Cadillac Models & History 1909
CADILLAC – MODEL “THIRTY”
1909 Cadillac Model Thirty
Afteran inauspicious trial in the luxury car field, and recognizing the disappearing market for the single cylinder cars which made their reputation, Cadillac settled down with a design which had originated in 1906 (the 1907-1908 Model G). With in-house mass production of a single line, Cadillac was able to offer a high quality automobile at a moderate price: $1400 for the Model “Thirty” as compared to $2000 for the Model G.
Cadillac offered three models: 2-door Touring 5-passenger; 2-door Demi-Tonneau 4-passenger; and Roadster 3-passenger. The “Thirty” differed from the Model G as follows:
Bodies
- No closed bodies were offered.
- A detachable tonneau was once again available.
- It also had steel doors and cowl on the roadster and Demi-tonneau.
- Flared, twisted front fenders replaced the bulky flat fenders with filler between the fender and frame.
- Full running boards and running board dust shields were available on all bodies.
- There were no louvers in the hood.
- The bodies were finished (painted) by Cadillac
Chassis
- 3/4 platform rear spring system.
- Single dropped frame.
- Wheelbase lengthened to 2692mm
- In mid-year, brake drum diameter was increased to 304.8mm
Drive line
- Transmission refined and mounted at three points to frame cross members rather than at the four points to frame side rails.
- Universal joint was housed in the ball joint at rear of the transmission.
- Rear axle with bevel gear differential made by American Ball Bearing
- Engine
- Drive for water pump (gear type) and oiler changed from external belt to internal gears.
- Gear driven accessory shaft allows for optional magneto.
- Speed governor no longer used.
I. D. DATA
1909 Cadillac Thirty
1909 Cadillac Thirty
- Serial numbers were located on a plate on the rear of the body or on the dash (with the engine number)
- Engine numbers were stamped on top surface of crankcase — in front of and to the left of the number one (front) cylinder.
- Range: 32002 – 37904.
ENGINE
| Engine Type | Vertical in-line, L-head. |
| Number of cylinders | Four cylinders |
| Block | Individual cast iron cylinder, copper water jacket |
| Bore & stroke | 101.6mm x 114.3mm |
| Displacement | 3.708 Liters |
| Brake horsepower | 30 A.L.A.M.; 25.6 Advertised H.P. |
| Main bearings | Five main bearings |
| Valve train | Mechanical push rod roller cam followers |
| Carburetor | Float feed carburetor made by Cadillac. |
CHASSIS
| Wheelbase | 2692mm |
| Front/Rear Tread | 1422mm |
| Optional Front/Rear Tread | 1549mm |
| Tires | 32 x 3-1/2 |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Selective sliding gear transmission |
| Speeds | 3 Forward/1 Reverse |
| Controls | Right hand drive, controls to right |
| Clutch | Leather faced cone clutch |
| Drive | Shaft drive |
| Rear drive | Plain live rear axle, bevel drive; bevel gear differential |
| Overall ratio | Touring and Demi-Tonneau = 3.50:1; Roadster=3.00:1 |
| Optional Final drive ratios | 3.00:1, 3.50:1, 4.00:1 |
| Brakes | Mechanical brakes on two wheels — service/foot/contracting — emergency/lever/expanding |
| Wheels | Wood artillery wheels, 10 & 12 spoke, quick detachable rims |
| Wheel rim size | 25 in |
OPTIONS
| Seat covers | $45 – $75 |
| “Rubber,” mohair, or leather tops | $55 – $125 |
| Bosch, Dow, Eisenbann, or Splitdorf magnetos | $100 – $126 |
| Rushmore style B headlamps with Rushmore No. 1 generator | $46.50 |
| With Prest-o-lite style B tank | $59.50 |
| Mezger windshield | $50 |
| Gabriel horns, style 1, 2, 3, 4 | $15 – $35 |
| Stewart & Clark speedometer | $15 – $40 |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1909 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced December 1908.
- Model year sales and production: 5903.
- Henry M. Leland was president and general manager
- Frank Johnson was chief engineer
- On July 29, 1909, Cadillac Motor Car Co. became a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Co., and Henry Leland became president and general manager of Cadillac Motor Car Co.
1909 Automotive Notes
- Industry output 123,900 cars and 3255 trucks (double the production of 1908)
- U.S. District Court confirms Selden’s patent saying that Ford has infringed on it
- Cadillac and Oakland join GM
- William M. Eaton was president of GM
- Hupmobile puts the transmission and multiple-disc clutch integral with the engine
- The Hudson Motor Car Company is formed
- Ford can’t keep up with Model T demand
- Packard introduces a smaller, less expensive Model Eighteen 4-cylinder
- Louis Chevrolet begins work on a 6-cylinder car
- Top model year production for 1909
Ford17,771 Buick14,606 Maxwell9460 Studebaker & EMF7960 Cadillac7868 Reo6592 Oldsmobile6575 Willys-Overland4907 Oakland1035
Keyword: Cadillac 1909