Marque: Cadillac - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
Cadillac
Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer founded a manufacturing company in the 1890s, producing automobile engines, chassis components and forgings, out of which the Cadillac Motor Company was born in 1902, from the remnants of the Detroit Automobile Company that was liquidated in 1900, following chief engineer Henry Ford’s departure to set up his Ford Motor Company. The name Cadillac was used after…
Cadillac 1953 Series 62
PRICE: £25,000 - £45,000
The early 1950s saw Cadillac firmly establish itself in the top slot of being America’s premier luxury car maker. The 1953 Eldorado sold for a a wallet emptying $7,750, but it was the car that everybody wanted to be seen driving, everyone aspired to own one,, from film stars to the President. It was so hugely expensive, that only 500 were purchased in the fi rst year.
The front grille and brightwork was truly enormous, incorporating the Dagmars atop the bumper, and an another feature was the headlamps with their endearing chrome eyebrows. Power was from the 331ci engine rated at 210bhp, coupled to a hydramatic automatic transmission. The running gear was independent coil spring with tubular dampers at the front, and to the rear, a live axle, leaf springs, and tubular dampers. Naturally there was a full complement of deluxe accessories.
Cadillac 1949 Series 62 Sedanette
PRICE: £10,000 - £25,000
Penned by Harley Earl and Julio Andrade at General Motors styling studios, the Sedanette, also referred to as the Club Coupe, with its distinctive fastback bodywork cut a seriously impressive dash in the late 1940s. While imitation maybe the greatest form of fl attery, the Bentley R-Type of 1952 has an uncanny resemblance to that of the Sedanette! It was one of the great post-war American designs that utilised the new John F. Gordon developed 331ci V8 engine, still cast iron like the previous L-head, but it was 200lbs lighter, 10hp more powerful, with better torque, performance and fuel consumption.
This model exuded quality from its streamlined Art Deco Goddess bonnet ornament, to the top quality trimmed leather interior and rich carpets. A novel feature was the fuel fi ller cap that was hidden under the one of the tailights that fl ipped up to gain access. It was also the infancy of the tailfi ns that rapidly grew almost out of control by 1959!
