Question for 54-5-6 experts

[936CD69]

OK, I was researching for the Authenticity manual I'm working on, but as usual got diverted by a pretty face.. ..in this case a 54 Sixty Special. I found out when the 54s were introduced, and the 56s, but Google turned up nothing specific on the intro of the 55s just a veiled reference to the 54 being a shorter than normal production run. Yes I checked the Database. Any definitive answer?

Thanks as always.....

[jaxops]

I didn't see any comments about any introductions for the new year 1955 like I saw for 1954 and 1956, although perhaps there was a Motorama.
In the book "Cadillac the Complete History" by Maurice Hendry (Automobile Quarterly and Bonanza Books, 1983) page 296 discusses the improvements of 1955 including the 250 hp rating and better acceleration. The narrative rolls about through the mid-1950s here and discusses Packard as a comparison-competitor.  There is not a "1955" section as in some books.
 I am paraphrasing here:  "Sales records were broken in 1955; bigger bumper bombs caused more parking damages; and although Packard had a new V8 engine this year and Allison torsion-level ride suspension, they fell short of Cadillac's acceleration, speed, and fuel economy."

In the Thomas McPherson and Walter McCall book "Cadillac Fleetwood Series Seventy-Five Limousines 1937-1987" (Iconografix, communist China, 2009), the 1955 is described on pages 50-51.  For this year 1955 cars received the revised grille design and parking and fog lamps; and larger bumper bullets.

I think that 1954 gets a lot of "press" as it was totally new from 1950-1953 according to both books quoted above.

[936CD69]

Thanks for the reply Mark. The 54s were introduced Jan 4 of 54. The 56 Sedan Deville and the Eldo Seville came out on Oct 55, and the other 56s a month later. There were 98K 54s produced, and 144K 55s. Does it follow that 55s started the tradition of being introduced in the fall instead of following the calendar year?

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Based on full page newspaper advertisements, the '55 model was introduced Nov 27, 1954

HTH,
Ralph

[936CD69]

I did some more research, Ralph is correct as usual. Introduced November 54, so I would imagine that 54 production ended a months earlier for the model switchover......

[Art Gardner CLC 23021]

I am not sure of when the 54 models were "introduced".  But I am informed that the regular production line (not the pre-production testing of the assembly line where they make 20 cars or so) began on Jan 4, 1954.  My car was built on that first day of regular production, apparently during the second hour of production.  It is chassis number 546200086.  My car was invoiced to the dealer on invoice 00016 -- just the 16th invoice for cars of that model year. The invoice is dated Jan 11, 1954.  Body number 32 (of this style).  Build sheet attached.


Currently for sale in Atlanta. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4800778084.html

I also have a 55 60S (not for sale)...

[Dan LeBlanc]

Also looks like they changed the invoices from 53 to 54.  My 53 invoice is VERY different.

[936CD69]

Very pretty car Art! I really like the 54s. I found a copy of the press release dated Jan 4, 1954, so yours if definitely a first day car. Question about the carpet? Some I've seen look more like the Daytona carpet, others are cut pile or a larger loop. Which is correct for the Series 62?

Thanks for your responses,

Craig

[Art Gardner CLC 23021]

My car is supposed to have the Daytona carpet, but someone has replaced it with the incorrect loop style carpet.

[Bill Young]

I would imagine that the model switchover between 1954 and 1955 models could have been very short as basically the differences were mostly cosmetic , so much so that the 1954 Shop Manual serves also for 1955 cars with the exception of a very thin by comparison 1955 Supplemental Shop Manual. Hence I could see how it could have been less than a couple weeks between ceasing 1954 production and producing 1955's.

[936CD69]

You are probably correct, Mr Young. Oh and Happy Birthday!

Craig