Cadillac Models & History (1920-21 )
TYPE 59
Type59 was similar to the 1919 Type 57, with the following exceptions:
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1920-21 Cadillac Victoria Model 59 V-8
Bodies
- The general lines were slightly straighter and fuller.
- The cowl was lengthened on the Phaeton and Roadster.
- The windshield on the Limousine and Town Brougham were tilted slightly.
- The lower section of windshield was fixed; ventilation to the lower part of the front compartment was provided by a vent in the top of the cowl.
- The hood hinge was concealed.
- Narrow beading was added on the cowl at the joint with the hood.
- They also featured smaller sidelights which were placed closer to the windshield.
- The shield shaped pattern on the headlight doors changed to a narrow bead with curved sides; the detachable emblem was at the top.
- The headlights and sidelights were optionally available in full nickel.
- The touring model was mounted on a 3353mm wheelbase.
- The two passenger was Coupe new.
- However, the Coupe and the Town Brougham were dropped in mid run but picked up again as Type 61 for 1922-23
Chassis
- The front wheels were changed from ten to twelve spoke.
- The frame was stiffened by lengthening the deep section.
- The radiator water condenser moved to the outside of the frame.
- The extra length chassis was not available.
Drive line:
- The speedometer drive moved from the front axle to the transmission.
Engine
- The intake manifold was heated by exhaust gasses.
- The timing chains were adjustable from the outside crankcase.
- The crankshaft diameter increased to 51mm.
- A new-style 4-pole motor-generator used.
I.D. DATA
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1920-21 Cadillac
Serial numbers were not used.
Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just back of the right hand bank of cylinders, and on a plate on the dash.
Engine No.: 59-A-1 through 59-Z-1000 and 59-AA-1 through 59-BB-12.
STYLE
First Design | |||
---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Body Type | Seating | Price |
– | 4-door Touring | 7 | $3740 |
– | 4-dr. Phaeton | 4 | $3590 |
– | 2-dr. Roadster | 2/4 | $3590 |
4000 | 2-dr. Victoria | 4 | $4340 |
– | 2-dr. Coupe | 2 | $4290 |
4010 | 4-dr. Sedan | 5 | $4750 |
4020 | 4-dr. Suburban | 7 | $4990 |
4030 | 4-dr. Limousine | 7 | $5090 |
4050 | 4-dr. Imperial Limousine | 7 | $5190 |
4040 | 4-dr. Town Brougham | 7 | $5090 |
Second Design | |||
---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Body Type | Seating | Price |
– | 4-dr. Touring | 7 | $3940 |
– | 4-dr. Phaeton | 4 | $3790 |
– | 2-dr. Roadster | 2/4 | $3790 |
4130 | 2-dr. Victoria | 4 | $4540 |
– | 2-dr. Coupe | 2 | – |
4140 | 4-dr. Sedan | 5 | $4950 |
4120 | 4-dr. Suburban | 7 | $5190 |
4150 | 4-dr. Limousine | 7 | $5290 |
4170 | 4-dr. Imperial Limousine | 7 | $5390 |
4160 | 4-dr. Town Brougham | 7 | $5290 |
Third Design | |||
---|---|---|---|
Style No. | Body Type | Seating | Price |
– | 4-dr. Touring | 7 | $3940 |
– | 4-dr. Phaeton | 4 | $3790 |
– | 2-dr. Roadster | 2/4 | $3790 |
4290 | 2-dr. Victoria | 4 | $4540 |
– | 2-dr. Coupe | 2P | – |
4270 | 4-dr. Sedan | 5 | $4950 |
4300 | 4-dr. Suburban | 7 | $5190 |
4360 | 4-dr. Limousine | 7 | $5290 |
4350 | 4-dr. Imperial Limousine | 7 | $5390 |
– | 4-dr. Town Brougham | 7 | $5690 |
Note 1: Some Fisher references designate 1st, 2nd, 3rd designs as 59-A, 59-B. 59-C. These designs differ only in detail and are not significant styling changes. The -A, -B, -C’s refer only to bodies, not “Type” — there was no Type 59-A, Type 59-B, or Type 59-C Cadillac.
