1941 Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood

[@Ntwadumela1]

You are one of the best car reviewers I know. I watch your videos with great pleasure. I'm surprised that you have so few views. Greetings from Poland.

[@classicperformance]

Ntwadumela1, Thank you for the compliment, and your interest!! Happy for you to help me out with sharing some views over in eastern Europe !! :) My grandmother was from Slovakia.

[@johnwwirtanen1283]

Beautiful car, thanks for the video. One correction: The optional automatic transmission would have been a 4 speed (fluid coupling) Hydramatic. The TurboHydramatic (3 speed with torque converter) did not come out until 1964.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, John for that good information. I wonder why the did not stick with the 4-speed trans going forward? I did not reappear till the 80's

[@johnwwirtanen1283]

Actually, the three speed was a quasi 4 speed.They felt the torque converter effect was essentially first gear in the fluid couping hydramatic. The torque converter essentially "multiplies" the effective gear ratio of the gear. It. loses multiplication as speed increases. So as the converter loses its "oomph" the first gear could then be a substitute to the fluid coupling's 2nd gear. I think the Turbo Hydramatics had a first gear ratio somewhere around 2.4:1. The converter multiplication varried by year but was usually close to 2:1. So, the converter amped that up to near 5:1. The fluid coupling hydramatic had a first gear ratio only approximately 4:1. So, off the line the Turbo was faster accelerating. I remember a car mag in 1964 testing both the base entry level Caddy which had the 4 speed vs the Deville that came with the new 3 speed Turbo Hydramatic. They were essentially the same weight, same rear axle, same engine. The Deville beat the base model every time. 1964 was the only year they used different transmissions for their upper/lower series. As to the 4th speed added to the Turbo Hydramatic in the early eighties. That was a true overdrive gear (i.e., less than 1:1 ratio). Both the 4 speed Hydramatic and the 3 speed Turbo Hydramatic top gear was 1:1. So neither of those had an overdrive. I'm not an engineer or technician. I just love following car developments and have been a Caddy officiionado. They kinda lost their way in the 80s so I gradually stopped closely following them. But, 50s up to the end of the 70s, yes. I hope all this techie stuff makes sense coming from a non techie person!

[@classicperformance]

@@johnwwirtanen1283 Thanks, John. Makes perfectly good sense to me. I guess the Turbo Hydro had a deeper 1st gear for off the line than the 4-speed. I have heard that switching from a turbo 350 to a 700R-4 type trans gives you even better acceleration from a stop and also the benefits of a true overdrive? It would be great to convert this three-on-the-tree 60 special to a 700R4 with correct gear selector. I wonder of anyone even makes a bell housing conversion/case to do such a swap.. or even swap to a turbo 350.

[@johnwwirtanen1283]

I looked online at the 700R specs as I wasn't familiar with them. Yes. Its geared first ratio was 3.059 to 1 vs the 3 speed Turbo Hydramatic usually being about 2.40. I also looked up its torque multiplication factor. It varied upon the specific model used, but apparently had three versions: 2.0, 2.5, and a screaming 3.0! So, at the low end, first gear would have had an effective ratio off the line of about 6:1, easily a lower ratio than the three speed's 5:1+ -. Wow, with the 3x converter it would be 9:1! (Unless they used a first gear ratio less than (approx) 2.4. I wonder what cars got that. (Maybe Vettes and trucks needing the extra oomph.) I suspect there may be charts that show the actual ratios. So, my figures are based on some assumptions which may not reflect actual applications.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, John for such great detail and research. Looks like a variant of the 700R would be the way to go!!!

[@beck-tn9gl]

Gorgeous Caddy. Thank you for the video

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for watching! We're got some more classics coming soon!

[@thyronconrad]

STUNNING VINTAGE CLASSIC CADILLAC 60 SPECIAL-LOVE IT-NICE REVIEW VIDEO

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the 60 Special!!

[@tomblack6972]

The rope in the back seat area is for a lap robe to keep you warm when heaters were not available. If you were stylish, the robe was mohair. If you were really stylish they were mohair and mink!

[@classicperformance]

Excellent information, Tom. Thank you for your interest!

[@AlCcesar]

Wonderful !

[@classicperformance]

Thank you!

[@discerningmind]

The rope on the back side of the front seat is to hold a car-blanket, not a robe holder.

