Cadillac history 1933

1933 CADILLAC 16-CYLINDER 452-C

Despite tough times, Cadillac fielded an extensively revamped lineup of V-8s, V-12s, and V-16s for 1933. Most notably, the boxy look of the Twenties began to give way to the streamlined look of the Thirties. Featured were fully skirted, flowing fenders and a graceful "windsplit" veed grille, which boasted a painted shell that blended in smoothly with the bodywork.

In addition to a longer 149-inch wheelbase, the V-16s received a unique grille, a larger -- and more elegant "Goddess" hood ornament, and massive "four-bar" bumpers. Also, the three rectangular ventilator doors seen on the sides of the hood of the V-8s and V-12s yielded to three functional "spears" on the V-16, a theme repeated on the lower front fenders.

1933 Cadillac

The magnificent V-16, first shown at the 1930 New York Auto Show, continued as before. Basically, the 45-degree, overhead-valve unit consisted of two inline eights sharing the same crankshaft, with each side of the engine having its own carburetion and exhaust system. With a 3.00 X 4.00-inch bore and stroke, it displaced 452 cubic inches. Horsepower was rated at 165, outdone only by Duesenberg's 265 bhp, although Packard's 160-bhp V-12 came close.

Ten Fleetwood body styles were listed. Prices ranged from $5540 for an Imperial cabriolet to $8000 for the All-Weather phaeton. These prices exceeded Packard's priciest V-12s, and had to be viewed as staggering in the depths of the Depression, when a Chevy started at $445.

For 1933, Cadillac announced that V-16 production would be limited to 400 cars. These were to be serially numbered -- the number and the owner's name to be displayed on a plate inside the car. Nearly seven body styles were suggested. Half this number of styles were actually built, but one half the total production of 126 cars was in the five most conservative five or seven passenger sedan styles.

V-16's had the Vee-shaped grille/radiator shell, skirted fenders, and no-draft ventilation common to the full line. Detail distinction was achieved with a new, winged goddess mascot; large, spinner hub caps; absence of crankhole cover in the grill; and an awkward, four-bar bumper. Hood side panels carried two vertical doors plus three stylized horizontal louvers. Vertical louvers on front fender skirts, shown in promotional literature and used on mockups, were replaced in "production" by three horizontal louvers matching the hood louvers.

Some new styling details were shown on various bodies. Instead of ending at the front of the cowl, some hoods were extended back over the cowl to the windshield. Many four door bodies sported a rear body panel which swept back over the fuel tank, with a door opening for carrying parcels. At least one open and one closed four door design offered a built-in trunk. A few styles even retained the "Madame X" look seen on some of the first V-16's.

Mechancal changes were few. A higher compression ratio was available to utilize improved gasolines. Except on early production, wheel size was reduced from 18" to 17". Beginning with engine unit number 50-24, the starter ring gear was moved from the clutch center-plate to the flywheel -- same as on the V-8 and V-12

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: 5000001.
Ending: 5000126.

Fisher 143" wheelbase Job NumberDoorsStyleSeatingPriceWeight 33-16-1682-doorConvertible Coupe2/4 33-16-2722-doorCoupe5

Fleetwood 143" wheelbase
Style Number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
5508	2-door	Convertible Coupe	2/4
5509	2-door	Coupe	2/4

