Cadillac history 1931

1931 CADILLAC

Three models were offered for 1931: a series 355-A with eight cylinders, a series 370-A with twelve cylinders, and a continuation of the 1930-31 series 452 and 452-A V-16.

1931 Cadillac

The 355-A, eight cylinder, was similar to the Series 353 of 1930 except the body was longer and lower. The hood was also longer with five hood ports or rectangular doors. The cowls had matching doors. the coach sill was modified and there were no compartments in the splash pan. The battery and tool compartments were located under the front seat. The floor boards were metal. The instrument panel was oval with the same grouping as the Series 353. It also featured a radiator screen, single bar bumper, and dual horns. The headlight diameter was reduced one inch.

1931 Cadillac

The frame was new with divergent side rails. The rear spirngs were mounted directly under the frame rails. There were metal covers on the springs. The radiator was mounted lower in the frame. The cooling system contained a condenser tank.

1931 Cadillac

The engine displacement was the same as the Series 353, but the series designation on the V-8 models no longer matched the displacement. The V-8 now had a five point engine suspension similar to the V-16. An intake muffler was added. The distributor was 1.5 inches higher than on the 345. The fan was mounted lower to match the lower mounted radiator.

1931 Cadillac

Serial numbers were not used. The engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right hand side. It started with 800001 and ended with 810717.

1931 Cadillac

FISHER
Style	Doors	Type	Passengers	Price	Weight
31252	4	Town sedan	5	$2845	4675
31258	2	Coupe	2/4	$2695	4480
31259	4	Sedan	5	$2795	4660
31262	4	Sedan	7	$2945	4760
31263	4	Imperial sedan	7	$3095	4835
31272	2	Coupe	5	$2795	4500

FLEETWOOD
Style	Doors	Type	Passengers	Price	Weight
4502	2	Roadster	2/4	$2845	4450
4503	4	Sedan	7
4535	2	Convertible Coupe	2/4	$2945	4450
4550	4	Transformable Town Cabriolet	7
4557	4	Transformable	7	$3195
4560	4	Phaeton	4/5	$2945	4395
4580	4	All weather phaeton	5	$3795	4685

ENGINE

Type	90 degree L-head - eight cylinder
Material	Cast iron on aluminum crankcase
Bore and stroke	3-3/8" x 4-15/16"
Displacement	353 cu. in.
Compression ratio	5.35:1 (opt 5.26:1)
Brake horsepower	95 plus @ 3000 rpm
Taxable horsepower	36.45
Main bearings	3
Valve lifters	mechanical
Carburetor	Cadillac and Johnson, with intake silencer

CHASSIS

Feature	Series 355-A	Series 355-A Commercial Chassis
Wheelbase	134"	152"
Overall length	203"
Height	72.5"
Front tread	57.25"
Rear tread	59.5"
Tires (std)	6.50 x 19
Tires (opt)	7.00 x 18

TECHNICAL

Transmission	Selective, synchro
Speeds	3 forward, 1 reverse
Controls	left-hand drive with center controls (right-hand optional)
Clutch	Twin disc
Drive	Shaft drive with torque tube
Rear axle	3/4 floating rear axle
Rear drive	spiral bevel drive
Overall ratio	std 4.75:1, opt 4.07:1, 4.54:1
Brakes	Mechanical on four wheels
Wheels (std)	Wood artillery
Wheels (opt)	Wire, disc, or demountable wood
Wheel size (std)	19"
Wheel size (opt)	18"

OPTIONS

Trunks	$100 - 119
Tonneau Windshield	$185
Wind wings	$25 - 47.50
Tire covers	$5.00 - 40.00
Mirrors	$10 - 32 / pair
Radio	price on application
Heater	$41 - 55
Auxilliary lights	$37.50 - 75.00
Seat covers	$26.75 - 73.50
Heron or Goddess	$20.00
5 wire wheels	$70
6 wire wheels with fender wells and trunk rack	$240
5 demountable wood wheels	$50
6 demountable wood wheels with wells and rack	$230
4 natural wood wheels	$10

HISTORICAL

Introduced August 1930.
Model year sales 10717.
Model year production 10717.
The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.

The Cadillac Series 370-A (a twelve cylinder) was similar to the 1930-31 V-16. except some bodies were built by Fisher, but all body interiors were built by Fleetwood. The coach sill was modified with a single molding on the splash shield. The battery was mounted in the right front fender. The hood was four inches shorter than the V-16 and five inches longer than the V-8. The instrument panel was similar to the V-8 panel. The headlights were one inch smaller in diameter than the V-16 headlights. The dual rear lights were ball shaped like the V-8. The dual horns were slightly smaller than on the V-16.

