Cadillac Trivia and other selected pre-war facts

1902 This very first year Cadillac used modern techniques in the design such as RACK-AND-PINION Steering, VARIABLE LIFT intake Valve instead of throttle control and sort-of OVERHEAD VALVE design.
The VARIABLE LIFT inlet valve design is now, a hundred years later, used by BMW in their four cylinder cars - it is probably advertised now as a "new" technique as well!
Cadillac abandoned the variable lift design in 1907 due to patent issues - the individual who held the patent rights had left Cadillac and required royalty.
The OVERHEAD VALVE is a mild overstatement as valve where vertical while piston travel was horizontal.

1905 Cadillac adopted the VARIABLE LIFT intake Valve technology for its four cylinder engines as well.
In 1903-1905, Cadillac had manufacured more than 8000 automobiles, making Cadillac the largest automobile maker in the world!

1910 Cadillac now used dual ignition systems; a magneto low tension system and a Delco four coil high tension system.
Eighty years later we saw multi coil systems again.

1912 Cadillac introduced the Delco system with Starting, Ignition and Lighting.
The Starting system used a 24 Volt winding while charging circuit was 6V.
A hundred years later the industry is talking about raising the voltage for starter above the 12V system used for fifty years now. Now 36/42V is discussed.
Cadillac abandoned the 24V system after only one year for cost reasons.

1915 Cadillac introduced the V8, Left hand steering and Hi/Lo headlight beams.

1924 Cadillac introduced four wheel braking.

1925 Cadillac had cigar lighters both in the front and back seat, automatic backup lights and electric speedometer.

1929 Cadillac introduced Security Plated Glass, electric windshield vipers and synchromesh transmission.

1930 Cadillac introduced the V16 with OVERHEAD VALVE design and Vacuum assisted POWER BRAKES.

1931 Cadillac had driver adjustable shock absorbers, a feature reintroduced fifty years later in Europe.

1933 Cadillac introduced Fisher no-draft individually controlled ventilation.

1934 Cadillac introduced individual front suspension with Stabilizer bar and an all steel body.

1936 Cadillac introduced Hydraulic BRAKES.

1937 Cadillac introduced the famous EGG-CRATE GRILL.

1938 Cadillac introduced a new 135 degree L-head V16.

1940 Cadillac used the modern and legislated Sealed-Beam headlights.

1941 Cadillac introduced the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

These trivia and other facts have been found in "standard catalog of CADILLAC 1903-1990" and "The complete History"

1902	This very first year Cadillac used modern techniques in the design such as RACK-AND-PINION Steering, VARIABLE LIFT intake Valve instead of throttle control and sort-of OVERHEAD VALVE design. The VARIABLE LIFT inlet valve design is now, a hundred years later, used by BMW in their four cylinder cars - it is probably advertised now as a "new" technique as well! Cadillac abandoned the variable lift design in 1907 due to patent issues - the individual who held the patent rights had left Cadillac and required royalty. The OVERHEAD VALVE is a mild overstatement as valve where vertical while piston travel was horizontal.
1905	Cadillac adopted the VARIABLE LIFT intake Valve technology for its four cylinder engines as well. In 1903-1905, Cadillac had manufacured more than 8000 automobiles, making Cadillac the largest automobile maker in the world!
1910	Cadillac now used dual ignition systems; a magneto low tension system and a Delco four coil high tension system. Eighty years later we saw multi coil systems again.
1912	Cadillac introduced the Delco system with Starting, Ignition and Lighting. The Starting system used a 24 Volt winding while charging circuit was 6V. A hundred years later the industry is talking about raising the voltage for starter above the 12V system used for fifty years now. Now 36/42V is discussed. Cadillac abandoned the 24V system after only one year for cost reasons.
1915	Cadillac introduced the V8, Left hand steering and Hi/Lo headlight beams.
1924	Cadillac introduced four wheel braking.
1925	Cadillac had cigar lighters both in the front and back seat, automatic backup lights and electric speedometer.
1929	Cadillac introduced Security Plated Glass, electric windshield vipers and synchromesh transmission.
1930	Cadillac introduced the V16 with OVERHEAD VALVE design and Vacuum assisted POWER BRAKES.
1931	Cadillac had driver adjustable shock absorbers, a feature reintroduced fifty years later in Europe.
1933	Cadillac introduced Fisher no-draft individually controlled ventilation.
1934	Cadillac introduced individual front suspension with Stabilizer bar and an all steel body.
1936	Cadillac introduced Hydraulic BRAKES.
1937	Cadillac introduced the famous EGG-CRATE GRILL.
1938	Cadillac introduced a new 135 degree L-head V16.
1940	Cadillac used the modern and legislated Sealed-Beam headlights.
1941	Cadillac introduced the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.








These trivia and other facts have been found in "standard catalog of CADILLAC 1903-1990" and "The complete History"