Details

Written by Big Block

Category: 1930-1939

Published: 03 January 2007

Hits: 1983

1934 Cadillac

1934 Cadillac’s were completely restyled and mounted on an entirely new chassis, but used the same basic engines as in 1933.

There were 3 different models:

V8 355-D

V12 370-D

V16 452-D

Eight Cylinder 355-D

• Bodies on the Series 10 and 20 cars were built by Fisher.
• Bodies on the V-8 Fleetwood Series were shared with the twelve’s and sixteen’s.
• Styling emphasized streamlining including concealment of all chassis features except the wheels
• Body construction was improved for better insulation against engine heat and reduction of engine, road, and wind noise.
• Bumpers were a stylish but ineffective biplane design, mounted against telescoping springs.
• The grill was Vee shaped and sloping, set into a painted shell.
• Although restricted use of chrome was a feature of the overall ornamentation, a chrome plated radiator shell was available as an option.
• Horns and radiator filler cap were concealed under the hood.
• Teardrop Guide Multi-beam headlights were mounted on streamlined supports attached to the fenders.
• Parking lamps were mounted in the headlight supports.
• Airfoil shaped front fenders were brought low over the chassis.
• The hood sills were high, with the entire fender shape molded into the radiator shell.
• A curious horizontal crease broke the nose contour of the fenders.
• Hoods extending nearly to the windshield carried shutter type louvers in the side panel.
• Windshields were fixed and steeply sloping; 18 degrees flat on Fisher bodies, 25 degrees flat or 29-1/2 degrees Vee on Fleetwood bodies.
• Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies, two vents projecting through openings in the hood on Vee windshield bodies.
• Bodies were two inches lower than on previous models.
• Added passenger space in the front compartment was achieved by moving the hand brake lever to the left of the driver, under the instrument panel.
• On twelve’s and sixteen’s, the gearshift lever was moved forward to the clutch housing.
• Rear fenders were airfoil shaped and carried rear lights which matched the headlights.
• The gas tank filler on Fisher bodies was on the left side at the rear of the body; on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender.
• All bodies featured a beaver tail rear deck which completely covered the chassis.
• On Fleetwood bodies, the spare was concealed inside the rear deck, unless optional fender mounts were specified.

• Significant changes in chassis design resulted in improved riding and handling plus decreased driver fatigue.
• The new independent "knee action" front suspension with coil springs and center point steering resulted in greatly reduced unsprung weight.
• Front shocks were now an integral part of the suspension; the shock arm being the upper suspension arm.
• An inverted steering box, mounted on the outside of the frame, was used on Fleetwood bodied cars.
• Hotchkiss drive replaced the torque tube drive.
• Rear brakes were operated by pull rods and cables.
• A new frame of X design added to chassis strength and allowed for the reduction in overall vehicle height.
• A stabilizer bar to control body roll in turns was added at the rear of the chassis.
• The brake and clutch pedal assembly was relocated from transmission to frame.
• Mufflers on Fleetwood bodied cars were relocated to the outside of the frame.
• In Fisher bodies, the battery was under the front seat, on the right side.
• In the Fleetwood bodies, the battery was under the right front fender and was removed from underneath.

• Engine changes were few, but horsepower was increased.
• All engines used Lynite Aluminum pistons.
• Compression ratios were increased.
• Intake ducting to the carburetor air cleaner was extended to the radiator casing, providing cold, dense air rather than the hot air in the engine compartment.
• The combination of Aluminum pistons, cold intake air, and higher compression with improved fuels resulted in increased horsepower and engine speeds.
• Detail changes in the V-8 engine included a change to the Detroit Lubricator Carburetor, use of dual valve springs, discontinuation of the oil filter, and solenoid starter control with starter button on instrument panel.
• One V-8 engine change to be appreciated by anyone removing a cylinder head was the change from head studs to cap screws.
• The change was actually made so that the heads could be turned before lifting, so as to clear the hood shelf.
• Another change, not necessarily appreciated was the elimination of provision for hand cranking.

• Serial numbers were on top surface of frame side bar, right side, of dash.
• Same as engine number.
• Starting no.: 3100001.
• Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).
• Engine numbers were stamped on crankcase near the water inlet on the side.
• Starting engine no.; 3100001.
• Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).

• Ninety degree L-head.
• Eight cylinders.
• Cast iron block on aluminum crankcase
• Bore & stroke: 3-3/8 x 4-15/16 in.
• Displacement: 353 cu. in.
• Compression Ratio: 6.25:1 std. 5.75:1 opt.
• Brake Horsepower 120 @ 3000 rpm
• SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 36.45.
• Main bearings: Three.
• Valve lifters: Mechanical
• Carburetor: Detroit Lubricator, Model 51.

