[ last update: 03.30.2014 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1934

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year

 

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

 

A definite change of styling will be witnessed in these new models compared with those of 1933. The radiator grill took on a dashing, rearward slant; longer, bullet-shaped headlights were close to the side of the radiator, carried by the fenders on long, angled necks [thanks to Frank Peters of St. Louis, MO, for correcting my earlier text]; on the V-16 models they were affixed high on the sides of  the radiator shroud; many buyers now preferred a single  spare wheel stored in the trunk to the previously popular (and often essential) twin side-mounted spares.  Indeed, five wire wheels were standard this year; there was an extra charge for disc covers, such as shown in the illustrations below.

Like bodies on the V8 and V12 chassis looked almost identical; they were distinguished only by the split "V" windshield of the twelves, compared to the flat windshield of the eights.  There were also  "V8" or "V12" badges on the RH side of the grille and at the forward end of the hood side ventilator doors.

The 1934 models were classified into the following five groups:  (1) The Series 350 "straight-eight" La Salle models mounted on the 119" wheel base chassis, (2) the Series 355D V8 models on the 128" chassis, (3) the Series 355D V8 models on the 136" chassis, (4) the Series 370D V12 models on the 146" chassis and (5) the ultra-rare Series 452D V16 models on the gigantic 154" chassis.

Compared with today's limited model range, the choice of body styles offered by Cadillac in the thirties was quite bewildering.  In 1934, for example, Fisher offered no fewer than six styles on the short, 128" chassis and another seven on the 136" chassis. They also had an additional twelve offerings for the V12 chassis.  Fleetwood proposed another eighteen semi-custom and custom jobs on the mighty V16 chassis, though not all of them were actually built.

The Fisher cars were offered in ten standard colors.  However, if a customer agreed to later delivery, the color selection was unlimited.

The easiest way to distinguish a 1934 Cadillac is to look for the spring-mounted, two-bar ("bi-plane") front and rear bumpers. Even though these were built to recoil two inches  under (light) impact, still they turned out to be not as sturdy is the flat, single-bar type adopted again for 1935.  For that reason, many owners upgraded to the 1935 type at year's end, thus making it difficult today to distinguish between the 1934 and 1935 cars, unless you have access to the cowl tag (body tag) or to the engine serial numbers.

 

34frclp.jpg (8031 bytes)    34cvcpe.jpg (7398 bytes)

 

 

The artist's drawings below are from two separate sources:  (a)  the regular 1934 sales folder - the one whose cover features that other "Mr. Cadillac", i.e. the founder of Detroit, not the founder of The (new) Cadillac Database©, and (b) a set of individual colored folders depicting the most popular of the Fisher body styles offered on the V8 chassis (flat windshield models).

 

mrCad.JPG (9890 bytes)
Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac
founder of Detroit

 


Additional information on the 1934 models and the related sales literature may be found  in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars 1932 - 1937",  "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1930 - 1934" as well as in the section on "Dream cars of 1933 - 1936"Further recommended reading includes:

"Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-1990" edited by Mary Sieber and Ken Buttolph, © 1991, published by Krause Publications, Inc., 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 [ISBN #0-87341-174-9, Library of Congress #91-61301].

Space-permitting, some photos of surviving cars may be added here, later. 

 

P34cvcp2.JPG (9541 bytes)
Fisher convertible coupe on V8 chassis

35cvcp.jpg (10141 bytes)
This poor photo of a survivor is from a
Kruse auction catalog of the eighties

34cvcp.jpg (12441 bytes)
Two much nicer, surviving V-8 convertible coupes (above and below)

34cvcpa.jpg (11402 bytes)    34cvcpd.jpg (8647 bytes)

34cvcpb.jpg (9360 bytes)    34cvcpc.jpg (9520 bytes)

34CnvCpe.jpg (24829 bytes)

34cvcpkeya.jpg (7003 bytes)
This one, on V12 chassis, is located in France
in the Robert Keyaerts Cadillac Museum

 

"All the weather-insulation of a permanently closed car is afforded by the thoroughness of Fisher-design construction", boasts the color folder on this model. The rumble seat provided "richly cushioned comfort" for two additional passengers. Four leather selections were available for the interior as were also three different whipcords.

 

 

P34cpe2.JPG (9310 bytes)
Fisher 2-pass. coupe on V8 chassis


A lovely survivor in an almost identical color scheme

 

According to the advertising folder, the Cadillac coupe for two was greatly favored by women, by doctors and other professional men and by business men. The occasional rumble seat rider, it said also, was afforded true comfort.  Yeah, right!

 

34sd5p.jpg (11512 bytes)    34sedn2.jpg (15677 bytes)
Fisher sedan for 5 passengers on V8 chassis
A survivor is shown, right

 

 

This model was widely favored as a family car. The upholstery selection included five different patterns of whipcords and broadcloths.

 

p34tncp.JPG (12850 bytes)
Fisher town coupe for 5 passengers on V8 chassis

 

 

According to the color folder on this model it is "close kin to a fine custom creation" and "five ride in pleasant intimacy, yet with complete comfort".  Upholstery came in two broadcloth and three whipcord patterns.

 

34tnsd.jpg (13867 bytes)
Fisher town sedan for 5 passengers on V8 chassis

 

 

Many buyers chose the town sedan for its ultra-smart styling.   The large, built-in trunk was a useful complement for touring.  There were five different broadcloth or whipcord upholstery selections. The color card says that the fender wells illustrated (?) are special equipment.  In fact, as you can see, the illustration shows a 5-wheel job.  The only 1934 model shown with the optional fender wells is the convertible sedan (below).

 

P34cvsd2.JPG (10627 bytes)
Fisher convertible sedan on V8 chassis

    

    

    
This fine survivor was sold at auction in (2012)

 

 

In my opinion, this is definitely the most desirable of the 1934 body styles, as is attested by the current market prices for one of these in fine condition.  The car is shown here with the optional, side-mounted spare wheels.  "Smart and practical" according to the advertising folder, "the Cadillac convertible sedan grows more popular each year at leading clubs and other exclusive gathering places".  Upholstery was offered in four colors of leather and three patterns of whipcord.

 

34sdn.jpg (9782 bytes)
Fisher sedan and limousine style for 7 passengers on V8 chassis

 

The folder asserts that the "seating, head room and leg room - even with seven passengers - are most generous".  There is auxiliary seating for two extra passengers.  These "chairs ... are unusually wide and deeply upholstered". Upholstery was offered in five different whipcords and broadcloths.

 

P347psd4.JPG (13256 bytes)    P347psdi.JPG (4997 bytes)
Here is another view of the 7-pass. sedan and limousine style; the plush interior is shown, right

 

 

 

34tncr.jpg (8353 bytes)
This custom town car by Fleetwood
appears to be built on the V8 or V12 chassis

 

 

Details

 

P34GRL2.jpg (5503 bytes)    34rrclp.jpg (6680 bytes)
Typical front and rear clips of V8 and V12 models

34mir.jpg (6853 bytes)    34cvcpf.jpg (7369 bytes)
Left: Etched side-mount mirror
Right: chrome-plated headlight pods

34cvcpk.jpg (6918 bytes)    34cvcpl.jpg (5587 bytes)
Side-mounted spare wheels and rear luggage carrier

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image:  typical front clip of the 1934 Cadillac models ]