Cadillac History 1930

Cadillac Models & History 1930

Thestory of the 1930 Cadillac has to be divided into two sections: the 1930 series 353 eight cylinder model and the 1930-31 series 452 and 452-A V-16.

The Cadillac series 353 eight cylinder was an extension of the series 341-B of 1929 with a few changes. The Fisher body (called “Fisher Custom”) was reduced to seven closed bodies including the Convertible Coupe. The Fleetwood body (called “Fleetwood Special Custom”) consolidated its offerings into eleven basic bodies with many variations.

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1930 Cadillac

The louvers carried well into the front of the hood. The Fleetwood Roadster had louvers in the sides of the cowl. There was a wider radiator and larger headlights (305mm lens and 330mm overall). The windshield sloped a few degrees instead of being upright. The visor was a short cadet type. A valance was featured across the rear of the car which covered the fuel tank and frame and joined with the rear fenders. The rear tread was wider and the rear cushions were made 102mm wider. Except for a few bodies, all were prewired for a radio with an aerial built into the top.

The chassis no longer had ball and socket spring shackles. The front tread increased from 1422mm to 1499mm. The rear tread increased from 1473mm to 1511mm. The third rear shoe for emergency was dropped. Instead, a lever operated the rear service brake shoes. The exhaust tail pipe end was fan shaped. Demountable wood wheels were offered as an extra cost option. All cars had a 3/4 floating rear axle.

The bore of the engine was increased 1.6mm. A reduction type starter was also used. The fan was lubricated by the engine oil return pressure. A cover was installed over the spark plugs. A new distributor had wires coming out the rear into a single conduit.

There were no serial numbers on the 1930 Cadillac Series 353. Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right hand side. The starting number was 500001 and ended 511005.

STYLE

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1930 Cadillac Notes

• The V-8 was introduced September, 1929.
• The V-16 was introduced January 1930
• Innovations: Radio available.
• Most bodies prewired for radio, with aerial built into top.
• Engines have automatic hydraulic tappet clearance adjustment to reduce maintenance.
• Model year sales for V-8s: 11,005.
• Model year production of V-16: 3250
• Although a token number (approximately one percent) of the V-16 chassis were sold to domestic and foreign coachbuilders, all body styles advertised by Cadillac were “Catalog Customs” by Fleetwood. The customer was able to order limited variations in the “Catalog Customs” or order a full-custom creation.
• It is remarkable that Fleetwood was able to turn out four to five hundred bodies per month at a time when activities at the Pennsylvania shop were being phased out and “production” at a new location in Detroit was being set up.
• Through the Fall of 1930, dealers were required to furnish the factory with weekly and monthly owner reaction and service reports on each V-16 delivered.
• Lawrence P. Fisher was president
• Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
• H. M. Stephens was general sales manager until September
• J. C. Chick was general sales manager from September

1930 Automotive Notes

• Industry production dropped over a million to 2,910,187 cars and 599,991 trucks
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
• Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
• GM cars have a tilted windshield
• Oakland stops using a 6-cylinder in favor of an unreliable V-8
• Studebaker begins using “free-wheeling”
• American Austin Car Company builds British Austins
• Cadillac, LaSalle, Chrysler, Dodge, Marmon, and Roosevelt cars are wired for radio installation
• Chrysler reduces the amount of wood in its frames
• Harry C. Stutz (1876-1930) dies
• Lionel M. Woolson (1888-1930) dies (Designer of the Packard Diesel Engine)
• Nash introduces a Twin-Ignition Eight
• Top model year production for 1930

