Cadillac Models & History 1934
8-CYLINDER 355-D
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1934 Cadillac Model 355
The1934 Cadillacs were completely restyled and mounted on an entirely new chassis, but used the same basic engines as in 1933.
Bodies
- Bodies on the Series 10 and 20 cars were built by Fisher.
- Bodies on the V-8 Fleetwood Series were shared with the twelves and sixteens.
- Styling emphasized streamlining including concealment of all chassis features except the wheels
- Body construction was improved for better insulation against engine heat and reduction of engine, road, and wind noise.
- Bumpers were a stylish but ineffective biplane design, mounted against telescoping springs.
- The grill was Vee shaped and sloping, set into a painted shell.
- Although restricted use of chrome was a feature of the overall ornamentation, a chrome plated radiator shell was available as an option.
- Horns and radiator filler cap were concealed under the hood.
- Teardrop Guide Multibeam headlights were mounted on streamlined supports attached to the fenders.
- Parking lamps were mounted in the headlight supports.
- Airfoil shaped front fenders were brought low over the chassis.
- The hood sills were high, with the entire fender shape molded into the radiator shell.
- A curious horizontal crease broke the nose contour of the fenders.
- Hoods extending nearly to the windshield carried shutter type louvers in the side panel.
- Windshields were fixed and steeply sloping; 18 degrees flat on Fisher bodies, 25 degrees flat or 29-1/2 degrees Vee on Fleetwood bodies.
- Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies, two vents projecting through openings in the hood on Vee windshield bodies.
- Bodies were two inches lower than on previous models.
- Added passenger space in the front compartment was achieved by moving the hand brake lever to the left of the driver, under the instrument panel.
- On twelves and sixteens, the gearshift lever was moved forward to the clutch housing.
- Rear fenders were airfoil shaped and carried rear lights which matched the headlights.
- The gas tank filler on Fisher bodies was on the left side at the rear of the body; on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender.
- All bodies featured a beaver tail rear deck which completely covered the chassis.
- On Fleetwood bodies, the spare was concealed inside the rear deck, unless optional fender mounts were specified.
Chassis:
- Significant changes in chassis design resulted in improved riding and handling plus decreased driver fatigue.
- The new independent “knee action” front suspension with coil springs and center point steering resulted in greatly reduced unsprung weight.
- Front shocks were now an integral part of the suspension; the shock arm being the upper suspension arm.
- An inverted steering box, mounted on the outside of the frame, was used on Fleetwood bodied cars.
- Hotchkiss drive replaced the torque tube drive.
- Rear brakes were operated by pull rods and cables.
- A new frame of X design added to chassis strength and allowed for the reduction in overall vehicle height.
- A stabilizer bar to control body roll in turns was added at the rear of the chassis.
- The brake and clutch pedal assembly was relocated from transmission to frame.
- Mufflers on Fleetwood bodied cars were relocated to the outside of the frame.
- In Fisher bodies, the battery was under the front seat, on the right side.
- In the Fleetwood bodies, the battery was under the right front fender and was removed from underneath.
Engine
- Engine changes were few, but horsepower was increased.
- All engines used Lynite Aluminum pistons.
- Compression ratios were increased.
- Intake ducting to the carburetor air cleaner was extended to the radiator casing, providing cold, dense air rather than the hot air in the engine compartment.
- The combination of Aluminum pistons, cold intake air, and higher compression with improved fuels resulted in increased horsepower and engine speeds.
- Detail changes in the V-8 engine included a change to the Detroit Lubricator Carburetor, use of dual valve springs, discontinuation of the oil filter, and solenoid starter control with starter button on instrument panel.
- One V-8 engine change to be appreciated by anyone removing a cylinder head was the change from head studs to cap screws.
- The change was actually made so that the heads could be turned before lifting, so as to clear the hood shelf.
- Another change, not necessarily appreciated was the elimination of provision for hand cranking.
I. D. DATA
- Serial numbers were on top surface of frame side bar, right side, of dash.
- Same as engine number.
- Starting no.: 3100001.
- Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).
- Engine numbers were stamped on crankcase near the water inlet on the side.
- Starting engine no.: 3100001.
- Ending: 3108318 (with 1935).
