1931 Caddy V-16
1931 Cadillac Model 452 (for the total cubic inches) Fleetwood Convertible Coupe. This beauty was one of only 4 of these built in 1931, and the first of this model that year.
“Magically smooth, uncommonly capable, quiet, powerful,” was how Cadillac described their V16 engine in 1931, and they were spot on. Towards the end of the roaring 20’s, Cadillac was striving for ways to make effortless power, matched with unparalleled luxury. While the V16 was announced after the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the release of the new Cadillac was extremely well received and nearly 3000 examples were built in the first year of production.
Released in 1930, Cadillac became the first American car manufacturer to introduce a production car with a V16 motor. In the early 1930s prestigious American car manufacturers were in a tight battle of “cylinder wars.” The likes of Packard, Franklin, Lincoln, Auburn, and Pierce Arrow all had created 12-cylinder cars by 1932. Marmon, a Cadillac competitor, thought about the idea of creating a 16-cylinder car in the late 1920s before Cadillac, but were unable to do so due to the lack of resources.
At a time when a custom coach-built body was a symbol of status and wealth, the V16 became the one of the most revered chassis. Cadillac wanted the engine to be as vibration-free as possible, and eight combustion cycles per crankshaft revolution combined with balanced internals meant that a V16 was one of the best available packages.
As early as 1926, Ex-Marmon engineer Owen Nacker designed the V16 from two straight-8 Buick units that shared a common crankcase and crankshaft. Each bank was independently operated and only shared a common, center mounted camshaft which operated the valves with pushrods. The 45 degree angle between the banks was unusually narrow to fit inside the chassis. It was named after its 452 inch cubic displacement and produced 185 bhp which was good for 100 mph. It also used a unique hydraulic valve silencing system that reduced noise and was a novel feature in its day.
Cadillac general manager Lawrence Fisher and GM’s stylist Harley Earl were largely responsible for the V16s styling. Most of the cars were bodied by Fleetwood in Pennsylvania which was later purchased and moved to Michigan by GM to keep business in-house. The customer could choose between 70 or so available bodies that were elaborately finished and all highly individualized in detail. If that wasn’t enough, Cadillac could also provide a bare chassis to be fitted by the independent styling house of the customer’s choice.
Despite difficult times, and a price tag higher than any previous Cadillac, the V16 was ordered in huge numbers throughout 1930. GM paraded six cars for European tour and the cars received acclaim by both the press and public. Production reached 2000 examples by June, but by the end of the year, the economic depression nearly halted sales.
During an eleven year production, 4076 V16s were constructed in several series.
After the initial flourish in 1930, production grinded away for ten years with only fifty units made per year. Later, Cadillac reverted to their V12 unit but only after the V16 had made its lasting mark. In the end, Cadillac lost money on every car sold, but it was worth the cost of propelling the marque as a whole. It was estimated the V16 cost Cadillac 54 million dollars.
Double click on image to enlarge for details.
AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!
1931 Caddy V-16
1931 Cadillac Model 452 (for the total cubic inches) Fleetwood Convertible Coupe. This beauty was one of only 4 of these built in 1931, and the first of this model that year.
“Magically smooth, uncommonly capable, quiet, powerful,” was how Cadillac described their V16 engine in 1931, and they were spot on. Towards the end of the roaring 20’s, Cadillac was striving for ways to make effortless power, matched with unparalleled luxury. While the V16 was announced after the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the release of the new Cadillac was extremely well received and nearly 3000 examples were built in the first year of production.
Released in 1930, Cadillac became the first American car manufacturer to introduce a production car with a V16 motor. In the early 1930s prestigious American car manufacturers were in a tight battle of “cylinder wars.” The likes of Packard, Franklin, Lincoln, Auburn, and Pierce Arrow all had created 12-cylinder cars by 1932. Marmon, a Cadillac competitor, thought about the idea of creating a 16-cylinder car in the late 1920s before Cadillac, but were unable to do so due to the lack of resources.
At a time when a custom coach-built body was a symbol of status and wealth, the V16 became the one of the most revered chassis. Cadillac wanted the engine to be as vibration-free as possible, and eight combustion cycles per crankshaft revolution combined with balanced internals meant that a V16 was one of the best available packages.
As early as 1926, Ex-Marmon engineer Owen Nacker designed the V16 from two straight-8 Buick units that shared a common crankcase and crankshaft. Each bank was independently operated and only shared a common, center mounted camshaft which operated the valves with pushrods. The 45 degree angle between the banks was unusually narrow to fit inside the chassis. It was named after its 452 inch cubic displacement and produced 185 bhp which was good for 100 mph. It also used a unique hydraulic valve silencing system that reduced noise and was a novel feature in its day.
Cadillac general manager Lawrence Fisher and GM’s stylist Harley Earl were largely responsible for the V16s styling. Most of the cars were bodied by Fleetwood in Pennsylvania which was later purchased and moved to Michigan by GM to keep business in-house. The customer could choose between 70 or so available bodies that were elaborately finished and all highly individualized in detail. If that wasn’t enough, Cadillac could also provide a bare chassis to be fitted by the independent styling house of the customer’s choice.
Despite difficult times, and a price tag higher than any previous Cadillac, the V16 was ordered in huge numbers throughout 1930. GM paraded six cars for European tour and the cars received acclaim by both the press and public. Production reached 2000 examples by June, but by the end of the year, the economic depression nearly halted sales.
During an eleven year production, 4076 V16s were constructed in several series.
After the initial flourish in 1930, production grinded away for ten years with only fifty units made per year. Later, Cadillac reverted to their V12 unit but only after the V16 had made its lasting mark. In the end, Cadillac lost money on every car sold, but it was worth the cost of propelling the marque as a whole. It was estimated the V16 cost Cadillac 54 million dollars.
Double click on image to enlarge for details.
AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!