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Does anybody know how many 1961 series 62 convertibles were -**Style plate pic**

Started by Stewart Homan, October 27, 2008, 01:20:57 PM

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Stewart Homan

built with bucket seats?

It was an extra cost option in '61 and the first time offered on a sereis 62.

I believe only a small amout of Eldorado's had buckets in '61!

Thanks

**Does anyone know what the '04D' relates to stamped in the top left hand corner above the word 'STYLE'?

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

There were 15,500 series 62 convertibles built that year -- I have no information
showing how many there were with front bucket seats.  Usually, with options, this
info is not available.  An educated guess is 10-15% of production at most.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Glen

I was under the impression all Eldorados in ’61 had bucket seats.  But I could be wrong. 
 
Glen
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

quadfins

Buckets were a no cost option on Eldorados, but an extra cost option on series 62 convertibles.
Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC
Senior Crown
DeCou Driving Award x 4

Warren Rauch

 In the Ward's Auto annual for 1962 ( they list year prior numbers) ,they report 1.0% of 1961 Cadillac production had Bucket seats. Since that years production was 138,377 that means about 1400 had the option. Cadillac only had the option on  convs Eldo (1450 cars) no cost  and SERIES 62 (15500 cars) extra cost  . Any guesses as to how they broke down?
  The next year (1962) was the peak of bucket seats with 9811 cars. The following are estimates based on Wards percent times production 63-4569,64-3983,65-2717,66-3146,67-1258,67eldo-878, 68-1027, 68Eldo-784, 69-???(I don't have book), 70eldo-453 Warren

Stewart Homan

 In the Ward's Auto annual for 1962 ( they list year prior numbers) ,they report 1.0% of 1961 Cadillac production had Bucket seats. Since that years production was 138,377 that means about 1400 had the option.



Thanks Warren - I can't help thinking 1,400 would be too many cars - I wonder if the 1% means 1% of cars that could have been fitted with bucket seats had them!

I know compared to 59 and 60's, very few cars had them and the thought of paying to effectively have less (seats) would turn buyers away - I appreciate it would be considered more sporty but...

Stewart Homan

Quote from: Stewart Homan on October 29, 2008, 11:48:33 AM

I know compared to 59 and 60's, very few cars had them


I know compared to 59 and 60's, very few cars **seem to have had** them

Warren Rauch

 The 1400 number isn't my math, it is the number that Ward's used in 1963 comparing it to the 9811 number that they give for 1962.There is an article in that issue (1963 book) pointing out that bucket seats were up three fold for 1962 over 1961 for the entire industry.Fads come and go fast sometimes. I checked the 1960 &1961 books ,but they didn't give numbers on bucket seats. Warren

quadfins

It probably reflects the fact that, in 1962, all of the de Ville line could have bucket seats, not just the Eldorados and Series 62 convertibles.
Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC
Senior Crown
DeCou Driving Award x 4

wrefakis

37% of 59 eldo's that I have decoded(500) had buckets,would love to know if there is a wards book around from 60 to see what they have,if anything on 59's

Warren Rauch

There is nothing on Bucket seats for Cadillac in the 1960 or 1961 Wards Annuals, I checked for that.Their weekly news letter might tell something. If your number of 37% of the Eldo would hold true for 1961 ,that would mean about 500 of 1450 Eldos and 900 of 15,500 Series 62 conv.Since it was an extra cost option on the Series 62  that would seem reasonable. Warren

wrefakis

I would say that here were far fewer 61 cars with buckets than in 59,in 59 buckets were hot from the bonnevilles,and it was a new 'sporty' look,as they were somewhat less than practical in a luxury car,they declined rather quickly in numbers.


quadfins

04D is the date code.

04 - 4th month in the calendar - April

D - 4th week in that month.

That would make this a mid to late-mid production car. The exact date can be determined by obtaining the build sheet from GM historical services. The link is on the CLC homepage.
Jim Eccleston
1961 Coupe de Ville
BATILAC
Senior Crown
DeCou Driving Award x 4