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Cadillac

1915

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Unless otherwise specified all photos and illustrations are from Yann Saunders'
collection of Cadillac photos, advertisements and product catalogs,
reproduced courtesy of the Cadillac Motor Car Division and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club

The big news for 1915 was the introduction of the first production automobile powered by a V-8 motor. Introduced in September 1914, it was the object of a  7-page article by L.V. Spencer in "The Automobile", Vol. XXXI, #12 for Thursday, September 17, 1914. The title: "Eight-Cylinder Motor for 1915 - Cadillac Introduces French Motor Design - V-Type Adopted Gives Steady Torque". Much of the information in the article was taken from Cadillac's own advance leaflet entitled "The Eight Cylinder Cadillac (Type 51)".  This new "matchless mode of motoring" was said  to have been developed by the Cadillac Company for American motorists.  Previously, such luxury had been "reserved to only a few privileged persons in the Old World (at an almost prohibitive price)" [reference is made here to the bespoke, French  8-cylinder De Dion Bouton automobile].

The V-8 engine was developed by France's renowned auto maker, Count De Dion Bouton, so although it came as a distinct innovation in a stock American car, the principle was not a new one. Cadillac's new V-8 engine was actually shorter and 60 lbs lighter than the four-cylinder motor that preceded it.  Its high torque allowed speeds from 2½ to 55-60mph to be achieved in high gear.  Quick acceleration was another benefit of the new 314 cubic inch motor rated at 31.25HP (SAE); dynamometer tests produced 70HP at 2,400 rpm. Other features of the new power plant include thermostatic control of the coolant temperature, forced-feed lubrication through a gear pump at the front of the motor, a gearbox attached to the motor rather than mounted amidships, as before, and a floating rear axle with worm bevel gears replacing the former straight bevels.

A major change for 1915 was moving the steering position to the left side of the car.  Also the wheel base was increased by another 2 inches to 122".  As to styling, there were few changes, as will be seen by comparing the new models with those of 1914.  Nonetheless, two new body styles were introduced:   a "Salon" or phaeton style for 4 passengers and a "Berlin" type of fully enclosed limousine, the latter at the very top of the range.

Enclosed bodies were becoming increasingly popular with  buyers; the world was moving gradually from gasoline powered open carriages to the "automobile" we know today.  In 1915, production of these closed body types exceeded that of any other high grade auto maker in the world.  With the exception of the coupe, all body panels, window frames and roof were stamped from aluminum.   Yes, we could use that construction medium in our cars today!

 

The sales brochure for 1915 asserts  that "...as the Cadillac softly speeds along under the almost magic influence of this new power-principle, the sensation is as unique as though you had never motored before".  In the opinion of the copy writer it is "useless to try to depict in words, thrills which you have never felt or to portray a degree of ease which you have never experienced". The final stroke of this 1915 copy writing hype is nigh orgasmic: "As you sink into the soft, yielding cushions, you become enraptured in that delightful sensation of floating through space.  You revel in exceptional relaxation and ease, oblivious to the wonderful mechanism which gives you motion".  Wow! 

It may be boldly asserted that motoring times and mores have changed indeed! Compare the preceding "poetry" with the cold, bland copy prepared for the 2002 Escalade EXT: "The Escalade EXT is unmistakably a Cadillac with its sheer, chiseled forms and bold styling ... with its large, comfortable, safe, secure and versatile cab environment".

The artist's drawings below are from two factory brochures of the year, one on the enclosed car models, the other on the full line (excepting the "Berlin" limousine).

Unless you can get a peek under the hood, the only way to distinguish a 1915 Cadillac from those of 1914 is to look at the side lights, mounted close to the windshield.  In 1914 they were relatively large whereas, in 1915 the size of the housing and lens diminished considerably.

Additional information on the 1915 models and the related sales literature may be found  in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars 1913- 1921",  "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1915 - 1919"and "Dream Cars of 1902 - 1919".

Further recommended reading includes:

The "Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-2000" edited by James T. Lenzke, © 2000, published by Krause Publications, Inc., 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 [ISBN #0-87341-925-1, Library of Congress #91-61301].

 

The 1915 Model Range

 

Mechanical Details

 

 

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© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club. Inc.
[ Background image:  the new V8 engine, looking forward from the controls ]