1926 Cadillac history

Bodies

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1926 Cadillac
The open cars were transferred to the "Custom" line with the 138 inch wheelbase; except the Roadster, which retained the 132 inch wheelbase.
The two-passenger "Custom" Coupe was transferred to the Standard line, keeping the 132 inch wheelbase.
A window was added in the rear quarter.
The coach was renamed Brougham.
The Landau Sedan, Limousine, and Town Brougham were dropped.
The semi-commercial chassis now had a 150 inch wheelbase.
Cadillac offered funeral coaches and an ambulance (bodies by Superior) plus an armored car.
The body featured a narrower, higher radiator with thermostatically controlled shutters.
A moto-meter came on the "Custom" cars.
There was a greater distance from the radiator to the windshield.
The long sweeping front fenders contained battery and tool boxes.
All cars had a one piece windshield.
On open cars, the windshield swung from a pivot at top.
Closed cars had a vertical "V-V" windshield.
There were fourteen louvers to the rear of the hood.
A new nickel plated radiator shell with emblem was set on a badge shaped background.
All front doors were now hinged at the windshield post.
There were no side lights.
New drum shaped headlights contained a parking bulb plus a double filament bulb for tilting beam.
A small (9 in.) drum was on the Standard line and a large (10 in.) drum was on the "Custom" line.
The rear lamp was placed on the left fender instead of on tire carrier.
The "Custom" line had bumpers.
The motor driven horn was attached to the left hand headlight bracket instead of the intake manifold.
As of end of 1925, the "Custom" closed bodies once more had the sloping (V-V) windshield. (More angle than on 1924-25 V-63). Triangular side glass wings were added ahead of the windshield posts.
In the spring of 1926, the battery and tool boxes moved from front fenders back to a location behind running board dust shields on chassis unit number 1-25000.
Mid-year 1926, the Cabriolet (leather backed) version of the "Custom" closed cars were added to the line.
By June, 1926, the "Custom" Touring was available on order with fender wells, six wire wheels, and a trunk rack for $360 extra.

Chassis

The rear springs were now semi-elliptic with ball and socket rear shackles.
The spring seats no longer oscillate on rear axle housing.
Spring covers came on the "Custom" line.
The torque arm was relocated from the right to the left side and connected to the frame through a fabric hanger.
The radiator was now cellular instead of tube and plate, and a second radiator was added to the cowl brace.
Balloon tires were mounted on split rims with no side rings.
Brake drums were bell shaped to give clearance for balloon tires.
Watson stabilators replaced Gabriel snubbers.
"American" ("National") threads replace special (Cadillac) threads.
The chassis weight was reduced by 263 lb. (130 lb. of this in engine weight reduction).
In the spring of 1926, at Steering Gear Unit Number 1-23500, steering changed from worm and sector type to split nut type.

Drive Line

Axle shafts have 14 drive teeth instead of 6 lugs.

Engine

A crankcase ventilation system was introduced to eliminate dilution and condensation (this feature was used on the last 2000 V-63's).
An oil filter was added.
The oil level indicator was located on the right side of the crankcase instead of inside the Vee.
The oil filter cap was a screw type instead of being hinged.
The camshaft bearings fed full oil pressure, not overflow from the regulator.
The rocker arms were eliminated.
The valves and tappets were placed at an angle to the cylinder bores to line up directly with the cams.
A single water pump was located at the left.
A detachable water elbow was located on the cylinder heads.
An oil pump was located at right front corner of the crankcase, in place of second water pump.
Both the oil and water pumps were driven directly from the crossshaft.
The starter and generator were separate units for first time on Cadillacs.
The starter was vertical at the top of the flywheel housing, driving through teeth on the rear face of the flywheel.
The generator was in front, in the Vee.
Generator/fan was driven by a belt, eliminating one chain.
Tension on single chain was maintained by an idler sprocket.
The front cover of the engine was made of steel instead of Aluminum.
The intake manifold was now a separate piece.

