Target Audience:
Restorers, classic car enthusiasts, DIY mechanics, parts suppliers, and collectors of 1947-1959 Cadillacs.
Value For Restorers:
An essential tool for automotive restorers, ensuring the use of correct and original specification parts for authenticity and value preservation.
Uniqueness:
Offers unparalleled comprehensiveness for identifying genuine GM parts for a wide range of Cadillac models across multiple years, serving as the definitive reference.
Searchability:
Keyword searchable PDF format, facilitating quick access to specific part information.
Illustrations:
Includes detailed illustrations for visual identification and location of parts.
Value Proposition:
Indispensable resource for anyone maintaining or restoring a 1947-1959 Cadillac, facilitating accurate part sourcing and significantly reducing the risk of ordering incorrect components.
Models Covered:
Coupe DeVille, Sedan DeVille, Sixty-Two Coupe, Sixty-Two Sedan, Sixty-Two Convertible Coupe, Fleetwood Sixty Special, Fleetwood Seventy-Five, Limousine, Eldorado Biarritz Convertible Coupe, Commercial Chassis
Specific Models Examples:
Includes parts for the landmark 1959 Eldorado Biarritz with its distinctive tailfins, the luxurious Fleetwood models, and the highly popular Sixty-Two series.
Chassis Catalog Pages:
676
Type:
Master Parts Catalog (Chassis & Body)
Engine Components:
Engine assembly, cylinder block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft, pistons, connecting rods, valves, oil pump, water pump, cooling system, fuel system (carburetor, fuel pump), ignition system (distributor, coil, spark plugs)
Transmission Components:
Manual transmission components, Hydra-Matic (automatic transmission) components (fluid coupling, planetary gear sets, hydraulic controls)
Chassis Components:
Frame, suspension (front and rear), steering system, front and rear axle assemblies, brakes (front and rear drums, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake lines), wheels, tires, driveshaft, universal joints
Body Components:
Body shell, doors, hood, trunk lid, fenders, bumpers, grilles, windshield, side glass, rear glass, interior trim, seats, convertible top mechanisms, weatherstripping, paint and trim codes
Electrical System:
Wiring harnesses, lighting (headlights, taillights, interior lights), generator, starter motor, battery, switches, instruments, radio components, power windows, power seats
Accessories:
Optional equipment and accessories, including but not limited to air conditioning, heater components, radio, power steering components, power brakes components
Cooling System:
Radiator, fan, water pump, thermostat, hoses, and related components.
Exhaust System:
Exhaust manifolds, pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, and hangers.
Interior Appointments:
Dashboard components, gauges, steering column parts, interior trim panels, door hardware, and seat mechanisms.
Exterior Trim:
Chrome brightwork, emblems, badging, grilles, bumpers, and associated fasteners.
Steering System:
Steering gears, tie rods, drag links, steering knuckles, and steering columns.
Wheels And Tires:
Wheel rims, hubcaps, lug nuts, and wheel bearings, with tire size information typically found in accompanying owner's manuals but component part numbers here.
Identification And Location:
Illustrated information section for identification and location of service parts
Parts Listing:
Comprehensive parts listing with corresponding part numbers for all components
Vehicle Identification:
Vehicle identification information, including chassis numbers and body codes
Depth:
Detailed parts identification and numbering, crucial for sourcing and replacing components. Does not include diagnostic procedures or repair instructions, but provides the foundation for identifying the correct parts for such tasks.
Illustrations Quality:
Detailed exploded-view illustrations are a key feature, providing clear visual references for part identification and assembly relationships.
Part Numbering System:
Details the official General Motors part numbering system used for service replacement parts during that era.
Engine Options Overview:
This catalog covers various V8 engine displacements specific to Cadillac models across the 1947-1959 period, including the overhead valve (OHV) V8 engines that became standard for Cadillac.
Engine Displacement Range:
Engines evolved from 331 cubic inches (early OHV V8) to larger displacements like 365 and 390 cubic inches by the end of the period, with specific displacements tied to model years and series.
Historical Performance Context:
While specific performance figures vary by year and model, Cadillac engines of this era were known for their smooth power delivery and robust torque, befitting their luxury positioning.
Carburetion Types:
Typically featured Rochester, Carter, or Cadillac-specific carburetors, often single or dual-barrel configurations, depending on the model year and engine variant.
Fuel Pump Type:
Mechanical fuel pumps were standard, with part numbers available for these units across different engine configurations.
Standard Transmission Type:
While many Cadillacs of this era came standard with automatic transmissions (Hydra-Matic), some models or specific options might have been available with manual transmissions in earlier years, though less common.
Optional Transmission Type:
The Hydra-Matic (later Hydramatic) automatic transmission was a hallmark of Cadillac, offering a luxurious driving experience. Variations and improvements were introduced throughout this period.
Automatic Transmission Details:
Hydra-Matic transmissions featured a planetary gear system with hydraulic controls, offering multiple forward gears for smooth acceleration and efficient cruising.
Transmission Cooling:
Parts for transmission fluid cooling lines and coolers, integrated with the radiator or as separate units, would be detailed.
Historical Safety Context:
Safety features and testing standards of this era were considerably different from modern vehicles. The catalog focuses on the components that constituted the safety systems of the time, such as brake components and steering mechanisms.
Passive Safety Components:
Includes parts for body structure, seat belt anchor points (though seat belts were often optional or aftermarket additions), and robust chassis construction.
Braking System Components:
Comprehensive listings for hydraulic brake system parts including master cylinders, wheel cylinders, brake drums, brake shoes, brake linings, and brake hoses/lines.
Maintenance Schedule Context:
While this catalog does not provide a service schedule, it lists all the parts necessary for routine maintenance and major repairs, enabling owners to source components for scheduled servicing.
Engine Oil Viscosity:
Engine oil viscosity recommendations for this era typically ranged from SAE 10W-30 to SAE 20W-50, depending on climate and specific engine build. The catalog would facilitate finding the correct oil filter part number.
Transmission Fluid Type:
Hydra-Matic transmissions of this period generally required specific Type A transmission fluid. Sourcing the correct fluid is critical for transmission longevity.
Coolant Type:
While not explicitly stated in the product description, standard ethylene glycol-based antifreeze would have been used. The manual would help identify the correct radiator cap and hoses.
Common Wear Items:
Common wear items for vehicles of this vintage include brake components (shoes, drums, wheel cylinders), suspension bushings, engine mounts, exhaust system components, and various seals and gaskets. This catalog is essential for sourcing replacements.
Cadillac Legacy:
Cadillac, a division of General Motors, has a long-standing reputation for luxury, prestige, and technological innovation in the American automotive industry.
Design And Engineering Trends:
The 1947-1959 period represents a significant era of post-war styling evolution for Cadillac, from the more rounded designs of the late 40s to the iconic tailfins and chrome embellishments of the 50s, culminating in the highly stylized designs of 1959.
Styling Evolution 1947 1959:
From the 'bathtub' styling of the 1940s to the 'fin' era of the 1950s, each year brought significant styling changes and technological advancements, all detailed in terms of parts within this catalog.
Manufacturing Locations:
Cadillacs were primarily manufactured in Detroit, Michigan.
