After an inauspicious trial in the luxury car field, and recognizing the
disappearing market for the single cylinder cars which made their
reputation, Cadillac settled down with a design which had originated in
1906 (the 1907-1908 Model G). With in-house mass production of a single
line, Cadillac was able to offer a high quality automobile at a moderate
price: $1400 for the Model "Thirty" as compared to $2000 for
the Model G.
Cadillac offered three models: 2-door Touring 5-passenger; 2-door
Demi-Tonneau 4-passenger; and Roadster 3-passenger. The
"Thirty" differed from the Model G as follows:
| Bodies | No closed bodies were offered. A
detachable tonneau was once again available. It also had steel doors and
cowl on the roadster and Demi-tonneau. Flared, twisted front fenders
replaced the bulky flat fenders with filler between the fender and frame.
Full running boards and running board dust shields were available on all
bodies. There were no louvers in the hood. The bodies were finished
(painted) by Cadillac |
| Chassis | 3/4 platform rear spring system. Single
dropped frame. Wheelbase lengthened to 106 in. In mid-year, brake drum
diameter was increased to 12 in. |
| Drive line | Transmission refined and mounted at
three points to frame cross members rather than at the four points to frame
side rails. Universal joint was housed in the ball joint at rear of the
transmission. Rear axle with bevel gear differential made by American Ball
Bearing |
| Engine | Drive for water pump (gear type) and
oiler changed from external belt to internal gears. Gear driven accessory
shaft allows for optional magneto. Speed governor no longer
used. |
Serial numbers were located on a plate on the rear of the body or on the
dash (with the engine no.). Engine numbers were stamped on top surface
of crankcase -- in front of and to the left of the number one (front)
cylinder. Starting: 32002. Ending 37904.
| Engine Type |
Vertical in-line, L-head. Four cylinder. Individual cast iron cylinder,
copper water jacket |
| Bore & stroke |
4.00 x 4.50" |
| Displacement |
226.2 cubic inches |
| Brake horsepower |
30 A.L.A.M.; 25.6 Advertised H.P. |
| Main bearings |
Five main bearings |
| Valve train |
Mechanical push rod roller cam followers |
| Carburetor |
Float feed carburetor made by Cadillac. |
| Wheelbase | 106 in. |
| Frt/Rear Tread | 56 in. (61 opt.) |
| Tires | 32 x 3-1/2. |
| Transmission |
Selective sliding gear transmission |
| Speeds |
3 Forward/1 Reverse |
| Controls |
Right hand drive, controls to right |
| Clutch |
Leather faced cone clutch |
| Drive |
Shaft drive |
| Rear drive |
Plain live rear axle, bevel drive; bevel gear differential |
| Overall ratio |
Touring and Demi-Tonneau = 3.50:1; Roadster=3.00:1 |
| Optional Final drive ratios |
3.00:1, 3.50:1, 4.00:1 |
| Brakes |
Mechanical brakes on two wheels - service/foot/contracting -
emergency/lever/expanding |
| Wheels |
Wood artillery wheels, 10 & 12 spoke, quick detachable
rims |
| Wheel rim size |
25 in |
| Seat covers | $45-75 |
| "Rubber," mohair, or leather
tops | $55-125 |
| Bosch, Dow, Eisenbann, or Splitdorf
magnetos | $100-126 |
| Rushmore style B headlamps with Rushmore No. 1
generator | $46.50 |
| With Prest-o-lite style B tank | $59.50 |
| Mezger windshield | $50 |
| Gabriel horns, style 1, 2, 3, 4 | $15-35 |
| Stewart & Clark speedometer | $15-40 |
- Introduced December 1908.
- Calendar year sales and production: 5903.
- Model year sales and production: same.
- The president/general manager of Cadillac was Henry Leland.
- On July 29, 1909, Cadillac Motor Car Co. became a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Co., and Henry
Leland became president and general manager of Cadillac Motor Car Co.
May 11, 2000; May 1/01; March 8/03
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