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 Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood

As America's Great Depression continued, the luxury automobile market dwindled, yet Cadillac offered three distinct series: the V-8, V-12, and V-16. In 1936, the performance of the V-12 motor was greatly improved over its 1935 counterpart. The 368 cubic-inch motor developed 150 horsepower. It was placed in a 138-inch wheelbase chassis for the 36-85 series, which included this convertible sedan, built in the Fleetwood custom shops. A total of 15 different body styles were available with the V-12 motor in 1936. The total production of all V-12s was 901.

The 85 Series was downplayed by Cadillac, though under its hood is Cadillac's magnificent V-12 engine, a smaller version of the Cadillac V-16 introduced in 1930 and hallmarked as great in design in not only its mechanics but its appearance. The V-12 was developed for the 1931 model year and offered as a companion to Cadillac's V-16 and V-8 models. The V-12 engine is a 368 cubic-inch, 45-degree, overhead valve with hydraulic valve silencers, and is rated at 150 horsepower. 1937 would be the last year for the Cadillac V-12 and 1940 would be the last year for the V-16.

The Convertible Sedan Coachwork is one of 44 produced. This car was driven 4,300 miles on a cross-country trip across the United States in 2013. It is recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America and is both a CCCA and AACA Senior award winner.

Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 4110624

Cadillac introduced its new models for 1936 in October 1935. The most notable change was the addition of a more moderately priced eight-cylinder model and an expansion of the 12-cylinder models into two different wheelbase configurations. The V-12 models for 1936 were basically just a V-8 model with a larger engine. The V-12 had been improved and performance reflected those changes.

The Series 80 cars were built on a 131-inch wheelbase while the more luxurious Series 85 cars were given a larger, 138-inch wheelbase. Pennsylvania-based coachbuilder Fleetwood was tasked with designing the coachwork for both the Series 80 and Series 85 cars. In total, 14 different body styles between the two were created.

The 12-cylinder cars had bullet-shaped headlights, pontoon fenders, a narrower radiator grille with horizontal slats, and a streamlined canopy appearance. New mechanical features included an emergency brake located underneath the dashboard and hydraulic drum brakes.

A total of 651 Series 85 examples were built.

This example is a Convertible Sedan that has been given a recent, frame-off restoration. The work was awarded 100 points by CCCA judges on two occasions and it earned second place in its class at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The overhead-valve V-12 engine displaces 368 cubic inches and offers 150 horsepower. There are dual Detroit Lubricator carburetors and a three-speed selective synchromesh manual gearbox.

In 2009, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, CA. It was expected to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $165,000, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Formal Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 4110554

The Cadillac V12 engine was designed by engineer Owen Nacker concurrently with the V-16 which was introduced in 1930. Based on the V-16 architecture, the 368 cubic-inch V12 was a 45-degree unit with overhead valves actuated by hydraulic lifters for reduced noise. The V-12 lasted for seven years. By 1936 all Cadillacs had independent front suspension, all-wheel hydraulic brakes, and all-steel bodies. The Series 85 Cadillacs rode on a 138-inch wheelbase.

In 1936, Cadillac produced 901 examples of the V12. This example is a Fleetwood Style 8543 limousine which sold for $5,145 when new. It has a separate Chauffeur's cabin with a convertible top and divider glass. It has been professionally restored and was on display for several years in a museum in Kendallville, Indiana. The engine has fewer than 100 miles since being rebuilt. The exterior is finished in green and there is a new leather top over the driver's compartment. It has twin outside mirrors and dual side-mount spares. Inside, there is seating for seven passengers on a bench seat and two jump seats.

by Dan Vaughan

Town Sedan by Fleetwood

This 1936 Cadillac Model 85 Town Sedan is one of 901 V12s made, bridging the price gap between the V16s and the V8s in the Cadillac model line. A total of 15 different body styles were available with the V12 in 1936. The V12 is distinguished by its vee-windscreen, and for 1936 performance was greatly improved over previous years. Optional extras listed included side-mount covers for spare wheels and a heater, as on this car. This car has been on six Classic Car Club of America CARavans since 2012, including the Rediscover America CARavan from New York City to San Francisco. Its current owners have driven the car for approximately 10,000 miles on tours and events all over the country.

Sedan by Fleetwood

The 1936 Series 36-85 Cadillacs were basically the Fleetwood V8 body style with the larger 12-cylinder engine. Performance, however, was increased materially over the older V12s. During this period, Cadillac produced V8, V12 and V16 models. The better performance of the V12 made this model quite popular. With a custom body by Fleetwood, the wheelbase was a rather long 138 inches, and the V12 now produced over 150 horsepower. In 1936 Cadillac produced 901 V12-powered automobiles.

These cars were heavy as this model came in at slightly over 5,000 pounds. The base price was $3,495. Options, by today's standards, were cheap - heater at $18.50, radio at $544.40 or flexible steering wheel for $16.60.

This car was shipped to San Antonio, Texas on February 5th, 1936. Some of the features ordered on this 7-passenger Sedan include a seating arrangement with two forward-facing auxiliary seats, comfortably upholstered with Marshall springs and double throw backs that fold flush into the back of the front seats when not in use. The car has two interior sun visors adjustable to two positions, a folding center armrest in the rear seat back, and much more.

