1932 Cadillac Series 370-B Twelve

Under the direction of Alfred P. Sloan and strengthened by Ford's resistance to change in the 1920s, General Motors was propelled to industry-sales leadership by the early 1930s, a position it held for over seven decades. Sloan's leadership of GM resulted in the largest industrial enterprise the world had ever known. The Roaring Twenties had been a time of excess and opulence, and although there were plenty of automakers filling consumer demands, the Cadillac division remained seemingly unchallenged thanks to continual innovations, modern design, and timeless elegance.

During the early 1930s, when the Great Depression's pervasive effect was at its pinnacle, Cadillac offered four separate passenger car choices powered by eight, twelve, or sixteen-cylinder engines. The eight-cylinder Cadillacs had twenty-two different catalog body styles, and the V-16 came in forty-one. Between them was the V-12, with thirty different bodies including six from Fisher and twenty-four by Fleetwood on two wheelbase chassis.

Defying comprehension, Cadillac exhibited an astonishing feat of salesmanship by building 1,740 examples of the V-12 in 1932. Additionally, while the timing of the sixteen's introduction may have been unfortunate, its development had transpired during the prosperous 1920s. Cadillac's competitors scrambled to keep pace and for most the massive cost of this development effort combined with a shrinking Depression market for fine cars, created financial pressures that were lethal. Cadillac's introduction of the V-12 was another blow to its competitors, sharing many of the luxury features with the V-16, but at a sharply lower price.

Like the V16 before it, the V12 was designed by Owen Nacker and was an engineering tour de force, incorporating several unique features. It used a 45-degree cylinder bank angle and overhead valve design resulting in a narrow engine, with the external manifolding providing good access. A more efficient overhead valve configuration, a result of the unique hydraulic valve lash compensation system, allowed for silent operation similar to those offered by older side valve engines.

General Motors employed an Art and Color styling department led by designer Harley J. Earl, who created the designs for the new-for-1931 Cadillac V12, borrowing more of its styling and features of its larger V-16 sibling. The hood was equipped with doors instead of louvers, the interior featured full instrumentation similar to the V16s, and the engine was visually similar to the sixteen, with the exception of fewer cylinders, the number of ports on the hood side panels, and emblems (although not one casting was shared with either the V8 or the V16). These were the first engine compartments to be styled, with all the wiring hidden, polished aluminum, shining porcelain, and a pair of valve covers with brushed aluminum ridged surfaces.

The running boards and fenders flowed smoothly from one element to the other, the roof heights decreased resulting in a more modern appearance, amplified by body sides that flowed down to the running boards, eliminating the frame covers, and sills. The bodies were rounder, the front-end ensemble was much cleaner, and the bullet-shaped headlights were free-standing and devoid of a tie bar to bisect the fully enclosed radiator.

Enclosed bodies had become more popular than open cars for many reasons including the ability to be fitted with more luxurious appointments, equipment, and upholstery that could be protected from the elements.

Mechanical changes were few but important, including vacuum clutches and two-way hydraulic shock absorbers with driver controls. The 368 cubic-inch twelve-cylinder engine had four main bearings, mechanical valve lifters with a hydraulic silencer on rocker bushing, a Detroit Lubricator carburetor, and delivered 135 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed, selective, synchromesh transmission with a twin-disc clutch with selective vacuum activation. Braking was handled by mechanical 15-inch brakes on four wheels, with vacuum assist. Wire wheels were standard, and demountable wood wheels were optional.

In celebration of the launch of the new 1931 Cadillac, it served as pace car duties for that year's Indianapolis 500. Production of the Series 370B lasted from 1931 through 1935. 5,733 examples had been produced in 1931, followed by 1,740 in 1932.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Phaeton by Fisher
Chassis number: 1301674

This 1932 Cadillac V12 had a Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton body with coachwork by Fisher. It rides on a 140-inch wheelbase and was originally offered by the factory at a price of $3,945. This example was restored in the 1990s and still shows well in modern times. It was scored at 98 points by the Classic Car Club of America in the Senior car division. This car has wind wings, dual side-mounted spare tires with tire-mounted side-view mirrors, wide whitewall tires, dual driving lights, and a radio.

