1922 Cadillac Type 61

Cadillac was formed in 1902 from the remnants of the Henry Ford Company. They built their first automobile in October of 1902 and quickly established a reputation for precision manufacture of high-quality motor cars. In 1912, they led the industry with its innovative electric starting and lighting systems, pushing the mechanical envelope further in 1915 with the first mass-produced V-8 engine. Designed by D. McCall White, a Scottish-born engineer, the new L-head engine used two cast-iron blocks with integral heads, mounted on a common crankcase of aluminum and copper alloy. The engine employed Cadillac founder Henry Leland's preferred fork-and-blade connecting rods and had cylinder banks placed directly opposite each other.

Cadillac introduced the Type 61 in September of 1921 and remained in production through the 1923 model year, with approximately 41,000 examples built. A total of 12 body styles were offered, resting on a single 132-inch wheelbase platform. The new Type 61 was only slightly different than the preceding Type 59 and 60 models of 1920 and 1921, featuring a higher radiator and raised hood shoulder, along with an aluminum hood. The Type 61 had the same ground clearance as before, but due to smaller diameter wheels, it had a lowered center of gravity. The previous fork used to carry the headlights was replaced by a single post. The optional nickel-plated lights and radiator had straight sides rather than curves. Inside was a new steering wheel devoid of the hinge.

The two-passenger coupe and town brougham body styles were carried over from the previous models, with the five-passenger coupe being new. The Landau sedan was new for 1923.

The ninety-degree. L-head, V-8 engine displaced 314.5 cubic inches and had a float feed carburetor manufactured by Cadillac under C.F. Johnson patents, and delivered 60 horsepower. It used a selective sliding gear transmission with multiple disc, dry plate clutch, and stopping power by mechanical brakes on two wheels, with one external and one internal. At all four corners were wood artillery wheels with demountable rims.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020