1934 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight

The 1934 model year was a design pinnacle for Cadillac and all of General Motor's divisions, and a high-water mark for automotive styling at the height of the Great Depression. Despite the economic hardships of the era, the Cadillacs were affordable to few and consequently, relatively few of them were produced. Cadillac built 8,318 examples of the Cadillac Model 355-D for 1934 and 1935, including 2,729 Series 20 Cadillacs for 1934.

Many design cues of the 1934 Cadillac models were one-year-only designs. Along with aesthetics, there were many engineering changes for 1934 that resulted in better handling, faster, and more functional Cadillac vehicles. The entire chassis, for the first time, was concealed by the body, and the improved body construction offered a quieter ride and improved road-holding. The new X-frame chassis and an independent 'Knee-Action' front suspension provided a lower ride height by two inches, additional chassis strength, and improved driving dynamics.

The eight-cylinder engine received only minor modifications in 1934, but those that were made helped improve performance and reliability. It had a cast-iron block on an aluminum crankcase, Lynite aluminum pistons, dual valve springs, a 353 cubic-inch displacement, three main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Detroit Lubricator carburetor, and delivered 120 horsepower at 3000 RPM. The oil filter was discontinued and a solenoid starter control with a starter button was located on the instrument panel. The additional cold air was supplied to the engine by extending the intake ducting from the carburetor air cleaner to the radiator casing. The engine was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a twin-disc clutch, and stopping power was provided by mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on four wheels. The wire wheels measured 17 inches and had a drop center. The hand brake was relocated to the left side of the driver resulting in greater interior space.

The Cadillac Model 355-D included the Series 10 and 20 cars with bodies built by Fisher. The Series 30 cars had bodies by Fleetwood which were shared by the Twelve and Sixteen cylinder models. The Series 10 had a 128-inch wheelbase with a length of just over 205 inches, and the Series 20 had a 136-inch wheelbase and a length of 213.75 inches. The Series 30 was the largest and most prestigious, with a wheelbase of 146 inches and a length of over 227 inches. Prices on the Fisher-bodied Series 10 ranged from $2,400 to $2,550. Prices on the Series 20 began at $2,600 and rose to $3,000. The Series 30 had a much wider price range, beginning in the upper-$3000s and rising to $6,000 or higher depending on the coachwork.

The windshield was slanted at 18 degrees for the Fisher bodies and flat, 25-, or 29.5-degree angle for the Fleetwood bodies. The biplane design bumper was stylish but ineffective and mounted ahead of telescoping springs. The sloping grille was vee-shaped and a chrome-plated radiator shell was optional. The front fenders were airfoil shaped and the parking lamps were mounted in the headlight supports. The long and graceful hoods extended nearly to the windshield and wore shutter-type louvers in the side panel. Flat windshield bodies had a single cowl vent while others had two vents that opened toward the windshield. In the back was a beaver tail rear deck on all bodies. The gas tank filler was on the left side at the rear of the body on Fisher's bodies, but for Fleetwood bodies, it was located in the left rear fender. The spare tire, on Fleetwood bodies, was positioned inside the rear deck, unless the optional fender mount location was specified.

While Cadillac had stunned the fine car market in the early 1930s with the introduction of the new twelve- and sixteen-cylinder models, it was the V8 cars that carried the flag for Cadillac across America. The Cadillac Series 355 was introduced in 1931 as a replacement to the Series 353, available in a wide variety of different body styles and significantly updated year-over-year. The completely restyled Cadillacs of 1934, with drastic changes both inside and out, was a huge step forward for V-8-powered Cadillacs. Since it was the fourth generation of the Model 355, the 1934 models were known as the 355D. They were visually much different than their predecessors, and the design was much more streamlined than the 355C proceeding it, with a more commanding presence on the road.

Despite the declining luxury market, Cadillac managed to survive, thanks in large part to the financial support of General Motors. Nevertheless, the cars were brilliantly designed, and although market conditions resulted in limited numbers of Cadillac vehicles, the few that were constructed were some of the finest ever built.

by Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Coupe by Fisher
Chassis number: 3104 761

This 1934 Cadillac Model 355-D Rumble Seat Coupe wears coachwork by Fisher. It has been treated to a restoration and finished in dark green paint. There are dual side-mounted spare tires with hard covers, dual windshield wipers, and the flowing 'Goddess' mascot. There is a golf bag door and twin-blade bumpers. The car rides on period-correct wide whitewall tires and wire wheels with chrome-plated hub caps and trim rings. The interior is tan leather and there is a three-spoke steering wheel and wood grain dash. This car possesses the rare and original Cadillac radio, a heater, and a Jaeger clock.

