1938 Cadillac Sixty Special debuted as trendsetter
Last week's photo showed a 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special, the first year that five-passenger sedan was sold. It was a step up from the Sixty line of cars in the large Cadillac family.
The company already promoted the Sixty (two-seat coupe, convertible coupe, convertible sedan and five-passenger sedan) as the "best-performing American stock car." Its V-8 provided smooth travel for "those who desire remarkable speed and acceleration under all conditions of travel."
The Sixty's performance was surpassed only by the Cadillac Sixteen, with its V-16 engine, according to literature provided by Christo Datini, the lead archivist for the General Motors Heritage Center/GM Media Archive in Sterling Heights, Mich.
The Special did away with running boards, and unlike the Sixty sedan's "suicide" doors that opened like we remember 1960s Lincoln Continentals, the Special's doors were all front-hinged. The Special stretched nearly 208 inches from end to end, nearly six inches more than the Sixty lineup.
Our readers will tell you more about the car, including Eddy Marsh, of Martinez, who wrote:
"Today's car is a 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special sedan with the 346-cubic-inch monobloc V-8. The Sixty Special was built from 1938-41. It was designed by Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell and was added to the lineup between the lowest-priced series Sixty and the senior large-bodied Cadillacs.
"The new four-door sedan was designed to look like a convertible sedan: no running boards, which allowed it to have 5 more inches of shoulder and hip room without an increase in width;, convertible-style doors with front hinges; and more glass than any previous Cadillac. The car was built on a 127-inch wheelbase, 3 inches longer than the standard Series Sixty cars.
"There were 3,703 Sixty Specials delivered at a base cost of $2,090 and outsold every other Cadillac model in its first year, accounting for 39 percent of all Cadillac's sold for 1938."
We thank Marsh for his response, as we do everyone else who took a stab at that beautiful Depression Era sedan:
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AIKEN: John Boyette Jr. said it was a late-1930s Cadillac limousine.
Bob Ennis guessed the 1938 Cadillac 75 Series Fleetwood: "This was a trip down memory lane. My first glance made me think of a Cadillac gangster car from The Godfather. I said '39 Cadillac, but on second look I said, no, it is a 1938. I was about 15 and not yet old enough to drive.
"Both of my friends had what was called a junior license. My one friend had a 1937 Chrysler convertible. The other one had a 1938 Buick Special. Both cars were convertibles with rumble seats. What fun we had. But their eight-cylinder inline engines were no competition with the Cadillac 346-cubic-inch V-8.
"The big cars were usually four-door sedans so, I'll guess a four-door."
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AUGUSTA: Gary Engen wrote: "Only a few weeks ago you teased us with a vintage 1939 Dodge, and now you've gone back near that year again with the picture of a classic 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special.
"I had just completed reading a book that included some World War II history to include photos of one of the Army staff cars used by Gen. Eisenhower in Europe during that war. Your photo reminded me of that vehicle so I figured it was a late-1930s sedan. Some quick research led me to that Harley Earl/Bill Mitchell-designed Sixty Special that was added to Cadillac's line of cars in 1938.
"That side-mounted spare tire was a popular option, and a convertible model could also be purchased with a rumble seat. In its debut year the Sixty Specials were delivered at a base cost of $2,090 and were a success in every measure and outsold every other Cadillac model in its first year. I read about a pristine restored 1938 Cadillac being offered for sale at an auction at Amelia Island earlier this year for over $350, 000."
Walker Mobley Jr. said: "This week's puzzle to me is a tossup between a 1940 Cadillac Sixty Special and a 1940 Series 52 LaSalle (Cadillac's junior stablemate). The configuration of the hood louvers looks like both cars, whereas the lack of side trim on the fender-mounted spare tire cover appears to be Cadillac. I am still going with a tossup and leave it at that.
"As always keep these coming. These puzzles are one of the few bright spots in the news these days."