[@classicperformance]

OK, good to know! What's a car-blanket?

[@randyfitz8310]

The Cadillac brochures for 1941 all show the upper bumper bar protecting the grill while also stating that the models shown and described are "Deluxe", making the answer to your question rather ambiguous.

[@classicperformance]

Thank you, Randy!!!

[@paedahe4975]

I think that trim wood could be oak and burl underneath.

[@paedahe4975]

The car is gorgeous. What a gem.

[@classicperformance]

@@paedahe4975 thank you for the comments and your interest in the car! It very enjoyable to look at and just as much, to drive and tour in.

[@frankwood7878]

THIS IS THE EPITOME OF A LUXURY GANGZTER CAR. SWEET SWEET BLUE COLOR ON THIS CAR TOO

[@classicperformance]

Indeed, Frank, Gangsta!! all the way! Thanks for your interest!!

[@steves9905]

gorgeous. so classy. I own a '58 60 Special, which I love for its over-the-top crazy style, but man, Cadillacs took a nose dive after 1956...the quality did not measure up to the styling. the '61-'66 brought some of it back and then lost it again. This '41 though has it in spades

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, Steve!!!!

[@grantswartz8752]

Cadillac v-series, the new Cadillac cien, and the DTS are pretty nice and advanced cars.

[@user-ts1fp4nm9y]

I'm only guessing but the straight grain looks like Mahogany wood and the other may be Burl Walnut.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for this info. I would have to agree and the wood seems to be original to the car.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

Back in the day, to own a Caddy showed that you made it. It’s a shame that the quality took such a steep nosedive after the 1972 model year. The only (new) Caddy that I’d consider buying today would be the Escalade.

[@classicperformance]

Thank you for your interest and comment. Yes, you indeed made it back then when you brought one home. Would you consider a Cadillac Blackwing? I sure would and every Escalade would eaten my dust 😉

[@yuriykhasidov1626]

Please mention the top speed the car will comfortable drive?

[@classicperformance]

It rides and runs very nicely at 70mph and 75mph on the interstate believe it or not.

Love your unique reviews but I suggest to do some research before doing your videos. That way you will have all the answers and look professional! BTW I don’t think the fender skirts were optional as they were part of the design. Blessing to you.

[@classicperformance]

We'll try to do better, and be better prepared with facts. Check out our Packard reviews, especially the '56 Patrician with only 4,700 miles!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h32veX2YdtWthZYsi=GMUPBFEOQAxcMrRd

Love your unique reviews but I suggest to do some research before doing your videos. That way you will have all the answers and look professional! BTW I don’t think the fender skirts were optional as they were part of the design. Blessing to you. BTW, I would have pointed out the chrome on the windshield Moulding on the inside. All the car builders only did that to the top of the line sedans and usually on the convertibles. I have a 1947 Packard top of the line Clipper and I treasure my chrome windshield Moulding!

[@classicperformance]

We'll try to do better. Check out our top-of-the-line Packard videos too, especially the '56 Patrician with only 4,700 miles. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h32veX2YdtWthZYsi=GMUPBFEOQAxcMrRd

You have the mojo..just a little pre research. I am subscribed!!

[@classicperformance]

many thanks, and will do, Robert!!

[@DennyTolhurst-BARCH]

WALNUT (burl) just had to reply lol

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, Denny!!!

[@luanloud9454]

Cost

[@classicperformance]

The "cost" or value is dependent on condition and the market. Your best avenue is to look at Bring A Trailer sales results. We don't place dollar values on vehicles.

[@luanloud9454]

@@classicperformance ok

[@southernloff1494]

.....generator, not alternator as stated.

[@classicperformance]

Correct, oops, I did say that. and overseas, often called Dynamo!!

[@Jasona1976]

More of the car...less of you, please!

[@classicperformance]

@Jasona1976 We appreciate your interest! And I agree, the Cadillac is so much more attractive than I. Subscribe and stay tuned, much more of the Cadillac to come and a bit more of me too!!!

[@Jasona1976]

@@classicperformance if I wanted to see an old man all I have to do is look in the mirror. 😂

[@Felix-zx3on]

To much talk and repeat

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for the feedback, Felix! We'll keep talking about cars because that's what we do, but try not to repeat. CP