1932
Facts: V8 Series "355-B" [see also V12 and V16
sections] Henry M. Leland, "father" of the Cadillac, died in a Detroit hospital;
he was in his 90th year. New vacuum-operated clutch allowing "free-wheeling";
silent transmission , 2-way shock absorbers adjustable from driver's seat, 15% power
increase, restyled bodies. Articles in AI, 2.1.32, pp.10-14, and M, 1/1932,
pp.280-281, 284.
Easy ID: New, graceful fenders and running boards;
radiator grille has one center division and seven horizontal divisions (V8, 12 and 16).
All models have grille badges specifying whether V8, 12 or 16 engine. V8 has black
background, V12 is blue and V16 is red. Wheel hubs have a similar ID badge.
V16 ID: [check radiator grille badge] These models also
had a 9" longer hood than the V8 and V12 cars.
Models: Coupe, CLCA 1981, p.27 and CS11,
p.48; large Sedan, CLCA 1974, p.24; Convertible Coupe, CLCA 1974, p.27, also
SIA108, pp.16-21, 56-58; D/C Phaeton, story, CC&CC, 3/1990{***}; photo
of V8, (V12?) Convertible Sedan, SIA 67, p.18; Series 355 2-door convertible coupe
(C&D card set); V8 Town Sedan: SCC pp.55-59, also C/C 6/87; V12
5-passenger convertible Coupe (special issue CCIX, p.15); V12 sport phaeton, story
in CL 2/64, pp.42-45. V16 Styles (Fisher, 143" wheel base): (1) style
178 2-passenger Coupe ($4495) (16) [Sch16, p.92, top], (2) style 159
5-passenger Std. Sedan ($4595) (56) [Sch16, p.95, lower], (3) style 155
2-passenger Roadster ($4595) (3) [Sch16, p.95, top], (4) style 168
2-passenger convertible. Coupe ($4645) (14) [Sch16, p.92, lower]; (Fisher,
149" wheel base): (5) 5-passenger Std. Phaeton ($4695); (6) 5-passenger
Special Phaeton ($4795) [Sch16, p.93, top], (7) style 279 5-passenger Sport
Phaeton ($4945) (2) [scale model ad in C&P, date (???)] [Sch16,
pp.88-89], (8) style 273 5-passenger All-Weather Phaeton ($5195) (13) [Sch16,
p.94], (Fleetwood on 149" wheel base): (9) 5-passenger Sedan style 5130S
($5095) [Sch16, p.96, lower], (10) 5-passenger Town Coupe style 5181 ($5095)
[Sch16, p.96, center], (11) 7-passenger Sedan ($5245), (12)
7-passenger Limousine ($5445), (13) 5-passenger Town Cabriolet ($5795), (14)
7-passenger Town Cabriolet ($5945), (8) 7-passenger Limousine Brougham style 5191
($5945), (Fleetwood special order on 149" wheel base): (9) style 5125C
7-passenger Town Landaulet (1), (10) style 5125Q 7-passenger Town Car with
¼-windows (1), (11) style 5129 5-passenger Limousine (1), (12) style 5130FL
5-passenger Formal Sedan with leather roof (2), (13) style 5131 5-passenger
"Madame X" Limousine (5) [Sch16, pp.98-99], (14) style 5131S
5-passenger "Madame X" Sedan (2), (15) style 5140B 5-passenger Limousine
with cloth top (1), (16) style 5155 5-passenger "Madame X" Sedan with out
¼-windows (4), (17) style 5155C 5-passenger "Madame X" Landaulet Sedan
with folding rear quarters (1), (18) style 5156C 5-passenger Limousine Landaulet
with folding rear quarters (1), (19) style 5165 7-passenger "Madame X"
Limousine (1), (20) style 5175FL 7-passenger Formal Sedan with leather roof (1), (21)
style 5175H4 7-pass, Limousine with 4" more headroom (1), (22) style 5177
special 8-passenger Limousine on 165" wheel base with full-length roof rack and
pull-down shades on all rear windows (1)3,
(22) style 5185 5-passenger Convertible Victoria (1) [Sch16, p.96, top]. There
is one blank V16 data sheet in the factory records; quite possible this was an exhibition
engine (the one that was used in Cadillac advertising for the V16).
Engine numbers, Series 355-B, V-8:
1200001 to 1202700 [1932]
Engine numbers, Series 370-B, V-12:
1300001 to
1301740 [1932]
Engine numbers, Series 452-B, V-16:
1400001 to
1400300 [1932]
Trivia: This enticing ad
appeared in Britain's monthly The Autocar for 26.3.37: Landaulet 1932 Cadillac
double-enclosed Van den Plas Coachbuilt, forward occasionals, delightful condition £165!
by Alpe & Saunders [!], Providence Court, North Audley St. [opposite Selfridges].