Tony Brunson wrote: "I believe this week's What Is It? is a 1938 Cadillac Series 75. I remember seeing one as a kid and thought the spare tire cover in the fender was really cool. Very elegant-looking. However, strictly a guess from memory. I have not had time to research it and wanted to make a guess this week. Have missed a few weeks and miss guessing. I actually get a few right …"
Dalton E. Brannen wrote: "The black automobile is a 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special four door. These automobiles were intended to be owner- rather than chauffer-driven, although certainly you could direct Jeeves to 'bring the car around.' They had three sets of horizontal louvers on the side of the hood, pontoon fenders, and for the first time had no running boards. In appearance they were strong, square, understated, but elegant. This Cadillac is considered to be among the most beautiful of all cars. This means of conveyance would seem to be perfectly suited for Winston Churchill."
Lowell Fritsche wrote: " "My guess this week is a 1938 Cadillac Special. The bright work on the side of the hood gives it away as well as the absence of a long chrome strip along the hood and door. I hope this redeems me after last week."
John Hayes wrote: "I think the car in the paper is a 1938 Cadillac Fleetwood."
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CANTON, Ga.: David Anderson wrote: "Any fan of automotive design in general and of GM styling in particular is familiar with the names Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell. Earl was plucked from an automotive design house in California to guide the styling of the groundbreaking 1927 LaSalle, and nearly a decade later was responsible for bringing in William (Bill) Mitchell to guide the styling of the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special.
Styling had rapidly progressed in the 1930s, and Earl saw a rising star in the young Mitchell. He appointed the 23-year-old as Cadillac's chief stylist and tasked him with designing a new sportier LaSalle. As the design developed and costs mounted, it was decided that the car would instead become the new 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special sedan.
"Earl was right, as Mitchell infused the design with groundbreaking styling and design elements that would go on to influence all automotive design - not just at Cadillac.
"Mitchell stretched and lowered the frame by 3 inches each to reduce the overall height, without compromising interior headroom. Taking a cue from the landmark Cord 810, the running boards were eliminated, thus allowing the body to be wider and more comfortably accommodate a total of six passengers. The Sixty Special was the only model in the Cadillac lineup to have these features.
The feature car appears to be a highly optioned version of the 1938 Sixty Special. The open cowl vent indicates that it is outfitted with the optional heater. In 1938, a heater was still optional even in a Cadillac! The covered side-mount spare tire is another option that was offered as a consolation to GM upper management that had wanted them as a part of the basic design. I cannot find any information to indicate if having the side-mount option meant you had additional trunk space since the spare tire is stored in the trunk without this option.
"Just as Harley Earl had proved with the success of the 1927 LaSalle, Bill Mitchell immediately proved his mettle, with the Sixty Special outselling the base Cadillac Sixty from which it is derived by three to one. This is particularly relevant given the not-so-prosperous economic times of the 1930s. Earl and Mitchell would remain with GM for decades to come, influencing design after design such as the 1949 Cadillac Coupe Deville, 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, 1963 Buick Riviera, 1967 Camaro and 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. There are of course others, however
"One thing I just learned is that the last design in which Mitchell had a hand was the 1980-85 bustle-trunk Seville. That certainly amps up the pedigree of these cars, especially since I own one; however, I find it ironic that the last car he helped to design contains one of the very features (the after-thought trunk) that his first groundbreaking design sought to undo."
Jerry Paul wrote: "This one has been difficult , but my guess is a 1937-39 Cadillac."
Bill Harding wrote: "It's George Costanza's LeBaron convertible! The one he bought, thinking it had been owned by the famous actor Jon Voight. Unfortunately, it had been owned by another John Voight, the not-as-famous periodontist.
"I do read (and enjoy) Glynn's Monday columns. OK, it's not Jon's LeBaron. I think it's a 1940 Cadillac. I believe that the neat side-mounted spare tires went away after 1940."
