Cadillac History 1928

Cadillac Models & History 1928

SERIES 341-A

1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan owned by Al Capone

Body

• General Motors now owned 100% of Fisher and had purchased Fleetwood and made it a division of Fisher.
• Practically all of Fleetwood’s output was now on Cadillac/LaSalle chassis, and most Cadillac/LaSalle catalog or full customs were by Fleetwood.
• By using several variations and combinations of treatment above the belt line on a few basic body shells, Fleetwood was able to satisfy most customers’ special desires and still offer short delivery (3-7 weeks).
• For the few who wanted something truly unique, Fleetwood produced full customs to order (4 months delivery).
• The Fisher and Fisher “Custom” lines were merged.
• The Victoria was dropped.
• The two door Brougham was replaced by the four door Town Sedan.
• Funeral Coaches, Ambulances, and a combination of the two were offered on the new 3861mm wheelbase chassis; bodies by Superior.
• All passenger car bodies were on a 3556mm chassis.
• The longer wheelbase and underslung rear springs allowed for long, low-slung body lines.
• The deep, narrow, cellular radiator slung low in the frame and the slatted metal cover sweeping down over the fuel tank contributed to this effect, but the kick panels under the doors detracted somewhat.
• Massive 300mm bullet type headlights were mounted on a crossbar between the fenders.
• A monogram rod was attached between the headlights and nickeled wire-conduit stanchions were placed between headlights and frame.
• Matching sidelights were mounted on the cowl.
• Dual ball-shaped rear lights were fender mounted.
• The top of the hood and radiator shell were flattened and thirty narrow louvers were set toward the rear of the side panels.
• Dual ventilator doors were in the top of the cowl on open cars and in the sides on closed cars.
• The wind split on the lights was also featured in panels and moldings on the hood and cowl.
• An extra wide single belt molding blended into the cowl and hood, as well as the pillars.
• The monogram panel on four door open bodies was back to rear-doors-only.
• Fleetwood bodies featured a molding sweeping down and forward on the sides of the cowl, except on the transformables, which had a bold molding sweeping up the cowl and forward across the top of the hood.
• Other body details included 89mm wider rear compartment (rear tread had been increased by 51mm), adjustable front seats on all but Imperials, and bumpers as standard equipment on all cars.

Chassis

1928 Cadillac Victoria

• Front brake drums increased from 406mm to 432mm in midyear.
• Rear springs under-slung.
• Fuel tank filler neck extended outside frame side rail.
• Hydraulic shock absorbers.
• Rear tread increased to 1473mm

Drive line:

• New twin disc clutch, cast iron transmission housing, torque tube drive.

Engine

• New bore and stroke dimensions of 84mm x 125mm were the first change for the Cadillac V-8 since the Type 51.
• The transition which had started with the final version of the Series 314 engine was now complete; the 341 Cadillac engine and the 303 LaSalle engine were practically identical in configuration.
• The 341 now had offset blocks, side by side connecting rods, single exhaust system, horizontal starter along right side of transmission, oil filter mounted on engine, oil level indicator behind right hand block, manifold vacuum plus vacuum pump operating fuel feed system and windshield wipers.
• Aside from differences due to displacement and power, the only noticeable difference was the enameled heat deflector over the Cadillac carburetor.

I.D. DATA

• There were no serial numbers used.
• Engine numbers were stamped on plate on front of dash and on crankcase just below the water inlet on the right side.
• Starting: 300001. Ending: 320001.

STYLE

Note: The following body styles are listed as Fleetwood 341, 341-A, 341-B, but are unconfirmed. All are on 3556 mm wheelbase except as noted. Included must be full customs and one-off variations of catalog customs.

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1928 Cadillac Notes

• Introduced: September, 1927.
• Cadillac introduces synchromesh transmission
• Cadillac features safety glass all around
• Model year sales: 20001.
• Model year production: 20001.
• Lawrence P. Fisher was president
• Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
• H. M. Stephens was general sales manager

1928 Automotive Notes

• Industry production increases to 3,775,417 cars and 583,342 trucks
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
• Pierre S. du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
• The new Ford Model A has conventional 3-speed gearbox, 40 bhp, L-head 4-cyl, 4-wheel brakes, shatterproof glass
• Chrysler Corporation introduces the Plymouth and DeSoto
• Chrysler Corporation absorbs Dodge Brothers and put K. T. Keller as president of Dodge
• Car radios becoming more common
• Studebaker controls Pierce-Arrow
• Studebaker replaces the vacuum fuel tank with a mechanical fuel pump
• James Ward Packard dies
• Top model year production for 1928

Chevrolet745,390 Ford607,592 Chrysler Corp360,399 Willys-Overland/Whippet315,000 Hudson/Essex282,203 Pontiac/Oakland244,584 Buick221,758 Chrysler160,670 Nash138,137 Cadillac/LaSalle41,172

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