The big news at Cadillac in 1949 centered on engineering, with the release of a new overhead valve V-8 engine.
Only minor appearance changes were seen. They included a more massive grille treatment with grooved
extension panels housing the front parking lights and chevron slashes below the taillamps on Series 61 coupes.
Once again, the cars in this line lacked front fender gravel shields and rocker panel moldings and had plainer
interior trims. A larger luggage compartment lid was seen on all sedans, except very early production units.
Standard equipment now included twin backup lamps mounted on the deck lid latch panel.
I. D. NUMBERS
Cadillac serial numbers again matched motor numbers.
They appeared stamped on a boss at the front right-hand face of the engine block and on the right frame side
member behind the motor support.
Motor serial numbers 496100000 to 496192552 were used on 1949 Series 61 models.
Model Number
Body Style
Doors
Model
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
49-61
6169
4-door
Sedan
5
2893
3915
15,738
49-61
6107
2-door
Club
Coupe
5
2788
3838
6,409
49-61
-
-
Chassis only
-
-
-
1
ENGINE
V-8: Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 331 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-13/16 x 3-5/8 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.50:1.
Brake horsepower 160 @ 3800 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel Models 682S or 722S.
SERIES 62
The major difference between Series 61 and Series 62 models of similar body style was minor trim variations.
The higher-priced series again had grooved, front fender stone shields and bright rocker panel moldings.
Chevrons below the taillights were no longer seen. The convertible was an exclusive offering, as was a new
pillariess two-door "convertible hardtop" called the Coupe DeVille. A more DeLuxe interior was featured and
power window lifts were standard on the convertible coupe and optional with other styles.
ENGINE
V-8: Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 331 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-13/16 x 3-5/8 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.50:1.
Brake horsepower 160 @ 3800 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel Models 682S or 722S.
I. D. NUMBERS
Motor serial numbers 496200000 to 496292554 appeared on 1949 Series 62 models.
Model Number
Body Style
Doors
Model
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
49-62
6269
4-door
Sedan
5
3050
3956
37,617
49-62
6207
2-door
Club
Coupe
5
2966
3862
7,515
49-62
6237
-
Coupe
DeVille
5
3496
4033
2,150
49-62
6267X
-
Convertible
Coupe
5
3497
4218
8,000
49-62
6269
-
Export
Sedan
-
3050
3956
360
49-62
-
-
Chassis only
-
-
-
1
NOTE: The sedan for export was shipped in completely-knocked-down (CKD) form to foreign countries.
ENGINE
V-8: Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 331 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-13/16 x 3-5/8 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.50:1.
Brake horsepower 160 @ 3800 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel Models 682S or 722S.
SERIES 60 SPECIAL
FLEETWOOD
The car with the big doors, the 60 Special Fleetwood sedan, again had four chrome slashes on the rear roof
pillar, thinner rear fender stone guards with front and rear extensions and Cadillac scripts mounted high on the
front fenders, above the crease line. The new grille design with parking lamp extensions was seen along with
standard backup lamps. Hydraulic window lifts were also regular equipment on this car. A more conventional
dashboard design appeared on all Cadillacs this year, featuring a horizontal speedometer.
I. D. NUMBERS
Motor serial numbers 496000000 to 496088221 appeared on 1949 Series 60S Fleetwood models.
Model Number
Body Style
Doors
Model
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
49-60S
6069X
4-door
Sedan
5
3828
4129
11,399
49-60S
6037X
-
Special Coupe
DeVille
5
-
-
1
ENGINE
V-8: Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 331 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-13/16 x 3-5/8 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.50:1.
Brake horsepower 160 @ 3800 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel Models 682S or 722S.
SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD
To accomodate luxury-class buyers, the long wheelbase Fleetwood models were carried over without any basic
changes, except for revisions to the dashboard design which followed those on other models.
I. D. NUMBERS
Motor serial numbers 497500000 to 497577135 appeared on 1949 Series 75 models.
Model Number
Body Style
Doors
Model
Seating
Factory
Price
Shipping Weight
Production Total
49-75
7519X
4-door
Sedan
5
4750
4579
220
49-75
7523X
4-door
Sedan
7
4970
4626
595
49-75
7523L
4-door
Business
Sedan
9
4650
4522
35
49-75
7533X
4-door
Imperial
Sedan
7
5170
4648
626
49-75
7533L
4-door
Business
Imperial
9
4839
4573
25
49-75
-
-
Chassis only
-
-
-
1
49-75
-
-
Commercial
chassis
-
-
-
1,861
NOTE: The commerical chassis featured a 163 inch wheelbase and was offered to professional car makers for the
construction of funeral vehicles, ambulances, etc.
ENGINE
V-8: Overhead valves.
Cast iron block.
Displacement: 331 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3-13/16 x 3-5/8 inches.
Compression ratio: 7.50:1.
Brake horsepower 160 @ 3800 rpm
Five main bearings.
Hydraulic valve lifters.
Carburetor: Carter WCD two-barrel Models 682S or 722S.
CHASSIS
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear
Tread
Tires
Series 61 and 62
126 inches
214 inches
59 inches
63
inches
8.20 x 15
Series 60S
133 inches
226 inches
59 inches
63 inches
8.20
x 15
Series 75
136 inches
226 inches
59 inches
63 inches
7.50
x 16
POWER TRAIN OPTIONS
None available.
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
Hydra-matic transmission ($174).
Whitewall tires.
Radio and antenna.
Heating and ventilating system.
Chrome wheel discs.
Fog lights.
Safety spotlights.
Other standard accessories.
HISTORICAL
The Milestone Car Society recognizes the following 1949 Cadillacs as Milestone Cars:
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