Image of 1946 Cadillac Series 6, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine:	L-head V8
Displacement:	346 cu in (5.7 L)
Horsepower:	150 HP
Torque:	283 lb-ft
Compression Ratio:	7.25:1
Ignition System:	Battery Ignition
Cooling System:	Liquid Cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	Estimated 15 seconds
1/4 Mile Time:	Not available
Top Speed:	100 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission Type:	4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	Estimated 10-12 MPG
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Drum Brakes
Wheelbase:	129 inches
Weight:	4,300 lbs

1946 Cadillac Series 62: A Postwar American Classic

The 1946 Cadillac Series 62 brought prewar Cadillac luxury back to American roads after years of wartime production, and it did so with the confident presence of a car built on a grand scale. Its long hood, broad grille, and smooth V8 power made it an unmistakable flagship of postwar optimism.

A quick naming note: Cadillac did not officially sell a model called the “Series 6” in 1946. The name most likely refers to the Series 62, one of the marque’s best-known postwar lines. Cadillac also offered the Series 61, Sixty Special, Series 75, and other models that year. This guide focuses on the Series 62.

Cadillac, part of General Motors, had earned a reputation for precision engineering and upscale cars well before the war. Civilian production had been suspended during World War II, when the company and its factories contributed to military manufacturing. The 1946 Cadillac was therefore more than a new model year: it marked the return of Cadillac luxury to private buyers.

One detail makes the car especially interesting: the 1946 Series 62 was a fresh postwar offering built on a design closely related to Cadillac’s prewar cars. With materials and manufacturing still recovering from wartime restrictions, Cadillac emphasized proven engineering and familiar prestige rather than an all-new mechanical package.

Design: Cadillac’s Postwar Presence

The Series 62 looked substantial without appearing clumsy. Its long hood led into a broad, upright grille, framed by rounded front fenders and clean, flowing body lines. Chrome brightwork emphasized the grille, bumpers, window surrounds, and trim, while the Cadillac crest gave the front end an unmistakable point of distinction. The styling was recognizably prewar, but its confident proportions suited the postwar era.

Inside, Cadillac delivered the comfortable, carefully finished cabin expected of a luxury car. Depending on body style and trim, buyers found cloth upholstery in enclosed models and leather in the convertible, along with a wide bench seat, polished interior details, and a substantial dashboard. The design prioritized comfort and presence over sporty driver-focused controls. Materials and trim could vary, so surviving cars may differ from one another.

Factory paint choices included a range of solid colors, with dark and understated shades particularly suited to the car’s formal appearance. Black, maroon, blue, and green tones are often associated with period Cadillacs, though exact availability depended on the model and production details. Many surviving cars have since been repainted, so original paint and documentation matter to collectors.

The Series 62 was offered in several body styles, including a sedan, coupe, fastback-style Sedanette, and convertible. The Sedanette is one of the most distinctive, with its smoothly sloping roofline flowing into the rear body. The convertible is the glamour choice today, while the sedan offered the most practical way to enjoy Cadillac’s space and comfort.

Engineering and Historical Significance

Under the hood sat Cadillac’s 346-cubic-inch L-head V8, a flathead design rated at about 150 horsepower. It was not an entirely new postwar engine, but it was a proven, smooth-running powerplant with the relaxed character expected of a large luxury car. Buyers could choose a conventional three-speed manual transmission or Cadillac’s Hydra-Matic automatic, an advanced option for its time.

Hydra-Matic helped distinguish Cadillac from many contemporaries. Introduced before the war, it allowed drivers to shift without operating a clutch pedal, bringing a more effortless driving experience to the luxury market. It was not the only automatic transmission available in America, but its presence reflected Cadillac’s willingness to make sophisticated drivetrains part of everyday motoring.

The Series 62’s importance lies less in a single revolutionary feature than in how it combined established Cadillac engineering with postwar style and comfort. Its long-running nameplate became a central part of Cadillac’s identity, and the Series 62 would go on to evolve through some of the most memorable designs of the 1950s and 1960s. The 1946 model is an early chapter in that story, linking prewar craftsmanship with the boom years ahead.

Performance and Driving Feel

Period performance figures vary by body style, transmission, mechanical condition, and testing method. A sound 1946 Series 62 is generally estimated to reach 60 mph in roughly 16 to 18 seconds, with a top speed in the neighborhood of 95 to 100 mph. Those figures are estimates, not a promise for every surviving car. Its purpose was relaxed, confident travel rather than rapid acceleration.