Ford Model A (wb 103.5)1,140,710 Business coupe110 Cabriolet29,226 DeLuxe Coupe29,777 DeLuxe Phaeton4,635 DeLuxe roadster11,629 DeLuxe Sedan13,710 Fordor sedan7,838 Phaeton39,886 Roadster122,703 Sport coupe72,572 Standard coupe232,564 Standard sedan59,958 Town Car96 Town sedan122,534 Tudor sedan425,124 Victoria6,447 Wagon3,799 Chevrolet (wb 107 in.)640,980 AD Universal Club sedan24,888 AD Universal Coach255,027 AD Universal Coupe rumble seat9,211 AD Universal Coupe100,373 AD Universal Phaeton1,713 AD Universal Roadster5,684 AD Universal Sedan135,193 AD Universal Special sedan35,929 AD Universal Sport Coupe45,311 AD Universal Sport Roadster27,651 Buick181,743 Series 4078,131 Series 5025,414 Series 6031,191 Studebaker123,216 53 Six (wb 114)22,371 FC Dictator Eight (wb 115)16,359 FD Commander Eight (wb 120)24,639 FH President Eight (wb 125)17,527 GJ Commander Six (wb 120)16,019 GL Dictator Six (wb 115)17,561 Dodge90,755 DA Six (wb 112 in.)15,000 DB Six Senior (wb 120 in.)7,000 DC Eight (wb 114 in.)19,993 DD New Six (wb 109)29,651 Chrysler77,881 Imperial (wb 136 in.)615 Model 66 (wb 112.8 in.)12,606 Model 70 (wb 116.5 in.)18,733 Model 77 (wb 124 in.)16,688 Model C6 (wb 109 in.)28,503 Plymouth76,950 Essex68,593 Nash63,265 450 Single Six (wb 114.3 in.)33,118 480 Twin Ignition Six (wb 118 in. or 128.3 in.)17,346 490 Twin Ignition Eight (wb 124 in. or 133 in.)12,801 Pontiac62,888 Oldsmobile49,395 Export Production214 F-30 DeLuxe Six (wb 113.5)9,649 F-30 Special Six (wb 113.5)6,404 F-30 Standard Six (wb 113.5)33,128 Hudson36,674 Packard36,334 726 Eight (wb 127.5)15,731 733 Eight (wb 134.5)12,531 734 Speedster Eight (wb 134)113 740 Custom Eight (wb 140.5)6200 745 DeLuxe Eight (wb 145.5)1,789 Graham33,560 Custom Eight (wb 127 in. or 137 in.)575 Special Eight (wb 122 in. or 134 in.)2,025 Special Six (wb 115 in.)2,600 Standard Eight (wb 122 in. or 134 in.)925 Standard Six (wb 115 in.)18,000 DeSoto32,091 Model K Six (wb 109 in.)See 1931 Model CF Eight (wb 114 in.)19,525 Model CK Finer Six (wb 109 in.)7,443 Whippet30,000 Willys29,650 98B Six (wb 110 in.)7,579 8-80 Eight (wb 120 in.)1,901 87-Knight (wb 112.5 in. or 115 in.)3,627 70B-Knight (wb 112.5 in. or 115 in.)10,723 66B-Knight (wb 120)5,820 Hupmobile22,183 Oakland21,943 Cadillac17,117 353 Eight11,005 370 Twelve (1930-31)5,725 Sixteen (1930-31)3,250 Series 4100295 Series 4200326 Series 43002,547 Misc. Fisher35 Misc. Fleetwood53 Rockne16,150 LaSalle14,986 Auburn14,380 685 Six (wb 120 in)3,984 895 Eight (wb 125 in)5,738 125 Custom Eight (wb 130 in)4,658 Reo11,450 Model C Master Flying Cloud (wb 121)N/A Model B-2 Flying Cloud (wb 115)N/A Model 20 Flying Cloud (wb 120)2,189 Model 25 Flying Cloud (wb 124)2,128 Model 15 Flying Cloud (wb 115)1,789 American Austin (wb 75 in.)8,558 Pierce-Arrow6,795 Model A (wb 144 in.)335 Model B (wb 134 in. or 139 in.)1,338 Model C (wb 132 in.)1,082 Franklin5,744 Marmon4,681 Big Eight (wb 136)903 Model 79 (wb 120)1,122 Model 69 (wb 114)1,833 Lincoln3,212 Cord (wb 137.5 in.)1,700 Viking1,390 Stutz649

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