STYLE
Series 10 Fisher 128 in. wheelbase | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Style Number | Doors | Style | Seating | Price | Weight | Production |
34728 | 2-door | Sport Coupe | 2/3 | $2395 | 2068 kg | 2,015 |
34718 | 2-door | Convertible Coupe | 2/4 | $2495 | 2052 kg | |
34721 | 4-door | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $2695 | 2159 kg | |
34722 | 2-door | Town Coupe | 5 | $2545 | 2105 kg | |
34709 | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | $2495 | 2143 kg | |
34702 | 4-door | Town Sedan | 5 | $2545 | 2152 kg |
STYLE
Series 20 Fisher 136 in. wheelbase | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Style Number | Doors | Style | Seating | Price | Weight | Production |
34678 | 2-door | Sport Coupe | 2/3 | $2595 | 2118 kg | 2,729 |
34668 | 2-door | Convertible Coupe | 2/4 | $2695 | 2102 kg | |
34671 | 4-door | Convertible Sedan | 5 | $2895 | 2209 kg | |
34659 | 4-door | Sedan | 5 | $2695 | 2193 kg | |
34652 | 4-door | Town Sedan | 5 | $2745 | 2189 kg | |
34662 | 4-door | Sedan | 7 | $2845 | 2248 kg | |
34663 | 4-door | Imperial Sedan | 7 | $2995 | 2259 kg |
STYLE
Series Fleetwood (30) 146 in. wheelbase Vee windshield | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Some listings show these as 56____ styles | ||||
Style Number | Style | Seating | Price | Weight |
5702 | Roadster | 2 | ||
5712-C | Collapsible Town Cabriolet | 5 | ||
5712-LB | Town Cabriolet | 5 | $5495 | 2518 kg |
5712-MB | Town Cabriolet | 5 | ||
5720 | Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
5720-C | Collapsible Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
5725-B | Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
5725-LB | Town Cabriolet | 7 | $5595 | 2568 kg |
5725-MB | Town Cabriolet | 7 | ||
5730 | Imperial Sedan | 5 | ||
5730-FL | Imperial Cabriolet | 5 | $4145 | 2500 kg |
5730-FM | Imperial Brougham | 5 | ||
5730-S | Sedan | 5P | $3745 | 2484 kg |
5733 | Imperial Town Sedan | 5 | ||
5733-S | Town Sedan | 5 | $3795 | 2461 kg |
5735 | Convertible Coupe | 2P | $4045 | 2325 kg |
5757 | Transformable | 7 | ||
5759 | Sport Phaeton | 5 | ||
5775 | Imperial Sedan (Limousine ) | 7 | $4095 | 2536 kg |
5775-B | Limousine | 7 | ||
5775-E | Imperial Sedan | 7 | ||
5775-FL | Imperial Cabriolet | 7 | $4295 | 2536 kg |
5775 FM | Imperial Brougham | 7 | ||
5775-H4 | Imperial Sedan | 7 | ||
5775-S | Sedan | 7 | $3895 | 2520 kg |
5775-W | Limousine | 7 | ||
5776 | Coupe | 2 | $3895 | 2341 kg |
5780 | Convertible Sedan with divider | 5 | $4295 | 2484 kg |
5780-8 | Convertible Sedan | 5 | ||
5780-S | Convertible Sedan | 5 | ||
5785 | Collapsible Coupe | 5 | $4295 | 2461 kg |
5788 | Stat. Coupe | 5 | ||
5789-A | Victoria Coupe | 4 | ||
5791 | Limousine Brougham | 7 | $5495 | 2536 kg |
5791-B | Limousine Brougham | 7 | ||
5799 | Aero. Coupe | 5 | $4295 | 2468 kg |
STYLE
Series Fleetwood (30) 146 in. wheelbase flat windshield | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Style Number | Style | Seating | Price | Weight |
6030-B | Imperial Sedan | 5 | ||
6030-FL | Imperial Cabriolet | 5 | $3695 | 2500 kg |
6030-FM | Imperial Brougham | 5 | ||
6030-S | Sedan | 5 | $3295 | 2484 kg |
6033-S | Town Sedan | 5 | $3345 | 2461 kg |
6035 | Convertible Coupe | 2 | ||
6075 | Imperial Sedan | 7 | $3645 | 2536 kg |
6075-B | Limousine (spec. back) | 7 | ||
6075-D | Limousine | 7 | ||
6075-E | Limousine | 7 | ||
6075-FL | Imperial Cabriolet | 7 | $3845 | 2536 kg |
6075-FM | Imperial Brougham | 7 | ||
6075-H3 | Limousine | 7 | ||
6075-H4 | Limousine | 7 | ||
6075-O | Imperial Sedan | 7 | ||
6075-S | Sedan | 7 | $3445 | 2520 kg |
- Some confusion exists regarding style numbers on 1934-35 Fleetwood bodies.
