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1930-31 CADILLAC V16

The V16 (series 452 and 452-A) is one of the most desirable Caddies today for a number of reasons, but most of all because of the shape, style, and obvious quality.

BODY

Although full-custom bodies were built by Fleetwood, Murphy, Waterhoulse, Saoutchik, VandenPlas, Pinin Farina, Pininfarina, and others; most were "catalog customs" by Fleetwood. A few cars had Fisher bodies. Only about one fifth were open or convertible. Two-thirds were five or seven passenger sedans or Imperials. The rest were Coupes or Town Cars.

More than 50 body styles were offered, but the list consists of only a few basic shells with several variations each: metal or leather quarters, with or without quarter windows, fixed or collapsible (Landau) quarters, with or without Imperial division, straight or coach sill, plain or recessed hood/cowl, etc.

With few exceptions, the "41" styles had plain hood and straight sill, the "42" styles had plain hood and coach sill, and the "43" styles had recessed hood/cowl and straight sill.

Windshield treatment varied from vertical Vee to 22 degree sloping as follows:
Windshield type Body Style
Vertical Vee swing-out (Penna.)Windshield type 4130, 4155
7 degree flat swing-out 4212, 4220, 4225, 4264, 4291
7 degree V-type swing-out 4312, 4320, 4325, 4376, 4380, 4391
7 degree flat crank-up (V-V) 4330, 4355, 4361, 4375, 4381
16 degree flat swing-out, folding 4302
18 degree flat crank-up (V-V) "Madame X" 4130, 4155, 4161, 4175, 4276, 4476
21 degree flat swing-out 4235
22 degree flat, divided 4260
The sobriqet "Madame X" (with an "e") is not prominent, if it appears at all, in Cadillac promotional literature. Perhaps the only place Cadillac printed it is in body styling listings found in various parts lists, as early as March, 1930. The term is associatated with job/style numbers 4130, 4155, 4161, 4175, in plain, -S, -C, or -SC variations. In later parts lists, job number 4476 is listed as having a "Madame X" windshield.

"Madame X" has a Hollywood flavor, but is no more inappropriate than the style designations "Fleetbourne," "Fleetdowns," etc. the term must have arisen from a distinctive styling feature common to the four basic body styles. Further, the term more likely came from Detroit than from Pennsylvania Dutch country. The most distinctive styling feature of the "41" series bodies built in Detroit is the 18 degree flat, crank-up (V-V) windshield. It is unlikely that the Pennsylvania version with vertical Vee swing-out windshields were thought of as "Madame X" bodies. Job/style number 4276, being style 4476 with coach sill, also has a "Madame X" windshield.

Chrome plated window reveals were used on "41" bodies but were not unique to those styles. Although early body specs listed chrome plated reveals, July 1930 body specs listed painted reveals on "41" bodies. Painted window reveals on "Madame X" bodies are probably as rare as the "standard" rear-mounted spare tire.

In simplest terms, 1930-31 Fleetwood four door bodies with 18 degree windshield, mounted on Cadillac V-16 chassis are "Madame X"; and two Coupe body styles have the "Madame X" windshield.

Body details unique to the V-16 or introduced with the V-16 and seen on the full 1931 line include: Single bar bumpers, dual horns, concave monogram bar, radiator screen. 13 inch Guide "Tiltray" headlights, dual rear lights matching the headlights, triple molding on dust shield panels of straight sill styles, five doors in the hood, single matching door in the side of the cowl, and none, one, or two rectangular vent doors in the top of the cowl. Most bodies with recessed hood/cowl had one triangular door in the top of the cowl.
CHASSIS
Frame similar to 353 except for five-point engine mount on V-16. Brake system had vacuum assist operated on manifold vacuum, not vacuum pump. Brake drums 16.5 inch diameter. Specially balanced white wall tires used.
Wheelbase 148 in.
Overall length 222.5 in
Front Tread 59 in.
Rear Tread 59.5 in.
Tires 7.00 - 19 early (7.50 - 19 mid-model)


DRIVE LINE
Rear engine support at tail of transmission. Heavier clutch linings (chassis unit 7-2991 and later used thinner lining of V-8). Rear axle shafts same as on 353 except made of special steel. Optional 3.47:1 final drive ratio dropped mid-model.
ENGINE
Extra effort and expense went into a polished, plated, enameled. uncluttered engine compartment. Wiring was concealed and covers were used on engine and dash to hide plumbing and controls.

