Which Cadillac Series 62 Version Should You Buy?
The Cadillac Series 62 version to choose depends on whether you want an early manual sedan, a lighter Coupe with measured performance, or the most powerful Sedan Hardtop. The data covers seven generations from 1940 to 1964. The 1954–1956 fourth-generation Coupe provides the clearest basis for comparison because it has six versions with measured acceleration and top speed.
The Cadillac Series 62 version to choose depends on whether you want an early manual sedan, a lighter Coupe with measured performance, or the most powerful Sedan Hardtop. The data covers seven generations from 1940 to 1964. The 1954–1956 fourth-generation Coupe provides the clearest basis for comparison because it has six versions with measured acceleration and top speed. Its strongest 6.0 AT produces 309 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, and has a 185 km/h top speed. The 1961–1964 seventh-generation 7.0 AT is the outright power leader at 340 hp, while the 1940–1941 first generation offers a choice between the 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT with the same 150 hp and 384 Nm.
Cadillac Series 62 generations compared
The first generation, produced from 1940 to 1941, is a Sedan with two versions. The 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT share a 5,670 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine producing 150 hp and 384 Nm. The meaningful choice is transmission: the 5.7 MT has a 3-speed Manual, whereas the 5.7 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. Both are RWD.
The second generation, produced from 1942 to 1947, is also a Sedan, but its sole version is the 5.7 MT. It has a Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine rated at 135 hp, paired with a 3-speed Manual and RWD. Compared with either first-generation version, it gives up 15 hp. Engine displacement and torque are not measured, so this generation cannot be compared reliably by power per litre or torque output.
The third generation, produced from 1948 to 1953, changes the body to Coupe Hardtop and contains two versions. Its 5.4 MT has 5,424 cc and 160 hp, equal to about 29.5 hp per litre. The other 5.7 MT has 5,700 cc and 150 hp, or about 26.3 hp per litre, and is listed only for 1948. The smaller 5.4 MT therefore supplies 10 hp more and approximately 3.2 hp per litre more than the 5.7 MT. Both use a 3-speed Manual, RWD, and Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engines.
The fourth generation, produced from 1954 to 1956, is a Coupe with six listed versions. Four 5.4 AT entries span 218–273 hp, while two 6.0 AT entries produce 289 hp and 309 hp. Every version combines a 4-speed Automatic with RWD. This is the generation to prioritize when acceleration and top-speed evidence matter because those figures are measured for every listed version.
The fifth generation, produced from 1957 to 1958, adopts the Sedan Hardtop body and has one 6.0 AT. Its 5,981 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine produces 309 hp and 542 Nm, sent through a 4-speed Automatic to RWD. Its 2,200 kg kerb weight gives approximately 7.1 kg per hp. Acceleration and top speed are not measured.
The sixth generation, produced from 1959 to 1960, is a Sedan Hardtop with one 6.4 AT. Its 6,391 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine develops 325 hp, giving approximately 50.9 hp per litre. It has a 4-speed Automatic, RWD, and a 2,200 kg kerb weight, equivalent to about 6.8 kg per hp.
The seventh generation, produced from 1961 to 1964, remains a Sedan Hardtop but offers two versions. The 6.4 AT retains 6,391 cc and 325 hp, while the 7.0 AT increases output to 340 hp from 7,030 cc. The 7.0 AT adds 15 hp, although its approximately 48.4 hp per litre is lower than the 6.4 AT’s approximately 50.9 hp per litre. Both have a 4-speed Automatic, RWD, and a 2,200 kg kerb weight.
Cadillac Series 62 engine and specs
Repeated version names are distinguished below by power and, where necessary, generation.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940–1941 5.7 MT | 150 hp | 384 Nm | 5,670 cc | not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1940–1941 5.7 AT | 150 hp | 384 Nm | 5,670 cc | not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1942–1947 5.7 MT | 135 hp | not measured | not measured | 76 | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1948–1953 5.4 MT, 160 hp | 160 hp | not measured | 5,424 cc | 76 | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1948 5.7 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | not measured | 5,700 cc | 76 | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1954–1956 5.4 AT, 218 hp | 218 hp | 440 Nm | 5,425 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1954–1956 5.4 AT, 233 hp | 233 hp | 450 Nm | 5,425 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1954–1956 5.4 AT, 254 hp | 254 hp | 468 Nm | 5,425 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1954–1956 5.4 AT, 273 hp | 273 hp | 468 Nm | 5,425 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1954–1956 6.0 AT, 289 hp | 289 hp | 542 Nm | 5,982 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1954–1956 6.0 AT, 309 hp | 309 hp | 542 Nm | 5,982 cc | 92 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1957–1958 6.0 AT | 309 hp | 542 Nm | 5,981 cc | 80 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1959–1960 6.4 AT | 325 hp | not measured | 6,391 cc | 80 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1961–1964 6.4 AT | 325 hp | not measured | 6,391 cc | 80 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1961–1964 7.0 AT | 340 hp | not measured | 7,030 cc | 80 | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Cadillac Series 62 performance and mpg
Measured performance is available only for the fourth-generation Coupe. Among its 5.4 AT versions, output rises from 218 hp to 273 hp, while acceleration to 100 km/h improves from 15.4 to 12 seconds. The 233 hp version takes 14.5 seconds, and the 254 hp version takes 12.6 seconds. Their respective top speeds are 165, 169, 190, and 178 km/h. The data therefore does not show top speed increasing uniformly with horsepower: the 254 hp 5.4 AT has the highest measured speed among the 5.4 AT entries.
