The Series Sixty-One was Cadillac's entry-level model for 1950, riding on a wheelbase four inches shorter than the full-size Caddy 62's. This meant it was on the GM B-platform, a stablemate to the full-size Oldsmobiles and Buicks.
1950 marked the second year of Cadillac's 90° overhead valve V-8, which replaced the old 346 cubic inch flathead "Monobloc" V-8.
The new OHV "331 Series" motor displaced, as the name implies, 331 cubic inches and was rated at 160 SAE gross horsepower. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual or a 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.
Quite sophisticated for its time, the Hydra-Matic changed gears automatically, and had been proven rugged and durable in World War Two, where it had been used in U.S. light tanks (coincidentally along with Monobloc Cadillac V-8 engines.) The big difference between it and newer automatics was that it had a straight fluid coupling that didn't offer torque multiplication like a torque convertor does.
The distinctive tail fins and faux scoops on the fenders, from famed automotive designer Harley Earl, were supposedly inspired by the twin-tailed Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane of Second World War fame. The tail fins would grow over time and triggered a tail fin arms race in Detroit's styling departments.
The car in the photo was snapped with a Samsung Galaxy SII in June of 2013.
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