Cadillac history 1920-21

1920-21 CADILLAC

The Type 59 was similar to the 1919 Type 57, with the following exceptions:

Bodies
- The general lines were slightly straighter and fuller.
- The cowl was lengthened on the Phaeton and Roadster.
- The windshield on the Limousine and Town Brougham were tilted slightly.
- The lower section of windshield was fixed; ventilation to the lower part of the front compartment was provided by a vent in the top of the cowl.
- The hood hinge was concealed.
- Narrow beading was added on the cowl at the joint with the hood.
- They also featured smaller sidelights which were placed closer to the windshield.
- The shield shaped pattern on the headlight doors changed to a narrow bead with curved sides; the detachable emblem was at the top.
- The headlights and sidelights were optionally available in full nickel.
- The touring model was mounted on a 132 in. wheelbase.
- The two passenger was Coupe new.
- However, the Coupe and the Town Brougham were dropped in mid run but picked up again as Type 61 for 1922-23
Chassis
- The front wheels were changed from ten to twelve spoke.
- The frame was stiffened by lengthening the deep section.
- The radiator water condenser moved to the outside of the frame.
- The extra length chassis was not available.
Drive line: The speedometer drive moved from the front axle to the transmission.
Engine
- The intake manifold was heated by exhaust gasses.
- The timing chains were adjustable from the outside crankcase.
- The crankshaft diameter increased to 2 inches.
- A new-style 4-pole motor-generator used.

I. D. DATA

Serial numbers were not used. Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just back of the right hand bank of cylinders, and on a plate on the dash. Engine No.: 59-A-1 through 59-Z-1000 and 59-AA-1 through 59-BB-12.

1921 Cadillac

Style No.	Body Type	Seating	Price
First Design
-	4-door Touring	7	$3740
-	4-dr. Phaeton	4	$3590
-	2-dr. Roadster	2/4	$3590
4000	2-dr. Victoria	4	$4340
-	2-dr. Coupe	2	$4290
4010	4-dr. Sedan	5	$4750
4020	4-dr. Suburban	7	$4990
4030	4-dr. Limousine	7	$5090
4050	4-dr. Imperial Limousine	7	$5190
4040	4-dr. Town Brougham	7	$5090
Second Design
-	4-dr. Touring	7	$3940
-	4-dr. Phaeton	4	$3790
-	2-dr. Roadster	2/4	$3790
4130	2-dr. Victoria	4	$4540
-	2-dr. Coupe	2	-
4140	4-dr. Sedan	5	$4950
4120	4-dr. Suburban	7	$5190
4150	4-dr. Limousine	7	$5290
4170	4-dr. Imperial Limousine	7	$5390
4160	4-dr. Town Brougham	7	$5290
Third Design
-	4-dr. Touring	7	$3940
-	4-dr. Phaeton	4	$3790
-	2-dr. Roadster	2/4	$3790
4290	2-dr. Victoria	4	$4540
-	2-dr. Coupe	2P	-
4270	4-dr. Sedan	5	$4950
4300	4-dr. Suburban	7	$5190
4360	4-dr. Limousine	7	$5290
4350	4-dr. Imperial Limousine	7	$5390
-	4-dr. Town Brougham	7	$5690

Note 1: Some Fisher references designate 1st, 2nd, 3rd designs as 59-A, 59-B. 59-C. These designs differ only in detail and are not significant styling changes. The -A, -B, -C's refer only to bodies, not "Type" -- there was no Type 59-A, Type 59-B, or Type 59-C Cadillac.

Note 2: The two-passenger Coupe appeared only in early Type 59 catalogs. If produced at all as a Type 59 body style, this Coupe was dropped by April, 1920 but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.

Note 3: The April 1, 1920 price list advanced all prices by $200 (two-passenger Coupe was not listed). The only price change on May 1, 1920 was an advance to $5690 for the Town Brougham. This body style was not shown in the later (1921) catalogs, but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.

Note 4: Job (Body) number is stamped on right front door sill.

ENGINE

Engine Type	Ninety degree V-8. L-Head. Cast iron blocks of four on Aluminum crankcase.
Bore and Stroke	3-1/8 x 5-1/8 in.
Displacement	314.5 cu. in.
S.A.E./N.A.C.C. H.P.	31.25.
Main bearings	Three.
Valve lifters	Rockers with roller cam follower acting on mechanical lifters
Carburetor	float feed, auxiliary air control; manufactured by Cadillac under C. F. Johnson patents.

CHASSIS

Item	Type 59 Phae., Rds., Vict., Cpe., Sed.	Others
Wheelbase	125 in.	132 in.
Front/Rear Tread	56 in.	56 in.
Tires	34 x 4-1/2	35 x 5

TECHNICAL

Transmission	Selective sliding gear transmission. Case in unit with engine
Speeds	3 Forward and 1 Reverse
Controls	Left drive, center control (right hand drive optional)
Clutch	Multiple disc, dry plate clutch
Drive	Shaft drive
Axle	Spiral bevel, full floating rear axle
Overall ratio	4.44:1, 5.07:1
Brakes	Mechanical brakes on two wheels, one external, one internal.
Wheels	Wood artillery wheels, demountable rims, 12 spoke
Wheel size	25 in.
Optional Drive ratio	3.94:1

OPTIONS

All nickel headlamps, sidelamps, and hubcaps. R-W wire wheels.

HISTORICAL

Introduced January, 1920.
Model year sales: 24878.
Model year production: 24878.
The president and general manager was Richard H. Collins (H. H. Rice as of May, 1921).
The general state of the post war economy, shortages of materials, railway strikes, and the completion and occupation of a new factory resulted in a production slump at Cadillac during 1920-1921. With the outstanding war record of the Type 57; with long waiting lists of eager customers; and with reconstruction pressures in the nation and in the company -- Cadillac built the new Type 59 for two years without significant styling or mechanical changes.

NEXT: History of the 1922-23 Cadillac

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May 11, 2000; March 8/03