- Following the previous Fleetwood system, V-8’s would be 56- or 60- styles, V-12’s would be 57- or 61- styles, and V-16’s would be 58- or 60- styles.
- This system was followed in promotional literature, in the 1934 Master Parts List, and in early factory records.
- However, since the bodies were identical for all these series, Fleetwood stamped all body plates 57- or 60-.
- Master Parts Lists after 1934 used only 57- and 60- style numbers for 1934-35 Fleetwood bodies.
- Starting in 1936, V-8 and V-12 style numbers reflected the new 1936 series designations, but V-16’s retained the 57- system. However, 60- styles were no longer offered.
ENGINE
Type | Ninety degree L-head. |
Cylinders | Eight cylinders. |
Crankcase | Cast iron block on aluminum crankcase |
Bore & stroke | 85.7mm x 125.4mm |
Displacement | 5.793 Liters |
Compression Ratio | 6.25:1 std. 5.75:1 opt. |
Brake Horsepower | 120 hp @ 3000 rpm |
Power | 89.5 kW @ 3000 rpm |
SAE/Taxable Horsepower | 36.45. |
Main bearings | Three. |
Valve lifters | Mechanical |
Carburetor | Detroit Lubricator, Model 51. |
CHASSIS
Feature | Series 10 | Series 20 | Series Fleetwood 30 |
---|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 3251mm | 3454mm | 3708mm |
Overall length | 5226mm – 5271mm | 5417mm – 5474mm | 5780mm |
Front Tread | 1508mm | 1508mm | 1508mm |
Rear Tread | 1575mm | 1575mm | 1575mm |
Tires | 7.00 x 17 | 7.00 x 17 | 7.00 x 17 |
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission | Selective synchro transmission. |
Speeds | 3 Forward 1 Reverse |
Controls | Left hand drive, center control, emergency brake at left-under panel (rhd opt). |
Clutch | Twin disc clutch. |
Drive | Shaft drive, Hotchkiss. |
Axle | 3/4 floating rear axle |
Drive Type | spiral bevel drive |
Overall ratio | [Series 10, 20] 4.60:1 std, 4.36, 4.8:1 opt. [Series 30] 4.80:1 std, 4.60:1 opt. |
Brakes | Mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on four wheels. |
Wheels | Wire wheels. |
Wheel size | 17 in. drop center. |
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1934 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced: January, 1934.
- Model year production of V-8: 4744.
- Model year production of V-12: 683.
- Model year production of V-16: 60
- Cadillac introduces a controlled-current generator
- The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher to May 31, 1934.
- Nicholas Dreystadt was general manager after June 1, 1934.
- Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
- J. C. Chick was general sales manager
1934 Automotive Notes
- Industry production rises to 2,270,566 cars and 599,397 trucks
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. was president of GM
- Lammot du Pont was chairman of the board at GM
- Chrysler introduces the Airflow
- Graham introduces a supercharged engine
- LaFayette is the new offering from Nash
- Pierce-Arrow files for bankruptcy
- Last year for American Austin
- GM features “Knee-Action” independent front suspension
- Terraplane is now a separate make
- Auburn features its “Aero-Streamlined” styling
- Top model year production for 1934
Ford563,921
Chevrolet551,371
Master452,412
Standard98,959
Plymouth321,171
Dodge95,011
Pontiac78,859
Oldsmobile75,574
Buick71,009
Series 4028,893
Series 5021,850
Series 6015,352
Series 904,934
Studebaker59,864
Terraplane51,084
Chrysler36,091
Hudson27,054
Nash23,616
DeSoto13,940
Willys13,235
Graham11,430
Hupmobile9,420
Packard8,000
LaSalle7,195
Cadillac5,823
355D Eight Series 102,015
355D Eight Series 202,729
355D Eight Series 30336
370D Twelve Series 40683
452D Sixteen Series 6060
Auburn5,536
LaFayette5,000
Reo4,460
Lincoln2,431
Pierce-Arrow1,735
American Austin (wb 75 in.)1,300
Franklin504