This car wears body number 9 of perhaps on 13 total examples built. Very few remain in existence. In 2008 this Fisher-bodied DC Sport Phaeton was brought to RM Auctions' Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook. It was estimated to sell for $225,000-$300,000. A high bid of $170,500 including the buyer's premium was enough to satisfy the reserve and secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan by Fisher

Built at the height of the Depression as the 'new interpretation of the 'Standard of the World,'' this car's new refinements offered 'beauty, performance, reliability, silence, comfort, ease of handling, and safety.' Since January 2007, this rare classic has been returned to service as a 'daily driver' and is currently undergoing mechanical and cosmetic restoration.

Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 1300241

The carburetors for the 1932 Cadillac V-12 engine were now supplied by Detroit Lubricator and were supplied with fuel by a positive displacement pump rather than a vacuum tank. To protect the engine, a self-cleaning oil filter actuated by the vacuum-boosted clutch pedal was added. Improvements to the braking included a vacuum booster, a system that became even more necessary as the coachwork became more elaborate and heavier. Two-position driver-selectable shock absorber settings were now standard.

Changes to the coachwork were minor for 1932. The roof heights were lowered slighter giving it a more modern appearance. The headlights were free-standing without a tie bar, and the fenders and running boards flowed from one element to the other. The radiator was entirely enclosed in a grille shell.

This vehicle is a 1932 Cadillac 370-B V12 Imperial Seven-Passenger Sedan. It has fully enclosed coachwork that offers quality, comfort, and luxury. There is a roll-up divider window, black leather upholstery in the front, and brown cord cloth on the permanent and occasional rear seats. Amenities in the rear compartment include a smoker's kit and a Jaeger clock and an accessory case. The rear quarter windows and the back window have rollup shades. The car is painted in onyx black and there are dual side-mounted spares in hard covers with rearview mirrors. There are body color wire wheels with chrome trim rings, wide white wall tires, and a luggage rack with dual blue dot taillights. There are dual cream and tan coach lines.

The car has been restored since new and has remained in mostly good condition. There are some minor chips along the edges and joints of moving panels.

In 2009, this Fleetwood-bodied Imperial Sedan was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers and held in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $59,000 plus the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Phaeton by Fisher

From its earliest days Cadillac's tagline was 'Standard of the World,' and this Sport Phaeton, one of only three survivors of 13 built, exemplifies that mantra. Barrett-Jackson called this particular 12-cylinder car 'one of the finest examples in the world.' The Fisher-bodied eight- and 12-cylinder cars looked nearly the same with only badging differences.

Under the direction of GM's new styling chief, Harley Earl, the new 1932 Cadillac became lower and longer, with curved running boards gracefully integrated into the fenders. It featured rear-view mirrors on dual side mounts, wind wings, side curtains, and a top boot. The 12-cylinder engine with a fully synchronized, three-speed transmission and helical gears meant it drove like a dream in its day and the current owner reports 'it drives flawlessly' even today.

This car was the 'Logo Car' for the Thomas Collection of Covina, CA, and was used in the Rose Parade. A previous owner bought the car in 2002 and had it extensively restored adding high-speed gears and an electric fuel pump for touring. In 2004 this car won first place at the CCCA Grand Classic, scoring the maximum 100 points.

Imperial Sedan by Fisher
Engine number: 1301292

The Cadillac V-12 was essentially a 'sixteen' with four fewer cylinders. The engine offered 136 brake horsepower and 28 pound-feet of torque and was installed in what was essentially a Cadillac V-8 platform. Built from 1931 through 1937, they were available with many of the same luxurious, hand-built Fisher and Fleetwood body styles as the V-16.

This vehicle is a Fisher-bodied Seven-Passenger Imperial Sedan that was originally delivered through the Martin Cadillac-Oldsmobile Company, of Atlanta, Georgia, equipped with the optional features of dual side-mounted spares with covers and mirrors, a Goddess radiator mascot, and a 'handy kit.'