The V8 delivers its power in a smooth, measured way, accompanied by a deep, subdued exhaust note rather than a sharp, high-revving sound. With Hydra-Matic, the car feels particularly easygoing in traffic. The manual version asks more of the driver, but still suits the Cadillac’s unhurried character.

Its long wheelbase and substantial weight help it settle over ordinary road bumps, while the period suspension and tall sidewall tires provide a softer ride than most modern cars. On winding roads, however, the Series 62 feels large and deliberate. Body roll, wide turning dimensions, and relatively slow steering call for anticipation, especially on narrow roads or in crosswinds. Braking and handling are best judged by the standards of 1946, not those of a modern sedan.

Living With a 1946 Cadillac

Today, most Series 62s are enjoyed as show cars, weekend tourers, and additions to collections. Some owners take them on local drives and vintage-car events, where their comfort and stately pace are a better fit than competitive racing. A well-sorted example can cover meaningful distances, but it is not a modern daily driver.

Maintenance is manageable for an experienced home mechanic, especially compared with later cars full of electronic systems. The engine is conventional by modern standards, and many routine service tasks are straightforward. Still, age brings challenges: parts may need to be sourced through specialist suppliers, and transmission, brake, fuel, cooling, and electrical work can require knowledge of older systems. Hydra-Matic units in particular benefit from correct adjustment and service by someone familiar with them.

Condition is crucial. A car that has been stored poorly may need extensive work on its frame, body, wiring, brakes, or drivetrain. Before buying, inspect for rust and prior repairs, check the engine and transmission when warm, and look for evidence of careful maintenance. Originality and the quality of any restoration can matter just as much as whether the car runs.

Trivia, Rarity, and Common Criticisms

Cadillac’s wartime contribution extended well beyond civilian automobiles. The company’s manufacturing operations supported military production, including work on military vehicles and their components. That makes the 1946 Cadillac a product of a remarkable industrial transition, from wartime output back to peacetime luxury cars.

There is no widely recognized speed or endurance record attached specifically to the 1946 Series 62. Its notable achievement is more cultural: it helped re-establish Cadillac as a leading American luxury marque when civilian car production resumed. The Series 62 name later became closely associated with Cadillac’s postwar rise and its most celebrated styling eras.

Common criticisms are familiar to anyone considering a prewar-derived luxury car: the Series 62 is large, heavy, thirsty, and not especially quick by modern standards. Its ride can feel soft, its steering demands attention, and parts availability varies. Those traits are also part of its character. Buyers seeking nimble handling or modern safety equipment are looking in the wrong era.

Collector Value and Availability

Cadillac built an estimated 18,565 Series 62 cars for the 1946 model year, making the line far more common than some rare specialist cars, but survivors in good condition are not always easy to find. Convertibles and well-preserved Sedanettes tend to attract particular interest. Exact production and surviving-car figures can vary by body style and source.

As a broad U.S. market estimate, a project car may sell for around $10,000 to $25,000, while a usable driver could fall in the $25,000 to $50,000 range. A high-quality restoration or especially desirable convertible can bring roughly $60,000 to $100,000 or more. Exceptional examples, rare specifications, and cars with strong provenance may exceed those ranges, while poor condition or incomplete documentation can pull values down sharply.

Values have generally been supported by the Series 62’s Cadillac name, elegant styling, and appeal to postwar-era collectors. Like most classic cars, it is not a guaranteed investment: condition, originality, restoration quality, and broader market demand matter more than a simple year-and-model label. Convertibles usually command a premium, but their higher purchase prices can also come with more costly restoration needs.

Why the 1946 Series 62 Still Matters

The 1946 Cadillac Series 62 is a compelling bridge between two eras. It carries the craftsmanship and established mechanical character of Cadillac’s prewar cars while signaling the return of American luxury motoring after World War II. Its V8, optional Hydra-Matic, generous cabin, and unmistakable proportions made it a refined way to travel in its day.

It may be too large, thirsty, and leisurely for modern commuting, but that is not why enthusiasts seek one out. The Series 62 captures a moment when Cadillac was reclaiming the open road, one polished fender and smooth V8 mile at a time.