Inventory Listing

The late 1930s were a time of rapid changes in the automotive industry, and at no other period in history has the automobile evolved so quickly. New suspensions, improved brakes, early attempts at automatic transmissions, not to mention a changing highway system that allowed higher speeds and greater comfort, it all contributed to some of the very best cars ever built. In the styling department, streamlining was in and new designs were introduced each year to an enthusiastic public, who were shaking off the tail end of the Great Depression. In 1938, Cadillac introduced the 60 Special, a handsome 4-door sedan designed by relative newcomer Bill Mitchell, who would become one of the most prolific and well-respected designers of all time. Now, from our perspective in the 21 century, this 1939 60 Special doesn’t look all that radical, but for the time, this car with minimal chrome, smooth sides, and no running boards was transformational, and you can see this model’s influence on almost every car from every automaker in the immediate pre-war era. The 60 Special was a game-changer in just about every sense of the word.

This particular 1939 Cadillac 60 Special shows off how “special” these cars really were. Park it next to almost anything else from 1939, and its trim proportions and sleek roofline are immediately apparent. Cadillac’s all-new front end was sleeker and more delicate than the barrel-front 1938 models, completing the package on a car that was all about proportions and balance. Interestingly enough, this one was custom-ordered in 1939 with a custom combination of Whistler Gray paint and a red leather interior, both of which were on the Cadillac roster of colors and materials, but not in that particular combination and not on the 60S. The car seems to have spent most of its life in a warm climate, as the bodywork is in excellent condition, and save for a repaint in light yellow sometime in the early 1990s, it remains mostly original externally. I doubt any serious surgery was required at that time (we have photos of the full paint job from start to finish), but it’s worth noting that as a color-change, it was completely disassembled and there’s just no trace of the original gray paint anywhere on the car today, a testament to their thoroughness. The color is a handsome creamy yellow, and while there were no yellows on the Cadillac color chart in 1939, the official 60 Special brochure from Cadillac features a yellow car right there on the cover, so we’ll leave it for you to decide how authentic it might be.

The paint is showing some signs of age, which is certainly understandable after 25 years, but it’s quite presentable and I have personally driven and shown this car multiple times. Everyone who sees it is enthusiastic about the handsome look. It shines up nicely and looks great running down the road, which is really where it’s happiest. The bumpers and hood ornament are excellent and have probably been refinished at some point, while the rest of the brightwork appears to be original and in decent condition. The delicate grille has the usual light pitting and the two uppermost bars are cracked, but it’s noticeable only upon close inspection and I don’t know that I’d chase perfection. The stainless window surrounds are quite good and the hood hinges and small “winglets” above the taillights are almost like new. Someone has invested money in this car along the way and it has a nice overall look that’s neither perfection nor in need of a major investment. Get in and drive!

The red leather interior is this car’s most remarkable feature, one because it was special-ordered and two, because it’s almost entirely original. Leather tends to wear better than cloth as long as it’s properly maintained, and while there are some “comfort marks” throughout, there are no major issues beyond a small tear right about where the driver’s tailbone might be and another similar one just under the rear seat armrest. Again, probably not worth an investment in replacement, especially since it’s original. The carpets have been replaced and it’s not quite correct for 1939, but it fits well and is very low maintenance, with a second layer in front to keep everything underneath nice and tidy. The woodgrained dash is in very good condition with only one or two scratches in its surface and all the original gauges are bright and clear. This car was sold without a radio, which was still cutting-edge tech in 1939, but it does have an under-dash heater that was installed by the dealer and it, too, is fully functional. All the gauges work except perhaps the fuel gauge, which only moves slightly as the tank drains. Someone has added an aftermarket temperature gauge down low to keep a closer eye on the engine, but I would probably remove it if it were my car, because 1) I don’t think it’s very accurate, and 2) it looks wrong. Meanwhile, the factory temperature gauge works just fine. The headliner is quite good and all the garnish moldings and door handles look very presentable. In back, there’s a sizeable trunk that’s great for touring, and it has been fitted with more tan carpet to match the interior and carries a full-sized spare, just in case. And yes, the “tool tray” area at the very rear of the trunk has been patched (because they all rust there, I don’t care where they come from), but examining it from below shows a solid panel in good condition so most of the damage was likely cosmetic.

Cadillac’s 346 cubic inch flathead V8 was legendary in its durability and performance, and by 1939, it was one of the most modern-feeling cars on the road. This 60 Special’s engine was rebuilt in 2006, along with the 3-speed manual transmission, and it drives superbly. After a short drive, it will be easy to see why these are such popular cars for CCCA Caravans and other tours. I’ll admit that it’s cranky first thing in the morning, but after it starts that first time, it’s a clean, reliable runner for the rest of the day, starting almost instantly hot or cold. There is no electric fuel pump, which I think would help, but I also don’t think it’s necessary in this car’s case. The block was painted correct corporate olive green and wears an oil bath air cleaner up top, so it looks correct. There’s a 6-volt alternator in place of the original generator, and while it doesn’t look totally authentic, I will say that it’s quite reassuring to see the ammeter showing a charge even at idle with the headlights and fog lights burning brightly.

The three-speed manual transmission was rebuilt at the same time and shifts easily. The bushings in the linkage were replaced and it feels great going through the gears, and clutch take-up is effortless and clean with very little chatter except at idle speeds. The rear end is probably original and uses 3.92 gears that are energetic around town but allow this handsome Cadillac to cruise at 55 MPH all day long. The floors are original and have some surface scale but no rot or perforation of any kind and the exhaust system offers a nice V8 burble at idle and virtual silence out on the road. The 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes are surprisingly powerful with a firm pedal and no pulsing or pulling, and it tracks well at modern highway speeds. The tires are older wide whitewall bias-plys but they have plenty of tread left and are in good enough shape to enjoy for a few more driving seasons before needing replacement.

I’ll admit that we here at Harwood Motors like this car a lot. We’ve owned it for about three months, and in that time we have wrestled with the idea of selling it. We’ve taken it on several CCCA tours and each time it has performed beautifully with no issues. It’s fast, comfortable, reliable, and quiet, all of which make touring a genuine pleasure. We also have extensive service receipts from the past few decades, a pile of restoration photos, and even the original build sheet from Cadillac Historical Services (blurry, but legible). It’s definitely got a lot of features you just don’t get in a car costing less than a used Hyundai.

If you’re looking for an affordable “entry level” Full Classic to use on CCCA Caravans and tours, you can scarcely do better than this 60 Special. As I said, we spent a lot of time thinking that we should keep it for ourselves—it’s that good. Not perfect, but just right for a family on a budget who just wants to have fun with a substantial old car, and at this price, you can hardly go wrong. Call today!