Cadillac Models & History 1931
Threemodels were offered for 1931: a series 355-A with eight cylinders, a series 370-A with twelve cylinders, and a continuation of the 1930-31 series 452 and 452-A V-16.
MODEL 355-A
1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
The 355-A, eight cylinder, was similar to the Series 353 of 1930 except the body was longer and lower. The hood was also longer with five hood ports or rectangular doors. The cowls had matching doors. the coach sill was modified and there were no compartments in the splash pan. The battery and tool compartments were located under the front seat. The floor boards were metal. The instrument panel was oval with the same grouping as the Series 353. It also featured a radiator screen, single bar bumper, and dual horns. The headlight diameter was reduced one inch.
1931 Cadillac
The frame was new with divergent side rails. The rear springs were mounted directly under the frame rails. There were metal covers on the springs. The radiator was mounted lower in the frame. The cooling system contained a condenser tank.
The engine displacement was the same as the Series 353, but the series designation on the V-8 models no longer matched the displacement. The V-8 now had a five point engine suspension similar to the V-16. An intake muffler was added. The distributor was 38mm higher than on the 345. The fan was mounted lower to match the lower mounted radiator.
I. D. DATA
- Serial numbers were not used.
- The engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right hand side.
- It started with 800001 and ended with 810717.
STYLE
| FISHER | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Doors | Type | Passengers | Price | Weight |
| 31252 | 4 | Town sedan | 5 | $2845 | 2125 kg |
| 31258 | 2 | Coupe | 2/4 | $2695 | 2036 kg |
| 31259 | 4 | Sedan | 5 | $2795 | 2118 kg |
| 31262 | 4 | Sedan | 7 | $2945 | 2164 kg |
| 31263 | 4 | Imperial sedan | 7 | $3095 | 2198 kg |
| 31272 | 2 | Coupe | 5 | $2795 | 2045 kg |
1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
STYLE
| FLEETWOOD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Doors | Type | Passengers | Price | Weight |
| 4502 | 2 | Roadster | 2/4 | $2845 | 2023 kg |
| 4503 | 4 | Sedan | 7 | ||
| 4535 | 2 | Convertible Coupe | 2/4 | $2945 | 2023 kg |
| 4550 | 4 | Transformable Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
| 4557 | 4 | Transformable | 7 | $3195 | |
| 4560 | 4 | Phaeton | 4/5 | $2945 | 1998 kg |
| 4580 | 4 | All weather phaeton | 5 | $3795 | 2130 kg |
1931 Cadillac
ENGINE
| Type | 90 degree L-head – eight cylinder |
| Material | Cast iron on aluminum crankcase |
| Bore and stroke | 85.7mm x 125.4mm |
| Displacement | 5.793 Liter |
| Compression ratio | 5.35:1 (opt 5.26:1) |
| Brake horsepower | 95 plus @ 3000 rpm |
| Taxable horsepower | 36.45 |
| Main bearings | 3 |
| Valve lifters | mechanical |
| Carburetor | Cadillac and Johnson, with intake silencer |
CHASSIS
| Feature | Series 355-A | Series 355-A Commercial Chassis |
| Wheelbase | 3404mm | 3861mm |
| Overall length | 5156mm | |
| Height | 1842MM | |
| Front tread | 1454mm | |
| Rear tread | 1511mm | |
| Tires (std) | 6.50 x 19 | |
| Tires (opt) | 7.00 x 18 |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Selective, synchro |
| Speeds | 3 forward, 1 reverse |
| Controls | left-hand drive with center controls (right-hand optional) |
| Clutch | Twin disc |
| Drive | Shaft drive with torque tube |
| Rear axle | 3/4 floating rear axle |
| Rear drive | spiral bevel drive |
| Overall ratio | std 4.75:1, opt 4.07:1, 4.54:1 |
| Brakes | Mechanical on four wheels |
| Wheels (std) | Wood artillery |
| Wheels (opt) | Wire, disc, or demountable wood |
| Wheel size (std) | 19″ |
| Wheel size (opt) | 18″ |
OPTIONS
| Trunks | $100 – 119 |
| Tonneau Windshield | $185 |
| Wind wings | $25 – 47.50 |
| Tire covers | $5.00 – 40.00 |
| Mirrors | $10 – 32 / pair |
| Radio | price on application |
| Heater | $41 – 55 |
| Auxiliary lights | $37.50 – 75.00 |
| Seat covers | $26.75 – 73.50 |
| Heron or Goddess | $20.00 |
| 5 wire wheels | $70 |
| 6 wire wheels with fender wells and trunk rack | $240 |
| 5 demountable wood wheels | $50 |
| 6 demountable wood wheels with wells and rack | $230 |
| 4 natural wood wheels | $10 |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1931 Cadillac Notes
- The V-8 was introduced August 1930.