Note 2: The two-passenger Coupe appeared only in early Type 59 catalogs. If produced at all as a Type 59 body style, this Coupe was dropped by April, 1920 but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.
Note 3: The April 1, 1920 price list advanced all prices by $200 (two-passenger Coupe was not listed). The only price change on May 1, 1920 was an advance to $5690 for the Town Brougham. This body style was not shown in the later (1921) catalogs, but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.
Note 4: Job (Body) number is stamped on right front door sill.
ENGINE
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1920-21 Cadillac
Engine Type | Ninety degree V-8. L-Head. Cast iron blocks of four on Aluminum crankcase. |
Bore and Stroke | 79.4mm x 130.2mm |
Displacement | 5.153 Liters |
S.A.E./N.A.C.C. H.P. | 31.25. |
Main bearings | Three. |
Valve lifters | Rockers with roller cam follower acting on mechanical lifters |
Carburetor | float feed, auxiliary air control; manufactured by Cadillac under C. F. Johnson patents. |
CHASSIS
Item | Type 59 Phae., Rds., Vict., Cpe., Sed. | Others |
Wheelbase | 3175mm | 3353mm |
Front/Rear Tread | 1422mm | 1422mm |
Tires | 34 x 4-1/2 | 35 x 5 |
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission | Selective sliding gear transmission. Case in unit with engine |
Speeds | 3 Forward and 1 Reverse |
Controls | Left drive, center control (right hand drive optional) |
Clutch | Multiple disc, dry plate clutch |
Drive | Shaft drive |
Axle | Spiral bevel, full floating rear axle |
Overall ratio | 4.44:1, 5.07:1 |
Brakes | Mechanical brakes on two wheels, one external, one internal. |
Wheels | Wood artillery wheels, demountable rims, 12 spoke |
Wheel size | 25 in. |
Optional Drive ratio | 3.94:1 |
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1920-21 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced January, 1920.
- Model year sales: 24878.
- Model year production: 24878.
- Richard H. Collins was president and general manager
- Herbert H. Rice became president and general manager on May 1921.
- Benjamin H. Anibal was chief engineer
- Lynn McNaughton was general sales manager
- The general state of the post war economy, shortages of materials, railway strikes, and the completion and occupation of a new factory resulted in a production slump at Cadillac during 1920-1921. With the outstanding war record of the Type 57; with long waiting lists of eager customers; and with reconstruction pressures in the nation and in the company — Cadillac built the new Type 59 for two years without significant styling or mechanical changes.
1920 Automotive Notes
- Industry production increases to 1,905,560 cars and 321,789 trucks
- William C. Durant was president of GM until November when Pierre S. du Pont became president and chairman of the board
- Duesenberg Model A introduced
- William C. Durant loses control of GM and is replaced by Pierre S. duPont
- Walter P. Chrysler takes charge of Willys-Overland
- John and Horace Dodge die
- Elmer Apperson dies
- Charles F. Kettering directs newly formed General Motors Research Corporation
- Bankers take over stuggling Maxwell
- Ford Model T prices drop to $148
- Top model year production for 1920
1921 Automotive Notes
- Industry production decrease to 1,468,067 cars and 148,052 trucks because of a recession
- Pierre S. du Pont was president and chairman of the board of GM
- Henry M. Leland’s new Lincoln Model L goes on sale for $4600
- William C. Durant creates Durant Motors
- Checker Cab goes into production
- Cadillac carburetors get thermostatic control
- William S. Knudsen leaves Ford and joins Chevrolet
- The first drive-in restaurant opens in Dallas Texas
- Dr. Thomas Midgley, Jr. promotes tetraethyl lead as a gasoline additive
- Top model year production for 1921