Cadillac 1904

Cadillac Models & History 1904

Model A And B

In1904, Cadillac offered two models. The Model A was a continuation of the 1903. It had a delivery body with detachable top. Horsepower increased to 8.25. Clincher tires became standard equipment. An optional 60 inch tread was available. A pressure fed multiple oiler was introduced.

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1904 Cadillac runabout with tonneau

The Model B was the same as the Model A except the chassis had a pressed steel frame and axles. It featured front axle girder style (which was not available in the wide tread option) and single transverse half-elliptic front spring. Cranking (counterclockwise) was only on the left side; but a decompression device was provided to facilitate cranking. A safety device was introduced to prevent the crank from being inserted when the spark control lever was in the advanced position. Horsepower rating increased to 8.25; but this was more an issue of confidence in the engine rather than any engine design changes.

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1904 Cadillac Model B

The body of the Model B was an inverted box rather than the sloping, curved dash. The radiator was vertical and below frame instead of the front mounted sloping unit on the Model A. A joint in body at dash allowed the body to be slid off without lifting. A surrey body style was added with a side entrance detachable tonneau. The delivery top was no longer detachable. The weight of all body styles was reduced by as much as 70 pounds. Prices increased $50. When the street was muddy, cars with rear entrance tonneau were backed in perpendicular to the sidewalk so passengers did not have to walk in the mud. The side entrance surrey ended this inconvenience.

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1904 Cadillac Model B

Once again serial numbers were not used for Model A or B. The engine numbers were stamped two places on crankcase: top, right edge of cylinder flange, near the water outlet; and right, front face, just below top cover. The blank spaces on patent plate was for additional patent dates, not engine number. Model A engine numbers ranged from 3500 to 4018. Model B numbers were 2500 to 3500.

MODEL A IDENTIFICATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Engine

Chassis

Drivetrain

Note:

• The transmission had two forward speeds (3:1 and 1:1) and one reverse with a disc clutch and chain drive.
• The overall ratio was between 3.1:1 and 5:1 depending on the combination of the size of the sprockets.
• The drive sprocket had 9 or 10 teeth and the driven sprocket had 31, 34, 38, 41, or 45 teeth.
  

  	9-T Drive sprocket	10-T Drive sprocket
  31-T Driven sprocket	3.44:1	3.10:1
  34-T Driven sprocket	3.78:1	3.40:1
  38-T Driven sprocket	4.22:1	3.80:1
  41-T Driven sprocket	4.56:1	4.10:1
  45-T Driven sprocket	5.00:1	4.50:1

• The lower ratios were used on the runabouts used on smooth, level roads; but the higher ratios were used on hilly roads and for delivery vehicles.
• Owners were instructed how to change the sprockets, but it involved the disassembly of the transmission and rear axle — hardly a job for the average motorist.

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MODEL B IDENTIFICATION & SPECIFICATIONS

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1904 Cadillac Model B runabout

Engine

Chassis (Model B)

Chassis (Model B Delivery)

Drivetrain

Note:

• The transmission had two forward speeds (3:1 and 1:1) and one reverse with a disc clutch and chain drive.
• The overall ratio was between 3.1:1 and 5:1 depending on the combination of the size of the sprockets.
• The drive sprocket had 9 or 10 teeth and the driven sprocket had 31, 34, 38, 41, or 45 teeth.
  

  	9-T Drive sprocket	10-T Drive sprocket
  31-T Driven sprocket	3.44:1	3.10:1
  34-T Driven sprocket	3.78:1	3.40:1
  38-T Driven sprocket	4.22:1	3.80:1
  41-T Driven sprocket	4.56:1	4.10:1
  45-T Driven sprocket	5.00:1	4.50:1

• The lower ratios were used on the runabouts used on smooth, level roads; but the higher ratios were used on hilly roads and for delivery vehicles.
• Owners were instructed how to change the sprockets, but it involved the disassembly of the transmission and rear axle — hardly a job for the average motorist.

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HISTORICAL NOTES

Cadillac Notes

• The Model B was introduced in January, 1904.
• Production of both Model A and B by model was 2418, by calendar year was 2457
• Lemuel W. Bowen was the president of Cadillac
• William E. Metzger was the sales manager
• Frank Johnson was chief engineer until 1914
• The factory burned in the Spring of 1904, reducing capacity to almost nothing for 45 days.
• Deposits on 1500 orders were returned to prospective customers.
• However, the volume of sales still exceeded those of any other make in the country.

1904 Automotive Notes

• In 1904 there were 22,130 automobiles and 700 trucks of various brands built in the U.S. (about double the number of 1903)
• Autocar and other makes feature automatic lubrication
• Some cars had fans to cool water pipes
• Buick sells their first cars: 2-cyl, valve-in-head engine mounted under the floor with a planetary transmission
• Sturtevant cars had air brakes and automatic transmission using a centrifugal clutch with high and low range
• Studebaker also sells gasoline engined cars
• Ransom E. Olds sells his interest in Olds Motor Words, then organizes the Reo Motor Car Company using his initials for the name
• Maxwell cars begin production
• Marmon cars begin with a V-4 engine
• Ford introduces its Model B
• Packard abandons the single cylinder in favor of the four cylinder cars
• The National Association of Retail Automobile Dealers is established
• Pope-Hartford comes under criticism for including lamps as standard equipment
• The Prest-O-Lite Company is formed to develop safe acetylene gas headlights
• The Hartford Shock Absorber company introduces the shock absorber
• Henry Ford drives his “Arrow” racer to a world-record 147 km/h (91.37 mph)
• A week later William K. Vanderbilt races his Mercedes to 148.5 km/h (92.307 mph)
• Top model year production for 1904

Oldsmobile5,508 Cadillac2,457 Rambler2,342 Ford1,695 White710 Stanley550 Franklin400 Packard250

Keyword: Cadillac 1904