I have no photos of this car, although I have quite a few of Cadillac cars with Van den
Plas bodies for 1928, 1929 and 1930.
______________________________________
3 built for wealthy Annenberg family
1933
Facts: V8 Series "355-C". Changes this year
including new skirted fenders front and rear, new wedge-shaped radiator grille, new
Fisher "No-Draft" ventilation featuring new vent windows for both front and rear
seats, new horizontal hood vents in lieu of former vertical type; wire wheels now standard
equipment. This was also the year of the World's Fair Exhibition in Chicago entitled "A
Century of Progress"; GM had a 177' high building erected for the event; featured
were an actual assembly line in operation; also on show was the prototype fastback or
aerodynamic Coupe with V16 motor. Article on new Cadillac-La Salle models in ATJ,
1/33, p.61 (611?); complete specifications on pp.75-79 {***}
Easy ID: Like 1932 except radiator grille is now Veed.
Oblong hood ports are now horizontal. Center part of bumpers form three horizontal bars.
V16 ID: full-width, 4-bar bumpers.
Models: The listing below is copied from Automobile Topics
dated December 3, 1932: V8 bodies on 134" wheel base: (1) 2-passenger Coupe
($2795) [a reported 69 units were built], 4715lbs [factory sales item says $2695], (2)
5-passenger Standard Sedan ($2895), 4885lbs [none in factory literature], (3)
2-passenger Roadster ($2895), 4635lbs, [factory sales item says $2795]; (4)
2-passenger Convertible Coupe ($2945), 4675lbs [factory sales item says $2845]. V8 bodies
on 140" wheel base: (5) 5-passenger Coupe ($2995), 4715lbs [factory sales item
says $2895], (6) 5-passenger Standard Phaeton ($2995), 4700lbs [factory sales item
says $2895], (7) 5-passenger Special Sedan ($3045), 4965lbs [factory sales item
says Body by Fleetwood, $3295], (8) 5-passenger Town Sedan ($3095), 4980lbs
[factory sales item says $2995], (9) 5-passenger Special Phaeton ($3005), 4750lbs
[none on factory literature item], (10) 7-passenger Sedan ($3145), 5110lbs [factory
sales item says $3395], (11) 5-passenger Sport Phaeton ($3245), 4800lbs [none on
factory item], (12) 7-passenger Imperial Sedan ($3295), 5150lbs [factory piece says
Fleetwood $3195], (13) 5-passenger Sedan ($3395), 4965lbs [factory piece says
Fleetwood $3295], (14) 5-passenger Town Coupe ($3395), 4915lbs [factory piece says
5-passenger coupe $2895], (15) 5-passenger All-Weather Phaeton ($3495), 5070lbs
[factory sales item says $3395], (16) 7-passenger Sedan (no price shown), 5110lbs
[factory sales item says $3445], (17) 7-passenger Imperial (Limousine) ($3745),
5150lbs [factory sales item says $3645], (18) 5-passenger Town Cabriolet ($4095),
4990lbs [factory sales item says $3995], (19) 7-passenger Town Cabriolet ($4245),
5100lbs [factory sales item says $4145], (20) 7-passenger Limousine Brougham
($4245), 5100lbs [factory sales item says $4145], V12 bodies on 134" wheel base: (21)
2-passenger Coupe ($3495), 5085lbs [factory piece says $3395], (22) 5-passenger
Standard Sedan ($3595), 5175lbs [factory piece says $3595], (23) 2-passenger
Roadster ($3595), 4870lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $3495], (24) 5-passenger
Coupe ($3895), 5070lbs [factory piece says none on 134" chassis], (25) 2-passenger
Convertible Coupe ($3645), 5060lbs [factory piece says $3545], V12 bodies on 140"
wheel base: (26) 5-passenger Coupe ($3695), 5235lbs [factory piece says $3595], (27)
5-passenger Standard Phaeton ($3695), 5240lbs [factory piece says $3595], (28)
5-passenger Special Sedan ($3745), 5345lbs. [factory piece says $3595], (29)
5-passenger Town Sedan ($3795), 5370lbs [factory piece says $3695], (30)
5-passenger Special Phaeton ($3795), 5290lbs [none on factory piece], (31)
7-passenger Sedan ($3845), 5460lbs [factory piece says $3745], (32) 5-passenger
Sport Phaeton ($3945), 5340lbs [none on factory piece], (33) 7-passenger Imperial
Sedan ($3995), 5500lbs [factory piece says $3895], (34) 5-passenger Sedan ($4095),
5345lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $3995], (35) 5-passenger Town Coupe ($4095),
5225lbs [factory piece says $3595], (36) 5-passenger All-Weather Phaeton ($4195),
5385lbs [factory piece says $4095], (37) 7-passenger Sedan ($4245), 5460lbs
