1908 CADILLAC

Cadillac fielded five models: Model G, Model H, Model M, Model S, and Model T.

CADILLAC - MODEL G

The 1908 Model G was virtually the same as the 1907 Model G except a limousine was added to the line.
One or two passenger rumble seats were available, but of a different pattern than the single rumble seat model of 1907.
There were no changes in the Model G engine for 1908, but the advertised horsepower rating was increased from 20 to 25.
This was due to the newly instituted ALAM horsepower formula, which gave the Model G a horsepower rating of 25.6.
Cadillac had always been conservative in horsepower ratings.
The ALAM rating was also conservative, and gave the same rating to every engine with the same bore and number of cylinders.
There was no allowance for design, accuracy or precision of manufacture, superior practice in fit and tolerance, etc.
Although having had a voice in establishing the ALAM formula, Cadillac soon took exception to being rated the same as the least sophisticated manufacturer.
Although engines were tested for actual developed horsepower, it was to be many years before horsepower curves were publicized.

MODEL G ENGINE

Description	Four cylinder, L-head Individual cast iron cyl., copper water jacket
Bore & Stroke	4 x 4.5 in. (101.6mm x 114.3mm)
Displacement	226.2 cu. in. (3.707 liters)
ALAM H.P.	25.6 hp
Advertised H.P.	25 hp
Main bearings	Five
Valve lifters	mechanical
Carburetor	throttled float feed, jet type made by Cadillac

MODEL G CHASSIS

Wheelbase	100 in.
Front/Rear tread	56 in.
Tire	32 x 3.5 (34 x 4 limo)

MODEL G ENGINE

Description	Cylinders cast singly, copper water jackets, detachable combustion valve chamber
Main bearings	replaceable without removing crankshaft
Valves	interchangeable inlet and exhaust valves operated by push rod & roller cam follower on single gear driven camshaft
Accessories	belt driven fan, water pump, and oiler; splash lubrication
Suspension	three point engine suspension
Cranking	clockwise cranking
Carburetor	float feed carburetor controlled by foot throttle or automatic ring-type governor; jet type carburetor made by Cadillac
Transmission type	selective sliding gear transmission, independently attached to frame

1908 Cadillac Model S runabout with rumble seat

The MODEL H for 1908 was the same as the 1907 Model H except the coupe body was dropped from the line. Also the touring body was now similar to the Model G with continuous molding across the center of the doors. The model H no longer supplied an engine speed governor or the interlock between brakes and clutch. Tire size increased to 34 x 4.

The MODEL M was built only as a delivery vehicle. It was the same as the 1907 delivery except that prices now included two oil side lamps, an oil tail lamp, and a bulb horn. Headlamps were not included as standard equipment on Cadillacs until 1910. Also it did not have the longer wheelbase or running boards found on the Model S or Model T.

The MODEL S has the same chassis as the 1907 model except the wheelbase on all body styles increased to 82 in. and full running boards replaced the step plates. Single and double rumble seat options were available on the straight line or Victoria styles runabouts. If rumble seat passengers were to be carried regularly, it was recommended that tire size be increased from 30 x 3 to 30 x 3-1/2.

The MODEL T has the same chassis as the Model S except the coupe did not have running boards. The bodies were the same as the 1907 Model M except the folding tonneau was dropped. The Victoria style top was now available for the tonneau of the Victoria Touring.

I. D. DATA

Model G & H serial numbers	on plate on rear of body or on dash (with engine no.); engine numbers were stamped on top surface of crankcase - in front of and to the left of number one (front) cylinder.
Model G engine no.	30426-30500 (1907- 1908), 30501-31032 (1908)
Model H engine no.	10201-10709 (1906-1908).
Model M, S & T	serial numbers on plate on rear of body (with engine number. Engine numbers were stamped two places on crankcase: 1. Top, right edge of cylinder flange, near water outlet. 2. Top surface of left, front mounting leg. Also on plate on rear of body (with serial number). (Blank spaces on patent plate are for additional patent dates, not engine or serial number.)
Model M engine no.	24075-24350 with K, S. T (1907).
Model S engine no.	24075-24350 with K,- M, T (1907), 24351-25832 with T.
Model T engine no.	24075-24350 with K. M. S (1907), 24351-25832 with S.

STYLE

Body Type & Seating

	Model G
	2-dr. Tr.-5P	$2000
	2-dr. Limo.-5P	$3000
	Runabout. - 3P	$2000
	Runabout - 4P	$2025
	Model H
	2-dr. Tr.-5P	$2500
	2-dr. Limo. - 6P	$3600
	Runabout - 2P	$2400
	Model M
	Delivery - 2P	$950
	Model S
	Straight Line Runabout - 2P	$850
	Vic. Runabout. - 2P	$850
	Vic. Runabout w/single rumble	$875
	St. Line Runabout w/double rumble	$885
	Model T
	2-dr - St. Line Tr. - 4P	$1000
	2-dr. Vic. Tr. - 4P	$1000
	2-dr. Coupe - 2P	$1350

