[ last update: 09.29.2008 ] Best viewed with a screen image size of 600 x 800 pixels
The (new)
Cadillac Database©
Photo Pages
Cadillac
1908
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or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another
year
or go to the La Salle photo index page
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
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Mechanical Details
Top row (L-R): the 10 HP single-cylinder "Little Hercules" engine; it could propel a Cadillac runabout up
just about any grade on which the wheels of the car would grip. Next, an exploded view of the planetary
transmission. Lower photo: the Cadillac spark plug (one of these - in the original wooden presentation
case - was offered at auction, on E-Bay, in 1999. I put in a bid but not surprisingly was quickly outbid
Artist's impression of the luxurious Model 30 limousine
The majority of 1908 models are easy to identify (compared to earlier cars) on account of the front and rear fenders being joined by running boards (exceptions: the Model T coupe and the Model M delivery van).
There was an improvement in night-time lighting; the new headlights (which remained a costly option in 1908) featured a large, tubular, brass casing with a 5-holed ventilating cap on the top side and a convex cap at the rear. Oddly, the Model M delivery van, Model H touring car and limousine, and the Model G roadster are featured in the 1908 product catalogs with the old style lamps.
The illustrations are drawn from the lovely product catalog for the single-cylinder Models S and T that features an ornate copper-tinted shield with white "CADILLAC" name and crest. Models are not shown in the same order in which they appear in the catalog.
Catalog illustrations not shown here include (1) the copper water jacket and cooling system, (2) the carburetor or fuel mixer, (3) a view of the planetary transmission housing, (4) the gasoline tank, (5) the force feed lubricator, (6) the safety starting device and (7) the steering mechanism.
Single-Cylinder Models
(Left): rocker joint on front suspension in 1908 may have been Cadillac's first
step towards an independent front suspension. (Right): incomplete cars
(i.e. chassis, engine, wheels, dash and hood) were available and cost $800,
Model M
The Model M Delivery wagon was carried through from the 1907 line; it sold for $950.
It retained the wheel base of 76 inches which gave it great maneuverability
The standard colors for this car in 1908 were Brewster green for the body panels and the
frame side bars and red for the wheels and axles, with black and gold striping.
Model S
The popular Model S runabout cost $850. Included in the price this year were three oil lamps
and a bulb horn. This car rode on an 82-inch wheel base and 30 x 3 inch tires (30 x 3½ inch
tires were available and cost $50 extra). The standard color for the Model S was black (for the
lower body panels and the frame side bars); seat panels, wheels, axles and springs were dark
blue with lighter blue striping. On the right, above, the car is shown with the optional rubber
jeans cape top costing$60. A leather top with cloth headlining was available for $80 extra;
both tops came with rubber jeans side curtains and front apron. For $15 extra, in lieu of the
apron a buyer could have a storm front made also of rubber jeans; it had a transparent screen.
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This is how the Model S "Victoria" looked without the extra seating At the right, the car
is shown with the optional "Victoria" top, covered with genuine English, hand-buffed,
long-grain leather lined with broadcloth [what luxury!] The top alone cost $175 and came
with a rubber jeans storm apron. Again, for $15 extra, buyers could have a rubber jeans
storm front with transparent screen. The "Victoria" runabout was available with the
top designed for the regular Model S, but the factory recommended the special, "Victoria"
top whose lines were described in the catalog as "more harmonious". "Victoria" tops
were not shipped separately; they had to be fitted at the factory. Cadillac made its own tops,
the quality of which was in keeping with the quality of the cars themselves. Bows were
No. 1 ash with double steel tube bow sockets and substantially reinforced rear sockets.
Model T
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Illustrated above is my own impression
of what the Model T Victoria might have looked like
as a French "double cabriolet" of that period,
with a double Victoria top. Handsome car, no?
Enclosed cars were gaining in popularity. This 1908 Cadillac Model T coupe cost $1350.
The standard colors for this model were black (for the lower body panels and the frame side bars)
and dark blue for the upper body panels; wheels, axles and springs were dark blue
with lighter blue striping. The coupe body was readily demountable from the chassis
and could be converted to a runabout for summer use (a Model S runabout body,
complete with upholstery and spring seat cushions, cost $95). Factory photo
(right) shows lamps mounted higher than in the catalog image
Model T Survivors
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Four-Cylinder Models
In the regular product catalog for the single-cylinder models is mentioned that fact that special, illustrated catalogs are available also, on request, (1) for that year's Model G cars and (2) for the Model H cars. I do not have either of these two catalogs; the illustrations below are drawn from the catalog of single-cylinder models in which pages 30-31 were devoted to a summary description of the four-cylinder cars.
The Model G
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The Model H
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Return to The (New)
Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another
year
or go to the La Salle photo index page
© 1996, Yann
Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image: the rocker joint on front suspension; the first step towards
independent front suspension? ]