1931 Cadillac Series 355-A Eight Roadster

It was 1915 when Cadillac introduced its very first V-8 engine. Later, in 1930 they would introduce the V-16, not only did Cadillac offer a variety of body styles over the years, but also a full complement of available drive-trains.

Despite the economic downturn, Cadillac, like other prestige manufacturers found itself in the middle of the 'cylinder wars,' which they basically started after firing the first shot in 1930 by introducing the V-16. They added a V-12 model for 1931, and the Twelve and Sixteen shared parts as well as dimensions and angles, so production didn't have to proceed from scratch. A bright-white Series 370 V-12 roadster was driven by Willard 'Big Boy' Rader and paced that year's Indianapolis 500. While the flagship V-12s and V-16 gathered all the fanfare, the V-8-powered models like this convertible coupe sold in steady numbers helping Cadillac's bottom line during difficult economic times.

After the Great Depression, Cadillac produced an exceptionally wide range of body styles and even more engine choices. The 355-A, such as this example, is slightly longer in length than the earlier styles and it features the 'rectangular doors' offering easier entry and exit.

Engine horsepower was slightly under one hundred and for the 1931 model year, Cadillac would sell fewer than 11,000 examples of this model. The wheelbase is 134 inches, and the power train features a three-speed synchromesh transmission. The famed Harley Earl was acknowledged as the chief designer at the time.

This car was originally delivered new to Philadelphia in November of 1931, later residing in Connecticut and then Indiana. It was found derelict and removed from a Goshen, Indiana, orchard in 1969 by its previous owner. Some work was done though it essentially remained in storage until 1992 when purchased by its current caretakers, who completed the restoration in 2017. It retains the original chassis, engine, transmission, rear axle, and the Fleetwood body as shown on the original factory build sheet.