I. D. DATA

Serial numbers were not used.	Click to supersize 1926 Cadillac
Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase immediately above the base of the oil filler spout and on plate on dash.
Starting: (1925) 100001. (1926) 114250. Ending: (1925) 114249. (1926) 142020.

Up to the Series 314, Cadillac had used the engine number as the key identifying number for the vehicle, and all changes made during a model production run were recorded by engine number. Parts orders listing the part and the engine number insured receipt of the correct version of the part, including correct paint color, if applicable.

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1926 Cadillac Roadster

Starting with the Series 314, a "Unit and Car Number" scheme was put into effect. Each car was assigned an engine number, which was stamped on the engine and on a plate on the firewall just before the car was shipped. This engine number, as before, was the identifying number of the vehicle - to be used for registration, etc.. However, changes were recorded, for the most part, by Unit Number, which was the number stamped on each main assembly of the vehicle as that assembly was completed. Engine number and engine unit number bore no relation to each other. A change made at engine unit number 1-38009 might or might not have been included on the car carrying engine number 138009.

Various Cadillac manuals and parts books detail the various changes by unit number or, in rare cases, by engine/car number; but no cross reference exists. If the factory kept any cross reference of unit numbers against engine/car numbers, they did not pass it along with the car. Dealers were urged to make a unit number record for each of their customer's cars, so as to be able to service and supply parts for the car according to the exact requirements of the particular configuration of that vehicle.

Engine numbers for Series 314 cars consist of six digits, starting with the figure 1. Unit numbers for Series 314 cars consist of the figure 1, followed by a dash, followed by one to five digits. The generator and starter carried Delco serial numbers. The various numbers are located as follows:

Engine/car Number -- On the crankcase at the base of the oil filter and on the patent plate on the front face of the dash.
Engine Unit Number -- On top of left hand crankcase support arm (rear).
Chassis/frame Unit Number -- On the upper surface of the left hand side bar, opposite the steering gear.
Body Unit Number and Job/Style Number -- On right front sill or on metal plate on the front face of the dash.
Steering Gear Unit Number -- On housing, near lubrication fitting.
Transmission Unit Number -- On top of flange holding brake and clutch pedal bracket. Clutch
Unit Number -- On front and rear retaining plates.
Front Axle Unit Number -- On upper surface of axle I-beam.
Rear Axle Unit Number -- On rear surface of the housing, just to right of cover plate.
Carburetor Unit Number -- On left hand rear face of flange by which carburetor is attached to intake header.
Generator Unit Number -- On side of generator.
Starter Unit Number -- On side of starter.

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

Standard Body Styles
Style No.	Doors	Body Type	Seating	Price	Weight
6400	2-dr.	Brougham	5	$2995	4075
6430	2-dr.	Coupe	2	$3045	4040
6490	2-dr.	Victoria	4	$3095	4115
6420	4-dr.	Sedan	5	$3195	4155
6410	4-dr.	Sedan	7	$3295	4240
6440	4-dr.	Imperial	7	$3435	4360

"Custom" Body Styles (August, 1925)
Style No.	Doors	Body Type	Seating	Price	Weight
1154	4-dr.	Touring	7	$3250	4300
1155	4-dr.	Phaeton	4	$3250	3960
1156	2-dr.	Roadster	2/4	$3250	3920
6460	2-dr.	Coupe	5	$4000	4190
6470	4-dr.	Sedan	5	$4150	4190
6450	4-dr.	Suburban	7	$4285	4250
6480	4-dr.	Imp. Suburban	7	$4485	4355

"Custom" closed body styles (Jan '26), replacing closed bodies of Aug '25 (sloping windshield)
Style No.	Doors	Body Type	Seating	Price	Weight
6680	2-dr.	Coupe	5	$4000	4465
6690	4-dr.	Sedan	5	$4150	4465
6670	4-dr.	Suburban	7	4285	4580
6700	4-dr.	Imp. Suburban	7	$4485	4615

