1936 Cadillac Series 85

Engineer Owen Nacker concurrently designed the V-16, introduced in January of 1930 and produced until 1940, alongside a new V-12 engine. The 368 cubic-inch V-12, based on the V-16 architecture, had a 45-degree unit with overhead valves actuated by hydraulic lifters for reduced noise and delivered 150 horsepower. Wheelbase sizes measured 140- and 143-inches and some were built by Fisher, but all had interiors by Fleetwood. The hoods were four inches shorter than the V16 models, and five inches longer than the V-8.

Production of the V-12 lasted for seven years with a succession of careful mechanical improvements applied to the entire Cadillac range through the mid-1930s.

A styling revolution at General Motors began in 1927 with the hiring of Harley Earl and his establishment of General Motors' 'Art and Color' Department. The designs were modern, sleek, and elegant and a departure from classic formality. The aircraft-inspired streamlined themes had flowing fenders, rounded appearances, and raked windscreens.

The 1936 Cadillac Series 36-80 and Series 36-85 used a 45-degree overhead-valve V-12 engine with a cast-iron block on the aluminum crankcase, four main bearings, mechanical valve lifters with a hydraulic silencer on rocker bushings, a dual Detroit Lubricator carburetor, and delivering 150 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch. Stopping power was by hydraulic drums on four wheels. Disc wheels were also at all four corners.

The Series 36-80 rested on a 131-inch wheelbase while the Series 36-85 had a 138-inch platform. A commercial chassis was also available, measuring 156-inches. The V-12 models were similar to the V8 models, with a similar range of body styles. The shorter platform included a coupe, convertible coupe, touring sedan, and convertible sedan. The V8-powered models had prices that ranged from $2,450 to $2,750 while the V-12 versions were priced from $3,150 to $3,450.

The 138-inch wheelbase carried several sedan body styles that included a touring, formal, convertible, town, and five- and seven-passenger version. The Imperial Sedan, Touring Sedan, Imperial Touring Sedan, and Town Car were all seven-passenger bodies. Prices on the eight-cylinder models ranged from $2,650 to $4,450. Prices on the V-12 ranged from $3,350 to $5,150.

Touring-style bodies, town sedans, and convertible sedans had built-in trunks. Both the convertible coupes and the stationary coupes had rumble seats plus a separate door for the spare tire at the very rear of the deck.

All of the V8 and V-12 bodies were by Fleetwood with vee-type windshields, a narrower radiator shell, and a new louver-style 'Convex vee' grille. The front fenders were new, with a crease along the center line, and the headlights mounted on the radiator shell with parking lights inside the headlights.

Although the LaSalle models had been using hydraulic brakes since 1934, this was the first year of their use on Cadillac models. This was also the first year, since 1914, that Cadillacs were designated as a year model.

1936 Cadillac model year sales of the eight-cylinder models were 5,248 units. Sales of the 1936 V-12 models were 901 units.

Optional equipment included a radio, seat covers, wheel discs, trim rings, sidemount covers, and a flexible steering wheel.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020