The current caretaker acquired the car when the Browning Collection dispersed in 2000.

The car has black leather for the driver's seat and broadcloth to the rear.

by Dan Vaughan

Special Phaeton by Fisher
Engine number: 1301176

The Cadillac Series 370-A was introduced in 1931 and was powered by a twelve-cylinder engine and built atop a 140- and 143-inch wheelbase. The 368 cubic-inch V-12 engine was essentially a truncated version of Cadillac's overhead-valve V-16 engine, and was the company's first and only production twelve-cylinder model. Production 135 horsepower, it delivered 40 fewer horsepower than its V-16 sibling (horsepower did increase to 150 hp in 1935). Updated subsequent models, designated Series 370-B through 370-E, introducing a new chassis and other mechanical advancements. The Cadillac V-12 model was renamed the Series 80 and 85 in 1936, and its wheelbase size decreased and the coachwork was almost exclusively Fleetwood turret-top bodies.

During its seven-year production lifespan, Cadillac produced fewer than 11,000 twelve-cylinder models, with 1,740 of those being 370-B models.

This 1932 V-12 Special Phaeton is believed to be one of as few as 13 Special Phaetons built for that model year. Per the build sheet, this Fisher-bodied example left the factory with a Ravenswood Brown exterior, wire wheels, Goddess ornament, and dual side-mounted spares with color-coordinated covers. The tan canvas top protects the saddle brown leather interior.

This Cadillac was delivered in March of 1932 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is believed to have had only three owners since the 1960s (including Milford 'Tiny' Gould of Trucksville, Pennsylvania). While in the care of Mr. Gould, the Cadillac earned the Classic Car Club of America National First Prize at Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania in January 1965. The car also won Junior and Senior Antique Automobile Club of American first prizes. When Mr. Gould sold the Cadillac, it was to another resident of Pennsylvania. The current owner purchased the Special Phaeton in 1993 and has retained it for the past thirty years.

The car wears an older restoration. More recently, the car was given an engine rebuild, replacing all six tires, reupholstering the interior, and replacing the side curtains.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1927, the Art and Color department was formed at General Motors with Harley Earl as its leader. For the next fifteen-years, the styling and engineering leadership would keep the Cadillac marque at the top of the fine-car market. Cadillac shocked the world in 1930 with the introduction of its sixteen-cylinder model and sent its competitors scrambling to keep to pace. The hits kept on coming; in 1931 Cadillac introduced a V12 model that retained many of the luxury amenities found in the sixteen-cylinder version, but had a lower price tag.

In 1932, the models were longer and lower and incorporated several stylistic and technical changes and improvements. This would also be the final year for the classic Cadillac styling spear-headed by its tombstone radiators and clamshell fenders. The bodies featured curved running boards which blended in with the front and rear fenders. There was a vacuum-operated automatic clutch and two-way hydraulic shock absorbers which were controlled from the driver's seat. The synchromesh transmission used silent helical gears in all three forward speeds and there were mechanical fuel pumps and Detroit Lubricator carburetors.

Visually, the eight and twelve-cylinder cars were nearly identical with the most distinguishable feature being the radiator badge or hubcap inserts which gave clues to which model was the 12.

by Dan Vaughan

With nearly identical overall styling and appearance to the V-8 except for the emblems, the Cadillac 370B was introduced in 1932.

Nearly all of the features were very similar to the 370-A.

With an engine that was basically identical, the fuel feed changed to mechanical from vacuum tank.

A new Cuno disc type self-cleaning oil filter was also mounted at the right hand side of clutch housing and as connected to a starter pedal that rotated disc each time the pedal was depressed.

After nearly twenty years of Cadillac utilizing a Cadillac-Johnson carburetor, the new Detroit Lubricator dual carburetor was featured.

Much of the mechanical features were only slightly differentiated. The increase of power and weight are examples of the improved gear ratios, tire sizes, battery/generator capacity and vacuum assist on brakes.

The dual exhaust system now had tuning chambers in mufflers instead of attachments to the tail pipes. Now the dual ignition coils could be found mounted in the top tank of the radiator.

by Jessican Donaldson