[factory piece says Fleetwood $4145], (38) 7-passenger Imperial (Limousine)
($4445), 5500lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $4345], (39) 5-passenger Town
Cabriolet ($4795), 5380lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $4695], (40) 7-passenger
Town Cabriolet ($4945), 5580lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $4845], (41)
7-passenger Limousine Brougham ($4945), 5580lbs [factory piece says Fleetwood $4845]; V16
bodies on 143" wheel base: (42) 2-passenger Coupe ($4495), 5530lbs. (43)
5-passenger Standard Sedan ($4595), 5625lbs. (44) 5-passenger Special Sedan
($3745), 5345lbs. (45) 2-passenger Roadster ($4595), 5065lbs. (46)
2-passenger Convertible Coupe ($4645), 5505lbs. V16 bodies on 149" wheel base: (47)
5-passenger Standard Phaeton ($4695), 5735lbs. (48) 5-passenger Special Phaeton
($4795), 5450lbs. (49) 5-passenger Sport Phaeton ($4945), 5500lbs. (50)
5-passenger Sedan ($5095), 5735lbs. 5-passenger Town Coupe ($5095), 5605lbs. (51)
5-passenger All-Weather Phaeton ($5195), 5525lbs. (52) 7-passenger Sedan ($5245),
5865lbs. (53) 7-passenger Imperial (Limousine) ($5445), 5905lbs. (54)
5-passenger Town Cabriolet ($5795), 5775lbs. (55) 7-passenger Town Cabriolet
($5945), 5935lbs. (56) 7-passenger Limousine Brougham ($5945), 5935lbs. See C/C
10/88, pp.3-34 [V16 Convertible Victoria]. CLCA 1976, p.6-9; Phaeton, CLCA
1976, p.30; color photo of V8 Town Sedan + story, CLCA 1977, centerfold; also TQ9-10/83,
pp.4-5; Sedan photo, CLCA 1977, p.39 and CS11, p.50; Town car, CLCA
1977, p.48; production by body style, figures, CLCA 30th anniversary issue, p.18;
V16 convertible phaeton (C&D card set); V16 Town Car (special issue CCIX,
p.12). Restoration of 1933 Town Sedan, TQ 9-10/83, pp.4-5. Custom 7-pass.
sedan CCCA #6, pp.14-15.
Trivia: Each 1933 V16 had a gold-finished, numbered dash
plaque
1934
Facts: V8 Series "355-D" [see also V12 and V16
sections] More streamlining, "Knee-Action" coil sprung independent front wheel
suspension, new Hotchkiss steering system, aluminum pistons for durability, dual X-frame
chassis for rigidity, tear-drop headlights, all-steel "Turret-Top" roofs on all
closed cars; production statistics: 5080 units (V8), 683 units (V12) and 56 units (V16)
[from CLC 11-12/90, p./7]; hand brake moved from floor of front compartment to new
position under instrument board; sales began to pick up after depression years. Article in
AI, 6.1.34, pp.4-7 {missing p. 7}; Article in ATJ, 4/34, p.78, on new
Cadillac V8 355-D.
Easy ID: Unique bi-plane bumpers (all Series). Rear
slanting radiator grille with one central division and five horizontal divisions. Two rows
of small, square hood vents with "V8" or "V12" ID plate at forward
end. V16 (thru 1937) have huge wheel base (154") and long, horizontal hood vents with
matching "spears" on front and rear fenders.
Left: V8 and V12 front clip; right: V16
front clip
Roomy sedans and limousines were available for 5 or 7
persons;
the V-8 and V-12 models for 1934 looked like this;
the V-16 was vastly different in outward appearance
Here's a surviving sedan for this year
Models: [complete >>>>> - add V8 and V12
models] unusual Convertible Coupe, CLCA 1988, p.33 front of Convertible Coupe, CLCA
1987, p.33, also CC 2/1977, p.28; V16 2-door convertible Victoria [unique - C&D
card set); V16 2-door Aerodynamic coupe (C&D card set); 5-passenger Town sedan
cost $2695, CLC 8/92 cover; V16 Victoria style 5885 (1903-1990 book, pp.61-62). V16
models with "V" windshield: (1) 5825 7-passenger Town Car, (2)
5830 5-passenger Imperial, (3) 5833 5-passenger Town Imperial, (4) 5833S
5-passenger Town Sedan, (5) 5835 2-passenger convertible Coupe, (6) 5875
7-passenger Imperial, (7) 5875S 7-passenger Sedan, (8) 5875FL 7-passenger
Imperial with blank rear quarters and leather-covered roof, (9) 5876 2-passenger
Coupe, (10) 5-passenger convertible Sedan with secondary windshield, (11)
5880S 5-passenger convertible Sedan, (12) 5885 5-passenger convertible Victoria, (13)
5899 5-passenger aerodynamic Coupe. V16 models with flat windshield: (14) 6275
7-passenger Imperial, (15) 6275S 7-passenger Sedan. One bare chassis remained of
the 1934 V16 production; it is not known what body, if any, was built on it.