In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000. Those estimates were nearly proven accurate as bidding reached $93,500 including the buyer's premium. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe by Fisher
Chassis number: 3103034
Engine number: 3103034

This car was delivered from the factory with an optional radio and a heater. It was manufactured on the third week of February, 19324. It was delivered to the G.S Means Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is powered by a 353 cubic-inch V-8 L-head engine with a three-speed selective synchromesh gearbox. There are four-wheel vacuum-assisted drum brakes and a front independent suspension with leaf springs in the rear.

In 2010, this V8 Cadillac was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car failed to sell after achieving a high bid of $130,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Stationary Coupe by Fleetwood

When the Henry Ford Company failed, Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company persuaded Henry Ford's remaining partners to continue the automobile business. On August 22nd of 1902, this new enterprise was renamed the Cadillac Automobile Company in honor of Leland's distant ancestor and founder of Detroit, explorer, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. The early Cadillacs used Leland's proven 1-cylinder engine.

One of Cadillac's biggest selling points was precision manufacturing and reliability based on winning the British Dewar Trophy for the most important advancement of the year in the automobile industry. General Motors acquired the company in 1909. Cadillac's introduction of V12 and V16 powered cars in 1930 kicked off the 'cylinder wars' among the American luxury makers leading Packard to introduce their line of Twelves.

Cadillac's 355D was powered by a 353 cubic-inch V8 that offered 120 horsepower. It was given a 146-inch wheelbase chassis and weighed 5,120 lbs. Fleetwood built only 45 of the Stationary Coupe bodies over a four-year period beginning in 1934 and only 9 with the V8 engine. This is believed to be the only survivor. This body is essentially a two-passenger car with jump seats, called the 'opera option.'

This car has its original interior and only exterior paint and chrome have been restored. It was originally sold in Peoria, IL, and features the unique 'Bi-plate' bumpers only offered for one year. The odometer shows what is believed to be only 21,000 original miles.

Town Coupe by Fisher
Chassis number: 3103424

This 10th series 1934 Cadillac Model 355D is finished in Sable Black over a dove grey mohair and cord interior. This Town Coupe is equipped with wheel shields that fit over the standard wire wheels.

The Cadillac Series 355 was introduced as a replacement for the Series 353 in 1931. It came with a variety of body styles and was powered by Cadillac's popular V-8 engine. For 1934, Cadillac revised and restyled the model and was given the designation Model 355D, as it was the fourth generation of the Model 355.

The 355D was more streamlined than the 355C proceeding it. While bodies on the Series 10 and 20 cars were built by Fisher, bodies on the Series 30 cars were built by Fleetwood and largely resembled Cadillac's V-12 and V-16 models. The horsepower in the engine was increased to 120 and a new independent front suspension was installed. The chassis featured a new 'X design' that helped to add strength and allow the car to have a lower overall height. The torque tube driveshaft was also replaced by a Hotchkiss drive.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe by Fisher

Cadillac was founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the Henry Ford Company and named for the French explorer and founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. The Cadillac crest is the city founder's coat of arms. Cadillac became part of General Motors in 1909 and gained fame by being the first car to demonstrate the interchangeability of its components. The company's tagline became 'Standard of the World.'

1934 Cadillac's Model 355D, a V-8 powered car, was redesigned, reengineered, and restyled but used a carry-over engine. Bodies were built by Fisher for the 10 and 20 Series and Fleetwood for the 30 series. The latter Fleetwood bodies were shared with V-12 and V-16 cars. These were considered 'streamlined' cars with sloping grilles and windshields, sleek fenders, high hood sills, and lower profiles.

Chassis improvements included independent 'knee-action' front suspension, center point steering, and a new 'X' frame design adding chassis strength as well as a lower center of gravity. A rear stabilizer bar helped with stability.

Although the engine was a carryover from 1933, compression was increased, the air intake was improved and a different carburetor was used. The Rumble Seat Convertible Coupe sold for around $2,500.

Coupe by Fleetwood
Chassis number: 310464

This 1934 Cadillac Series 30 Coupe with coachwork by Fleetwood houses a 355 cubic-inch V8 capable of producing 130 horsepower. The three-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels while the four-wheel mechanical drum brakes with vacuum assist provide the stopping power. It sits atop a 146-inch wheelbase and has a three-quarter floating rear axle.