Fleetwood 149" wheelbase
Style Number	Doors	Style	Seating	Price	Weight
5502	2-door	Roadster	2/4
5512	4-door	Town Cabriolet	5/7	$6850	6110
5513	4-door	Town Cabriolet	5/7
5514	4-door	Town Cabriolet	5/7
5520	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7
5521	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7
5524	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7
5525	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7	$6850	6270
5526	4-door	Town Cabriolet	7
5530	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5
5530-5	4-door	Sedan	5	$6250	6070
5530-FL	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
5530-SFL	4-door	Sedan Cabriolet	5/7
5530-H4	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5
5531	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5/7
5531-S	4-door	Sedan	5/7
5532	4-door	Imperial Sedan	5/7
5532-S	4-door	Sedan	5/7
5533	4-door	Town Imperial	5
5533-5	4-door	Town Sedan	5
5535	2-door	Convertible Coupe	2/4
5536	2-door	Sport Convertible Coupe	2/4
5540	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
5540-5	4-door	Sedan Cabriolet	5/7
5545	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
5545-5	4-door	Sedan Cabriolet	5/7
5550	4-door	Full Collapsible Town Cabriolet	7
5555	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
5555-C	4-door	Collapsible Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
5557	4-door	Transformable	7
5558	4-door	Phaeton	5
5559	4-door	Sport Phaeton	5
5560	4-door	Sport Phaeton	5
5561	4-door	Close Coupled Imperial	5
5561-5	4-door	Close Coupled Sedan	5
5563	4-door	Sport Imperial	5/7
5563-5	4-door	Sport Sedan	5/7
5564	4-door	Town Brougham	5/7
5564-B	4-door	Town Brougham with cane	5/7
5565	4-door	Limousine	7
5565	4-door	Sedan	7
5566	4-door	Limousine	7
5566-5	4-door	Sedan	7
5573	4-door	Limousine	7
5573-5	4-door	Sedan	7
5574	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	7
5574-5	4-door	Sedan	7
5575	4-door	Limousine	7	6600	6270
5575-5	4-door	Sedan	7	6400	6200
5575-FL	4-door	Imperial Cabriolet	7
5575-SFL	4-door	Sedan Cabriolet	7
5576	2-door	Coupe	2/4
5577	2-door	Sport Coupe	2/4
5578	4-door	All Weather Sport Phaeton	5
5579	4-door	All Weather Phaeton	5	8000	6110
5579-A	4-door	All Weather Phaeton	5
5580	4-door	Convertible Phaeton	5
5581	2-door	Town Coupe	5	6250	6000
5583	2-door	Coupe	2
5585	2-door	Convertible Coupe	5	7500	5910
5586	2-door	Convertible Coupe	4
5590	4-door	Limousine Brougham	7
5591	4-door	Limousine Brougham	7	6850	6300
5592	4-door	Limousine Brougham	7
5599	2-door	Aero Dynamic Coupe	5

ENGINE

45 degree overhead valve.
Sixteen cylinders.
Cast iron on aluminum crankcase.
Bore & Stroke: 3.00 x 4.00 in.
Displacement: 452 cu. in.
Compression ratio: 5.7:1 std.; 5.4:1, 5.1:1 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: approx. 216-222 in.
Front Tread: 59-7/8
Rear Tread: 61 in.
Tires: 7.50 x 17.

TECHNICAL

Selective, synchro transmission.
Speeds: 3 Forward, 1 Reverse
Left hand drive, Center control, Right hand drive optional
Twin disc clutch.
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
15" brake drums
Wire wheels std. Demountable wood opt.
Wheel size: 17 in. drop center.

OPTIONS

Wheel discs(s)
Standard Radio	64.50
Imperial Radio	74.50
Heater Hot air or hot water
Luggage sets	37.00-110.00)
Trunks with luggage	104.00-180.00
Mirrors
Spotlight Lorraine	24.50
Dual Pilot Ray Lights	44.50
Gold Plated Goddess radiator ornament	50.00
Silver Goddess radiator ornament	40.00
Six wire wheels with fender wells.
Five demountable wood wheels.
Six demountable wood wheels with fender wells.

HISTORICAL

Introduced January, 1933.
Innovations: Fisher no-draft individually controlled ventilation (I.C.V.) (Vent windows).
Model year sales: 953.
Model year production: 953.
The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.

NEXT: History of the 1933 Cadillac 8-cylinder 355-C NEXT: History of the 1933 Cadillac 12-cylinder 370-C NEXT: History of the 1933 Cadillac 16-cylinder 452-C NEXT: History of the 1934 Cadillac

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03