Cadillac History 1934

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

Sidemount cover(s) $20.00 ea.
Standard Radio $64.50
Master Radio $74.50
Heater $44.50
Seat covers
Spotlight $24.50
Flexible steering wheel

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