• Selective synchro transmission.
• Speeds: 3 Forward 1 Reverse
• Left hand drive, center control, emergency brake at left-under panel (RHD opt).
• Twin disc clutch.
• Shaft drive, Hotchkiss.
• 3/4 floating rear axle
• spiral bevel drive
• Overall ratio: [Series 10, 20] 4.60:1 std, 4.36, 4.8:1 opt. [Series 30] 4.80:1 std, 4.60:1 opt.
• Mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on four wheels.
• Wire wheels.
• Wheel size: 17 in. drop center.

• Introduced: January, 1934.
• Model year sales: 8318 (with 1935).
• Model year production: 8318 (with 1935).
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher to May 31, 1934.
• Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager after June 1, 1934.

Twelve Cylinder 370 D

Except for the engine and various emblems, the V-12 was much the same car as the 146 inch wheelbase V-8.

• Serial numbers were located on top surface of frame side bar, right side, just ahead of dash.
• Same as engine number.
• Starting no.: 4100001.
• Ending: 4101098 (with 1935).
• Engine numbers stamped on the right hand side of the crankcase, on the generator drive chain housing.
• Starting engine no.: 4100001.
• Ending: 4101098 (with 1935).

• 45 degree, overhead valve.
• Twelve cylinders.
• Cast iron block on aluminum crankcase.
• Bore & Stroke: 3-1/8 in. x 4 in.
• Displacement: 368 cu. in.
• Compression Ratio: 6.0:1 std.; 5.65:1 opt.
• Brake Horsepower: 133 @ 3400 rpm
• SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 46.9.
• Main bearings: Four.
• Valve lifters: Mechanical with hydraulic silencer on rocker bushing.
• Carburetor: Dual Detroit Lubricator, Type R-13, L-13, Model 51.

• Wheelbase: 146 in.
• Overall length: 227-9/16 in.
• Front Tread: 59-3/8 in.
• Rear Tread: 62 in.
• Tires: 7.50 x 17.

• Selective, synchro transmission.
• Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
• Left hand drive, center control; emergency brake lever at left under panel (RHD opt).
• Twin disc clutch.
• Shaft drive.
• Hotchkiss.
• 3/4 floating rear axle
• spiral bevel drive.
• Overall ratio: 4.80:1 std., 4.60:1 opt., 5.11:1 opt.
• Mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on four wheels.
• Wire wheels.
• Wheel size: 17 in. drop center.

• Introduced January, 1934.
• Model year sales: 1098 (with 1935).
• Model year production: 1098 (with 1935).
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher to May 31, 1934.
• Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager after June 1, 1934.

Sixteen Cylinder - 452 D

The V-16's shared the Fleetwood bodies with the eights and twelve’s, but were given a few distinctive styling details. The grill was of egg crate design. Headlights were mounted on the radiator shell rather than the fenders, and the parking lights were on the fenders rather than in the headlight supports. Three spears were placed on the hood side panels and front fender skirts. There was no crease across the nose of the front fenders.

Chassis changes were the same as on the eights and twelve’s, with minor differences to accommodate the added weight, power, and tremendous 154 inch wheelbase.

• Serial numbers were on top surface of frame side bar, right side, just ahead of dash.
• Same as engine number.
• Starting no.: 5100001.
• Ending: 5100150 (with 1935).
• Engine numbers were stamped on the right hand side of the crankcase on the generator drive chain housing.
• Starting engine no.: 5100001.
• Ending: 5100156 (with 1935).

• 45 degree, overhead valve.
• Sixteen cylinders.
• Cast iron block on aluminum crankcase.
• Bore & Stroke: 3.00 x 4.00 in.
• Displacement: 452 cu. in.
• Compression Ratio: 6.0:1 std. 5.57:1 opt.
• Brake Horsepower: 169.2 @ 3400 rpm
• SAE/Taxable Horsepower: 57.5.
• Main bearings: Five.
• Valve lifters: Mechanical with hydraulic silencer on rocker bushing.
• Carburetor: Dual Detroit lubricator, type R-14, L-14, Model 51.

• Wheelbase: 154 in.
• Overall length: 240 in.
• Front Tread: 59-3/8 in.
• Rear Tread: 62 in.
• Tires: 7.50 x 17.

• Selective synchro transmission.
• Speeds: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
• Left Hand Drive, center control; emergency brake lever at left under panel (RHD opt).
• Twin disc clutch.
• Shaft drive, Hotchkiss.
• 3/4 floating rear axle
• spiral bevel drive
• Overall ratio: 4.64:1 std. 4.31:1 opt, 4.07:1 opt.
• Mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on four wheels.
• Wire wheels.
• Wheel size: 17 in. drop center.

• Introduced January, 1934.
• Model year sales: 150 (with 1935).
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher to May 31, 1934.
• Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager after June 1, 1934.