Cadillac history 1932

1932 CADILLAC 12-CYLINDER 452-B

Styling and appearance was the same as the V-8 and V-12 except for emblems and longer hood with seven ports. A few Fleetwood body styles had an 18 degree rather than the typical 12 degree windshield. Some body styles achieved the ultimate proportions -- radiator over front axle, windshield mid-way between the axles, and all seating between the axles.

With the longer wheelbase and more power and weight, some mechanical details were beefed up versions of the V-8, V-12 designs (10" deep frame, heavier axles, 18" rims, 11" clutch, 16" brake drums, different gear ratios, greater battery/generator capacity).

The engine remained basically the same as in 1930-31. As on the V-12, carburetors were changed to Detroit Lubricator, and oil filter was changed to Cuno. Fuel feed was by mechanical pump. Intake silencers with filter took place of the vacuum tanks on the dash. In a departure from the smooth, uncluttered look of the earlier V- 16, the spark plug wires sprouted from the top of the distributor cap. A more efficient and dependable design, but a real compromise in appearance.

I. D. DATA

Serial numbers were not used.
Engine numbers were stamped on the right hand side of the crankcase on the generator drive chain housing.
Starting: 1400001
Ending: 1400300

Fisher 143" wheelbase
Job number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
32-16-155	2-door	Roadster	2/4	$4595	5065 lb
32-16-178	2-door	Coupe	2/4	$4495	5530 lb
32-16-168	2-door	Convertible Coupe	2/4	$4645	5505 lb
32-16-159	4-door	Standard Sedan	5	$4595	5625 lb

Fisher 149" wheelbase
Job number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
32-16-256	4-door	Standard Phaeton	5	$4695	5400 lb
32-16-280	4-door	Special Phaeton	5	$4795	5450 lb
32-16-273	4-door	All Weather Phaeton	5	$4195	5525 lb
32-16-279	4-door	Sport Phaeton	5	$4945	5500 lb
32-16-252	4-door	Town Sedan	5	$-	- lb
32-16-259	4-door	Special Sedan	5	$-	- lb
32-16-262	4-door	Sedan	7	$-	- lb
32-16-263	4-door	Imperial Sedan	7	$-	- lb
32-16-272	2-door	Coupe	5	$-	-lb

Fleetwood 149" wheelbase
Style number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
5130-S	4-door	Sedan	5	$5095	5735 lb
5175-S	4-door	Sedan	7	$5245	5865 lb
5175	4-door	Limousine	7	$5445	5905 lb
5181	2-door	Town Coupe	5	$5095	5605 lb
5112	4-door	Town Cabriolet	5/7	$5795	5775 lb
5191	4-door	Limousine Brougham	7	$5945	5935 lb
5125	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7	$4945	5935 lb

Fleetwood 149" Wheelbase Special
Style number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
5112-C	4-door	Collapsible Town Cabriolet	5/7	$-	- lb
5120	4-door	Transformable Town Cabriolet	7	$-	-lb
5125	4-door	Transformable Town Cabriolet	7	$-	-lb
5125-C	4-door	Collapsible Transformable Town Cabriolet	7	$-	- lb
5125-Q	4-door	Transformable Cabriolet	7	$-	- lb
5129	4-door	Imperial	5	$-	- lb
5130-FL	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	5	$-	- lb
5130-SFL	4-door	Sedan Cabriolet	5	$-	- lb
5131	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5	$-	- lb
5131-S	4-door	Sedan	5	$-	- lb
5140-B		Special Sedan	5	$-	- lb
5155	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5	$-	- lb
5155-C	4-door	Collapsible Imperial Sedan	5	$-	-lb
5156-C	4-door	Collapsible Imperial	5	$-	lb
5164	4-door	Transformable Town Brougham	7	$-	-lb
5165	4-door	Imperial Limousine	7	$-	- lb
5175-C	4-door	Collapsible Limousine	7	$-	- lb
5175-FL	4-door	Limousine Cabriolet	7	$-	- lb
5175-H4	4-door	Imperial Sedan	7	$-	- lb
5185	2-door	Convertible Coupe	5	$-	- lb

Fleetwood 165" Wheelbase Special
Style number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
5177	4-door	Imperial	8	$-	- lb

ENGINE

45 degree overhead valve
Sixteen cylinders
Cast iron on aluminum crankcase
Bore and stroke: 3.00 x 4.00 in.
Displacement: 452 cu. in.
Compression ratio: 5.36:1 (std); 5.00:1, 4.90:1 (opt)
Brake horsepower: 165 @ 3400 rpm
Taxable horsepower: 57.5
Main bearings: five
Valve Lifters: mechanical with hydraulic silencer on rocker bushing
Carburetor: Detroit lubricator type L-14, R-14/Model 51

CHASSIS

Wheelbase: 143, 149 in.
Overall length: 216, 222 in.
Front Tread: 59-7/8 in.
Rear Tread: 61 in.
Tires: 7.50 x 18

TECHNICAL

Selective, synchro transmission
Speeds: 3 forward, 1 reverse
Controls: Left hand drive, center control (right hand drive optional)
Twin disc clutch -- selective vacuum-activation
Shaft drive
Torque tube
3/4 floating rear axle
spiral bevel drive
Overall ratio: 4.31:1, 4.64:1
Mechanical brakes on four wheels with vacuum assist
16" brake drums
Wire wheels (std), demountable wood (opt)
Wheel size: 18 in. drop center

OPTIONS

Tire cover(s)	$5-$20 each
Trunks	$100-180
Heron or Goddess	$20
Radio	Price on application
Heater	$37.50-47.50
Auxiliary lights	$37.50-57.50
Wind wings	$25-47.50
Tonneau Shield	$185
Seat covers	$26.50-73.50
Mirrors	$8-16 each
Full covers for wire wheels	$10 each
6 wire wheels with fender wells and trunk rack	$150
5 demountable wood wheels	$30
6 demountable wood wheels with wells and rack	$186
Colored fender set	$50

HISTORICAL

Introduced January, 1932
Model year sales: 300
Model year production: 300
The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher

PREVIOUS: History of the 1932 8-cylinder Cadillac 355-B PREVIOUS: History of the 1932 Cadillac 12-cylinder 370-B NEXT: History of the 1933 Cadillac

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03