Silver TGF-A4: First Regular production Cadillac after the war.

[targhediferro]

No problem to identify make and model....but I want to know why this car is special.

[richard cuyler]

1946 Cadillac Sixty Fleetwood Special?

[fyreline]

1942-1949 Cadillac professional car (Ambulance/Hearse), likely by Superior.  They typically raised the hood line of these cars and added the extra row of grille bars that this car has.

[targhediferro]

It's a '46 model Cadillac, of course, not an ambulance or hearse...It's particular for another reason.

[fyreline]

I've seen this photo calling the car "The First Post-War Cadillac" . . . . but it isn't that. There are factory photos of the first 1946 Cadillac coming off the assembly line, and it's a different car.  So the search continues.

[targhediferro]

But that's what I was looking for;  I don't know if the caption is reliable, but sa far as I know this Cadillac was the first one produced after the war in the second half ad 1945.  One point cor you...But of someone could discover something more He Will be welcome!

[targhediferro]

17 October 1945

[fyreline]

"Upon further review", as the sportscasters say, I am sure you are correct and were all along. Over the years, I have seen period photos of at least three different 1946 Cadillac Model 62 sedans claiming to be "the first one off the line" after the war, and have also read an article by a collector who claims to have the actual car. They can't all be the real one - but your photo of the car coming off the assembly line with GM officials and a sign in the window is pretty conclusive. My apologies for having doubted you.

[richard cuyler]

To me there's a bit of obfuscation going on here. The car looks a bit dusty, as do the wheels and tires. Plus the grubby inside of the wheel arch suggests this car has already seen some open road use.  ??? ???

[fyreline]

Entirely possible that it is a "posed picture".  GM was certainly not above such shenanigans.  Sometimes it was something as simple as a scheduling conflict to get together the right people desired in the photograph. Since ALL of the 1946 Cadillacs initially produced were Series 62 sedans, one is as good as another for picture purposes.

[richard cuyler]

These were the days when the name Cadillac still meant quality, exceptional quiet and a good ride. How things went downhill in the 60s, 70s and 90s. :-\