Mid-year Additions to "Custom"
Style No.	Doors	Body Type	Seating	Price	Weight
6680-L	2-dr.	Cab. Coupe	5	-	-
6690-L	4-dr.	Cab. Sedan	5	-	-
6670-L	4-dr.	Cab. Sub.	7	-	-
6700-L	4-dr.	Imp. Cab. Sub.	7	-	-

Semi-commercial line
Style No.	Doors	Body Type	Seating	Price	Weight
NA	5-dr	Cus. Limo. Funeral-Coach	-	-	-
NA	5-dr	Imp. Limo. Ambulance	-	-	-
NA	5-dr	Imp. Limo. Funeral Coach	-	-	-
NA	3-dr	Armored Car	-	-	6500

Introduced August, 1925.
Innovations: Crankcase ventilation.
Calendar year sales: (1925) 14249, (1926) 27771.
Calendar year production: (1925) 14249, (1926) 27771.
Model two year sales: 50619 (Aug. '25 through Sep. '27).
Model two year production: 50619 (Aug. '25 through Sep. '27).
The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.
With increasing consistency, Cadillac promotional material had mentioned the model designation alongside the name "Cadillac." For 1924/1925, practically every ad, catalog, manual, etc., carried the designation "V-63." Suddenly. in August, 1925, all mention of a model designation was withheld from promotional material. The public would learn to think "Cadillac," not "Model," and would be presented "The New Cadillac" periodically for many years to come. However, for practical considerations in the area of Parts and Service, a system of model designation was still required. The "New Cadillac" for 1926/1927 was known to insiders as Series 314, based on engine displacement.

Engine Type	Ninety degree V-8. L-head. Cast iron blocks of four on Aluminum crankcase.
Bore and Stroke	3.125 x 5.125 in. (79.4mm x 130.2mm)
Displacement	314.5 cu. in. (5.153 liter)
Brake H.P.	80 plus advertised
S.A.E./Taxable/N.A.C.C. H.P.	31.25
Main bearings	Three
Valve lifters	Mechanical lifters with roller acting directly on cams
Carburetor	float feed, auxiliary air control; manufactured by Cadillac under C. F. Johnson patents

	All Standard Cars Plus Custom Roadster	All Custom Cars except Roadster	Semi-commercial
Wheelbase	132 in.	138 in.	150 in.
Front/Rear Tread	56 in.	56 in.	56 in.
Tires	33 x 6.75 low pressure.	33 x 6.75 low pressure	33 x 6.75 low pressure.

Transmission	Selective sliding gear transmission. Case in unit with engine
Speeds	3 Forward and 1 Reverse
Controls	Left drive, center control (rhd opt)
Clutch	Multiple disc clutch
Drive	Shaft drive
Axle	Spiral bevel, fullfloating rear axle
Overall ratio	4.91:1, 4.5:1, 4.15:1
Brakes	Mechanical brakes on four wheels
Wheels	Wood artillery wheels, split rim, 12 spoke (Wire and Disc opt.)
Wheel size	21 in.
Optional Drive ratio	5.33:1 (Standard on armored car)

Front bumper for Standard Cars	$24.00
Rear bumper for Standard Cars	$24.00
Heater	$32.60
Spring covers for Standard Cars	$20.00
33 x 5 Tires on wooden wheels	NC
Tonneau windshields	$90.00-120.00
Trunks	$56.00-72.50
Note: Cadillac still took the stand that their cars were complete and ready for entirely acceptable service as-built. However, accessories were recognized and dealers were encouraged to handle this business. Accessory catalogs were published by factory branches and the factory put out bulletins to dealers. It would be a few more years before the factory put out an accessory catalog directly to the public.

1926 CADILLAC

"THE NEW NINETY DEGREE CADILLAC" - SERIES 314

I. D. DATA

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DRIVETRAIN

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

LITERATURE & LINKS