ENGINE

	Model H	Model G	Model M, S, T
Engine type	Vertical, in-line, L-head. Four. Individual cast iron cyl., copper water jacket.		Horizontal, with cylinder to rear. One cylinder. Cast iron cylinder, with copper water jacket
Bore & stroke	4.375" x 5.00" (111.1mm x 127mm)	4.00 x 4.50" (101.6mm x 114.3mm)	5.00 x 5.00" (127mm x 127mm)
Displacement	300.7 cid (4.927 liters)	226.2 cid (3.707 liters)	98.2 cid (1.609 liters)
Brake HP			"Higher than advertised or calculated"
ALAM HP	30.625	25.6	10
Advertised HP	30	25	10
Main bearings	5	5	2
Valve lifters	mechanical
Carburetor	throttled, float feed, jet type made by Cadillac		Updraft mixer manufactured by Cadillac

CHASSIS

	Model M Delivery	Model S	Model T Touring	Model T Coupe	Model G	Model H
Wheelbase	76 in.	82 in.	82 in.	82 in.	100 in.	102 in.
Front/Rear Tread	56 in.	56 in. (61 in. opt.)	56 in. (61 in. opt.)	56 in. (61 in. opt.)	56 in.	56.5 in.
Overall length		10' 1"	10' 2"
Height		5' 4"	5' 4"
Tires	30 x 3-1/2	30 x 3	30 x 3-1/2	30 x 3-1/2	32 x 3-1/2 (34 x 4 limo)	34 x 4

TECHNICAL

Feature	Model G	Model H	Models M, S, and T
Transmission	Selective sliding gear transmission	Planetary transmission	Planetary transmission
Speeds	3 Forward, 1 Reverse	3 Forward, 1 Reverse	2 Forward (3:1 and 1:1), Reverse (3:1)
Drive control	Right-hand drive with controls to the right	Right-hand drive with controls to the right	Low (foot pedal), reverse & high (lever to the right)
Clutch	Leather faced cone clutch	Twin disc in flywheel, disc and three bands on transmission	disc clutch
Drive	Shaft drive	Shaft drive	Chain drive
Axle	Live axle, bevel drive	Live axle, bevel drive
Differential	Spur gear	Bevel differential	Spur gear
Overall ratio			3.1:1 to 5:1
Brakes	Mechanical brakes on two wheels; service and emergency brakes on rear drums	Mechanical brakes on two wheels; service and emergency brakes on rear drums	Mechanical brakes on two wheels; contrac- ting on inboard drums
Wheels	Wood artillery wheels, 10 spokes front, 12 spokes rear	Wood artillery wheels, 12 spokes front, 12 spokes rear	Wood wheels, 12 spokes
Touring & Roadster Wheel size	25 in. Limo=26"	26 in.	Model M and T=23 in. Model S=24 in.

DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS

On the models M, S & T, different combinations of 9 or 10 tooth driving sprocket with 31, 34, 38, 41, or 45 tooth driven sprocket gave ten possible ratios from 3.1:1 to 5:1.

	Driven Sprocket
	31	34	38	41	45
9 tooth drive sprocket	3.44	3.78	4.22	4.56	5.00
10 tooth drive sprocket	3.10	3.40	3.80	4.10	4.50

Lower ratios for runabout to be run on smooth, level roads to higher ratios for loaded Delivery to be run on rough, hilly roads.
Instructions for changing sprockets were available for owners, but the change involved disassembly of the transmission and rear axle — definitely not a "quick-change" set-up.

OPTIONS

Model G: Headlights. Rubber, leather, and mohair tops in three-bow, cape cart, and victoria styles	$90.00 to 200.00
Model H: Headlights. Lined Cape Cart top for Touring	$150.00
Model S: Headlights. 30 x 3-1/2 tires on Runabouts with rumble	$50.00
Model S: Rubber top with side curtains & storm apron	$60.00
Model S: Leather top with side curtains & storm apron	$80.00
Model S: Victoria style top (factory installed only)	$175.00
Model S: Storm front w/windows to replace storm apron	$15.00
Model T: Headlights. Cape Cart top	$115.00
Victoria style top (factory installed only)	$175.00

HISTORICAL NOTES

The model G was introduced in November, 1907. Calendar year sales and production was 1030 (1907-1908). Model year sales and production: same. The President of Cadillac was C. A. Black.

Note: The bulky, complicated, planetary transmission luxury fours were too great a first leap from the single cylinder, which had become passe. The compromised Model G design formed a solid basis for the "Thirty," which was to be the single line for Cadillac through 1914. Had the Brush design concepts been perpetuated, the company might well have failed. Its move into a firm position in the luxury car field was to wait another seven years.

The model H was introduced in June, 1907. Calendar year sales and production: 509 (1906- 1908). Model year sales and production: same.

Note: This was the last year for the planetary transmission fours and the counterclockwise cranking for Cadillac. The only remaining Brush features were the copper water jacket and the splash lube system; both of these were in use by Cadillac through 1914.

The model M was introduced in 1906. Model year production was included with the 1907 figures.

The models S & T were introduced on Nov. 1907. Calendar year sales and production: 1482 with S & T. Model year sales and production: same.

Note: Several hundred of the approximately 16,000 single cylinder Cadillacs produced still exist in the hands of collectors all over the world. A prominent Australian collector visiting Hershey remarked, "Anyone wanting to restore, drive, and enjoy a one cylinder car had best find a Cadillac" — no argument, mate.

NEXT: History of the 1909 Cadillac

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