1931 CADILLAC

Three models were offered for 1931: a series 355-A with eight cylinders, a series 370-A with twelve cylinders, and a continuation of the 1930-31 series 452 and 452-A V-16.

MODEL 355-A

The 355-A, eight cylinder, was similar to the Series 353 of 1930 except the body was longer and lower. The hood was also longer with five hood ports or rectangular doors. The cowls had matching doors. the coach sill was modified and there were no compartments in the splash pan. The battery and tool compartments were located under the front seat. The floor boards were metal. The instrument panel was oval with the same grouping as the Series 353. It also featured a radiator screen, single bar bumper, and dual horns. The headlight diameter was reduced one inch.

The frame was new with divergent side rails. The rear spirngs were mounted directly under the frame rails. There were metal covers on the springs. The radiator was mounted lower in the frame. The cooling system contained a condenser tank.

The engine displacement was the same as the Series 353, but the series designation on the V-8 models no longer matched the displacement. The V-8 now had a five point engine suspension similar to the V-16. An intake muffler was added. The distributor was 1.5 inches higher than on the 345. The fan was mounted lower to match the lower mounted radiator.

I.D. NUMBERS

Serial numbers were not used.
The engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just below the water inlet on the right hand side.
It started with 800001 and ended with 810717.

STYLE

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

TECHNICAL

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

• Introduced August 1930.
• Model year sales 10717.
• Model year production 10717.
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.

MODEL 370-A

The Cadillac Series 370-A (a twelve cylinder) was similar to the 1930-31 V-16. except some bodies were built by Fisher, but all body interiors were built by Fleetwood. The coach sill was modified with a single molding on the splash shield. The battery was mounted in the right front fender. The hood was four inches shorter than the V-16 and five inches longer than the V-8. The instrument panel was similar to the V-8 panel. The headlights were one inch smaller in diameter than the V-16 headlights. The dual rear lights were ball shaped like the V-8. The dual horns were slightly smaller than on the V-16.

The frame had divergent side rails like the Series 355. The rear springs were mounted under the frame rails. The front tread was the same as the V-8. The brakes had a vacuum assist which was operated only from the left manifold. The brake drums were 15 inches. The sedans had two wheelbases: 140" and 143"; but the semi-commercial unit had a 152" wheelbase.

The engine had dual intake silencers which were slightly smaller than the single unit on the V-8 and were positioned at the rear where the V-16 vacuum tanks were mounted. The carburetors were similar to the V-16, but they were reversed so that the air inlet was at the rear. A single vacuum tank was mounted on the center of the dash where the V-16 oil filter was mounted. The oil filter was mounted on the left side of the crankcase. The bore was 1/8 inch larger than the V-16. The rear center main (number 3) takes the thrust. The exhaust manifolds had two sections rather than three. The spark plug wires came out the top of the distributor cap rather than the rear.

I.D. NUMBERS

Serial numbers were not used on the 1931 Series 370-A.
The engine numbers were stamped on the right hand side of the crankcase, on the generator drive chain housing.
It started with 1000001 and ended with 1005733.

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

STYLE

ENGINE

CHASSIS

TECHNICAL

HISTORICAL NOTES

• This model was introduced in October 1930.
• The roadster was used as a pace car in Indy.
• Model year sales were 5733
• Model year production was also 5733.
• The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher.

PREVIOUS: History of the 1930-31 Cadillac 452 and 452-A V-16
NEXT: History of the 1932 Cadillac

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