1928 Cadillac Series 341A

Cadillac, during the latter portion of the 1920s and early 1930s, witnessed the creation of the LaSalle companion model in 1927 wearing styling by Harley Earl's new 'Art and Colour' department, and the introduction of the sixteen-cylinder engine that was in development since 1926 and announced after the stock market crash of 1929. General Motors' president William C. Durant had acquired 60 percent of Fisher Body in 1919, and Fisher purchased Fleetwood Metal Body in 1926. A year later, it was integrated entirely as an in-house coachbuilding division of General Motors. By 1928, nearly all of Fleetwood's work was being applied to the Cadillac and LaSalle chassis. The Fisher and Fisher 'Custom' lines were merged, while Fleetwood handled the full custom builds.

The 1928 Cadillac line included a single model, the Series 341-A powered by an eight-cylinder engine with offset blocks, a single exhaust system, an oil filter mounted on the engine, an oil level indicator behind the right-hand block, and side-by-side connecting rods. Its configuration was very similar to the engine used in the LaSalle Model 303 with the most visual difference being the use of a Cadillac float feed carburetor and enameled heat deflector. It had a cast-iron block, a copper and aluminum crankcase, a 341 cubic-inch displacement, three main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and delivered 90 horsepower. The engine was backed by a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission with a twin-disc clutch. The rear drum brakes were 16 inches while the fronts measured 17 inches (they began at 16 inches, then increased mid-year to 17 inches). Artillery wheels were standard and wire and disc wheels were optional equipment. Semi-elliptic leaf springs were used in the front and rear, with a beam axle in the front and a live axle in the rear. New double-action Delco hydraulic shock absorbers made for a smoother ride. The wheelbase measured 140 inches and had a length of 213.25 inches. The commercial chassis had a 152-inch wheelbase and were bodied by Superior.

After the successful launch of the LaSalle marque, Harley Earl turned his talents to the 1928 Cadillac, featuring new headlights, a chromed plated grille, sweeping fenders, and elegant new bodies from Fleetwood and Fisher. Cadillac advertised 'Fifty body styles and types – Five hundred color and upholstery combinations,' while the Salon catalog for 1928 boasted 'Colors from Nature's Own Studio.'

Styling highlights included 12-inch bullet-type headlights mounted on a crossbar between the fenders and sidelights located on the cowl. In the back were dual ball-shaped rear lights mounted on the fender. Closed cars had dual ventilator doors on the sides while open cars had them on top of the cowl.

Pricing for the 1928 Cadillac began at $3,350 for the roadster and rose to over $6,200 for the Touring Town Collapsible Cabriolet. The Fisher bodies were all under $4,000 while the Fleetwood bodies began at that price point.

Optional equipment included tire covers, tonneau windshield, step plate, tire mirrors, folding trunk rack, disc wheels, and natural wood wheels.

Cadillac had 20,001 sales in 1928, dipping to 18,103 sales the following year, and 14,995 in 1929.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020