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1916 Cadillac Type 53

The first Cadillac was built in 1902 and entered production the following year. Powered by a single-cylinder engine, the moderately priced early Cadillacs quickly established a reputation for exceptional quality and reliability. In 1908, Cadillac became 'The Standard of the World' when it was awarded the coveted Dewar Trophy in England in recognition of the precision standards used to manufacture its cars. The first four Cadillacs were built that same year.

In 1909, Cadillac was acquired by the newly formed General Motors organization. The first electric self-starter, developed by talented inventor Charles F. Kettering, appeared on the 1912 Cadillac Model 30. Cadillac took a giant step toward becoming one of America's greatest cars in 1915 when it introduced its 314 cubic-inch V8 engine - the first truly mass-produced V8 in the world.

The Cadillac Type 53 was similar to the previous year's model, the Type 51 Eight. Styling differences include the hood line, higher roof line on closed-bodied cars, and changes to the door. Salons gained two additional doors, the five-passenger touring body styles were dropped, victoria bodies replaced the landaulet coupe, and broughams replaced the two-door sedan. Partway through the year, a four-passenger coupe body style was added to the lineup.

The previous Type 51 had rested on a 122-inch wheelbase platform, which continued to be used on the Type 53. The touring bodies rested on a larger, 132-inch wheelbase, and a commercial chassis was also available, measuring 145 inches. This platform was often used for ambulances, hearses, and police patrol vehicles.

The ninety-degree, L-head, V8 engine had a cast-iron block of four on an aluminum crankcase, a 314.5 cubic-inch displacement, a float feed carburetor manufactured by Cadillac under C.F. Johnson patents, three main bearings, and rockers with roller cam follower acting on mechanical valve lifters. The engine delivered 77 horsepower at 2,600 RPM and was backed by a three-speed selective sliding gear transmission with a multiple disc, dry plate clutch. Braking was by mechanical brakes on the rear wheels with one being internal and the other external.

Prices ranged from the low $2,000s to the mid-$3,000s. Model year sales increased by over 5,000 vehicles to 18,004 in 1916.

Town Cabriolet by Healey & Co

This car is one of 18,003 Type 53 Cadillacs produced in 1916, the second year of V8 production. It was delivered from the factory, without a body, to New York Cadillac distributor Inglis Uppercu in May 1916. The 122-inch wheelbase chassis was then sent to Healey & Company, a highly-esteemed coachbuilder catering to New York City's carriage trade. There, Healey craftsmen built and installed the hand-crafted body. The completed car was priced at about $3,000.

The Town Cabriolet was designed to be chauffeur-driven. This one is believed to have been built for Madeline Edison Sloan, a daughter of Thomas Edison.

Pickup
Engine number: A24048

This 1916 Cadillac Type 53 began life as a touring car before it was transformed into a pickup truck approximately six decades ago. The back seat section of the body was removed, and a pickup bed was built from wood and installed in its place. It has its original V-8 engine and three-speed manual transmission. It has its original collapsible 'fat man' steering wheel and the period-correct hand-actuated fuel pump. There is a Dodge-branded Moto Meter, electric windshield wipers, and turn signals.

by Dan Vaughan