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1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight

Cadillac was the flagship of the General Motors empire and a leader in the luxury car segment, but during the early 1920s, its reputation had begun to erode. The designs were deemed too conservative and uninteresting. In just four years, beginning in 1927, Cadillac would undergo a transformation thanks to the creation of Harley Earl's 'Art and Color' department and the introduction of the chic European-influenced LaSalle. LaSalle would champion a design that would inspire the entire General Motors lineup, and its influences on the Cadillac line would catapult it to the top of the fine car market.

Beyond just style, Cadillac embraced an unprecedented level of mechanical sophistication, beginning with the introduction of the new V16 in 1930 and continuing on well into the 1960s, including the overhead valve V8s and the innovative tailfin design of the late 1950s. A wide network of dealers and the plethora of talent within the General Motors division added to Cadillac's arsenal, allowing it to weather the difficult years of the Great Depression.

As Cadillac entered the 1930s, its designs employed an aeronautically-inspired theme and were some of the finest streamlined luxury cars ever built. The shapes improved performance, reduce road noise and wind, and gave the cars a timeless look by concealing many of the car's external features within the bodywork itself. The radiator, vee-shaped grille, and windshield were given a sporty and stylish rake, and the bumpers had an attractive (albeit ineffective) biplane design, mounted against telescoping springs. The delicate use of chrome trim accented the lines and features, and teardrop Guide Multibeam headlights perched on streamlined supports atop the fenders. The curvaceous and rounded fenders had an airfoil shape there were stretched low over the chassis. The entire presentation took into account both form and function, being pleasing to the eye while remaining effective at speed.

Cadillac's sixteen-cylinder engine joined the eight-cylinder model in 1930, and soon Cadillac raised the bar further with the introduction of a twelve-cylinder model. Improvements were made year-over-year, both to mechanical sophistication and design. 1932 introduced longer and lower bodies with a newly restyled assemble. The rooflines were reduced by three inches, the hoods became longer, and running boards mirrored the sweep of the front fenders. 1933 improved upon the design while the 1934 Cadillac models introduced a new styling direction, retaining its streamlined heritage, and built atop new chassis. The eight-cylinder line was offered on a 128-, 136-, and 146-inch wheelbase, and the bodies were shared with the 12- and 16-cylinder models.

The 1935 Cadillac Model 355-D

The extensive body style catalog for the 1935 Cadillac Model 355-D included over 60 different designs and configurations on three different-sized platforms. Thirteen designs were by Fisher with the remainder being those by Fleetwood. The styles remained unchanged from the previous year with only minor trim and bumper upgrades. The eight-cylinder Cadillac continued to rest on a 128-inch (Series 10), 136-inch (Series 20), and 146-inch (Series 30) wheelbase. The Fisher designs were built on the Series 10 and Series 20 platform, and the Fleetwood on the larger Series 30. Additionally, Cadillac offered a commercial platform with a wheelbase size of 160 inches primarily for funeral hearses and ambulance equipment.

The 1935 Cadillacs, introduced in January of that year, featured all-steel turret-tops on the Fisher designs while the Fleetwood bodies would wait a year before incorporating the design. The previous biplane bumpers were replaced by conventional bumpers.

The ninety-degree L-head 353 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block, aluminum crankcase, three main bearings, and mechanical valve lifters. A 6.25:1 compression ratio was standard and the 5.75:1 setting was optional. The 130 horsepower produced by the engine was handled by a selective, synchromesh three-speed transmission with a twin-disc clutch. A standard final drive ratio of 4.60:1 was standard on the Series 10 and Series 20, and optional on the Series 30. The Series 30 had a 4.8:1 final drive ratio, optional on the Series 10 and 20. Additional optional equipment included side-mounted spares with covers, a radio, heater, seat covers, flexible steering wheel, and seat covers.

Prices for the Series 10 ranged from $2,345 for the two-door sport coupe and rose to $2,49 for the two-door town coupe and four-door town sedan. The convertible coupe and sedan listed at $2,445, and the two-door convertible sedan at $2,755.

The Series 20 prices ranged from $2,545 for the sport coupe to $2,945 for the seven-passenger Imperial Sedan. The convertible coupe and sedan were $2,645, the town sedan at $2,695, the seven-passenger sedan at $2,795, and $2,695 for the town sedan.

The Fleetwood bodied Series 30, both with flat and vee'd windshield, had a drastic price range from the low-$3,000 to the upper-$5,000s.

Combined 1934 and 1935 production for the eight-cylinder Cadillac was 8,318 units.

The 1935 Cadillac Model 370-D Series 40

The Fleetwood-bodied Cadillac Twelve rested on the 146-inch wheelbase platform with prices that ranged from $4,045 to $6,300. The 368 cubic-inch twelve-cylinder, 45-degree, overhead valve engine had four main bearings, a dual Detroit lubricator carburetor, and produced 150 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Mechanical brakes with vacuum assist on all wheels provided the stopping power and the transmission was a selective, synchromesh three-speed unit. The same was used on the sixteen-cylinder model.

1,098 examples of the 1934 and 1935 Cadillac Twelve were built.

The 1935 Cadillac Model 452-D Series 60

The Fleetwood-bodied sixteen-cylinder Cadillac had a 154-inch wheelbase platform and was priced from $6,900 to $9,000. The 45-degree, overhead-valve, cast-iron engine had an aluminum crankcase, five main bearings, a Dual Detroit Lubricator carburetor, 6.0:1 compression, and delivered 185 horsepower at 3,800 RPM.

150 examples of the sixteen-cylinder Cadillac were produced in 1934 and 1935.


by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2022

Related Reading : Cadillac 355 History

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.....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Cadillac 355 History

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.....
Continue Reading >>

1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight Vehicle Profiles

1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight vehicle information
Convertible Sedan

Coachwork: Fisher
Chassis #: 31-7750
Engine #: 31-7032
1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight vehicle information
Convertible Coupe

Coachwork: Fisher
Engine #: 3106675
1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight vehicle information
Convertible Sedan

Coachwork: Fisher
1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight vehicle information
Town Sedan

Coachwork: Fleetwood
Chassis #: 3105172

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1935 Model 355-D Eight
$5,595-$6,031,000
1935 Cadillac Model 355-D Eight Price Range: $2,350 - $5,595

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1935 Cadillac Models

355-E

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
128.00 in., 136.00 in., 146.00 in.
8 cyl., 353.00 CID., 130.00hp
$2,350 - $5,595

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