1937 Cadillac Series 85

1937 was the final year for Cadillac's smooth, quiet, and powerful V12 engine. It was a record-breaking year for Cadillac with 46,152 vehicles sold, making it the second year in a row that the company doubled the previous year's total sales. While Cadillac's competition was being eradicated by the Depression, Cadillac managed to not only stay afloat, but to thrive, and come out of it arguably stronger than they had been entering it.

In 1930, Cadillac introduced the Owen Nacker-designed V16 engine endowed with several unique innovations including a 45-degree cylinder angle and overhead valve design that allowed for the engine to be more compact. The hydraulic valve system Nacker developed gave the car a nearly silent smooth ride and allowed for more efficient engine performance. It received a new chassis and unique Fleetwood coachwork with completely concealed mechanicals and wiring, resulting in a more stylish appearance. Smaller, more scaled-down, and less expensive V8 and V12 models. They offered similar styling and amenities as the V16 model but at a reduced price.

The 1937 Cadillac model lineup was offered in seven different series of cars ranging in price from $1,000 to over $9,000 and included V8, V12, and V16 engine options. The styling was new, highlighted by a die-cast egg-crate grille, large pontoon front fenders, and new front bumpers with the Cadillac crest in the center. The 1937 Cadillacs could be optioned with the side mount spares, and the hood vents were nearly hidden giving the long hood a modern and straightforward appearance. Both the V8-powered series 75 and V12 series 85 were built on the same 138-inch wheelbase, aside from the insignia on the grill and trunk, the two series were virtually indistinguishable, clad in their Fleetwood bodies. The previous Series 80 with its 131-inch wheelbase was no longer offered. The pressure radiator cap and the oil bath air cleaner were also new to the Series 85 line.

The Cadillac Series 60 had a 124-inch wheelbase, the Series 65 had a 131-inch wheelbase, and the Series 75 rested on a 138-inch wheelbase. All three had Fisher coachwork, the Series 75 also offered a line of Fleetwood bodies. The Series 70 had Fleetwood coachwork and rested on a 131-inch wheelbase. All were powered by an eight-cylinder engine that had a 346 cubic-inch displacement and developed 135 horsepower at 3,400 RPM.

The Series 85 was powered by a twelve-cylinder engine with overhead valves, a 368 cubic-inch displacement, four main bearings, a Dual Detroit Lubricator carburetor, mechanical valve lifters with a hydraulic silencer on the rocker bushings, a standard 6.0:1 compression ratio, and 150 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. It used a three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission with a single disc clutch and hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. Both 'civilian' and commercial body styles were built on the 138-inch wheelbase with a length of 215 inches. Prices ranged from the high-$3000s to $5,250 - or higher depending on the coachwork. The 'civilian' bodies had seating for five to seven passengers while the business cars had seating for eight.

The sixteen-cylinder Cadillac would survive a few more years, ending in 1940. The start of the 1941 Cadillac model year marked the first time since 1926 that all Cadillac models were powered by the same engine.

Although the Twelve and Sixteen-cylinder engines did not enjoy the same longevity as the eight-cylinder unit, they were instrumental in raising the prestige of the Cadillac nameplate to a level unattainable by all other companies. The Great Depression had been detrimental, but those companies who tried to match Cadillac's development pace only quickened their demise. The few companies that emerged from the Great Depression had moved downmarket, catering to a wider audience of buyers, and would eventually relinquish their share of the market entirely to Cadillac.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 4150222

This 1970 Cadillac V12 Series 85 was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. It was offered without reserve and estimated to fetch between $140,000 - $180,000. It is powered by a 368 cubic-inch V12 engine tilted at a 45-degree angle and capable of producing 150 horsepower. There is four-wheel drum brakes and a three-speed selective synchromesh manual gearbox.

Cadillac shocked the world with the introduction of the V16 engine. The car was a paragon in the luxury car segment and had mechanical prowess. A V12 engine based on the sixteen-cylinder unit was introduced in 1931. It was basically the V16 engine with four fewer cylinders. The car added to the versatility of the Cadillac model lineup; it possessed the luxury of the V16 cars, but with a twelve-cylinder unit and a more affordable price.

The V16 and V12 engines brought with them a slew of new mechanical improvements. All of the wiring was completely hidden; there was excessive use of polished aluminum which added to the engine's visual allure. There was a hydraulic valve lash compensation system which aided in the efficiency of the overhead valve configuration. This resulted in silent running operation.

A new chassis design was introduced in 1934 which would be used for several years. It would be used to house many engines and various body styles. It remained unaltered by 1937, though styling progressed throughout the years. The large pontoon front fenders and egg crate grilles were easily distinguishable as the Cadillac marque.

For 1937 Cadillac had a very versatile lineup with engine sizes including a V8, V12, and V16 unit. Prices ranged from $1000 to $9000. The V8 and V12 body styles shared the same 138-inch wheelbase. The engine and price tags were all that differentiated these two series, the Series 75 and Series 85. An insignia on the grill and trunk gave reference to which series the vehicle hailed from.

Cadillac sold 46,152 vehicles in 1937, setting a new sales record. As many other marques were going out of business, Cadillac was flourishing.

This 1937 Cadillac Series 85 V12 Convertible Sedan has been treated to a recent ground-up restoration. It is finished in black with a tan soft top and a red leather interior. It was ordered with optional dual side-mounted spares and covers, wheel discs, and a flexible steering wheel. At auction the car found its next owner, selling for $118,250.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood

This car is equipped with a V-12 engine, 150 HP which displaced 368 CID - It was the last year for the V-12 Cadillac.

This car has been treated to a comprehensive ground-up restoration. The work was awarded a CCCA First Price in 2006.

Options are front/rear glass divider, dual side mount spares with covers, wheel discs, and flexible steering wheel.

This Model 85 Sedan Convertible is propelled by a 368 cubic-inch, overhead valve V12, producing 150 horsepower. The engine makes extensive use of polished aluminum and has hidden electrical wiring. It also boasts a hydraulic valve lash compensation system which aided in the efficiency and near silent of operation.

Cadillac introduced a new chassis in 1934 that would provide a solid foundation for years to come. It was capable of holding a variety of engines, including a V8, V12, and V16 engine. it spanned 138 inches between the axles and came cloaked in several varieties of bodies.

The last year of V12 availability was 1937.

This car includes many examples of Cadillac's available options, such as twin side-mounted spare tires, a roll-up privacy window, a rear clock, a flexible steering wheel and wheel discs. The interior is cloaked in red leather and wears the traditional woodwork.

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