1931 Cadillac

The frame had divergent side rails like the Series 355. The rear springs were mounted under the frame rails. The front tread was the same as the V-8. The brakes had a vacuum assist which was operated only from the left manifold. The brake drums were 15 inches. The sedans had two wheelbases: 140" and 143"; but the semi-commercial unit had a 152" wheelbase.

1931 Cadillac

The engine had dual intake silencers which were slightly smaller than the single unit on the V-8 and were positioned at the rear where the V-16 vacuum tanks were mounted. The carburetors were similar to the V-16, but they were reversed so that the air inlet was at the rear. A single vacuum tank was mounted on the center of the dash where the V-16 oil filter was mounted. The oil filter was mounted on the left side of the crankcase. The bore was 1/8 inch larger than the V-16. The rear center main (number 3) takes the thrust. The exhaust manifolds had two sections rather than three. The spark plug wires came out the top of the distributor cap rather than the rear.

1931 Cadillac

Serial numbers were not used on the 1931 Series 370-A. The engine numbers were stamped on the right hand side of the crankcase, on the generator drive chain housing. It started with 1000001 and ended with 1005733.

Style	Doors	Model	Passenger	Price	Weight
Fisher 140" Wheelbase
31152	4	Town sedan	5	$3945	5330
31158	2	Coupe	2/4	$3795	5135
31159	4	Sedan	5	$3895	5315
31172	2	Coupe	5	$3895	5155

Fisher 143" Wheelbase
Style	Doors	Model	Passenger	Price	Weight
31162	4	Sedan	7	$4195	5445
31163	4	Imperial Sedan	7	$4345	5520

Fleetwood 140" Wheelbase
Style	Doors	Model	Passenger	Price	Weight
4702	2	Roadster	2/4	$3945	5010
4735	2	Convetible Coupe	2/4	$4045	5105
4757	4	Transformable	7	$4295
4760	4	Phaeton	5	$4045	5050
4780	4	All weather phaeton	5	$4895	5340
4785	2	Convertible coupe	5

Fleetwood 143" Wheelbase
Style	Doors	Model	Passenger	Price	Weight
4750	4	Full Coll Cabriolet	7
4812	4	Transformable Town Cabriolet	5/7
4820	4	Transformable Town Cabriolet	5/7
4825	4	Transformable Town Cabriolet	7
4825-C	4	Coll Transformable Town Cabriolet	7
4830	4	Imperial Sedan	5/7
4830-S	4	Sedan	5
4850	4	Transformable Cabriolet	7
4855	4	Imperial Cabriolet	5/7
4855-S	4	Sedan Cabriolet	5
4856-A	4	Imperial Sedan	8
4864	4	Town Brougham	5
4864-B	4	Town Brougham	5
4864-Q	4	Town Brougham	5
4875	4	Imperial Sedan	7
4875-S	4	Sedan	7
4882	4	Sedanette	7
4883	4	Limousette	7
4891	4	Transformable Limousine Brougham	7

ENGINE

Type	45 degree overhead valve
Cylinders	Twelve
Material	Cast iron on aluminum crankcase
Bore & stroke	3-1/8 x 4.00"
Displacement	368 cu ft
Compression ratio	5.38:1, 5.20:1, 5.03:1
Brake horse power	135 @ 3400 rpm
SAE/Taxable HP	46.9
Main bearings	4
Valve lifters	Mechanical with hydraulic silencer on rocker bushing
Carburetor	Dual Cadillac/Johnson with intake silencer

CHASSIS

Wheelbase series 370-A	140"
Wheelbase 7 pass Sedan & Imperial	143"
Wheelbase commercial	152"
Overall length	210 - 220"
Height	72.5"
Front tread	57.25"
Rear tread	59.5" (beginning with chassis serial number 10-2720, tread is 60.5")
Tires	7.00 x 19 whitewall
Optional tires	7.50 x 18

TECHNICAL

Transmission	Selective synchro transmission
Speeds	3 forward, 1 reverse
Control	left hand steering, control mounted in center, right hand optional
Clutch	Twin disc
Drive	Shaft drive with torque tube
Axle	3/4 floating rear axle
Differential	spiral bevel
Overall ratio	std 4.54:1, opt 4.07:1, 4.91:1
Brakes	Mechanical brakes on 4 wheels with vacuum assist
Brake drums	15"
Wheels (std)	wood artillery
Optional wheels	wire, disc, demountable wood
Wheel size	std 19", opt. 18"

HISTORICAL

This model was introduced in October 1930.
The roadster was used as a pace car in Indy.
Model year sales were 5733
Model year production was also 5733.
The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.

NEXT: History of the 1932 Cadillac

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