[ last update: 12.21.2014 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1961


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

The introductory paragraphs in the   de luxe product brochure say it all: For 1961, Cadillac has truly created a new inspiration for all motordom ... an automobile of such superb design, such precise craftsmanship and such universal appeal that - as even the briefest examination will reveal - it could have come from no other source but the builder of the accepted Standard of the World.

March, 2006:  I finally got around to reviewing my own archives on the 1960 Cadillac models.  Until now you were able to view the year's production on this Web page that was compiled by a Cadillac admirer in the Netherlands (Holland). 

This page duplicates in part the Dutch one, although it includes also a few factory photos and illustrations from Cadillac "mailer" catalogs, all  graciously provided to me through the years by the Cadillac Division's Public Relations Department. I have included also  photos of a few surviving cars; most of them come from Cadillac enthusiasts like myself, too numerous to mention individually.

The bulk of the artist's drawings below are from the company's superb product catalog for 1961 which is described in more detail in the section of the Database devoted to Cadillac sales and merchandising literature.

Additional information and photos of the 1961 models and the related sales literature may be found  in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars 1956 - 1965",  "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1960-1964" as well as in the appropriate "Dream cars" section.  Further recommended reading includes:

Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-2000 edited by James T. Lenzke, © 2000, published by Krause Publications, Inc., 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 [ISBN #0-87341-925-1, Library of Congress #91-61301].  An updated version covering Cadillacs through 2005 was edited by John Gunnell that year.

Total model production for 1961 was 138,379; that is about 4,000 units short of the previous year total.

Look also for identifying script or lettering on some models (Coupe de Ville, Sedan de Ville, Biarritz, etc.)   Sometimes (after a new paint job, for example), the script or lettering may be missing; in that case look to the car's interior as each model had its own trim options.

The traditional Cadillac tail-fins became even more subdued than in 1960. On the other hand, the bodies grew a second set of fins, called skegs that flared outwards and downwards, at an angle of approximately 45, stretching from the front wheel openings, all the way back to the tail-light housings; on some models these skegs replaced the former, mid-body rub molding.

The easiest way to distinguish a regular 1961 Cadillac is to look at the front clip and especially the lower front bumper that incorporates a single, circular, park/fog lamp housing (below):

 

(Real) Easy ID

 

61IDgrl.JPG (25509 bytes)
Unmistakable circular park and turn-signal housings below the paired headlights


Front grille has a pronounced, horizontal "V", dividing it into two parts

                
Cadillac took the 1960 tail-light housings and placed them horizontally to accentuate
the new,  wide look.  This design caused difficulties for the commercial car builders
who had to create their own tail-light housings to accommodate full-width rear doors


Superior Crown Sovereign funeral coach rear ensemble
shows off custom tail-light housings on all 1961 professional cars

 

 

 

The Series 62
Series 62 cars have an elongated Cadillac crest on the
front fenders, just ahead of the front door and above the skeg

 

The Coupe

   
Style 6237G, 16,005 units built; they cost $5,892 each; biscuit and button upholstery was available in Chilton or Canberra (shown) pattern nylon with Elscofab (vinyl)
bolsters and trim in matching or contrasting colors (e.g. black with white); colors included  black, gray, blue (shown), sandalwood, fawn, turquoise, green and rose

    6162fac.jpg (13724 bytes)


Series 62 coupe, cropped from p.5 of merchandising brochure:
The Master Touches of Cadillac Quality


Series 62 coupe, cropped from cover envelope of merchandising brochure:
The Grandest Way in the World to Get There

   

 

 

The Sedan
4-window style

     
Style 6239A, 4,700 units built; they cost $5,080 each;
upholstery and trim selections were the same for the sedans as for the coupe;
Canberra nylon cloth and vinyl are shown here


The Sedan
6-window style

    
Style 6229K, 26,216 units built; they cost $5,080 each;
Canberra nylon cloth and vinyl upholstery are shown here


Series 62 sedan, cropped from p.4 of merchandising brochure:  The Grandest Way in the World to Get There

    

         
A fine survivor awaits its new owner; if the vendor would kindly give me his
coordinates, I will gladly give him due credit for this series of photos
[ Photos:  Internet, 2014 ! ]

 

61_62sdnad.jpg (9620 bytes)
This model, as viewed by an artist for a contemporary ad

           

 

 

The Convertible

    
Style 6267X, 15,500 units built, costing $5,455 each

    
(Left) Series 62 convertible, cropped from rear cover of merchandising brochure: The Master Touches of Cadillac Quality
(Right) Series 62 convertible, cropped from p.5 of merchandising brochure: The Grandest Way in the World to Get There

61cnvpho.jpg (11987 bytes)          61cnv5.jpg (14091 bytes)

 

Survivors

 

 

 

Series 62-63
6300 sub-series

[De Ville models are easily recognizable for having the DeVille
name in script on the leading edge of the front fenders ]

 