It was shown at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded a third in class. In 2004 it earned 99.5 points from the CCCA Grand Classic.

It is equipped with an optional auxiliary trunk with novel swing-out arms located above the rear bumper for easier access. It is believed that only six examples of the V8 330 Coupe were bodied by Fleetwood with this example being the only survivor in modern times. When new, it commanded a price of $3895.

Its beautiful body is accentuated by its V-style slanted grill and bullet-shaped headlamps. Its pontoon fenders are both aerodynamic and sporty and its split windshield is very dramatic. The Cadillac was the first car in the industry to place the spare tire in the trunk, but side-mounted spares were still offered as optional equipment.

by Dan Vaughan

The Cadillac 355A appeared in September of 1930 and shared some similarities to its predecessor of 1930, the Series 353. In the front the radiator had a screen. The raditor had been mounted lower. There was a single bumper bar and dual horns. The hood was longer with five hood ports on the side. Under the hood was a V8 engine that displaced 353 cubic-inches and produced just under 100 horsepower. The floor boards were now metal, a big improvement over the prior years. The tool and battery compartments were relocated to under the front seat.

The Cadillac 355A was available in twelve different body styles with coachwork by either Fisher or Fleetwood. The elegant bodies rested on a 134 inch wheelbase and was 203 inches in length. A larger 152 inch wheelbase was available and used mostly for commercial vehicles. The lowest priced 355A cost just under $2,850 while the top-of-the-line 355A was nearly $3,800 which was the same price as an entry-level 370A with a twelve-cylinder engine.

In January of 1932 Cadillac introduced the 355B. This was the same time the LaSalle model line was introduced. There were various styling changes that occurred for the 1932 model 355B such as a restyled front and lowering of the roof-line by three-inches. The long hood now had six side vents. The vehicles now sat atop a 134-inch wheelbase or a 140-inch wheelbase. The base price was $2,795 which was the two-door coupe with seating for two/four. The top-of-the-line vehicle was the four-door limousine Brougham which had seating for seven and carried a $4245 price tag. The four-door Town Cabriolet with seating for seven also was offered for $4245.

Coachwork was by Fisher and Fleetwood. There were thirteen body-styles for Fisher in both open and closed configuration. The Fleetwood body-styles for 1932 were all closed-style configuration.

The V8 L-head engine was capable of producing 115 horsepower which was an increase in power over the prior years. This increase was due to the updated manifold design and carburetor revisions.

In 1933 Cadillac introduced the 355C. There were over twenty bodystyles to select from sitting on a 134-inch or a 140-inch wheelbase. The vertical hood doors were replaced with horizontal doors. The grille was V-shaped and the radiator shell was painted. The chrome-plated radiator-shell was offered as optional equipment.

For 1933 Fisher introduced the No-draft ventilation system which featured pivoting vent windows in the front and rear door windows. This allowed the passengers to operate the vents interpedently of the window glass. The engine was a 353 cubic-inch L-head V8 which produced 115 horsepower. An optional unit could be purchased which would raised the compression ratio to 5.70 and increased the horsepower rating to over 115.

by Dan Vaughan

The eight-cylinder Cadillac Series 355 was in production from 1931 through 1935. Just like the other Cadillac models at the time, they came in a variety of body styles including 2- and 4-door versions. The 1931 Series 355A was similar to the Series 353 except that it was lower and longer. It also had a longer hood with five hood ports. Power came from the 353 cubic-inch powerplant found in the 353. The floor boards were now made of metal. Inside, the battery and tool compartment were now located under the front seat. The instrument gauge grouping was the same as in the Series 353.

In the front of the Series 355 was a radiator screen with a single bar bumper and dual horns. The headlights were slightly smaller, decreasing in diameter by one inch. The radiator sat lower in the frame and there was now a condenser tank for cooling operation. The fan was also mounted lower to match the lower radiator.

The Series 355 had a new frame with divergent side rails. The suspension springs now had metal covers.

The Series 353 was named after its engine, a 353 cubic-inch V8. The Series 355, however - which also had the 353 engine - no longer matched the displacement. The L-Head V8 offering 95 horsepower and was mated to a three-speed synchromesh gearbox. The engine featured a five point suspension system, similar to the one being used by the V-16 models. An intake muffler was added and the distributor now sat 1.5 inches higher.