- Model year sales of V-8: 10,717.
- Model year production of V-8: 10,709.
- The V-12 model was introduced in October 1930.
- The V-12 roadster was used as a pace car in Indy.
- Model year production of V-12s was 5725.
- The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.
- Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
- J. C. Chick was general sales manager
1931 Automotive Notes
- Industry production dropped another million to 2,038,183 cars and 434,176 trucks
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
- Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
- Chrysler introduces its first 8-cyl engine
- Last year for Oakland, but Pontiac continues
- Studebaker started “free-wheeling” but now it is offered by Auburn, Chrysler, DeSoto, DeVaux, Dodge, Essex, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, Lincoln, Marmon, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, and Willys
- Startix (a device to restart a stalled engine) is offered on several makes
- Oldsmobile first to adopt “Synchro-Mesh” transmission
- Packard and others offer shock-absorber adjustments from the dashboard
- Last year for the Ford Model A
- B. B. Ellerbeck patents a retractable hardtop convertible
- Top model year production for 1931
Chevrolet (wb 108 in)619,554 AE Independence roadster2,939 AE Independence sport roadster24,050 AE Independence DeLuxe phaeton852 AE Independence Coupe 2 pass 3 window57,741 AE Independence Sport Coupe66,029 AE Independence Coupe 2 pass 5 window28,379 AE Independence Coach228,316 AE Independence Sedan52,465 AE Independence Special Sedan109,775 AE Independence Coupe 5 pass20,297 AE Independence Cab23,077 AE Independence Conv sedan5,634 Ford615,455 Roadster122,703 Phaeton122,703 Standard coupe122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 R122,703 Buick138,965 Series 5052,577 Series 6041,999 Series 8018,348 Series 9026,041 Plymouth106,986 Studebaker96,173 Pontiac84,708 Willys65,800 Chrysler65,500 CM6 New Six (wb 116)38,817 CD8 New Eight (wb 124)14,355 DeLuxe Eight (wb 124)9,100 CG Imperial (wb 145)3,228 Dodge52,364 DC Eight (wb 114)4,268 DD New Six (wb 109)12,854 DG Eight (wb 118.5)9,520 DH Six (wb 114)20,558 Essex47,418 Oldsmobile47,277 Nash37,386 Auburn36,148 DeSoto32,580 Model CF Eight (wb 114)550 Model CK Finer Six (wb 109)4,757 Model SA Six (wb 109)28,356 Model CF Eight 2nd Series (wb 114)4,224 Graham28,428 Hudson22,246 Hupmobile17,451 Packard15,450 Cadillac15,196 353 Eight10,709 370 Twelve (1930-31)See 1930 figures Sixteen (1930-31)See 1930 figures Oakland13,408 Whippet13,400 LaSalle10,095 Reo6,762 Marmon5,687 Pierce-Arrow4,500 Lincoln3,556 Franklin2,851 Cord1,433 American Austin (wb 75 in.)1,279
Keyword: Cadillac History 1931