Cadillac has defined itself as a pioneer in creativity and design since its inception. Cadillac was celebrated above all other automakers for much of the early 20th century with engineering advancements such as the first electric self-starter and the use of precision interchangeable components.
In 1915, Cadillac made history by introducing the world's first mass-produced V8 engine. This Cadillac "speeds along under the almost magical force of this modern power-principle," according to a promotional brochure from the time. It was dubbed the "ultimate of automobile engines" by industry analysts.
The Cadillac Type 51 is considered one of the most important game-changers in the automobile’s history. The Cadillac Company ushered in a new era with its groundbreaking innovation that has revolutionized the way car manufacturers approach designing their cars.
So it is pretty safe to say that even with all the progress made in the past century (with a range of supercars and muscle cars), the Cadillac Type 51 still stands out and has a special place in the car enthusiasts’ hearts.
Let's take a look at this magnificent car’s history.
The History Of Cadillac Type 51: A Walk Down Memory Lane
After the Henry Ford Company went bankrupt, the company was restructured and renamed after French explorer Antoine Laumet De La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac (AKA Antoine Laumet), who founded Detroit in 1701. Cadillac was originally established on August 22nd, 1902, by William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, Ford's campaign contributors and engineer Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Facility.
Leland would go on to create another well-known car company, Lincoln, in 1917. (However, the first few years were occupied constructing Liberty engines to help the war effort). Henry Ford bought the Lincoln marque after it ran into financial difficulties.
Cadillac's first cars had one-cylinder engines, which were replaced in 1905 by a four-cylinder version. The one-cylinder engine was phased out in 1909, and Cadillac's lineup was reduced to only one car, the Model Thirty. Cadillac's four-cylinder model lasted until 1915, as it was substituted by the new eight-cylinder Type 51.
It received a powerful brand-new chassis, the electric self-start, and could reach speeds of over 65 mph. Cadillac had previously developed the first electric starter motor and precision interchangeable components, earning it the title of "International Standard."
The phrase was a play on words, implying that it raised the bar for automotive manufacturing while also standardizing component production through interchangeability.
Type 51 was launched as Cadillac's 1915 model in September of 1914. It was the company's first V8 vehicle, and the concept was carried over into Types 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61, running until 1923, when the Type V-63 was introduced as a significantly modified model. The entire series was built on the GM 'A' platform.
The Original V8
The revolutionary L-head V8 engine was the very first mass-produced V8, Type 51 was the first left-hand-drive Cadillac (right-hand-drive was still an alternative available), and Fisher designed the bodies. Wheelbases varied over time, with the shortest being 122 inches and the longest being 145 inches.
The cast-iron cylinders were arranged in two blocks of four on opposite ends of an aluminum-copper alloy crankcase in the ninety-degree V8. It had a single camshaft with eight cams, a camshaft, and a generator shaft powered by a silent chain, integral combustion chambers and water jackets, and an impeller-type pump with a thermostat for each block of cylinders for temperature management and water circulation.
The intake and exhaust valves were tulip-shaped and flat, and the valves were regulated by adjustable tappets powered by rocker arms with a roller running on cams. Cadillac produced the float feed carburetor, which was patented by C.F. Johnson.
With a total displacement of 314.5 CID and 70 horsepower at 2,400 RPM, the cylinder bore was 3.125 inches, and the stroke was 5.125 inches. The engine was supported by a three-speed selective sliding gear transmission with several discs and a dry plate clutch that was built into the engine. Mechanical brakes on two wheels, one external and one internal, provided stopping power.
The Design & Pricing
The Model 51 was equipped with 27-inch wood artillery wheels with moveable rims or wire wheels as an alternative. A 5- and 7-passenger touring (described by the inventory as a five-passenger and seven-passenger car), a salon, and a roadster, all priced at $1,975, were among the body styles available.
The Landaulet Coupe was priced at $2,500, the two-door sedan at $2,800 (substituting the preceding phaeton), the limousine at $3,450, and the Berline Limousine at $3,600. There was also an Imperial Sedan available.
The bodywork was identical to that of the previous Model 30 but with thinner sidelights and hoods that were better integrated into the hood side panels. Closed-body cars featured a three-piece 'Rain Vision' windshield and a lowered front roofline.
In 1913, Cadillac built 15,018 cars, 14,003 in 1914, and 13,002 in 1915. The following year, Cadillac produced 18,004 cars, followed by 18,002 in 1917.
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How The Cadillac Type 51 Influenced The Early Auto Industry - HotCars
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