1915 Cadillac V-8 Touring Car

01

Artifact Overview

At a time when most American carmakers used four-cylinder engines, Cadillac boldly introduced the first high-production V-8 in its 1915 Type 51 model. The larger engine produced a smoother ride, and its technical sophistication furthered Cadillac's reputation for quality engineering. The company built just over 13,000 automobiles that year, and seven-passenger touring cars like this one sold for $1,975.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1915

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.3.2427

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Steel (Alloy)
Rubber (Material)
Glass (Material)
Leather

Color

Dark green
Black (Color)
Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Width: 69 in
Length: 183 in

Inscriptions

Front hubs: CADILLAC Rear hubs: CADILLAC STANDARD OF THE WORLD Plate inside hood: CADILLAC / MOTOR CAR CO. / / DETROIT, MICH. U.S.A. / [List of patent dates]
02

Related Content

  • 1937 Cord 812 Convertible
    Set

    Luxury Cars

    • 18 Artifacts
    Luxury cars offered the greatest in comfort and the latest in technology. They also provided status -- a large part of their attraction. Builders like Rolls-Royce specialized in extravagant cars with corresponding prices, while mass-market manufacturers like General Motors and Ford offered Cadillacs and Lincolns for customers of more modest means. Sport sedans and SUVs may have replaced carriage-inspired Victoria bodies, but luxury still sells.