Cadillac Models & History 1931
Threemodels were offered for 1931: a series 355-A with eight cylinders, a series 370-A with twelve cylinders, and a continuation of the 1930-31 series 452 and 452-A V-16.
MODEL 355-A
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1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
The 355-A, eight cylinder, was similar to the Series 353 of 1930 except the body was longer and lower. The hood was also longer with five hood ports or rectangular doors. The cowls had matching doors. the coach sill was modified and there were no compartments in the splash pan. The battery and tool compartments were located under the front seat. The floor boards were metal. The instrument panel was oval with the same grouping as the Series 353. It also featured a radiator screen, single bar bumper, and dual horns. The headlight diameter was reduced one inch.
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1931 Cadillac
The frame was new with divergent side rails. The rear springs were mounted directly under the frame rails. There were metal covers on the springs. The radiator was mounted lower in the frame. The cooling system contained a condenser tank.
The engine displacement was the same as the Series 353, but the series designation on the V-8 models no longer matched the displacement. The V-8 now had a five point engine suspension similar to the V-16. An intake muffler was added. The distributor was 38mm higher than on the 345. The fan was mounted lower to match the lower mounted radiator.
I. D. DATA
1931 Cadillac
- Serial numbers were not used.
- The engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right hand side.
- It started with 800001 and ended with 810717.
STYLE
| FISHER | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Doors | Type | Passengers | Price | Weight |
| 31252 | 4 | Town sedan | 5 | $2845 | 2125 kg |
| 31258 | 2 | Coupe | 2/4 | $2695 | 2036 kg |
| 31259 | 4 | Sedan | 5 | $2795 | 2118 kg |
| 31262 | 4 | Sedan | 7 | $2945 | 2164 kg |
| 31263 | 4 | Imperial sedan | 7 | $3095 | 2198 kg |
| 31272 | 2 | Coupe | 5 | $2795 | 2045 kg |
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1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
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1931 Cadillac Fleetwood
STYLE
| FLEETWOOD | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Doors | Type | Passengers | Price | Weight |
| 4502 | 2 | Roadster | 2/4 | $2845 | 2023 kg |
| 4503 | 4 | Sedan | 7 | ||
| 4535 | 2 | Convertible Coupe | 2/4 | $2945 | 2023 kg |
| 4550 | 4 | Transformable Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
| 4557 | 4 | Transformable | 7 | $3195 | |
| 4560 | 4 | Phaeton | 4/5 | $2945 | 1998 kg |
| 4580 | 4 | All weather phaeton | 5 | $3795 | 2130 kg |
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1931 Cadillac
ENGINE
| Type | 90 degree L-head – eight cylinder |
| Material | Cast iron on aluminum crankcase |
| Bore and stroke | 85.7mm x 125.4mm |
| Displacement | 5.793 Liter |
| Compression ratio | 5.35:1 (opt 5.26:1) |
| Brake horsepower | 95 plus @ 3000 rpm |
| Taxable horsepower | 36.45 |
| Main bearings | 3 |
| Valve lifters | mechanical |
| Carburetor | Cadillac and Johnson, with intake silencer |
CHASSIS
| Feature | Series 355-A | Series 355-A Commercial Chassis |
| Wheelbase | 3404mm | 3861mm |
| Overall length | 5156mm | |
| Height | 1842MM | |
| Front tread | 1454mm | |
| Rear tread | 1511mm | |
| Tires (std) | 6.50 x 19 | |
| Tires (opt) | 7.00 x 18 |
DRIVETRAIN
| Transmission | Selective, synchro |
| Speeds | 3 forward, 1 reverse |
| Controls | left-hand drive with center controls (right-hand optional) |
| Clutch | Twin disc |
| Drive | Shaft drive with torque tube |
| Rear axle | 3/4 floating rear axle |
| Rear drive | spiral bevel drive |
| Overall ratio | std 4.75:1, opt 4.07:1, 4.54:1 |
| Brakes | Mechanical on four wheels |
| Wheels (std) | Wood artillery |
| Wheels (opt) | Wire, disc, or demountable wood |
| Wheel size (std) | 19″ |
| Wheel size (opt) | 18″ |
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1931 Cadillac Notes
- The V-8 was introduced August 1930.
- Model year sales of V-8: 10,717.
- Model year production of V-8: 10,709.
- The V-12 model was introduced in October 1930.
- The V-12 roadster was used as a pace car in Indy.
- Model year production of V-12s was 5725.
- The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.
- Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
- J. C. Chick was general sales manager
1931 Automotive Notes
- Industry production dropped another million to 2,038,183 cars and 434,176 trucks
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
- Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
- Chrysler introduces its first 8-cyl engine
- Last year for Oakland, but Pontiac continues
- Studebaker started “free-wheeling” but now it is offered by Auburn, Chrysler, DeSoto, DeVaux, Dodge, Essex, Graham, Hudson, Hupmobile, Lincoln, Marmon, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, and Willys
- Startix (a device to restart a stalled engine) is offered on several makes
- Oldsmobile first to adopt “Synchro-Mesh” transmission
- Packard and others offer shock-absorber adjustments from the dashboard
- Last year for the Ford Model A
- B. B. Ellerbeck patents a retractable hardtop convertible
- Top model year production for 1931
