1939 Cadillac Limo

edited by David Barth, 1 March 2009.
Courtesy The Automobile Driving Museum in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Photos were taken in January 2009.

Both Cadillac and Packard were feeling the depression pinch during the 1930s. The Cadillac model 61 started at $1,695 to attract the public. Packard's Super 8 model started at $1,650. Cadillac offered the Series 75 with a V-8 engine starting at $3,215 to $5,245 depending on which of 14 models was purchased. The top of the line Cadillac models were the Series 90 V-16 covering twelve models, priced from $5,440 to $7,295.

Although Cadillac and Packard were fighting to attract the same buyers, Cadillac had sales of 13,633 cars covering the 60, 61, 75, and 90 models. Packard, struggling as an independent manufacturer, sold Super 8 and V-12 models. The total Packard production for 1939 was 18,093. Packard models 110 and 120 sold 46,997 units in 1939.

General Motors could afford to underwrite Cadillac's losses, if any, where, as an independent, Packard was forced to make a profit by selling the lower priced 110 and 120 models.

Cadillac is here today, and all of the independent manufacturers are out of business.

Body Style: 7 Passenger Sedan
Factory Price: $3,325.00
Production: Series 75 production: 2,069. Total production: 13,495.
Weight: 4,865 lbs.
Engine: V8, L-head engine
Bore: 3 1/2 inches
Stroke: 4 1/2 inches
Horsepower: 140 at 3,400 rpm
Displacement: 346 cubic inches
Wheelbase: 141 inches
Transmission: 3 speed, on the column
Brakes: 4 wheel, hydraulic