Image of 1940 Cadillac Series 62, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine:	346 cu in (5.7 L) Monobloc V8
Displacement:	346 cu in (5.7 L)
Horsepower:	135-150 hp
Torque:	Estimated 283 lb-ft
Compression Ratio:	6.25:1
Ignition System:	Battery and coil
Cooling System:	Liquid-cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	Estimated 15-20 seconds
1/4 Mile Time:	Not available
Top Speed:	85-90 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type:	3-speed manual
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	Estimated 10-12 mpg
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Drum brakes
Wheelbase:	129 in (3,277 mm)
Weight:	4,300 lbs

1940 Cadillac Series 62: The New Face of Cadillac

When the 1940 Cadillac Series 62 arrived, it offered a fresh route into Cadillac ownership: a handsome, full-size luxury car with the marque’s celebrated V8 under its long hood. Built by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors, the Series 62 debuted for 1940 as a new model line positioned below Cadillac’s more expensive offerings. It combined generous proportions, carefully finished interiors and imposing road presence in a package that helped define the American luxury car.

Its launch coincided with a notable change in Cadillac’s lineup. LaSalle, the companion marque created to fill the price gap below Cadillac, ended production after the 1940 model year. The Series 62 helped take over that role, making its first year an especially interesting one for collectors. It was not simply a new nameplate: it marked a shift in how Cadillac organized its range.

Streamlined Styling and Cadillac Comfort

The Series 62 wore the sleek, carefully integrated look that distinguished late-1930s and early-1940s Cadillacs. Its long hood flowed into rounded front fenders, while the grille gave the nose a bold, upright character. Chrome brightwork, a sculpted beltline and sweeping rear fenders added elegance without making the car look overly ornate. Cadillac’s design team, led by Harley Earl, was moving American luxury styling toward smoother, more unified forms.

Inside, the Series 62 emphasized space and polish. A wide bench seat, substantial door panels and a neatly arranged instrument panel made the cabin feel welcoming as well as upscale. Sedans generally used durable, richly textured cloth upholstery, while open models commonly featured leather. Details and materials varied with body style and equipment, but the overall impression was one of quality rather than bare-bones practicality.

Period paint choices varied by model and production specification. Black, deep blue, maroon and gray were among the colors that suited the car’s formal lines, and two-tone treatments could add extra visual contrast. Factory color availability changed, so buyers today should check original build records or paint traces before assuming a particular shade is correct.

Series 62 body styles included two-door coupes, a convertible coupe and four-door sedan forms. The two-door convertible coupe is among the most visually striking and sought-after versions, thanks to its open-air appeal and long, low profile. The four-door sedan, by contrast, offered the Series 62’s style and V8 power in a more practical format for family and chauffeur use.

First-Year Significance

The 1940 Series 62 helped make Cadillac’s luxury image accessible to a broader group of buyers without giving up the marque’s essential qualities. It paired a substantial chassis and powerful V8 with styling that looked modern beside many of its contemporaries. Its role in replacing LaSalle also made it part of a broader reshaping of General Motors’ premium-car strategy.

Cadillac’s influence extended beyond any single model year. The company had a long record of advancing V8 development and bringing comfort and engineering features to luxury cars. The Series 62 carried that reputation into a new decade, and the nameplate would become one of Cadillac’s best-known lines after the war. Later generations became famous for dramatic postwar styling, but the 1940 model is the family’s clean-lined starting point.

It is worth separating the 1940 car from later Cadillac innovations. The first-year Series 62 used a conventional three-speed manual transmission; Cadillac’s Hydra-Matic automatic transmission became available later. That makes the 1940 model an appealing snapshot of prewar engineering, rather than a car equipped with every technology Cadillac would soon introduce.

346-Cubic-Inch V8 Performance

Power came from Cadillac’s 346-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) side-valve V8, rated at about 135 horsepower. It was paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. The engine’s appeal was not just its output: its smooth, low-revving character suited a large luxury car, delivering strong pulling power without needing to be worked hard.

Published performance figures for surviving cars vary, and period test conditions were not always consistent. As a useful guide, expect a top speed in the neighborhood of 90 mph and a 0-to-60-mph time of roughly 16 to 18 seconds when the car is in sound mechanical condition. These are estimates, not guarantees. Engine health, gearing, body style, tire choice and altitude all affect results.