The 289 hp 6.0 AT reaches 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and 181 km/h. The 309 hp 6.0 AT cuts acceleration to 10.7 seconds and reaches 185 km/h. Compared with the 218 hp 5.4 AT, the 309 hp 6.0 AT adds 91 hp, reduces the measured acceleration time by 4.7 seconds, and raises measured top speed by 20 km/h.
For every first-, second-, third-, fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-generation version, acceleration to 100 km/h and top speed are not measured. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any version, so no Cadillac Series 62 mpg comparison can be made from these data.
Cadillac Series 62 dimensions, weight, and tank capacity
Exterior dimensions, gross weight, ground clearance, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Kerb weight and tank capacity are available for part of the range.
The fourth-generation 5.4 AT weighs 2,080 kg in 218 hp and 233 hp form, producing approximately 9.5 and 8.9 kg per hp. The 254 hp and 273 hp versions weigh 2,090 kg, giving approximately 8.2 and 7.7 kg per hp. Both 6.0 AT versions weigh 2,100 kg: the 289 hp version has approximately 7.3 kg per hp, while the 309 hp version improves that figure to approximately 6.8 kg per hp. All six fourth-generation versions have a 76-litre tank.
The fifth-generation 6.0 AT, sixth-generation 6.4 AT, and both seventh-generation versions have a kerb weight of 2,200 kg. Their approximate weight-to-power figures are 7.1 kg per hp for the 309 hp 6.0 AT, 6.8 kg per hp for either 325 hp 6.4 AT, and 6.5 kg per hp for the 340 hp 7.0 AT. Tank capacity for these versions is not measured. Kerb weight and tank capacity for the first three generations are also not measured.
Which Cadillac Series 62 version to buy and why
For the strongest evidence-backed performance choice, select the fourth-generation 6.0 AT with 309 hp. It has the quickest measured acceleration at 10.7 seconds, 542 Nm, and a strong 6.8 kg-per-hp ratio. Its 185 km/h maximum is 5 km/h below the data set’s highest measured top speed, but its acceleration is 1.9 seconds quicker than that 190 km/h, 254 hp 5.4 AT.
Choose the fourth-generation 5.4 AT with 254 hp if measured top speed is the priority. Its 190 km/h result is the highest recorded here, although its 12.6-second acceleration is slower than either 6.0 AT. The 273 hp 5.4 AT is quicker to 100 km/h at 12 seconds but has a lower measured maximum of 178 km/h.
For a manual Coupe Hardtop, the third-generation 5.4 MT is the stronger numerical choice. It produces 160 hp from 5,424 cc, compared with 150 hp from 5,700 cc in the same generation’s 5.7 MT. Buyers choosing between the first-generation 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT receive identical engine output; the decision rests on the 3-speed Manual versus the 4-speed Automatic.
For maximum horsepower, choose the seventh-generation 7.0 AT. Its 340 hp exceeds the 6.4 AT by 15 hp, and because both weigh 2,200 kg, its weight-to-power ratio improves from about 6.8 to 6.5 kg per hp. However, acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption, and torque are not measured for either version. If output per litre matters more than total output, the 325 hp 6.4 AT is more efficient numerically at about 50.9 hp per litre versus about 48.4 hp per litre for the 7.0 AT.
Price and sale-listing data are not provided, so the extra money required for any upgrade—and whether that premium is worthwhile—cannot be measured. On specifications alone, the fourth-generation 6.0 AT with 309 hp is the most complete performance buy, the seventh-generation 7.0 AT is the outright horsepower choice, and the third-generation 5.4 MT is the preferable manual Coupe Hardtop.