Much of the criticism directed at Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen is over his alphanumeric naming scheme, which is similar to other luxury automaker’s, such as BMW and Audi. Some feel like using classic names like Fleetwood would be better for the brand, while others hope to see its Ciel, Elmiraj and other cotemporary names used. However the upcoming CT6 isn’t the first Cadillac model to use numbers in its name.
In 1940, Cadillac introduced the Series 62, one of many cars in a line of Cadillac vehicles which were named using numbers. The Series 62 shared its body and other components with the Buick Roadmaster and Oldsmobile Series 90, but was more nicely appointed and featured a V8 engine exclusive to Cadillacs. One of these desirable pre-war era convertibles recently went up for sale on eBay, reminding us that not all Cadillacs had long evocative names like Fleetwood and Coupe Deville.
This example is an Antique Automobile Club of America National First Place Winner and has spent the last 25 years in the hands of a “seasoned car collector.” The body was refinished last year along with the Tuxedo Black paint, which contrasts nicely with the red leather interior and faux-wood dash. The car also has a numbers matching 346 V8, a three-speed manual transmission, a fully functioning vacuum-operated top and functioning heating and A/C.
The seller, Cooper Classic Cars, says this Series 62 is one of the “finest original pre-war cars” to ever grace their collection. Bidding is currently at $70,000, although the reserve has not been met. Other Series 62 Cadillacs have fetched prices which crested the six-figure mark, and we’d expect this pristine example to attract the same sort of money.
Comments
THIS! THIS! This is what is meant by “The Standard of the World”. Not the post war fluff of Eldorados, fins, whitewalls, and a fat Elvis.
Back then, Cadillac was one of THE luxury automakers to actually deliver on the promise of an uncompromised product. Innovation lead the way to the future, not tired salutes to the Cadillac’s older than it. Heck, this car was living proof that Cadillac didn’t need a “proper name” to sell a car. Nobody cared that it was a Series 62, they only cared that it was a Cadillac.
The owner cared most of all, because the benefit of ownership in such a product meant that they were getting the best that money could buy, and that’s the way it should be.
Maybe they should lower the price on E bay to let the average people be able to afford it. LOL!
This is back when like stated Cadillac was the standard and no just anyone could afford one. You had to have the means to own one and that put an image on the entire brand. Owning the best is never cheap or easy a lesson some need to learn.
Note it did it all with no name as the product sells itself not some goofy image imagined by the customer because of a name.
There’s no need to deny the original nomenclature Cadillac utilized back in those days, and no doubt the product was well represented and reflected genuine luxury. Yet it still doesn’t negate the fact that this new naming scheme is uninspiring and doesn’t conjure up desirability: this is because the Cadillac brand lacks the cache and presence it once held in the past. Unfortunately, the classic names like Fleetwood, El Dorado, DeVille, etc, were not assigned to great products like this Series 62, or even the current vehicles; they were products of GM’s past we’d like to forget, seeing as to how they were cheap, poor quality, badge-engineered cars of corporate GM! But I, along with many, would like to see creative naming for the sake of creativity, and creating a new and storied future of qualitative products with memorable names!!! If Escalade can survive then Elmiraj, Ciel, Evoq, Converj, Cien, Sixteen, etc, should be able to gain respect and admiration if given the chance! I’m willing to give the new naming scheme a try, not because I’m warming up to it, but because I hope the vehicles they’re assigned to will meet and exceed the luxury market’s demands!!! So let’s just wait and see the products to come and how well Cadillac markets and presents them. Until we see the products of all this change, the heavy criticism is justified and will remain!!!
But seriously!!! I’m tired of arguing over this matter!!! This Series 62 is a beauty!!! And I hope Cadillac recaptures the glory days of exclusivity and prestige it once held in the days of America’s storied past!!
This is what the new Cadillac needs to start doing . Designing cars that stand apart from the rest . You can engineer quality , but you also need that “wow” factor .