Cadillac owner believes father had great taste

In 1941 my father bought his first Cadillac, a Series 61-27 Fastback Coupe. This was the car that was to replace the LaSalle, which was discontinued after 1940. It was in the back seat of this car that I, as a 5 year old, heard the announcement of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Two years later in 1943, my father was transferred to Aurora and purchased the home shown in this picture (above). Even though after World War II my Dad bought a new Cadillac every two or three years for the next 40 years, he and I always agreed the 1941 was the prettiest Caddy of them all.

Now fast forward to 1998, and I got a bug to add a big sister for my 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe. (I also have a soft spot for the Model A, the first car I ever owned while in high school).

So I started my search for a 1941 Cadillac, Fastback Coupe, two-tone gray, just like the one I remembered my Dad driving.

One night while looking through Hemmings catalog, I found a man in southern Indiana who had an unbelievable 14 1941 Cadillacs, some which he wished to sell. I asked him if he had a two-tone gray Fast Back Coupe, and to my amazement he said he did.

I asked him the price and asked if he would hold it for me; I would be down to see the car and if it was as he described, I would give him a certified check and make arrangements to have it shipped to Batavia. When I saw the car it took me back to all the years that Dad had a car identical to the one I was buying.

The car was brought back home and while it was in pretty good shape, there were a lot of things to be done before I felt comfortable getting it out on the road for touring or parades.

The cooling system needed to be power flushed and an auxiliary fan added in front of the recently rodded radiator. An auxiliary fuel pump also was put on board to assist in the starting process.

I also replaced the upholstery. I hated to do it, because it was original, but it needed to be done. I put in a windshield washer that in 1941 cost installed $8.25, but in 1999 it cost $350 just for the parts.

Talk about inflation. In 1941 the Cadillac Fastback Coupe sold for $1,345.

The 1941 Caddy was the first car to have self-canceling turn signals and it was the first year that Cadillac offered an automatic transmission that was called Hydramatic.

My Cadillac has been a joy to own. My only regret is that my Dad did not live long enough to see it. he passed away in 1989. I know how happy he would have been to get behind the wheel of my identical twin to his car.

By the way, the car in the picture is my car and it sure looks like it is very much at home.