1937 Cadillac Series 70

The 1937 Cadillac models were powered by eight, twelve, and sixteen cylinders with wheelbase sizes of 124-, 131-, 138-, and 154-inches. Eight-cylinder models were called the Series 60, 65, 70, and 75. The twelve-cylinder model was the Series 85, and like the Eight, wore Fisher and Fleetwood coachwork. The large and stately Sixteen (Series 90) on the exclusive 154-inch wheelbase wore Fleetwood coachwork and, for the first time, used hydraulic brakes.

Eight-cylinder power had been employed by Cadillac since its arrival in 1915 on the Type 51. The V8 unit had a 314 cubic-inch displacement and delivered 70 horsepower at 2,400 RPM. Cadillac's sixteen-cylinder engine arrived in 1930, joining the eight, and igniting the 'cylinder wars' that would result in many marque's going out the business as they were unable to compete with Cadillac nor cope with the Great Depression. The demise was quickened with the arrival of a twelve-cylinder model for 1931 allowing Cadillac to cater to a larger audience of elite buyers. Eight-cylinder power would remain the company's 'bread and budder,' and having catapulted Cadillac to the pinnacle of the luxury car segment, the twelve and sixteen were retired prior to America's entry into World War II.

Cadillac's eight-cylinder options for 1937 included the Fisher-bodied Series 60 rested on a 124-inch wheelbase and was priced from $1,545 to $1,890. The Series 65 was offered solely as a Fisher-bodied Touring Sedan priced at $1,945 and resting on a 131-inch platform. The Series 75 was offered with both Fisher and Fleetwood coachwork on a 138-inch wheelbase. The Series 75 with Fisher coachwork was offered as a $2,445 Touring Sedan or a $2,645 Imperial Touring Sedan. The Series 70 used a 131-inch wheelbase The Series 75 was also offered with a commercial chassis that had a wheelbase of 156-inches and an overall length of 231.25-inches. The eight-cylinder Series 75 and the twelve-cylinder Series 85 shared the 138-inch wheelbase and many of the same body styles.

The L-head, 90-degree, eight-cylinder engine displaced 346 cubic inches and had three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and delivered 135 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. In comparison, the twelve displaced 368 cubic inches and offered 150 horsepower, and the 452 cubic-inch sixteen produced 185 hp. All engines were backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single-disc clutch (the sixteen had a twin-disc clutch). Hydraulic brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power (the sixteen had a vacuum booster).

The all-steel Turret Top Series 70 bodies had vee'd windshields, a narrow radiator shell, louver-style 'Convex vee' grille, and high front fenders with a crease along the center line. The headlights were mounted on the radiator shell and the parking lights were positioned inside the headlights. The 'touring' body styles, convertible sedans, and town sedans had built-in trunks.

The touring sedan had a factory base price of $2,445, the sport coupe at $2,645, the convertible coupe at $2,745, and the convertible sedan at $2,800.

Cadillac produced 4,232 examples of the combined Series 70 and Series 75 in 1937.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021