Trivia: (1) In France, this year, the V16 roadster listed
for 375,000 francs as compared to 16,700 for the 7HP Citroen and 14,900 for the Peugeot
201! A bare chassis for a Hispano Suiza V12 listed for 205,000. (2) Two fake 1934 V16
models were built in the Eighties by Fran Roxas in collaboration with Strother McMinn.
These were craftsman-built from original Fleetwood artist's proposals included in the 1934
"Book of Fleetwood". As they were never actually built by Fleetwood, they must
qualify as "fakes" and not as "replicas". The artist's renderings were
re-created by GM stylist Strother McMinn. The first car to be completed was
Fleetwood proposed style 5859, a 5-passenger dual-cowl sport phaeton; then came Fleetwood
style 5802, a two-passenger roadster with golf doors and rumble seat [this design was
shown also in Automotive Industries, on 6.1.1934, p.4]. I suppose of you have enough money
[we are talking here about hundreds of thousands of dollars in designing and manufacturing
costs], you can have built whichever car you want. Currently I'm putting my pennies aside
to have rebuilt (correctly!) the huge, cream and orange, 1937 V16 roadster designed by
Switzerland's Willy Hartmann - that's because I don't like what was done to the original
car by the various parties who have owned it since it returned to the USA in 1985...
After that, I might go for the 1931 V16 sliding-roof sedan with body by
France's Jacques Saoutchik, simply because I don't like the current, non-original Grebel
headlights. Gimme the original Marchals any day!
1935
Facts: V8 Series "10" and "20" [see
also V12 and V16 and LaSalle sections] New all-steel "Turret" top formed using
new 500-ton presses, new ride stabilizer preventing body roll on curves. Condensed
specifications in CLC 8/92, p.3. Article on new Cadillac V12, 370D in ATJ,
4/35, p.86. Total V8 3209 units, V12 377 units, V-16 50 units (CLC 11-12/90, p.7).
Article by W.L. Carver in AI, 30.7.35, pp.172-176 "Cadillac Entirely
Redesigned; Chassis 250lbs Lighter; Prices Lowered".
Easy ID: V8 and V12 like 1934 except one-piece bumper with
two bumper guards level with edges of radiator grille. V16 ID: loses
"bi-plane" bumper (replaced with standard, single bar type), otherwise unchanged
from 1934.
Two convertible sedans for 1935. Left:
V8/V12 style; right: V16
Models: V8 Series 10 - Fisher: 2-passenger coupe ($2345),
2-passenger convertible coupe ($2445), 5-passenger sedan ($2445), 5-passenger town coupe
($2495), 5-passenger town sedan ($2495), 5-passenger convertible sedan ($2755)4, V8 Series 20 - Fisher: 2-passenger
coupe ($2545), 2-passenger convertible coupe ($2645), 5-passenger sedan ($2645),
5-passenger town sedan ($2695), 7-passenger sedan ($2795), 7-passenger imperial ($2945),
5-passenger convertible sedan ($2955). V8 Series 30 - Fleetwood [flat windshield]: 6030S
5-passenger sedan ($3295), 6033S 5-passenger town sedan ($3345), 6075S 7-passenger sedan
($3445), 6075 7-passenger limousine ($3645), 6030FL 5-passenger formal imperial ($3695),
6075FL 7-passenger formal imperial ($3845). V8 Series 30 - Fleetwood ["V"
windshield]: (five wire wheels and 7.00x17 black wall tires standard) 5630S special
5-passenger sedan ($3745), 5633S special 5-passenger town sedan ($3795), 5676 coupe with
inside auxiliary seats ($3895), 5675S special 7-passenger sedan ($3895), 5635 coupe with
inside auxiliary seats ($4045), 5675 special 7-passenger limousine ($4095), 5630FL special
5-passenger formal imperial ($4145), 5680 convertible sedan with division ($4295), 5675FL
special 7-passenger formal imperial ($4295), 5612 5-passenger town car ($5495), 5691
7-passenger town brougham ($5495), 5625 7-passenger town car ($5595). V12 Series 40 -
Fleetwood [flat windshield]: (five wire wheels and 7.50x17 black wall tires standard)
6130S 5-passenger sedan ($3995), 6133S 5-passenger town sedan ($4045), 6175S 7-passenger
