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1931 Cadillac Series 452-A Sixteen

Despite the economic hardship of the era, Cadillac introduced one of the greatest engineering feats to date. During the latter part of the 1920s, Alfred Sloan's General Motors was gaining on nearly every market segment, from the new overhead-valve six, which was pitted against Ford's four, to a full offering of middle and upper-middle-class cars ranging from Pontiac to Buick. Cadillac, however, was losing ground to the other marques, including Packard. Lincoln vehicles had grown in popularity thanks, in part, to Edsel Ford's new bodies. In comparison, the Cadillacs had stodgy styling and old technology.

As the multi-cylinder wars were continuing to escalate, Cadillac's venerable V8 was supplemented by two new engines - a V12 and a V16. Additionally, GM had created the Art and Colour department, the first real styling department of its kind, and was headed by Harley Earl with the first designs applied to GM's newly created LaSalle Company. The designs had European inspiration but with a distinctly American flavor. There were long, sweeping fenders, an upright radiator shell, and large chrome headlights connected by a tie bar. In 1928, the same styling was implemented for Cadillac. In 1930 came the introduction of the V-16 engine, which helped realize the potential of the new styling and design. This allowed longer wheelbases and more elaborate and luxurious coachwork. The V16 bodies had graceful hoods, and V16 insignia on the tie bar and hubcaps.

The engine compartment of the Cadillac V16 was styled by Owen Milton Nacker and was the first engine bay to receive design consideration. The wiring was hidden under covers accented by cloisonné knobs. It was painted in black enamel with a brushed aluminum raised pattern on the valve covers. A false firewall concealed the necessary wiring and plumbing from view, and the fuel lines were plated.

The V16 engine had an advanced overhead-valve design that incorporated automatic hydraulic valve lash compensators. The engine was narrow, thanks to the 45-degree cylinder bank angle and the overhead valve design.

With the introduction of the mighty V16 engine and the modern bodies, Cadillac had catapulted to the head of the declining luxury market. The other manufacturers scrambled to keep up and due to the economic hardships, the enormous cost of the development effort created financial pressures from which many companies would never recover. Cadillac survived, thanks in large part to the financial support of General Motors.

For 1931, Cadillac offered a car for nearly every segment of the U.S. luxury car market. They had no less than four separate passenger car lines with power available from 8, 12, or 16 cylinders.

The 45-degree V-16 engine displaced 452 cubic inches, had cast nickel-iron blocks on a silicon/aluminum crankcase, five main bearings, a pushrod/rocker arm with a hydraulic rotary eccentric silencer in the rocker arm, a float feed carburetor, and delivered approximately 175 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. Engine lubrication was full pressure from an oil pump on the rear main bearing cap. The crankshaft thrust was taken by the center main and a harmonic balancer was positioned on the front end of the crankshaft. A single chain drove the camshaft and generator. There was a selective, synchromesh three-speed transmission with a twin-disc clutch, a floating rear axle, spiral bevel drive, and vacuum-assisted mechanical 16.5-inch brakes on all four wheels.

The list of available body styles was extensive, including open and closed coachwork with two- and four-door configurations. Fleetwood and Fisher bodies were offered, with most being of Fleetwood design. The Fisher bodies were special orders or, in a few cases, as cataloged offerings. Prices ranged from $5,800 to $9,700. The wheelbase measured 148 inches and had an overall length of 222.5 inches.

For comparison, the 1931 Cadillac Series 355-A Eight was powered by a 353 cubic-inch L-head eight-cylinder engine offering approximately 95 horsepower at 3,000 RPM and backed by a three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission. It had mechanical brakes on four wheels, a 134-inch wheelbase (152-inch wheelbase for the commercial chassis), and prices that ranged from $2,800 to $3,800. The Cadillac Series 370-A Twelve was powered by a 368 cubic-inch V12 with overhead valves and delivered 135 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. Its wheelbase measured 140 inches (152 inches for the commercial chassis) and was priced from $3,800 to $4,900.

Cadillac sold 3,251 examples of the Sixteen for 1931, 10,717 of the Eight, and 5,733 of the Twelve.


by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019

Related Reading : Cadillac Series 452/90 History

Henry Martin Leland and his son Wilfred were partly responsible for making Cadillac one of the finest of all American Automobiles. Henry was renowned for his precision engineering and for standardizing manufacturing. He helped make Cadillac into one of the finest of all American Automobiles. Later, he founded Lincoln. Even after the Lelands departed from Cadillac, the marque remained a top-of-the-line....
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1931 Cadillac Series 452-A Sixteen Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$72-$5,350
1931 Cadillac Series 452-A Sixteen
$9,700-$18,000
1931 Cadillac Series 452-A Sixteen Price Range: $5,350 - $9,700

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Other 1931 Cadillac Models

Series 452/90

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
2,887
148.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 175.00hp
$5,300 - $9,700
363
148.00 in., 149.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.60 CID., 165.00hp
$5,350 - $9,700
300
143.00 in., 149.00 in., 165.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 165.00hp
$4,495 - $5,945
126
143.00 in., 149.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 165.00hp
$6,250 - $8,000
146.00 in., 154.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 169.20hp
$6,650 - $8,950
154.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 185.00hp
$6,750 - $9,050
52
154.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 185.00hp
$6,085 - $6,390
50
154.00 in.
16 cyl., 452.00 CID., 185.00hp
$7,350 - $7,950

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