[ last update: 02.05.2014 ]
The (new)
Cadillac Database©
Photo Pages
Cadillac
1932
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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
The Great Depression was still wreaking havoc on the American economy and automobile sales were at an all-time low. Production of the multi-cylinder range of Cadillac cars - i.e. those with either a twelve or a sixteen cylinder motor - both introduced in 1930 - continued uninterrupted in 1932 but sales fell to some 2,000 units for the year (2,005 to be precise); this was less than the first ever Cadillac of which 2,500 were sold in 1902-1903, the first two years of production.
The La Salle saved the day for Cadillac, with sales of 3,482 units in 1932; the V-8 models were next, accounting for 2,096 sales. As for the V-12 and V-16 models, Cadillac sold only 1,709 and 296 units respectively.
Needless to say, if you happen to own a 1932 Cadillac or La Salle today, you may pride yourself in owning a very rare and desirable automobile. In addition to being rare in number, the 1932 models are particularly beautiful in their design and styling.
Considering the low sales volume this year, the beautiful sales and merchandising literature published concurrently by Cadillac is highly desirable. Many of the illustrations here are from these lovely catalogs and folders, the main one being the special portfolio of Fleetwood models that was kindly loaned to me by Z. Taylor Vinson of Washington, DC, that I might copy the illustrations for your pleasure.
A definite change of styling will be witnessed in these new models, compared with those of 1929 through 1931. Bodies now are longer and lower, with more gracefully curved fenders flowing smoothly into the running boards. Roof height is lowered from one to three inches - depending on body style - to achieve an overall longer, sleeker look.
The distinguishing mark of the 1932 models is the front grille ensemble. There is no longer a bright chrome stone guard to capture the attention; on all models (V8, V12, V16) the fine mesh grille is divided down the middle by one vertical bar and seven horizontal ones. All models have circular grille badges positioned on the second horizontal bar down from the top; these indicate the engine configuration ("V8", "V12" or "V16"). As in 1930-31, the V-8 badge has a black background; the V-12 is blue and the V-16 red. Wheel hubs have a similar, circular ID badge. In 1932 Cadillac had no fewer than four wheel types: (1) standard wire wheels, (2) thesame but with stainless steel spokes, (3) wood artillery wheels and (4) full discs over wire wheels.
The majority of the 1932 cars have bodies by Fisher. The remainder were dressed by Fleetwood. Since production figures by model are available only for the sixteens, I simply have listed the eights and twelves in numercial sequence of their styling codes. If any Database user has precise production figures for any of the V-8 or V-12 models, I shall be glad to include them here.
Front clip details
I found it almost impossible to get a good, low-resolution
digital image of the fine mesh grill on the '32 Cadillacs
The Cadillac assembly line in 1932
Additional information on the 1932 models and the related sales literature may be found in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars 1932 - 1937", "La Salle for 1932", "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1930 - 1934", "Dream Cars for 1930 - 1932" and "Cadillac V16 Production for 1932" including "Cadillac V16 Survivors for 1932". Further recommended reading includes:
(a) "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]., and
(b) "Sixteen Cylinder Motor Cars", by Roy Schneider, © 1978, published by Automobile Heritage Publishing Co., Post Office Box 7, Temple City, CA 91780 [ISBN #0-917104-02-1]
Space-permitting, some additional photos of surviving cars may be added here, later.
The La Salle V8 Models for 1932
The Cadillac V8 Models for 1932
[illustrations and photos currently are not available for all models]Accoreding to the product brochure for 1932, Fisher fashioned thirteen appealing body styles for that year's Cadillac (four on the 134" wheel base and nine on the 140" WB). Fleetwood contributed eight exquisite custom jobs, all on the 140" WB.
Fisher bodies
on the 143" wheel base chassis
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In the flashing grace of this Fleetwood body for the Cadillac V-8 is revealed the striking new design move which characterizes the entire line. The trim Burbank top of new design drops flush with the top of the driver's seat. In place, its smart contour gives promise of a performance brilliance more than realized by the powerful V-8 engine |
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[no photo]
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[ artist's view: longer, lower, sleeker ] |
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Fisher bodies
on the 140" wheel base chassis
Standard phaeton for five passengers [shown at top with optional wheel discs]
Fisher job #32-8-256, price $2,995
This excellent surviving V8 was donated to historic Salisbury House
in Des Moines, IO, by CLC members David and Liz Kruidenier
[ Photo: © Jim Pittman ]
Special sedan for five passengers
Fisher job #32-8-259, price $3,045
This is a 5-wheel job; most buyers got two fender-mounted spares
Town sedan for five passengers
Fisher job #32-8-252, price $3,095
This beautiful survivor belongs to Eric Voigt, who kindly supplied the photos;
this one is on V8 chassis #1200009 [being the 9th V8 built that year!]
[no photo]
Special phaeton for five passengers
Fisher job #32-8-280, price $3,095
Sedan for seven passengers
Fisher job #32-8-262, price $3,145
Surviving V8 sedan [ photo, left: courtesy the late Gene Babow ]
This could be the same car [Gene Babow photo] after restoration in the new millennium
[ Photos: © 2007 and courtesy Hyman, Ltd ]
Sport phaeton for five passengers [artist's view]
Fisher job #32-8-279, price $3,245
This fine original survivor belongs to enthusiast Dick Shappy of RI
Imperial Sedan for seven passengers
Fisher job #32-8-263, price $3,295
[ image ?]
All-weather phaeton for five passengers
Fisher job #32-8-273, price $3,495
The original factory photo caption reads:
Fleetwood's custom designers have endowed this 5-passenger Cadillac V-8 open car
with a new and thrilling beauty. A variety of beautiful top grain leathers is available
for upholstery. A folding center arm rest adds comfort for tonneau passengers.
[no photo]
Imperial sedan (limousine) for seven passengers
Fisher job #32-8-263, price $3,295
Fleetwood bodies
on the 140" wheel base chassis
[no photo]
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The Cadillac V-12 Models for 1932
[bodies are more or less identical to those mounted on the V8 chassis]
Fisher Bodies
On the 134" wheel base chassis
[no photo]
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[no photo]
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Fisher Bodies
On the 140" wheel base chassis
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[McC photo p.166] Special sedan for five passengers
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[ image ] Sedan for seven passengers
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[the car on the right was specially built for William Knudsen]
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[no photo]
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This style is NOT
included in the factory listing of the thirteen, basic Fisher styles
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Fleetwood bodies
on the 140" wheel base chassis
[ seven standard styles ]
[no photo]
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[no photo]
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[no photo]
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[see photo, McC p. 166]
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[no photo]
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Special Fleetwood bodies
on the 140" wheel base chassis
[ fifteen custom styles]
Many photos, like these, were taken on the roof of the GM building in downtown Detroit This custom job by Fleetwood has
not yet been identified 100%; however, from my own study of Fleetwood styling codes and
taking into account all Fleetwood, style #5156-C, 5-pass.
limousine-landaulet
[ image ?] Sedan for five passengers
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The Cadillac V-16 Models for 1932
Details
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Other Mechanical Improvements
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An "Odd" Survivor
[ images ?]
This V12 Cadillac has got "V-16" badging Note: the MPL shows at
least one job #32-16-263 to have been built on the V-16 chassis but it is not shown
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© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle
Club, Inc.
[ Background image: 1932 front clip ]