Cadillac Models & History 1952
Thiswas Cadillac’s fiftieth anniversary year. Only minor styling and trim changes were seen, but some were specially planned to commemorate the occasion. For example, the V-shaped hood and deck emblems were done as gold castings. The Series 62 sedan was also characterized by a distinct, higher rear deck lid contour. This provided additional luggage space. Backup lights were standard equipment and were now incorporated in the taillights. The grille wraparound panels were redesigned once again. They now had broad chrome trim below each headlight with side scoop styling and a gold-colored winged emblem mounted in the center. At the rear, all models adopted a new Cadillac trademark, a through-the-bumper dual exhaust system. Deck ornamentation varied by series and, on 62s, took the form of a Cadillac crest over a broad golden ‘V’.
1952 Cadillac
The Coupe DeVille again had a script nameplate on the rear roof pillar. New standards included self-winding clocks, dual-range Hydra-Matic drive, improved direction signal indicators, glare-proof mirrors, stannate treated pistons, four-barrel carburetion and all other features seen the year before. Hydraulic window lifts remained as regular equipment on convertibles and Coupe De Villes.
I. D. NUMBERS
- Serial numbers and engine numbers were again one and the same.
- They appeared on the right-hand side of the crankcase above the water pump and on the right frame side bar behind the engine support.
- The first two symbols were ’52- or 1952.
- The next two symbols indicated the series as follows: ’62’, ’60S’ or ’75’.
- The remaining digits represented the consecutive unit number and began with 00000 for all series.
- All series had the same ending number, which would be misinterpreted if listed.
STYLE
| Model Number | Body Style | Doors | Model | Seat | Price | Weight | Production Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52-62 | 6219 | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | $3636 | 1887 kg | 42,625 |
| 52-62 | 6237 | 2-door | Club Coupe | 5 | $3542 | 1897 kg | 10,065 |
| 52-62 | 6237DX | Coupe DeVille | 5 | $3962 | 1911 kg | 11,165 | |
| 52-62 | 6267X | Convertible Coupe | 5 | $4110 | 2009 kg | 6,400 |
ENGINE
| Type | V-8 Overhead valves. |
| Block | Cast iron block. |
| Displacement | 5.425 Liter |
| Bore and stroke | 96.8mm x 92.1mm |
| Compression ratio | 7.50:1. |
| Horsepower | 190 @ 4000 rpm |
| Power | 142 kW @ 4000 rpm |
| Bearings | Five main bearings. |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic valve lifters. |
| Carburetor | Carter WFCB four-barrel Model 896S – also – Rochester 4GC four-barrel 7004500. |
CHASSIS
| Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 62 Sedans | 3200mm | 5474mm | 1499mm | 1600mm | 8.00 x 15 |
| Series 62 (all others) | 3200mm | 5093mm | 1499mm | 1600mm | 8.00 x 15 |
| Dual Exhausts | Standard | ||||
| Rear axle ratio | 3.07:1 | ||||
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1952 Cadillac Notes
- Cadillac had the most powerful engine in the American industry this year, 190 hp.
- Don E. Ahrens was general manager
- Charles F. Arnold was chief engineer
- Edward Glowacke was chief designer (Cadillac Studio)
- James M. Roche was general sales manager
- The 1,300,000th Cadillac of all time was built.
- Military orders for T41El Walker Bulldog tanks and T41 twin 40mm gun motor carriages were secured by the Division this year as part of the Korean war buildup.
- Hydraulically controlled power seats were standard on Coupe DeVille.
- Cadillac production figures
1952 Automotive Notes
- Car sales reached 4.3 million, half have automatic transmission and one-third have V-8s
- Charles E. Wilson was president of GM
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
- Chrysler and GM make light modification, but Ford makes a complete restyle
- Sears offers an Allstate which is a Henry J with new badging and grille
- Buick offers power steering for $199 on the Roadmaster
- Crosley merges with General Tire and Rubber
- DeSoto gets a Firedome “Hemi” V-8 producing 160-bhp
- Ford cars have “Power-Pivot” — a suspended set of brake and clutch pedals
- Henry J Vagabond has a “continental” spare tire in the rear
- Hudson introduces the Wasp
- GM’s Hydra-Matic is now available in all models of Hudson
- Marshall Teague wins 12 of 13 stock-car events drving the Hudson Hornet, they also win 27 NASCAR
- Lincoln adds ball-joint front suspension
- Lincoln has power steering and 4-way power seats as options
- Lincolns take the top five spots in the 2000-mile Carrera Panamericana race
- Pinin Farina redesigns the Nash
- Packards finally get power brakes
- James Nance is head of Packard
- Plymouth and DeSoto feature overdrive transmission
- Cadillac, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile install Dual-Range Hydra-Matic
- Studebaker introduces their hardtop
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1952
- Top model year production for 1952