sedan ($4145), 6175 7-passenger limousine ($4345), 6130FL 5-passenger formal imperial
($4395), 6175FL 7-passenger formal imperial ($4545). V12 Series 40 - Fleetwood
["V" windshield]: (five wire wheels and 7.50x17 black wall tires standard) 5730S
special 5-passenger sedan ($4445), 5733S special 5-passenger town sedan ($4495), 5776
coupe with inside auxiliary seats ($4595), 5775S special 7-passenger sedan ($4595), 5735
coupe with inside auxiliary seats ($4745), 5775 special 7-passenger limousine ($4795),
5730FL special 5-passenger formal imperial ($4845), 5780 convertible sedan with division
($4995), 5775FL special 7-passenger formal imperial ($4995), 5712 5-passenger town car
($6195), 5791 7-passenger town brougham ($6195), 5725 7-passenger town car ($6295). V16
Series 60 - Fleetwood [flat windshield]: (five wire wheels and 7.50x17 black wall tires
standard - 6 wheels same price) 6230S 5-passenger sedan ($6750), 6233S 5-passenger town
sedan ($6800), 6275S 7-passenger sedan ($6900), 6275 7-passenger limousine ($7100), 6230FL
5-passenger formal imperial ($7150), 6275FL 7-passenger formal imperial ($7300). V16
Series 90 - Fleetwood ["V" windshield]: (five wire wheels and 7.50x17 black wall
tires standard - 6 wheel jobs were the same price) (1) 5825 7-passenger town car
($9250), (2) 5830S special 5-passenger sedan ($7950), (3) 5833 special
5-passenger Town Imperial ($8000), (4) 5833S special 5-passenger Town Sedan
($7650), (5) 5835 coupe with inside auxiliary seats ($7700), (6) 5875
7-passenger Imperial ($7950), (7) 5875S 7-passenger Sedan ($7750), (8) 5876
coupe with inside auxiliary seats ($7750), (9) 5880 convertible sedan with division
($8150), (10) 5880S convertible sedan without division ($7950), (11) 5899
5-passenger aerodynamic Coupe ($8150). V16 models with flat windshield: (12) 6233S
5-passenger Town Sedan [$7000], (13) 6275 7-passenger Imperial [$7300], (14)
6275S 7-passenger Sedan [$7100], (15) 6275B special 7-passenger Imperial with blank
rear quarters, (16) 6275H3 special 7-passenger Imperial with 3" increase in
inner height. There were two bare chassis in the 1935 V16 production; one of these
received a limousine body by Brunn, with a sloping "Madame X" type windshield.
Accessories: Goddess ornament in gold or silver finish $20 (included in V16 prices),
license frames $7, 6-wheel jobs with fender wells and trunk rack [except convertible
sedan] (included in V16 prices) $110 (Fisher V8), $130 (Fleetwood V8 - trunk rack
included), $140 (Fleetwood V12 - trunk rack included), flexible spoke steering wheel
(Fleetwood only) $15 (included in V16 prices), five color wheel discs $20, six color wheel
discs $24 (not offered on V16), metal tires covers $40, metal tire cover mirrors $20,
Master radio $89.50, standard radio $59.50, front steam heater $35, standard trunks and
cases from $85-195, Fleetwood trunks and cases from $95-205, Lorraine driving light
$27.50, Fleetwood robes from $20-45. Photos: Convertible Sedan, CLCA 1987, p.24,
also CLCA 1982, p.33; Coupe, CLCA 1974, p.27; Convertible Coupe, CLCA
1981, p.34, also CLC 11-12/90 p.7 (chassis #668, body #18), listed $2645, weighed 5000
lbs; also TQ9-10/83, p.20 and TQ9-10/84, p.15; 355D all-weather phaeton (CCI
27:1, 28:1, 28:2, 28:5); Series 10 2-door convertible coupe (C&D card set); La
Salle series 35-50 4-door Sedan (C&D card set); 1935 V16 convertible sedan, TQ
11-12/87, pp.14-15; 7-passenger limousine in TQ, 7-8/85, p.14; 1935 convertible
coupe rear view, TQ 9-10/84, p.13. In a 1935 issue of the French magazine LaC
was shown a convertible coupe with body by Vanvooren. A town car by De Villars was also
mentioned (a photo of the latter car appeared on the front page of the weekly La Vie de
l'Auto [date unknown, but late Seventies or early Eighties]; it look very much like a
Van den Plas design I saw in 1994, in the ZTV collection, in a folder issued by that
Anglo-Belgian firm).
