1919 Cadillac Type 57 Touring

In 1908, three Cadillacs circulated the newly opened Brooklands track, and there were stripped down and reassembled with each other's parts and then fired up and driven off again. This accomplishment earned Cadillac the honor of becoming the first American manufacturer to win the Royal Automobile Club's Dewar Trophy. After this achievement, they became known as the 'Standard of the World' due to their engineering excellence. Cadillac would win the Dewar Trophy again in 1912.

Cadillac's Model 30 was replaced by the luxurious Type 51 which was one of the first production cars to be powered by a mass-produced V8 engine. Production of the Type 51 lasted from 1917 through 1919. The similar model Types 53, 55, 57, 59 and 61 between them carried the design through to 1923 when it was updated to create the Type V63. The 90-degree V8 L-Head engine of the Type 51 had a displacement of 5154cc and offered just over 30 horsepower.

The 1918 Cadillac Type 57 had a streamlined design with the hood louvers and windshield inclined six degrees, giving it a sporty persona. The hood and cowl formed a continuous line that traveled all the way to the windshield. The catalog offered no fewer than 17 factory body styles catering to a wide range of clientele and applications.

The 1919 bodies of the Cadillac Type 57 were similar to the 1918 version, with the exception of five vertical hood louvers. Minor changes were made to various body styles, including the Victoria which no longer had an aluminum roof; it was not made from leather. The Town Limousine was renamed the Town Brougham. The phaeton was lowered by over an inch. The Hearse, Town Landaulet, and Landaulet were no longer available.

The 314.5 cubic-inch L-head V8 engine featured cast iron blocks of four on an aluminum crankcase and offered just over 30 horsepower. It had a float feed carburetor, three main bearings and was mated to a three-speed selective sliding gear transmission.

This Touring model was acquired in the 1950s by Calvin Zahn. It was maintained by him until his passing in 1994. It was subsequently inherited by his daughter and then by the current caretaker, his grandson.

This car is finished in red and black with the correct nickel trim. It has wooden artillery wheels and is accessorized with dual rear-mounted spares, a rolled aluminum bumper, Motometer, an air horn, a side-view mirror, and a correct black cloth top.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017