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1931 Cadillac V16 4361-S
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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.
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.
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) |
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.
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 |
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. |
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 |
- |
- |
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 |
- 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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