1904 Cadillac Model B

The history of the Cadillac company is intertwined with Henry Ford, who, following a dispute with his investors, left the company along with several key individuals in March 1902. William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, two financial backers of the Henry Ford Company, enlisted engineer Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company to appraise the company's assets and prepare it for liquidation. Leland's recommendation was to continue manufacturing automobiles using Leland's single-cylinder engine. On August 22nd of 1902, a new company was formed named the Cadillac Automobile Company using the Henry Ford Company factory at Cass Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The name 'Cadillac' was in honor of French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, who had founded Detroit in 1701.

The first Cadillac automobiles of 1903 (the earliest examples were completed in October of 1902) were powered by a single-cylinder, 98 cubic-inch engine that was rated at 6.5 horsepower but could produce as much as 10 hp. Known as the Model A, they were offered as a runabout, with or without a rear-mounted tonneau. Cadillac produced 2,497 examples in 1903 and quickly established a reputation for quality, finish, and mechanical engineering.

In 1904, Henry Leland introduced his improved version of the Cadillac Model B. The Model A's longitudinal semi-elliptic suspension was replaced with a transverse leaf front spring. The engine remained under the seat but the front was given a box-like hood. Located at the front was the radiator, just below the hood. The Model B was the same size as the Model A, which remained in production but was given a more potent engine rated at 8.25 horsepower. The Model B was available in a variety of configurations including a runabout, four-passenger surrey, rear-entrance tonneau, and a two-passenger delivery car. The price of the Model ranged from $800 to $900.

Sales were respectable for Cadillac in 1903, even considering a fire that shut down production for 45 days. Due to the fire, a total of 1,500 deposits were returned to customers since the company was unable to complete their orders.

by Dan Vaughan

Surrey
Chassis number: 3136

This 1904 Cadillac Model B Rear-Entrance Tonneau was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $30,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding quickly surpassed the estimates with the final bid settling at $72,600. It has a wheelbase that measures 76 inches and its horizontal single-cylinder engine displaces 98.2 cubic inches and produces 8.25 horsepower. There is a two-speed planetary transmission and dual differential-mounted brakes. The suspension is a solid front axle with transverse leaf springs and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and single-chain drive.

This car has a very old restoration, completed around the late 1960s, and its exterior is painted maroon paint with black accent moldings. There are Solar 41A headlamps and a brass taillight, plus a light for the rear step. The engine is operable but requires some servicing.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring

The Cadillac Motor Car Company was founded by Henry M. Leyland in 1902, and named for the French explorer who discovered Detroit. Leyland brought a new level of precision to the entire automobile industry and with his introduction of interchangeable parts won Cadillac the prestigious Dewar Trophy. The company soon became known as 'the Standard of the World', and as a premiere marque. General Motors acquired Cadillac in 1908.

Delivery
Chassis number: 4248

The Cadillac Automobile Company was named after the founder of the Detroit area, Le Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. The engines used in the earliest Cadillac were a single horizontal 5-inch bore, 5-inch stroke, 98.2 cubic-inch cylinder unit rated at 10 horsepower. The simple two-seat runabout was priced at $750 which was a rather hefty price at the time. The vehicle could be equipped with a detachable two-seat rear entrance tonneau for an additional $100. Soon, the company introduced the next iteration of the automobile, the Model B. Power was still from the Leland & Faulconer 'Little Hercules' engine, now quoted as having a more reasonable 8.25 brake horsepower. The Model B had a faux hood at the front even though the engine, two-speed planetary transmission, and running gear were still located under the floor boards. Under the hood was the finned tube cooling radiator, in front of the girder-type front axle.

The Model B was available in a number of body styles, including a delivery car that met the increasing popularity of horseless carriages among progressive merchants.

While Cadillac was under Henry Leland's leadership, every aspect of design and development was a symbol of quality, performance, and practicality. Leland insisted on precision manufacturing of interchangeable parts. Cadillac offered parts off the shelf that could be used interchangeably to replace worn or broken pieces without fitting, adaptation, or grinding.

This Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau is equipped with a single headlamp, kerosene sidelights, and a single multi-purpose taillight that could be removed to illuminate nighttime repairs. There are flared mudguards, a detachable rear entrance tonneau, wicker pannier baskets for storage, a surrey-style top, and a folding windshield.

In 2009, this Model B was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers and held in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimates to sell for $75,000 - $100,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $66,000 not including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 4486

Cadillac records show Model B with chassis number 4486 was shipped to the Mexico Electric Vehicle Company, Mexico City, Mexico on November 7th of 1904. The car was purchased by the Mayor of Monterrey, Mexico, and remained in the family until the 1990s. The car's next owner was a Columbian man who imported it into the United States. After unsuccessful attempts at selling it to a Dallas Cadillac dealer, the vehicle was eventually offered to Les Holden, who acquired the Model B in 1997. A painstaking restoration followed in 2005. Mr. Holden was the car's first and only registered owner in the United States.

After undergoing a four-year restoration by the owner, it is now resplendent in its original factory colors of maroon with black trimmings.

The restoration was rewarded with an AACA Senior National First Prize in 2009. It was shown at the Amelia Island Concours in 2010 and won its class at Pinehurst in 2013.

Surrey

The Cadillac Automobile Company was established in 1902, employing the factory and remnants of the defunct Henry Ford Company at Cass Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The company was named for the self-proclaimed French nobleman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the French governor of Ford Pontchartrain (Detroit). In 1688, the French Governor of Canada, with the approval of King Louis XIV, granted Cadillac lands that included part of Mount Desert Island; he had a home in today's Otter Creek, and his granddaughter, Madame de Gregoire, was granted the eastern half of Mount Desert Island in the 1750's. In 1918, Green Mountain on Mount Desert Island was renamed Cadillac Mountain in his honor.

This 1904 Cadillac Model B has a Surry Top Rear-Entrance Tonneau body style. It rests on a 76-inch wheelbase and is powered by a 98 cubic inch water-cooled single-cylinder engine paired with a two-speed planetary transmission with reverse and chain drive.