1904 Cadillac Model B

The history of the Cadillac company is intertwined with Henry Ford, who, following a dispute with his investors, left the company along with several key individuals in March 1902. William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, two financial backers of the Henry Ford Company, enlisted engineer Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company to appraise the company's assets and prepare it for liquidation. Leland's recommendation was to continue manufacturing automobiles using Leland's single-cylinder engine. On August 22nd of 1902, a new company was formed named the Cadillac Automobile Company using the Henry Ford Company factory at Cass Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The name 'Cadillac' was in honor of French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, who had founded Detroit in 1701.

The first Cadillac automobiles of 1903 (the earliest examples were completed in October of 1902) were powered by a single-cylinder, 98 cubic-inch engine that was rated at 6.5 horsepower but could produce as much as 10 hp. Known as the Model A, they were offered as a runabout, with or without a rear-mounted tonneau. Cadillac produced 2,497 examples in 1903 and quickly established a reputation for quality, finish, and mechanical engineering.

In 1904, Henry Leland introduced his improved version of the Cadillac Model B. The Model A's longitudinal semi-elliptic suspension was replaced with a transverse leaf front spring. The engine remained under the seat but the front was given a box-like hood. Located at the front was the radiator, just below the hood. The Model B was the same size as the Model A, which remained in production but was given a more potent engine rated at 8.25 horsepower. The Model B was available in a variety of configurations including a runabout, four-passenger surrey, rear-entrance tonneau, and a two-passenger delivery car. The price of the Model ranged from $800 to $900.

Sales were respectable for Cadillac in 1903, even considering a fire that shut down production for 45 days. Due to the fire, a total of 1,500 deposits were returned to customers since the company was unable to complete their orders.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020