Cadillac Models & History 1904

Model A And B

In1904, Cadillac offered two models. The Model A was a continuation of the 1903. It had a delivery body with detachable top. Horsepower increased to 8.25. Clincher tires became standard equipment. An optional 60 inch tread was available. A pressure fed multiple oiler was introduced.

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1904 Cadillac runabout with tonneau

The Model B was the same as the Model A except the chassis had a pressed steel frame and axles. It featured front axle girder style (which was not available in the wide tread option) and single transverse half-elliptic front spring. Cranking (counterclockwise) was only on the left side; but a decompression device was provided to facilitate cranking. A safety device was introduced to prevent the crank from being inserted when the spark control lever was in the advanced position. Horsepower rating increased to 8.25; but this was more an issue of confidence in the engine rather than any engine design changes.

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1904 Cadillac Model B

The body of the Model B was an inverted box rather than the sloping, curved dash. The radiator was vertical and below frame instead of the front mounted sloping unit on the Model A. A joint in body at dash allowed the body to be slid off without lifting. A surrey body style was added with a side entrance detachable tonneau. The delivery top was no longer detachable. The weight of all body styles was reduced by as much as 70 pounds. Prices increased $50. When the street was muddy, cars with rear entrance tonneau were backed in perpendicular to the sidewalk so passengers did not have to walk in the mud. The side entrance surrey ended this inconvenience.

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1904 Cadillac Model B

Once again serial numbers were not used for Model A or B. The engine numbers were stamped two places on crankcase: top, right edge of cylinder flange, near the water outlet; and right, front face, just below top cover. The blank spaces on patent plate was for additional patent dates, not engine number. Model A engine numbers ranged from 3500 to 4018. Model B numbers were 2500 to 3500.

MODEL A IDENTIFICATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Model No. Body type Seating Price Weight
N/A Runabout 2 $750 623 kg (1370 lb)
N/A Runabout with Tonneau 4 $850 659 kg (1450 lb)
N/A Delivery 2 $850 693 kg (1525 lb)

Engine

Engine typeHorizontal with cylinder to rear
Number of cylindersone
Cylinder constructionCast iron cylinder with copper water jacket
Bore & Stroke127mm x 127 mm (5.00 inch x 5.00 inch)
Displacement1.609 litres (98.2 cu. in.)
Brake H.P.“Higher than advertised or calculated H.P.”
Advertised H.P.6.5 H.P.
ALAM. NACC, SAE H.P.Calculated by identical formulae; ALAM first used formula in 1908
Main bearingsTwo
Valve liftersMechanical
CarburetorUpdraft mixer, manufactured by Cadillac



Chassis

Wheelbase1850mm (72 in.)
Overall length2819 mm (9 ft 3 in.)
Height1524mm (5 ft)
Front/Rear Tread1382mm (54.5 in.)
Tire28″ x 3″ clincher


Drivetrain

TransmissionPlanetary transmission
Speeds2 forward, 1 reverse
Ratiolow=3:1; high=1:1; rev.=3:1
Controlslow=foot pedal; rev and high=lever to right
Clutchlow and reverse=bands; high=discs
DriveChain drive
DifferentialSpur gear
Overall ratio3.1:1 to 5:1
BrakesMechanical on two wheels — contracting on inboard drums
WheelsWood, 12 spoke
Wheel size22 in.
Drivetrain OptionsTen different ratios



Note:

  • The transmission had two forward speeds (3:1 and 1:1) and one reverse with a disc clutch and chain drive.
  • The overall ratio was between 3.1:1 and 5:1 depending on the combination of the size of the sprockets.
  • The drive sprocket had 9 or 10 teeth and the driven sprocket had 31, 34, 38, 41, or 45 teeth.
    9-T Drive sprocket 10-T Drive sprocket
    31-T Driven sprocket 3.44:1 3.10:1
    34-T Driven sprocket 3.78:1 3.40:1
    38-T Driven sprocket 4.22:1 3.80:1
    41-T Driven sprocket 4.56:1 4.10:1
    45-T Driven sprocket 5.00:1 4.50:1
  • The lower ratios were used on the runabouts used on smooth, level roads; but the higher ratios were used on hilly roads and for delivery vehicles.
  • Owners were instructed how to change the sprockets, but it involved the disassembly of the transmission and rear axle — hardly a job for the average motorist.