Twin coils were mounted in recesses in the radiator top tank. Spark plug wires came out the rear of the double deck distributor cap and disappeared under the cover inside the Vee. The narrow (45 degree) Vee allowed for outboard mounting of manifolds and dual carburetors. Intake pipes from higher in the engine compartment were added at engine number 702502 to eliminate the problem of road splash entering the carburetors. Fuel feed was by dual vacuum tanks operated by vacuum pump. By May, 1930, the chrome plated vacuum tanks were superceded by painted units. The dual exhaust system ended in fan-shaped tail pipe tips.

To silence the overhead valve system, hydraulically rotated eccentric bushings were used in the rocker arms. The early use of a different head thickness for various compression ratios was replaced by the use of a single head with gaskets of different thickness. Right and left heads and blocks were interchangeable. One row of head studs went through the block to the crankcase, the second row sealed in the block.

Engine lubrication was full pressure from oil pump on rear main bearing cap. At engine unit number 7-1038, the oil level indicator was moved from rear of right hand cylinder block to left side of crankcase. The belt driven fan was mounted on ball bearings, lubricated by grease fitting, not engine oil pressure. Crankshaft thrust was taken by center main. A harmonic balancer was mounted on front end of crankshaft. A single chain to drive camshaft and generator was provided with automatic adjuster incorporated in an idler acting on the outside of the chain. A thermostat was used to close the crankcase ventilation intake at higher engine temperatures.

The double outlet water pump on the right side of the engine was driven by an extension shaft from the rear of the generator. A cooling system condenser tank was used once again.

The engine, transmission assembly was mounted at the four corners of the engine plus a dual mount at the rear of the transmission. The front mounts were supported by diagonal members in the frame.
Description 45 degree overhead V-16, Cast Nickel Iron blocks on Silicon/Aluminum crankcase
Bore and Stroke 3.00 x 4.00 in.
Displacement 452 cu. in.
Compression Ratio 5.35:1 early std., 5:11 std., 4.98:1 opt.
Brake H.P. 175-185 @ 3400 rpm
SAE/Taxable H.P. 57.5
Main bearings five
Valve lifters Push rod/rocker arm with hydraulic rotary eccentric silencer in rocker arm
Carburetor Cadillac/Johnson
 
TECHNICAL
 
Transmission Selective, synchro-mesh
Speeds 3 forward, 1 reverse
Drive control Left hand drive with center controls (right hand optional)
Clutch Twin disc
Drive Shaft with torque tube
Rear axle 3/4 floating rear axle
Rear differential Spiral bevel drive
Overall ratio 4.39:1 std (3.47:1, 4.07:1, 4.75:1 opt)
Brakes Vacuum assisted mechanical brakes on four wheels
Wheels Wood artillery (wire, disc, demountable wood were optional)
Wheel size 19 in.
 