________________________________
4 Includes
fender wells, two spare wheels and tires and folding trunk rack - not available as 5-wheel
job
1936
Facts: V8 Series "60", "70" and
"75" [see also V12 and V16 sections] The Royal Family of Motordom slogan, La
Salle Series 50 from $1175, Cadillac from $1645, Fleetwood from $2245. New Series 60 on
120" wheel base); all new 90° L-Head V8, monobloc, 125HP, 322 cubic inches (
5277cm³), 3.375 x 4.5" bore and stroke ( 321,47 x 114,3mm). New Series 70,
V8-131" wheel base (10 more HP, 346 ci, 3.5 x 4.5" bore and stroke, 88,9 x
114,3mm); Series 75, V8 138" wheel base (350,52cm), same engine as Series 70; Series
80, V12 131" wheel base; Series 85, V12 138" wheel base (350,52cm); Series 90,
V16 154" wheel base. "Unisteel" Turret Top, front-hinged doors except for
some V16 bodies; hydraulic brakes, emergency brake relocated LH side under dash, narrow
vertical grille similar to 1934 La Salle; bullet headlights and pontoon fenders,
transition between "square" lines of classic era and horizontal grille group
starting 1941; more delicate "flying lady" mascot; weight reduced by 500-800
lbs; Article by Don Blanchard in AI, 12.10.35 "Cadillac Offers Smaller
Eight for 1936 Market". Illustrated are Series 60 sedan and new La Salle. Similar
story by same writer in ATJ, 10/35, with same illustrations.
Easy ID: New, narrower radiator grille with numerous
horizontal bars. Bumper guards are further outboard. V16 ID: basically
unchanged from 1935.
Left: V8/V12 front clip style; right:
V16 (unchanged from 1935 to 1937)
Models: V8 Series 60 - Fisher: 2-passenger coupe ($1645)
[article in SCC, pp63-65], 2-passenger convertible coupe ($1725), 5-passenger
touring sedan ($1695). Standard tires: 7.00x16 Royal or Firestone 4-ply black walls; 6-ply
= $2.50 per tire; whitewalls = $2.50 per tire; 6 wheels cost $65 extra ($45 for
convertible coupe); V8 Series 70 - Fleetwood: 2-passenger coupe ($2595), 2-passenger
convertible coupe ($2695), 5-passenger touring sedan ($2445), 5-passenger convertible
sedan ($2445). Standard tires: 7.50x16 Royal or Firestone 4-ply black wall; 6 wheels cost
$85 extra; 6-ply = $3 per tire; whitewalls = $3 per tire. V8 Series 75 - Fleetwood:
5-passenger sedan without trunk ($2645), 5-passenger touring sedan ($2645), 7-passenger
sedan without trunk ($2795), 7-passenger touring sedan ($2795), 7-passenger limousine
without trunk ($2995), 7-passenger touring limousine ($2995), 5-passenger town sedan
($3145), 5-passenger formal sedan ($3395), 5-passenger convertible sedan ($3395),
7-passenger town car ($4445). Standard tires: 7.50x16 Royal or Firestone 6-ply black wall;
6 wheels cost $90 extra; whitewalls = $3.50 per tire. V8 Series 75 - Fleetwood commercial
cars on 154" wheel base chassis: 7-passenger commercial sedan without trunk,
7-passenger commercial touring sedan, 7-passenger commercial imperial without trunk,
7-passenger commercial touring imperial. Standard tires: 7.50x16 Royal or Firestone 6-ply
black walls. V12 Series 80 - Fleetwood: 5-passenger touring sedan ($3145), 2-passenger
coupe $3295), 2-passenger convertible coupe ($3395), 5-passenger convertible sedan
($3445). Standard tires: 7.50x16 Royal or Firestone 6-ply black wall; 6 wheels cost $90
extra; whitewalls = $3.50 per tire. V12 Series 85 - Fleetwood: 5-passenger sedan without
trunk ($3345), 5-passenger touring sedan ($3345), 7-passenger sedan without trunk ($3495),
7-passenger touring sedan ($3495), 7-passenger imperial without trunk ($3695), 7-passenger
touring imperial ($3695), 5-passenger town sedan ($3845), 5-passenger convertible sedan
($4095), 5-passenger formal sedan ($4095) 7-passenger town car ($5145). Standard tires:
7.50x16 Royal or Firestone 6-ply black wall; 6 wheels cost $90 extra; whitewalls = $3.50
per tire. V16 models with "V" windshield: (1) 5825 7-passenger Town Car
[$9250], (2) 5825C 7-passenger Town Car with collapsible rear quarters [circa
$17000 - per Branham Auto Reference Book], (3) 5830S 5-passenger Sedan [$7950], (4)
5830FL 5-passenger Town Sedan with blank rear quarters and leather-covered roof [$8000], (5)
5833S 5-passenger Town Sedan [$8000], (6) 5835 2-passenger convertible Coupe
[$7900], (7) 5875 7-passenger Imperial [$7950], (8) 5875S 7-passenger Sedan
[$7750], (9) 5875FL 7-passenger Imperial with blank rear quarters and
leather-covered roof [$8150], (10) 5876 2-passenger Coupe [$7750], (11) 5880
5-passenger convertible Sedan with secondary windshield [$8150], (12) 5899