The 1936 Cadillac featured a V-shaped windshield complimented by a narrower radiator shell supporting the new louver style 'Convex vee' grille.

Carrozzeria, Italian meaning coachbuilder, is an individual or company that bodies carriages or automobiles. The name in German is Karosserie. These skills were needed during the early part of the 1900's to fabricate enclosures for rolling chassis. The materials used were mostly wooden or metal. As the evolution of automobile production evolved, manufacturers brought the design and development in-house, making individual coachbuilders a dying breed.

Unibody construction has mostly eliminated the need for coachbuilders. Many coachbuilders were purchased or merged by the automobile manufacturers. Others became highly specialized and worked on a contract basis, mostly for high priced, luxury automobiles.

Fleetwood Metal Body was a coachbuilder during the early 1900s. The name is from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania the birthplace of the company. They specialized in the production of wood and metal bodies. They were large and luxurious and often purchased by the rich and famous. Fleetwood was purchased by Fisher Body in 1925 and integrated into General Motors in 1931.

The luxury segment of General Motors was Cadillac, so it was only natural that Fleetwood would aide in the design and creation of bodies for the Cadillac marque. In 1927 the name appeared on Cadillac's representing their top of the line vehicles. In 1946 Cadillac offered an upscale version of its Series 60, dubbed the Series 60 Special Fleetwood. The name was later used on the Series 70 and Sixty Special models through 1976. The name continued to appear on Cadillac vehicles as late as 1996.

by Dan Vaughan

The Cadillac Series 75 was the marque's flagship V8 from 1936 onwards, though the lower-priced series easily outsold it. Production of the full-size V8 powered Cadillac's would continue from the 1930s through the 1950s. It served as a replacement for the outgoing 355-D and was introduced around the same time as the less-expensive Series 60 model. Outwardly, the Series 80, including the 85, were similar in appearance with the main difference being underhood. The Series 80/85 featured a V12 engine while the Series 70/75 had a V8. The V8 produced 135 horsepower while the V12's output was 150 hp.

In 1941, the short wheelbase Series 70 was replaced by the Series 62 and the long-wheelbase Series 75 was integrated into the Fleetwood line. Cadillac would continue the '75' name until the mid-1960s.

The V8 Series 70 of the mid-1930s were powered by a Monoblock V8 engine that displaced 346 cubic-inches and produced 135 horsepower. A total of 5,248 examples were sold in 1936. There were three body-styles available for the Series 70 from 1936 through 1937 consisting of a 131-inch wheelbase for the 36-70, a 138-inch version of the 36-75 and a large 156-inch platform for the 36-75 Commercial version.

There was a wide variety of body-styles to select from and all wore badges of Cadillac's in-house coachbuilder Fleetwood. The list ranged from two-passenger coupes to seven-passenger town cars with 14 cataloged styles offered.

The Fleetwood Metal Body Company had a history that dated back to 1905 when they were formed in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. During their early years, some of their best customers were Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Cadillac. Lawrence Fisher, head of GM's Fisher Body Company and later president of Cadillac was pleased with Fleetwood's coach-building work and felt the union between the two companies was appropriate. The company was purchased by Cadillac in 1925 and the sales and design offices were moved to Detroit. Additional plants were built in Pennsylvania for body production and Fleetwood continued to accept body-requests from non-GM companies.

A Fleetwood plant was built in 1929 in Detroit, adjacent to the Fisher Body facility, and by 1931 all production had migrated to this location. Later, the production was absorbed by General Motors Art & Colour and Fisher Body. The Fleetwood name persisted for many decades, often referring to limited and low-production styles.

In 1939 the Cadillac V8 models were given a new frontal look with a matching textured grille. On either side were two side grilles. The engine still displaced 346 cubic-inches but further tuning had increased the horsepower output and its compression.

The Series 72 was a Fleetwood car that rode on a shorter, 138-inch wheelbase.

Production ceased during the Second World War and resumed in 1946. When it did, the Series 75 became Cadillac's largest model offered; now riding on a 136-inch wheelbase. The 346 L-head V8 engine was the same as was most of its basic styling. Just like most other automakers, a 'new' model would not be introduced for several years.

For the Series 75, this did not occur until 1950. It had a 146.7-inch wheelbase with seating for seven. Engine options included a 346- and 365-cubic-inch V8.

The wheelbase size was again increased by 1954, now measuring 149.8 inches. To carry the extra weight Cadillac increased the horsepower to 230. The following year it rose again to 250 hp, with an optional dual-four barrel carburetor version offered that produced 270 horsepower. 1956 saw another increase in horsepower, now ranging from 285 to just over 300.

Another restyling occurred in 1957 and would remain until 1965. By now, the name '75' had all but disappeared. Horsepower hovered around the 300 to 325 range depending on the engine and the setup. The long version of the Fleetwood became known as the Series 6700 in accordance with the new Cadillac naming scheme.

by Dan Vaughan