The Coupe de Ville

    
Style 6337J, 20,156 units built; their cost was $5,252 each
upholstery selections  included three different nylon pattern designs (cord-patterned Coronel,
ripple-patterned Covington and triangle-patterned Cromwell) all  in 2" piping, with matching or contrasting Florentine
grain leather for bolsters and trim in black (with white leather), gray (shown), blue, sandalwood, fawn, turquoise, green and rose

 

The Sedan de Ville
4-window style

    
Style 6339BJ, 4,847 units built; their cost was $5,498 each;
upholstery shown is Cromwell cloth and Florentine leather in sandalwood

 

     
(Left) Interior of 4-window Sedan de Ville style, from merchandising brochure: The Master Touches of Cadillac Quality
(Right) Again, interior of 4-window Sedan de Ville style, from another merchandising brochure:  The Grandest Way in the World to Get There


Coupe de Ville style, from p.4 of merchandising brochure:  The Grandest Way in the World to Get There

614WFrt.jpg (12504 bytes)    61fto2.jpg (11100 bytes)


The Sedan de Ville
6-window style

    
Style 6329L, 26,415 units built; their cost was $5,498 each;
upholstery shown is Corona cloth and Florentine leather in turquoise


Sedan de Ville, 6-window model, cropped from p.4 of merchandising brochure:
The Master Touches of Cadillac Quality

           

61sdv6w.jpg (11939 bytes)   

 

The Town Sedan
with short deck
Although this one carries the front fender crest, which would place it in the
Series 62 group, it enjoys the premium upholstery and trim finish of the De Ville models

    
Style 6399C, 3,756 units built, costing $5,498 each; although shown in the product brochure with black Chilton fabric and white Elascofab (above, right),
upholstery selections [according to the dealer Data Book] included the De Ville's  three different nylon pattern designs
[perhaps someone with a 1961 Town Sedan could confirm the Data Book info]

 

 

The Eldorado Biarritz

[ easily identified by the Biarritz name in script on the leading edge of the
front fenders, and the ELDORADO name in block letters on the trunk lid ]

    
Style 6367E, 1,450 units built; their cost was $6,477 each;
seating areas are ostrich grain leather; bolsters and trim are Florentine grain leather
colors available were white, black, nautilus blue, sandalwood, topaz (shown), jape, mauve and red metallic
[ a letter "B" following the trim code indicated bucket seats - as shown -  in lieu of a bench ]

6162cvA.jpg (23178 bytes)    
Left: factory photo of the Biarritz convertible
Right: distinctive inner door door panel with 1-inch vertical pleats


This mildly customized version in pearlescent white was on display during the 1961 GM Motorama

 

 

 

The Series Sixty Special Fleetwood

[ easily identified by the six vertical chevrons (hash marks)
on the trailing edge of the rear fenders ]

 

    

    
(Above two rows) Series 60 Special sedan images, cropped from inside cover of merchandising brochure:
The Master Touches of Cadillac Quality

    
Style 6039M, 15,500 units built; their cost was $6,233 each; ten upholstery selections and two trim designs were offered; at far left, the 2½" vertical
piping used with Cambridge nylon cloths in black with white Florentine grain leather bolsters and trim, blue (shown), sandalwood and green with leather
matching these three shades; also available was the always popular rectangular biscuit and button design in gray, fawn (shown above), turquoise
or rose; a third upholstery option was gray or fawn all-wool broadcloth throughout.   Brazilian rosewood inserts decorated the upper door panels

6160Sad.JPG (30396 bytes)
This illustration is from a period advertisement

 

Survivors

    
Wheel cover colors on all 1961 Cadillac models (right and below) usually were matched with body colors; all-chrome covers were optional

 

 

 

The Series 67
[ Fleetwood 75 sedan and limousine ]

 

    
Sedan style 6723R, 699 units built; their cost was $9,533 each
Limousine style 6733S, 926 units built; their cost was $9,748 each
upholstery selections included a combination of nylon Calais cord and wool broadcloth in gray, dark gray or fawn,
in a biscuit and button design with an inlaid seat back panel of ¾" piping above the seat back insert;
gray or fawn all-wool broadcloth throughout was a second option; the chauffeur's' compartment was traditionally finished
in 1¼" vertical piping of fine grained, black Florentine leather; gray or fawn leather were available on request


Series 75
limousine, cropped from p.5 of merchandising brochure:  The Grandest Way in the World to Get There

6175infr.jpg (8476 bytes)      6175inrr.jpg (5685 bytes)

    
The limousine awaits the bride, who emerges from the church filled with hope...

 

Survivors

6175svAA.jpg (19676 bytes)      6175svAB.JPG (12980 bytes)

 

          

 

Details, Features

 


Instrument board - all models

 

Below:  optional equipment

           
"Cruise Control"                                                                     "Autronic Eye" headlight dimmer                                                                   New, small steering wheel

 


 

Trivia

 

61dealer.jpg (9730 bytes)    
Small-town Cadillac dealership in 1961

          
This is one way to make a "moving" movie; the camera equipment is strapped to the front of the limousine
 

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image: rear side view of 1961 Cadillac Series 62 coupe ]