power with this V-8 delivering 190 HP.
Transmission was a Dual Range Hydra-Matic three speed automatic. The Dual Range Hydra-Matic first came out in 1952 and offered two drive ranges. .
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Suspension was a typical independent front suspension and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring.
Wheelbase was 126.0 inches, width 80.1 inches, overall outside length 215.5 inches.
There were a total of just over 70,000 Cadillac Series 62 models produced for the 1952 model year. Of these Series 62 models only 6,400 were convertibles and 42,000 were sedans. This was out of a total 1952 Cadillac production of 90,200 vehicles.
Related Auto Museum Online articles..
Reference material includes..GM Archives, The Cadillac Story: The Post War Years by Thomas Bonsall...Cadillac: The Tailfin Years by Robert J. Headrick Jr.. Cadillac Classics Car Club.
The 1952 Cadillac Series 62 examples in excellent condition have recently sold at auction in the $40,000 to $65,000 range. Those 1952 model in good condition are mostly priced from about $25,000 to $39,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)