On the road, the Series 62 feels substantial and composed. Its long wheelbase helps it settle over broad undulations, while its suspension gives it the relaxed ride expected of a luxury car of the period. Sharp bumps still make themselves known, and narrow, winding roads demand attention: this is a large, heavy automobile with period steering and brakes, not a modern sports sedan. At highway pace, the V8’s subdued burble and the car’s steady progress are part of the appeal.

The driver remains actively involved. There is no power steering or modern automatic gearbox to smooth away the work, and the manual transmission rewards deliberate shifts. A well-maintained example should feel confident rather than difficult, but owners need to leave generous stopping distance and drive with an awareness of the car’s size and age.

Living With a 1940 Cadillac

Most Series 62s today are enjoyed as show cars, touring cars or occasional weekend drivers. A carefully restored sedan can make a memorable arrival at a classic-car event, while a convertible coupe is often treated as a prized collector car. Regular daily use is possible in principle, but it is less practical than weekend motoring because of fuel consumption, parts availability, old-fashioned safety equipment and the attention required to maintain a prewar vehicle.

Mechanical work is approachable for an experienced owner or a shop familiar with vintage American cars. The V8’s basic layout is straightforward by modern standards, and routine service does not require diagnostic computers or specialized electronics. However, age brings its own challenges. Cooling systems, wiring, fuel delivery, brakes, suspension components and rubber seals all need careful inspection. Restoring trim, bodywork or a convertible top can be more demanding and expensive than ordinary mechanical repairs.

Parts support is better for common service items than for some model-specific trim and body components. Before buying, inspect the car closely for rust, previous repairs, missing brightwork and signs of an incomplete restoration. A comprehensive evaluation by a classic Cadillac specialist can prevent an attractive price from turning into a costly project.

Interesting Facts and Common Criticisms

The 1940 model year was the Series 62’s first, and it arrived as LaSalle was making its final appearance. That lineup change is a useful clue to the Series 62’s original purpose: to serve as a more attainable Cadillac while keeping buyers within the Cadillac family. Production is commonly reported at about 28,000 cars for the 1940 Series 62, though published totals can vary by body-style classification.

The Series 62 is not generally associated with a major speed record or a celebrated endurance achievement. Its claim to fame is more lasting: it became one of Cadillac’s central model lines and helped bridge the marque’s prewar and postwar eras. As with many 1940 cars, it also belongs to the final stretch of American luxury motoring before wartime production restrictions changed the industry.

Common criticisms are familiar to anyone considering a large prewar car. The Series 62 is thirsty by modern standards, its brakes and handling require a longer learning curve, and some restoration parts can be difficult to source. Its size can also make it less relaxing on narrow roads or in crowded modern traffic. For enthusiasts who value craftsmanship, presence and mechanical character, those drawbacks are part of the ownership equation rather than automatic deal-breakers.

Collector Values and Availability

Values depend heavily on body style, originality, restoration quality and documentation. As a broad 2026 market estimate in U.S. dollars, a usable sedan or project-quality car might sell for roughly $20,000 to $40,000. A well-presented, properly sorted sedan may bring about $35,000 to $60,000. The more desirable convertible models can range from approximately $75,000 to well over $150,000, with exceptional, highly original or concours-restored examples sometimes exceeding that range.

These are guide figures, not appraisals. A car with sound structure, correct equipment, known ownership history and a high-quality restoration can command a substantial premium. Conversely, a tired car with rust, missing parts or questionable repairs may be worth far less than its polished appearance suggests. Recent auction results and specialist valuations are the best way to assess a specific example.

With roughly 28,000 produced, the Series 62 is not exceptionally rare as a model line, but surviving cars are far less common than original production figures suggest. Sedans are generally easier to find than the more coveted open cars. Prices for strong examples have shown long-term support from the broader market for prewar American classics, though values move with condition, restoration costs and collector demand. The best cars tend to hold attention more reliably than cars needing extensive work.

Why the 1940 Series 62 Still Matters

The 1940 Cadillac Series 62 brought together a smooth 346-cubic-inch V8, poised prewar styling and the space and finish expected of a Cadillac. Its first-year status, its role in replacing LaSalle and its place at the beginning of a long-lived model line give it significance beyond its handsome appearance. It may not offer modern speed or convenience, but it delivers something increasingly rare: the experience of a carefully made, full-size American luxury car from the edge of a changing era.

For collectors, the 1940 Series 62 is more than a classic Cadillac with a commanding grille. It is the opening chapter of one of the marque’s defining nameplates, and a reminder that elegance can be measured not only in speed, but in the way a car makes every mile feel like an occasion.