Options

Tonneau$100.00
Leather top with side curtains and storm apron$50.00
Rubber top with side curtains and storm apron$30.00
LightsN/A



MODEL B IDENTIFICATION & SPECIFICATIONS

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1904 Cadillac Model B runabout

Model No. Body type Seating Price Weight
N/A Runabout 2 $800 591 kg (1300 lb)
N/A Touring 4 $900 645 kg (1420 lb)
N/A Surrey 4 $900 636 kg (1400 lb)
N/A Delivery 2 $900 693 kg (1525 lb)

Engine

Engine typeHorizontal with cylinder to rear
Number of cylindersone
Cylinder constructionCast iron cylinder with copper water jacket
Bore & Stroke127mm x 127 mm (5.00 inch x 5.00 inch)
Displacement1.609 litres (98.2 cu. in.)
Brake H.P.“Higher than advertised or calculated H.P.”
Advertised H.P.6.5
ALAM. NACC, SAE H.P.Calculated by identical formulae; ALAM first used formula in 1908
Main bearingsTwo
Valve liftersMechanical
CarburetorUpdraft mixer, manufactured by Cadillac



Chassis (Model B)

Wheelbase1850mm (72 in.)
Overall length2845mm (112 in.)
Height1524mm (60 in.)
Front/Rear Tread1384mm (54.5 in.)
Tire30″ x 3″ clincher



Chassis (Model B Delivery)

Wheelbase1930mm (76 in.)
Overall length2845mm (112 in.)
Height2134mm (84 in.)
Front/Rear Tread1384mm (54.5 in.)
Tire30″ x 3.5″ clincher



Drivetrain

TransmissionPlanetary transmission
Speeds2 forward, 1 reverse
Ratiolow=3:1; high=1:1; rev.=3:1
Controlslow=foot pedal; rev and high=lever to right
Clutchlow and reverse=bands; high=discs
DriveChain drive
DifferentialSpur gear
Overall ratio3.1:1 to 5:1
BrakesMechanical on two wheels — contracting on inboard drums
WheelsWood, 12 spoke
Model B Wheel size24 in.
Delivery Wheel size23 in.
Drivetrain OptionsTen different ratios



Note:

  • The transmission had two forward speeds (3:1 and 1:1) and one reverse with a disc clutch and chain drive.
  • The overall ratio was between 3.1:1 and 5:1 depending on the combination of the size of the sprockets.
  • The drive sprocket had 9 or 10 teeth and the driven sprocket had 31, 34, 38, 41, or 45 teeth.
    9-T Drive sprocket 10-T Drive sprocket
    31-T Driven sprocket 3.44:1 3.10:1
    34-T Driven sprocket 3.78:1 3.40:1
    38-T Driven sprocket 4.22:1 3.80:1
    41-T Driven sprocket 4.56:1 4.10:1
    45-T Driven sprocket 5.00:1 4.50:1
  • The lower ratios were used on the runabouts used on smooth, level roads; but the higher ratios were used on hilly roads and for delivery vehicles.
  • Owners were instructed how to change the sprockets, but it involved the disassembly of the transmission and rear axle — hardly a job for the average motorist.

Options

Bulb horn, lights, leather top with side and storm apron$50.00
Rubber top with sides and storm apron$30.00
Deck to replace tonneau on Touring or Surrey$10.00



HISTORICAL NOTES

Cadillac Notes

  • The Model B was introduced in January, 1904.
  • Production of both Model A and B by model was 2418, by calendar year was 2457
  • Lemuel W. Bowen was the president of Cadillac
  • William E. Metzger was the sales manager
  • Frank Johnson was chief engineer until 1914
  • The factory burned in the Spring of 1904, reducing capacity to almost nothing for 45 days.
  • Deposits on 1500 orders were returned to prospective customers.
  • However, the volume of sales still exceeded those of any other make in the country.

1904 Automotive Notes

  • In 1904 there were 22,130 automobiles and 700 trucks of various brands built in the U.S. (about double the number of 1903)
  • Autocar and other makes feature automatic lubrication
  • Some cars had fans to cool water pipes
  • Buick sells their first cars: 2-cyl, valve-in-head engine mounted under the floor with a planetary transmission
  • Sturtevant cars had air brakes and automatic transmission using a centrifugal clutch with high and low range
  • Studebaker also sells gasoline engined cars
  • Ransom E. Olds sells his interest in Olds Motor Words, then organizes the Reo Motor Car Company using his initials for the name
  • Maxwell cars begin production
  • Marmon cars begin with a V-4 engine
  • Ford introduces its Model B
  • Packard abandons the single cylinder in favor of the four cylinder cars
  • The National Association of Retail Automobile Dealers is established
  • Pope-Hartford comes under criticism for including lamps as standard equipment
  • The Prest-O-Lite Company is formed to develop safe acetylene gas headlights
  • The Hartford Shock Absorber company introduces the shock absorber
  • Henry Ford drives his “Arrow” racer to a world-record 147 km/h (91.37 mph)
  • A week later William K. Vanderbilt races his Mercedes to 148.5 km/h (92.307 mph)
  • Top model year production for 1904
Oldsmobile5,508
Cadillac2,457
Rambler2,342
Ford1,695
White710
Stanley550
Franklin400
Packard250