5-passenger aerodynamic Coupe [$8150]. Of the three bare V16 chassis for 1936, one
received a razor-edged town car body by Brunn. Prices shown include either five or six
wire wheels and fender wells, gold or silver finished hood ornament, Master radio and
flexible steering wheel). Standard tires: 7.50x17 Royal or Firestone 6-ply black wall;
whitewalls = $4 per tire. Accessories: wheel trim rings $1.50 each, visor mirror $1.85,
ash trays $1.90, chrome wheel discs $4 each, luggage compartment rugs $4.75 and $6.75,
license frames $7, flexible steering wheel $16, metal tire covers $17.50 and $20, luggage
$25 and 47.50, hot water heater in Fleetwood models $50, standard radio $54.50, Master
radio $89.50. Other accessory groups are in price list. Photos: Sedan, CS11, p.50;
convertible, SIA 67, p.20; rear of convertible, CLCA 1980, p.34; Coupe, CLCA
1982, p.31; Boat-tail, SIA 67, p.20; custom Fleetwood Series 70 convertible
Coupe with rumble-seat in CLC ??? including RH side, front , engine , headlight,
front fender, front seat, instrument panel, sun-visors, rumble-seat & trunk (influence
of 1933 World's Fair V16); Series 60 Coupe story, SIA69, p.1, pp.10-17; Fleetwood
offered 14 body styles in each of the V8 and V12 lines; series 90 town car in TQ,
7-8/86, p.13.
The Series 60 convertible coupe style
Trivia: Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations
during WW2, had a 1936 V16 town car; that car was [1995] in the Dick Kughn collection, in
Detroit, MI.
1937
Facts: V8 Series "60", "65",
"70" and "75" [see also V12 and V16 sections] Series 70 models on
131" wheel base (332,74cm) including 4 Fleetwood bodies from $2595- $3395; all V8s
got 346 cumin. motor; Series 60 wheel base lengthened to 124"; Series 60 V8 also used
in La Salle for 1936 (replacing former straight-8); last year for V12 models; richer
interiors; all-time production record of 40,000 units in one year; ID cross-hatch grill.
Easy ID: First "egg-crate" radiator grille with
very narrow openings forming relatively tight mesh. Decorative flash at base of radiator,
on each side, made up of three horizontal chrome strips. Series 60 and 65 have narrow mesh
type hood vent extending from firewall to rear of headlights; Series 70 and 75 had four
horizontal bars set low at the rear of the hood sides.
Left: V8/V12 front style; right:
V16
V16 ID: basically unchanged from 1936.
Models: Straight 8 La Salle Series "50" [see La
Salle database]. Series 37-60 V8, Fisher bodies on 124" wheel base:
2-passenger coupe ($1645/1742), 5-passenger touring sedan ($1750/1848) 2-passenger
convertible coupe ($1781/1879), 5-passenger convertible sedan ($2122/2184). Standard tires
= 7.00x16 black side walls (whitewalls $3.50 each extra). Series 37-65 V8, De Luxe
Fisher body on 131" wheel base: 5-passenger touring sedan ($2190/2314). Standard
tires = 7.50x16 black side walls (whitewalls $5.15 each extra). Series 37-70 V8,
Fleetwood bodies on 131" wheel base: 5-passenger touring sedan ($2745/2874),
2-passenger coupe ($2956/3085), 2-passenger convertible coupe ($3061/3190), 5-passenger
convertible sedan ($3114/3242). Standard tires = 7.50x16 whitewalls. Series 37-75 V8,
Fleetwood bodies on 138" wheel base: special 7-passenger touring sedan ($2727/2856),
special 7-passenger touring imperial ($2938/3067), special 8-passenger business touring
sedan ($2866/2995), 5-passenger touring sedan ($2970/3105), 7-passenger touring
sedan ($3128/3263), special 8-passenger business touring imperial ($3076/3204),
7-passenger touring imperial ($3338/3473), 5-passenger town sedan ($3496/3630),
5-passenger convertible sedan ($3811/3946), 5-passenger formal sedan ($3864/3999) [$51.50
extra for folding trunk rack], 7-passenger town car ($4968/5103) [$51.50 extra for folding
trunk rack]. Standard tires = 7.50x16 black side walls, Royal or Firestone optional
(whitewalls $5.15 each extra, or $6.18 on special "business" cars). Series
37-85 V12, Fleetwood bodies on 138" wheel base: 5-passenger touring sedan
($3711/3846), 7-passenger touring sedan ($3869/4004), 7-passenger touring imperial
($4079/4214), 5-passenger town sedan ($4237/4372), 5-passenger convertible sedan
($4552/4687), 5-passenger formal sedan ($4605/4740) [$51.50 extra for folding trunk rack],
7-passenger town car ($5708/5844) [$51.50 extra for folding trunk rack]. Standard tires =
7.50x16 black side walls, Royal or Firestone optional (whitewalls $6.18 each extra).
