1954 Cadillac Cars Described

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1954 CADILLAC CARS DESCRIBED

1954 CADILLAC - GENERAL: Many appearance improvements marked the 1954 Cadillacs. They included a lower, sleeker body, a new cellular grille insert, inverted gull-wing front bumpers, and tapered “Dagmar” style bumper guards. Round, jet- style dual exhaust outlets were incorporated into the vertical bumper extensions, and the rear bumper was entirely redesigned. An Eldorado-type wraparound windshield was seen on all models. Sedans used a distinctive type of window reveal molding which created a built-in sun visor effect. For coupes, a smoothly curved wraparound backlight was referred to as the 'Florentine' style rear window. A wide ventilator intake now stretched across the base of the windshield on all models, and the chrome-visored headlamp look was emphasized.

1954 SERIES 62 V-8: The Series 62 chassis had a brand new, longer wheelbase of 129 inches. The 62 Series cars did not have rear fender louvers. V-shaped ornaments and Cadillac crests were used on the hood and the rear deck, and there was full-length body lower edge sill molding trim in bright metal. "Coupe DeVille" in script was placed on the rear corner pillars of the luxury hardtop, which also had even wider sill moldings. The Eldorado convertible (model 6267SX) had gold crests centered directly behind the air-slot rear fender breaks and wide, fluted, lower rear body beauty panels, which were made of extruded aluminum. They also appeared on a unique, one-of-a- kind Eldorado coupe built for the president of the Reynolds Aluminum Company. The production Eldorado convertible had monogram plates on the doors, wire wheels, and custom interior trim with the Cadillac crest embossed on the seat bolsters. Another one-off creation was an exclusive Sedan DeVille. Automatic windshield washers, power steering, 12-volt electrical system, and aluminum alloy pistons made the long standard equipment list this year. The Series 62 four-door sedan was now seven inches shorter than other models in this range.

1954 SERIES 60S FLEETWOOD V-8: The Series 60 was essentially a Series 62 with the wheelbase stretch from 129 to 133 inches. All other identification and standard features were the same as the Series 62.

1954 SERIES 75 FLEETWOOD V-8: The big Fleetwood "high headroom" sedan came as an eight-passenger limousine with driver's partition or eight-passenger sedan without; however, both had "jump seats". V-shaped ornaments appeared on the hood and rear deck with "Fleetwood" in script on the rear deck. Wheelbase increased to 149.8 inches. Styling changes were the same as on other lines.

INNOVATIONS: A 12-volt electrical system and aluminum alloy pistons were standard equipment for Cadillac in 1954.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: Serial numbers and engine numbers were again one and the same. They appeared on the right- hand of the crankcase above the water pump and on the right frame side bar behind the engine support. The first two symbols were "54" for 1954. The next two symbols indicated series as follows: "62", "60" or "75". The remaining digits represented the consecutive unit production number and began with 00000 for each series. All series had the same last (ending) number, which would be misinterpreted if listed as part of the numbering sequence.

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS:

 1 Black  2 Newport Blue  3 Viking Blue  4 Iris  6 Cobalt Blue  7 Shoal Green  8 Biscay Green  9 Arlington Green  10 Cabot Gray  10Y Norman Gray  12 Gander Gray  13 Russet Maroon  14 Driftwood  16 Apollo Gold  17 Aztec Red  18 Alpine White  19 Azure Blue

ENGINE – ALL SERIES: V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.8125" x 3.625". Compression ratio: 8.25:1. Horsepower: 230 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 330 @ 2700 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetors: Carter WCFB four-barrel Models 2143S, 2109S and 2110S. also fitted: Rochester 4GC four-barrel (with Air Cond.) Model 7006963; (without Air) Model 7006962.

CHASSIS:

 Wheelbase: Series 62 129.0", Series 60S 133.0", Series 75 149.8" The commercial Series 75 chassis utilized a 158" wheelbase. This was for funeral cars, ambulances, etc.  Overall length: Series 62 Sedan 216.4", All other Series 62 223.4" Series 60S 227.4", Series 75 231.7"  Front tread: All - 60.0". Rear tread: All - 63.1".  Standard Tires: Series 75 8.20 x 15, Eldorado 8.20 x 15 whitewalls, All Others 8.00 x 15.  Optional tires: Series 60 and 62, except 6267S 8.20 x 15 whitewall.

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POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:

 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was standard except on Series 75.  Dual exhaust system standard.  Rear axle ratios: Standard 3.07:1, Optional without air conditioning 3.36:1, Standard with air conditioning 3.36:1.

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:

 Air-conditioning ($620).  Autronic Eye automatic headlamp dimmer.  Chrome wire wheels ($325).  E-Z-Eye tinted glass.  Heater ($129).  Horizontal front seat adjuster (standard on Coupe DeVille, convertible, Eldorado, Series 60S and Series 75).  Hydra-Matic drive on Series 75 ($186).  Power brakes ($48).  Power operated window and seat ($124).  Radio ($120).  Vertical front seat adjuster.  White sidewall tires ($49 exchange).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Assembly of 1954 models began January 4, 1954 after a 25-day halt for changeover to new production specifications. Fiberglass-bodied Cadillac show cars appearing at the GM Motorama this year included the Park Avenue four-door sedan, El Camino coupe, and La Espada convertible.

PRODUCTION: 1954 Production was down from 109,119 in 1953.

1954 Production was 96,680, down from 109,119 in 1953. (See 1954 the Production Figures Chart for detailed information)

CAR IMAGES

The 1954 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. The Eldorado was a luxurious, fully appointed and specially trimmed version of the "lesser" Series 62 convertible. A total of 2,150 were sold.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1954 Series 60 Special was essentially a Series 62 sedan with the wheelbase stretched from 129 to 133". A total of 16,200 were sold in 1954.

The 1954 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan was the most popular model with 33,845 delivered.

In 1954 there were two 2-door coupes. This is the Series 62 hardtop coupe which saw 17,460 sold.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1954 Series 62 Coupe DeVille had additional options and upscale interior added over the standard Series 62 coupe. A total of 17,170 were produced.

The 1954 Series 62 convertible was classy and sassy and sold well. At $1,300 under the Eldorado in price, 6,310 were delivered.

The 1954 Series 75 Cadillac was the stretch limo or large sedan. With a 149.8" wheelbase - this car was huge - just under 20 ft. in length! 3,135 were sold.