For 1932, the Series 355 became known as the 355B. It brought with it several changes, becoming longer and lower and given a restyled front assembly. The hood now had six hood ports. In the front was a flat grille that was built into the radiator shell. Cadillac did away with the fender tie bar and monogram bar. The license plate was mounted on the bumper. The head and side lights were now bullet shaped, and the dual taillights matched the headlights. The lights, a Super Safe three filament bulb, had four contour positions for degree and angle of illumination. The running boards had a curved design which matched the sweep of the front fenders and blended into the rear fenders. The tail of the back fenders blended into the fuel tank valence. There was a larger ventilator on top of the cowl and none on the sides. Separate body moldings were eliminated.

Inside, the driver's vision was improved by 30 percent due to the elimination of the outside visor, and the construction of a 12-degree sloping windshield and corner posts. The driver's view of the instrument cluster was improved thanks to a three spoke steering wheel. A 'locker' was added to the right side of the instrument panel.

The trunk on the town coupe, town sedan, and five-passenger convertible coupe was integral with the body.

Another exciting change for 1932 was the increase in horsepower, now rated at 115 BHP. Yet it was not enough to increase sales. In fact, sales plummeted to 2,700 by no fault of Cadillac. Instead, the world had plunged into the Great Depression and the pool of capable buyers able to purchase these elegant and modern vehicles dwindled.

For 1933, Cadillac again worked hard on enticing buyers into purchasing the 355C. But at the end of the year, just 2,100 examples had been purchased. The 1933 Series 355C was given bumpers that were sectioned, with plain ends and a three bar center. The grille became V-shaped and blended into the painted (or optional chrome) radiator shell. The tie bar returned and was sectioned and the center section was hidden behind the grille. The radiator cap was now under the hood. Skirts were added to the front and rear fenders.

Cadillac introduced their no-draft Individually Controlled Ventilation (ICV) or pivoting vent windows in the front doors and the rear quarter or rear door windows. Early models with the ICV had to lower the front door window to disengage the channel at its front edge from the vent window to allow the vent window to pivot. This was later modified with the sealing channel being attached directly to the door frame rather than to the window glass. The vent window could then be operated independently of the window glass.

The windshield and rear quarter windows were now stationary. The closed cars had their windshield operating mechanism removed, allowing room to conceal the wiper motors behind the headboard.

Vacuum assist was added to the braking system, the controlled freewheeling was discontinued, and changes in shock absorber valves extended the range of the ride control system. During the year the dual point four lobe distributor was replaced by a single point eight lobe unit.

For 1934, the Model 355D brought with it significant changes including an entirely new chassis and a completely restyled design. Power was the same as the 1933 model year.

Cadillac divided the 1934 Model 355D into three series, the Series 10, 20 and 30. Fisher was tasked with providing bodies for the Series 10 and 20. The Series 30 was reserved for Fleetwood, and these bodies were also found on the Cadillac V-12 and V-16. An independent front suspension was introduced, called 'knee-action.' Engine horsepower increased to 120.

The designs were modern and focused on aerodynamics with a streamlined design and the concealment of all chassis features except the wheels. Cadillac improved the body construction which better insulated the interior from engine heat and reduced engine, road and wind noise. The horns and radiator filler cap were hidden under the hood. Chrome was limited throughout the vehicle, though a chrome plated radiator shell was available as optional equipment. The parking lamps were mounted on the headlight supports. The entire fender shape was mounted into the radiator shell. The fixed windshields were steeply slowed with the Fisher bodied cars having an 18-degree rake. The Fleetwood bodies were raked up to 29.5 degree. Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies and two on V-shaped windshield bodies. Rear fenders were airfoil shaped and held the rear lights which matched the design of the headlights. The gas tank filler was on the left side at the rear of the body, on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender. All bodies had a beaver tail deck which completely covered the chassis.

Unless the optional fender mounts were specified, the Fleetwood bodied cars had their spare tires concealed under the rear deck.

Front passengers received additional space due to having the hand brake lever moved to the left of the driver, under the instrument panel.

The 1935 versions of the 355 were known as the 355E and were very similar to their 1934 counterparts. Changes were minimal, including the replacement of the biplane bumpers with more conventional units. Fisher bodies were given the all steel Turret Top while Fleetwood bodies would not receive this until 1936. Engine horsepower increased to 130 BHP.

by Dan Vaughan