Article on special style 7589 with V12 motor in SCC pp.66-68. Series 37-90 V16
on 154" wheel base: (1) 5825 7-passenger Town Car ($9405-9529), (2)
5825C 7-passenger Town Car with collapsible rear quarters, (3) 5830S 5-passenger
Sedan ($7775-7899), (4) 5830FL 5-passenger Town Sedan with blank rear quarters and
leather-covered roof ($8301-8425), (5) 5833S 5-passenger Town Sedan ($7722-7846), (6)
5835 2-passenger convertible Coupe with inside auxiliary seats ($8038-8161), (7)
5875 7-passenger Imperial ($8038-8161), (8) 5875S 7-passenger Sedan ($7827-7951), (9)
5875FL 7-passenger Imperial with blank rear quarters and leather-covered roof
($8347-8470), (10) 5875H4 7-passenger Imperial with 4" increase in inner roof
height, (11) 5876 2-passenger Coupe with interior auxiliary seats ($7880-8004), (10)
5880 5-passenger convertible Sedan with secondary windshield ($8354-8477), (11)
5885 5-passenger convertible Victoria ($8354-8477), (12) 5891 7-passenger Town
Brougham ($9300-9424), (13) 5899 5-passenger aerodynamic Coupe. Of the two bare
chassis for 1937, one received a 2-passenger roadster body by Switzerland's Willy
Hartmann, largely inspired by a Figoni & Falaschi body on a 1936 Delahaye 135M chassis
shown at the Paris Salon in October that year and acquired by Aly Khan. Pictures that I
took of the Hartmann car in the early Seventies are included in Roy Schneider's book Sixteen
Cylinder Motor Cars, on page 132. On V16 chassis, 5-wheel jobs include wheel discs,
extra tire and tube, bumpers and guards, gold or silver-finish radiator ornament and black
wall tires; 6-wheel jobs include wheel discs, 2 extra tire and tube, bumpers and guards,
fender wells, gold or silver-finish radiator ornament and black wall tires; whitewalls are
$6.54 each extra. Accessories (pick for appropriate series): 1937 trim rings $1.55 each,
1937 chrome wheel discs $4.12 each, luggage compartment carpets $5.15 and $7.73, license
frames $5.67 pair, defroster fan $6.70, water-cooled cushion $6.70 [[does a
"water-cooled cushion" keep your whatsit cool ???]], seat covers $7.73 each,
tire chains $8.76 or $9.02, flexible steering wheel $15.45, metal tire covers $15.45 and
$18.43, hot water heater $20.09, robes $20.60 and $46.36 [monogrammed $5.67 extra; pillow
to match $8.24], hot water heater-defroster $25.24, luggage $36.05 and $48.93, hot air
heater $51.50 and $61.80, standard radio and aerial $61.26, Master radio and aerial $81.89
[most expensive of all accessories!]. Photos: Sedan, CLCA 1974, p.30; convertible
Sedan, CLCA 1980, p.35 and CLCA 1987, p.24; observation car, CLCA
1976, p.11; series 70 convertible sedan, story in TQ, 9-10/87, pp.4-6; formal Sedan
photo, CLCA 1977, p.39; Series 70 Coupe, CLCA 1987, p.24; 7509F in CLC
11-12/92, pp.4-5; Style 7519 Limousine, CLCA 1973, p.26; Style 7567 convertible
Sedan, CLCA 1974, p.31 and in color CC&CC, 2/1985, p.11; Coupe, small
photo, CLCA 1973, p.35; series 90 V16 convertible sedan, in TQ 3-4/87,
pp.4-6. Interesting facts on "75" styles in CLC 2/92, p.14. custom cars:
Rollston town car, CLC, 7/81, p.19.