I. D. DATA

Serial numbers were not used on the 452/452-A series. Engine numbers were stamped on crankcase right hand side, on the generator drive chain housing. Starting 700001. Ending: 703251.
Style Number Doors Model Seating Price Weight
4108-C 4-door Imperial Landau Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4130 4-door Imperial 5/7P 7300 5920
4130-S 4-door Sedan 5P 6950 5850
4155 4-door Imperial Cabriolet 5/7P 7350 5940
4155-C 4-door Imperial Landau Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4155-S 4-door Sedan Cabriolet 5P 7125 5900
4155-SC 4-door Landau Sedan Cabriolet 5P - -
4161 4-door Imperial Club Sedan 5P - -
4161-C 4-door Imperial Landau Club Sedan 5P - -
4161-S 4-door Club Sedan 5P 6950 5740
4175 4-door Imperial 7P 7525 6020
4175-C 4-door Imperial Landau 7P - -
4175-S 4-door Sedan 7P 7225 5980
4200 4-door Sedan Cabriolet 7P - -
4206 2-door Coupe 2/4P - -
4207 2-door Coupe 2/4P - -
4208 4-door Imperial Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4212 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 5/7P 8750 5915
4212-C 4-door Collapsible Transformable Town Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4220 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P 8750 5850
4220-B 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P - -
4225 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P 8750 5850
4225-C 4-door Collapsible Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P - -
4235 2-door Convertible Coupe 2/4P 6900 5670
4243 4-door Phaeton - - -
4244 4-door Phaeton - - -
4246 4-door Phaeton - - -
4257-A 4-door Transformable 7P - -
4257-H 4-door Transformable 5P - -
4260 4-door Sport Phaeton 5P 6500 -
4260-A 4-door Sport Phaeton 5P - -
4260-B 4-door Sport Phaeton 5P - -
4262 4-door Imperial Cabriolet 7P - -
4264 4-door Town Brougham 5/7P 9200 5765
4264-B 4-door Town Brougham 5/7P 9700 5675
4275 4-door Imperial Sedan 7P - -
4275-C 4-door Imperial Landau Sedan 7P - -
4276 2-door Coupe 2/4P 6850 5765
4280 4-door All Weather Phaeton 4P 7350 5675
4285 4-door All Weather Sport Cabriolet 5P - -
4291 4-door Transformable Limousine Brougham 7P 8750 6020
4302 2-door Roadster 2/4P 5350 5325
4312 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 5/7P 7000 5930
4312-C 4-door Collaesible Transformable Town Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4320 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P 7150 5850
4320-C 4-door Collapsible Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P - -
4325 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P 7150 5850
4325-C 4-door Collapsible Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P - -
4330 4-door Imperial 5/7P 6300 5920
4330-S 4-door Sedan 5P 5950 5850
4335 2-door Convertible Coupe 2/4P 5900 5655
4355 4-door Imperial Cabriolet 5/7P 6350 5940
4355-C 4-door Collapsible Imperial Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4355-S 4-door Sedan Cabriolet 5P 6125 5885
4361 4-door Imperial Club Sedan 5P - -
4361-S 4-door Club Sedan 5P 5950 5740
4375 4-door Imperial 7P 6525 6020
4375-C 4-door Collapsible Imperial 7P - -
4375-S 4-door Sedan 7P 6225 5980
4376 2-door Coupe 2/4P 5800 5750
4380 4-door All Weather Phaeton 5P 6650 5690
4381 2-door Coupe 5P 5950 < td>-
4391 4-door Transformable Limousine Brougham 7P 7150 6020
4391-C 4-door Collapsible Transformable Limousine Brougham 7P - -
4412 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 5/7P - -
4476 2-door Coupe 2/4P 5800 5765
3289-A 4-door Transformable Town Cabriolet 7P - -
3981 4-door Sedan Cabriolet 5P - -
3991 4-door Transformable Limousine Brougham 7P - -
2950-X 4-door Sedan 7P - -
2901-LX 4-door Sedan 7P - -
2951-LX 4-door Sedan 7P - -
30-X 4-door Sedan 7P - -
LX-2905 4-door Town Sedan 5P - -
LX-2913 2-door Coupe 5P - < td>-
30-152 4-door Town Sedan, Fisher 5P - -
30-158 2-door Coupe, Fisher 2/4P - -
30-159 4-door Sedan, Fisher 5P - -
30-168 2-door Convertible Coupe, Fisher 2/4P - -
30-172 2-door Coupe, Fisher 5P - -
 
OPTIONS
Mirrors $10.00-32.00
Sidemount cover(s) $5.00-40.00
Tonneau windshield $185.00
Wind wings $47.50
Radio $200.00
Heater $41.00-55.00
Heron or Goddess ornament $20.00
Auxiliary lights $37.50-75.00
Seat covers $26.75-73.50
Trunks $100.00-119.00
5 wire wheels $70.00
6 wire wheels, fender wells, trunk rack $210.00
5 demountable wood wheels $50.00
6 demountable wood wheels, fender wells, trunk, rack $190.00
5 disc wheels $50.00
6 disc wheels, fender wells, trunk rack $190.00
Fenders other than black $100.00


HISTORICAL
  • Introduced January 1930
  • Model year sales: 3251
  • Model year production: 3251
  • The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher
  • Although a token number (approximately one percent) of the V-16 chassis were sold to domestic and foreign coachbuilders, all body styles advertised by Cadillac were "Catalog Customs" by Fleetwood. The customer was able to order limited variations in the "Catalog Customs" or order a full-custom creation.
  • It is remarkable that Fleetwood was able to turn out four to five hundred bodies per month at a time when activities at the Pennsylvania shop were being phased out and "production" at a new location in Detroit was being set up.
  • Through the Fall of 1930, dealers were required to furnish the factory with weekly and monthly owner reaction and service reports on each V-16 delivered.

 

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