Cadillac History 1934

Cadillac Models & History 1934

8-CYLINDER 355-D

The1934 Cadillacs were completely restyled and mounted on an entirely new chassis, but used the same basic engines as in 1933.

Bodies

• Bodies on the Series 10 and 20 cars were built by Fisher.
• Bodies on the V-8 Fleetwood Series were shared with the twelves and sixteens.
• Styling emphasized streamlining including concealment of all chassis features except the wheels
• Body construction was improved for better insulation against engine heat and reduction of engine, road, and wind noise.
• Bumpers were a stylish but ineffective biplane design, mounted against telescoping springs.
• The grill was Vee shaped and sloping, set into a painted shell.
• Although restricted use of chrome was a feature of the overall ornamentation, a chrome plated radiator shell was available as an option.
• Horns and radiator filler cap were concealed under the hood.
• Teardrop Guide Multibeam headlights were mounted on streamlined supports attached to the fenders.
• Parking lamps were mounted in the headlight supports.
• Airfoil shaped front fenders were brought low over the chassis.
• The hood sills were high, with the entire fender shape molded into the radiator shell.
• A curious horizontal crease broke the nose contour of the fenders.
• Hoods extending nearly to the windshield carried shutter type louvers in the side panel.
• Windshields were fixed and steeply sloping; 18 degrees flat on Fisher bodies, 25 degrees flat or 29-1/2 degrees Vee on Fleetwood bodies.
• Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies, two vents projecting through openings in the hood on Vee windshield bodies.
• Bodies were two inches lower than on previous models.
• Added passenger space in the front compartment was achieved by moving the hand brake lever to the left of the driver, under the instrument panel.
• On twelves and sixteens, the gearshift lever was moved forward to the clutch housing.
• Rear fenders were airfoil shaped and carried rear lights which matched the headlights.
• The gas tank filler on Fisher bodies was on the left side at the rear of the body; on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender.
• All bodies featured a beaver tail rear deck which completely covered the chassis.
• On Fleetwood bodies, the spare was concealed inside the rear deck, unless optional fender mounts were specified.

Chassis:

• Significant changes in chassis design resulted in improved riding and handling plus decreased driver fatigue.
• The new independent “knee action” front suspension with coil springs and center point steering resulted in greatly reduced unsprung weight.
• Front shocks were now an integral part of the suspension; the shock arm being the upper suspension arm.
• An inverted steering box, mounted on the outside of the frame, was used on Fleetwood bodied cars.
• Hotchkiss drive replaced the torque tube drive.
• Rear brakes were operated by pull rods and cables.
• A new frame of X design added to chassis strength and allowed for the reduction in overall vehicle height.
• A stabilizer bar to control body roll in turns was added at the rear of the chassis.
• The brake and clutch pedal assembly was relocated from transmission to frame.
• Mufflers on Fleetwood bodied cars were relocated to the outside of the frame.
• In Fisher bodies, the battery was under the front seat, on the right side.
• In the Fleetwood bodies, the battery was under the right front fender and was removed from underneath.

Engine

• Engine changes were few, but horsepower was increased.
• All engines used Lynite Aluminum pistons.
• Compression ratios were increased.
• Intake ducting to the carburetor air cleaner was extended to the radiator casing, providing cold, dense air rather than the hot air in the engine compartment.
• The combination of Aluminum pistons, cold intake air, and higher compression with improved fuels resulted in increased horsepower and engine speeds.
• Detail changes in the V-8 engine included a change to the Detroit Lubricator Carburetor, use of dual valve springs, discontinuation of the oil filter, and solenoid starter control with starter button on instrument panel.
• One V-8 engine change to be appreciated by anyone removing a cylinder head was the change from head studs to cap screws.
• The change was actually made so that the heads could be turned before lifting, so as to clear the hood shelf.
• Another change, not necessarily appreciated was the elimination of provision for hand cranking.

I. D. DATA

• Serial numbers were on top surface of frame side bar, right side, of dash.
• Same as engine number.
• Starting no.: 3100001.
• Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).
• Engine numbers were stamped on crankcase near the water inlet on the side.
• Starting engine no.: 3100001.
• Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

• Some confusion exists regarding style numbers on 1934-35 Fleetwood bodies.
• Following the previous Fleetwood system, V-8’s would be 56- or 60- styles, V-12’s would be 57- or 61- styles, and V-16’s would be 58- or 60- styles.
• This system was followed in promotional literature, in the 1934 Master Parts List, and in early factory records.
• However, since the bodies were identical for all these series, Fleetwood stamped all body plates 57- or 60-.
• Master Parts Lists after 1934 used only 57- and 60- style numbers for 1934-35 Fleetwood bodies.
• Starting in 1936, V-8 and V-12 style numbers reflected the new 1936 series designations, but V-16’s retained the 57- system. However, 60- styles were no longer offered.

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1934 Cadillac Notes

• Introduced: January, 1934.
• Model year production of V-8: 4744.
• Model year production of V-12: 683.
• Model year production of V-16: 60
• Cadillac introduces a controlled-current generator
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher to May 31, 1934.
• Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager after June 1, 1934.
• Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
• J. C. Chick was general sales manager

1934 Automotive Notes

• Industry production rises to 2,270,566 cars and 599,397 trucks
• Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
• Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
• Chrysler introduces the Airflow
• Graham introduces a supercharged engine
• LaFayette is the new offering from Nash
• Pierce-Arrow files for bankruptcy
• Last year for American Austin
• GM features “Knee-Action” independent front suspension
• Terraplane is now a separate make
• Auburn features its “Aero-Streamlined” styling
• Top model year production for 1934

Ford563,921 Chevrolet551,371 Master452,412 Standard98,959 Plymouth321,171 Dodge95,011 Pontiac78,859 Oldsmobile75,574 Buick71,009 Series 4028,893 Series 5021,850 Series 6015,352 Series 904,934 Studebaker59,864 Terraplane51,084 Chrysler36,091 Hudson27,054 Nash23,616 DeSoto13,940 Willys13,235 Graham11,430 Hupmobile9,420 Packard8,000 LaSalle7,195 Cadillac5,823 355D Eight Series 102,015 355D Eight Series 202,729 355D Eight Series 30336 370D Twelve Series 40683 452D Sixteen Series 6060 Auburn5,536 LaFayette5,000 Reo4,460 Lincoln2,431 Pierce-Arrow1,735 American Austin (wb 75 in.)1,300 Franklin504

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