1936 Cadillac Series 80

The Cadillac Eight
The 1936 Cadillac model lineup included both eight-, twelve-, and sixteen-cylinder models. The 36-60 Eight was priced at $1,645 to $1,725, had a 121-inch wheelbase, and came equipped with a 322 cubic-inch L-head engine with a cast-iron block, three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and 125 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission was similar to the LaSalle. The Series 36-70 was offered as a coupe, convertible coupe, touring sedan, and convertible sedan all resting on a 131-inch wheelbase. Prices ranged from $2,450 to $2,750. The Series 36-75 Eight had a 138-inch wheelbase with prices that ranged from $2,650 to $3,400. Body styles included a sedan, touring sedan, formal sedan, and convertible sedan with five-passenger seating. Seven passenger sedans, Imperial sedan, Touring Sedan, Imperial Touring Sedan, and Town Car were also offered. Both the 36-70 and the 36-75 employed a 346 cubic-inch engine with three main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and developed 135 horsepower.

The Cadillac Twelve
The Cadillac twelve-cylinder models included the Series 36-80 on a 131-inch wheelbase and the Series 36-85 on a 138-inch wheelbase. The 368 cubic-inch engine had overhead valves, a cast-iron block on an aluminum crankcase, a Dual Detroit lubricator carburetor, four main bearings, and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch, and hydraulic brakes were on all four wheels.

The Series 36-80 Coupe was priced at $3,300, the convertible coupe at $3,400, the touring sedan at $3,150, and the convertible sedan at $3,450 (the same as the Series 36-70 Eight). The body styles on the 36-85 were the same as the eight-cylinder 36-75.

The Fleetwood, all-steel Turret Top bodies, had vee windshield styles, a narrow radiator shell, a new louver-style 'Convex vee' grille, and forward opening cowl vents. The 'touring' body styles, convertible sedans, and town sedans had built-in trunks. Convertible coupes and stationary coupes had rumble seats plus an additional door for the spare tire. The headlights were positioned on the radiator shell and the parking lights were located inside the headlights. The new fender designs incorporated a crease along the center line.

Distinguishable features between the eight- and twelve-cylinder models were limited to emblems, as the dual exhaust pipes no longer identified the V-12.

The Cadillac Sixteen
The large, powerful, and luxurious sixteen-cylinder models were similar to the previous years and were built on a per-order basis. The Fleetwood-built bodies used the all-steel Turret Top and vee windshields. The wheelbase measured 154 inches and had a length of 238 inches. The engine had overhead valves, a cast-iron block on an aluminum crankcase, a dual Detroit Lubricator carburetor, five main bearings, and produced 185 horsepower at 3,800 RPM.

Production
The Packard 36-60 followed a similar formula as the LaSalle, with an affordable price, elegant styling, Fisher bodies, and Cadillac quality. Although a new model for 1936, sales were rather impressive with 6,712 examples of the 36-60 constructed. Cadillac built 5,248 examples of the 36-70 and 36-75.

901 examples were twelve-cylinder Cadillacs and 52 were sixteen-cylinder models.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021