RECENT ARTICLE

RECENT ARTICLE - TOP HAT'S CORNER

June, 2001 Cruise News

STORY LINE-CADILLAC HORSEPOWER HISTORY

Cadillac cars have always had my attention. Mom said the first word I spoke was Cadillac. And when the family would be out for Sunday drives all I did was look for and ‘announce’ Cadillac every time I spotted one. That led over the years to having owned some 30 Cadillac cars at various times and types and even being duly employed at a local Cadillac agency marketing/selling Cadillac cars ... 25 years ago. Dad bought his first new Cadillac in 1966-I got my first used Cadillac as a 1964 model in 1971 and, my first new Cadillac in 1976- a Firethorne Red one with White leather trim. I still drive ‘em today as vintage masterpieces. And I’ve had my share of old Ford pickups and Ford cars with Cadillac power hidden between the sheet metal.

Cadillac came about originally out of the ruins of a Henry Ford failure and rescued from financial disposal by Henry LeLand-who also made the Lincoln automobile happen. Cadillac cars over the years were known for performance, luxury and pretty much were for the rich folks.

Cadillac performance engine heritage consists of typically V8, V12 and even a V16 that lasted through the early ‘40s of the last century. Cadillac was the innovator-along with Oldsmobile for 1949-that mass introduced the modern short stroke OHV engine to the automotive industry and the motoring public. Not uncommon through the years, to see OHV-Cadillac engines between the fenders of modified street rods, Ford ‘shoe box’ cars-known as Fordillacs, or a streamlined ‘50s Stude-called Studillacs.

Those first OHV-Cadillac engines of 1949 were two barrel carbureted, had 331CID and were rated at 160HP. By 1952 a four barrel occupied the areas between the opposing cylinder banks and increased the gross horsepower to 190. For the next three years ratings were increased by 20HP each year-with virtually minor changes as the power was already built in. In 1955, the top of the line Eldorado models engine were outfitted with 2x4 barrel carburetors and delivered 270 horsepower.

The Cadillac engine received its first CID increase for the 1956 model year with 365CID and 285HP standard and, 305 for the 2x4 barrel Eldorado. That early Cadillac engine design grew to 390CID for 1959 and lasted through the 1962 model year. 1963 saw a new engine design for Cadillac, retaining the 390CID but now the distributor was located at the front of the engine and was of a new thin wall casting design. For 1964 the engine grew to 429CID/340HP and by 1968, 472CID/375HP. Cadillac engines produced huge amounts of power at very low rpm levels and over 500ft.lbs. torque with the 472 engine. But the Cadillac that made the most power, was the1970 Eldorado.

Eldorado first came out in 1953, was typically a convertible -save for certain special models-and became a front wheel drive closed car in 1967. For 1970, Cadillac first introduced the 500CID-V8 for use exclusively in the 4,630lb. Eldorado. The engine delivered 400HP at 4,400rpm and 550ft.lb. torque at 3,000rpm. This behemoth was geared for a top speed of 130mph and could propel its occupants to highway speeds in absolute quite comfort.

Through the years after 1970, horsepower was rated at net numbers rather than gross, todays Cadillac cars are 300 net horsepower in Northstar DOHC 4.5 liter fuel injected form-and capable of 150+ mph as built in the Seville STS models ... higher speeds are capable but regulated by the computer and tires.

Still occasionally seen, is an old street rod sporting a Cadillac OHV-V8 with multiple carburetors and even a blower … shades of ‘Ohio’ George Montgomery and the early MALCO Gasser. Cadillac .. a sleeper wrapped in steel.

I love fast cars and last week I got to drive Charlie Winkler’s new toy. A full story on This one at a later date, but it is typical Charlie Winkler style … a Scott Shafroff 10:71 Littlefield blown 540 BB Chevrolet with 1,300 horsepower … animalized just like his other two street beasts; the AA/GS ’41 Willy’s and his ’80 Chevelle Malibu. I basically idled the 1969 Camaro (actually a Firebird) Modified Pro-Street through Mt. Clemens on a Wednesday night car cruise, so Charlie could get some pictures and see what his car looks and sounds like. Sure is hard to see around the stack of Demon twin carbs that sit atop the blower that sit on that engine. All complicated by a chopped top that sets the ‘handler’ way down inside … but I loved it!!! Me thinks a full on ‘ride’ is a’comin.