Cadillac Models & History 1909
CADILLAC – MODEL “THIRTY”
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1909 Cadillac Model Thirty
Afteran inauspicious trial in the luxury car field, and recognizing the disappearing market for the single cylinder cars which made their reputation, Cadillac settled down with a design which had originated in 1906 (the 1907-1908 Model G). With in-house mass production of a single line, Cadillac was able to offer a high quality automobile at a moderate price: $1400 for the Model “Thirty” as compared to $2000 for the Model G.
Cadillac offered three models: 2-door Touring 5-passenger; 2-door Demi-Tonneau 4-passenger; and Roadster 3-passenger. The “Thirty” differed from the Model G as follows:
Bodies
- No closed bodies were offered.
- A detachable tonneau was once again available.
- It also had steel doors and cowl on the roadster and Demi-tonneau.
- Flared, twisted front fenders replaced the bulky flat fenders with filler between the fender and frame.
- Full running boards and running board dust shields were available on all bodies.
- There were no louvers in the hood.
- The bodies were finished (painted) by Cadillac
Chassis
- 3/4 platform rear spring system.
- Single dropped frame.
- Wheelbase lengthened to 2692mm
- In mid-year, brake drum diameter was increased to 304.8mm
Drive line
- Transmission refined and mounted at three points to frame cross members rather than at the four points to frame side rails.
- Universal joint was housed in the ball joint at rear of the transmission.
- Rear axle with bevel gear differential made by American Ball Bearing
- Engine
- Drive for water pump (gear type) and oiler changed from external belt to internal gears.
- Gear driven accessory shaft allows for optional magneto.
- Speed governor no longer used.
I. D. DATA
1909 Cadillac Thirty
1909 Cadillac Thirty
- Serial numbers were located on a plate on the rear of the body or on the dash (with the engine number)
- Engine numbers were stamped on top surface of crankcase — in front of and to the left of the number one (front) cylinder.
- Range: 32002 – 37904.
ENGINE
Engine Type
|
Vertical in-line, L-head. |
Number of cylinders
|
Four cylinders |
Block
|
Individual cast iron cylinder, copper water jacket |
Bore & stroke
|
101.6mm x 114.3mm |
Displacement
|
3.708 Liters |
Brake horsepower
|
30 A.L.A.M.; 25.6 Advertised H.P. |
Main bearings
|
Five main bearings |
Valve train
|
Mechanical push rod roller cam followers |
Carburetor
|
Float feed carburetor made by Cadillac. |
CHASSIS
Wheelbase
|
2692mm |
Front/Rear Tread
|
1422mm |
Optional Front/Rear Tread
|
1549mm |
Tires
|
32 x 3-1/2 |
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
|
Selective sliding gear transmission |
Speeds
|
3 Forward/1 Reverse |
Controls
|
Right hand drive, controls to right |
Clutch
|
Leather faced cone clutch |
Drive
|
Shaft drive |
Rear drive
|
Plain live rear axle, bevel drive; bevel gear differential |
Overall ratio
|
Touring and Demi-Tonneau = 3.50:1; Roadster=3.00:1 |
Optional Final drive ratios
|
3.00:1, 3.50:1, 4.00:1 |
Brakes
|
Mechanical brakes on two wheels — service/foot/contracting — emergency/lever/expanding |
Wheels
|
Wood artillery wheels, 10 & 12 spoke, quick detachable rims |
Wheel rim size
|
25 in |
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1909 Cadillac Notes
- Introduced December 1908.
- Model year sales and production: 5903.
- Henry M. Leland was president and general manager
- Frank Johnson was chief engineer
- On July 29, 1909, Cadillac Motor Car Co. became a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Co., and Henry Leland became president and general manager of Cadillac Motor Car Co.
1909 Automotive Notes
- Industry output 123,900 cars and 3255 trucks (double the production of 1908)
- U.S. District Court confirms Selden’s patent saying that Ford has infringed on it
- Cadillac and Oakland join GM
- William M. Eaton was president of GM
- Hupmobile puts the transmission and multiple-disc clutch integral with the engine
- The Hudson Motor Car Company is formed
- Ford can’t keep up with Model T demand
- Packard introduces a smaller, less expensive Model Eighteen 4-cylinder
- Louis Chevrolet begins work on a 6-cylinder car
- Top model year production for 1909
Ford17,771
Buick14,606
Maxwell9460
Studebaker & EMF7960
Cadillac7868
Reo6592
Oldsmobile6575
Willys-Overland4907
Oakland1035