1910 Cadillac Model 30

Cadillac built its first car in 1903 and quickly established a reputation for reliability, durability, and precision engineering. Founded under the guidance of Henry Martyn Leland (later merging with Leland & Faulconer), in 1908, the Cadillac set the world standard for quality when the company won the coveted Dewar Trophy for dependability from the Royal Automobile Club. The following year, the company was acquired by William Crapo Durant's General Motors.

The Cadillac Model 30 was not the first four-cylinder model produced by the company, that honor was with the Model D, introduced in 1905. However, the Model 30 was arguably the perfected four-cylinder Cadillac, raising the quality standards to new heights. The successful design and construction of the single-cylinder Cadillac were used for the four, including its arrangement of four individual cylinders with copper water jackets and an unusual variable valve lift throttle system.

Cadillac's 1908 catalog had five different models including three with single-cylinder engines and two with four-cylinder power. In 1909, there was only one, the four-cylinder powered Thirty. This allowed the company to streamline production, improve quality, and reduce prices by thirty percent. The Model Thirty would remain the sole model in Caddilac's catalog for the next six years, although the model designation changed and in 1913 an increase in stroke of 1 1/4-inch substantially increased displacement and brake horsepower even though the calculated rating stayed the same.

Cadillac produced 5,903 vehicles in 1909, increasing dramatically to 15,018 by 1913 and 14,003 in 1914.

The Cadillac Model Thirty came standard with side oil lamps, horn, basic tools, a tire holder, a tire repair kit, and a tail lamp. The base price was $1600, an increase of two hundred dollars from the previous year. The four-passenger model was labeled the Demi-Tonneau. This version could be converted into a two-seater runabout by detaching and removing the rear portion of the body.

The 226 cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine used a single updraft carburetor and produced 30 horsepower at 2,300 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission and used two-wheel mechanical brakes for stopping power.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2005