Jeff Keevil identified the 1938 Sixty Special: "This is the first design brought to us by famous designer Bill Mitchell, who later gave us the 1955 Chevy, Corvette Stingrays (with Larry Shinoda), Buick Rivieras and '70s Camaros."
Wayne Wilke knew the 1938 Sixty Special: "I usually have difficulty identifying prewar cars. First, I bracketed it to late '30s, then I narrowed it down to 'big' (Lincoln, Packard, Cadillac or similar) and then to a GM marque (Cadillac or Buick).
"Looking at photos, I came upon the '38 Cadillac Sixty Special. The model was designed by Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell and was an instant hit with Cadillac fans. This model was distinctive for being the first car without running boards."
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GROVETOWN: Ruth and Jimmy Sapp said: "We think this week's car may be a 1940 Packard."
Charles Jenkins said: "I'm pretty sure this is a 1938-40 Cadillac, probably a '38 Sixty Series. Many variations in hood trim, presence/absence of side wheels, and side window designs in those years. Special-order stuff, perhaps -luxury! Side mirrors often mounted on wheel covers - cool. Never knew anyone who owned a Caddy."
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HEPHZIBAH: Theo Hammontree knew it was a 1940 or '38 Cadillac Sixty Series, although the spotlight on the car threw him off.
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KEYSVILLE, Ga.: Glenn Widner identified the car and went on to other Cadillacs: "Early V-16 Cadillac engines were the narrow 45-degree head design, and were very tall. New for 1938 were the almost flat 135-degree heads on the V-16, and sat low in the engine bay. I've heard the crankshaft was susceptible to breaking because it was so long and endured a lot of torque. Nine main bearings helped keep it quiet anf give support. Early in World War II Cadillac V-8s were used in tanks, most notably the Stuart and Shermans."
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LOUISVILLE, Ga.: Bob Holbert said: "I believe the car is a 1940 Cadillac Sixty Special. Introduced in 1938 as a low-priced model, by 1940 the Sixty had been upgraded with higher-price molding and upholstery like its Series 75 and 90 stablemates.
"Also, the 1940 model was the last to offer side-mounted spare tires. The base price was $2,230, it did feature a retractable glass partition between the front and rear seats. For the chauffeur to be left out of conversations, I suppose."
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MARTINEZ: Cheryl Cook first thought it might be a 1940s Packard: "If it's not a Packard, it's a Studebaker? Maybe? Although I did see a '40s Cadillac that resembled the picture."
Joe Bert said: "It looks like you picked a top-of-the-line American ride this time, possibly a 1940 Cadillac four-door or a limousine highway cruiser. Many of those classics were used in the movie The Godfather."
Travis Starr said: "I'm going with a 1938 Cadillac, maybe a model Sixty Special four-door."
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MILLEN, Ga.: Stanley Thompson said it looked like a 1940 Cadillac, "maybe a 75 Series or close." He added: "I never had one. It's a beautiful car. It has a neat spare tire cover."
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PERRY, Fla.: Larry Anderson had no trouble recognizing the Caddy: He noted the GM designers and said: "All four doors had front hinges, which was unusual for the time, and the frames on the windows were smaller - a lot of stuff still incorporated into cars today."
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RIDGELAND, S.C.: Chris Jeselnik was spot-on with the identification and added: "At first glance of the vent window I was thinking it was a Lincoln; then I noticed the spare tire on the fender. I then remembered the Cadillac Series Sixty that I saw on one of the car shows on TV."
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TIGNALL, Ga.: Gene Wilson wanted to think it was a Packard by the fender well, but the side glass and chrome reminded him of the 1940 Sixty Series. He knew that 1938 was the first year without the running boards, but said the mirror and spotlight was the same both years: "The vents don't look like a Packard."
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NO CITY LISTED: Dr. John Boutwell guessed a LaSalle but knew only that it was sold from 1927-40. His wife said his friend's family drove a LaSalle and ran a furniture store in Birmingham, Ala., where he was raised.
