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The (new) Cadillac Database^©

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Cadillac

1934

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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

 

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.

 

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).

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. 

"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.

 

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!

 

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

 

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.

 

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).

 

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.

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.

Details

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