The Model L 2-door Touring sold for $3750 and the 2-door Limousine sold for $5000. Calendar year sales and production are unknown, probably very limited. Model year sales are the same. Serial numbers were on a plate on the rear of the body or on the dash (with the engine number). Engine numbers were stamped on top surface of the crankcase - in front of and to the left of the number one (front) cylinder.
The Model L was introduced on January, 1906. It was based on 1905 Model D.
Bodies: Cadillac's first offering of a limousine body. Cadillac's first use of auxiliary (rear facing) seats in Touring tonneau to give seven passenger seating capacity.
Engine: Bore increased from 4-3/8 to 5 in.; mixer replaced by throttled, float feed, jet type carburetor; hydraulic governor replaced by centrifugal ring-type governor linked to carburetor throttle butterfly; variable lift inlet valve feature dropped; commutator shaft changed from horizontal to vertical.
Chassis: Change in commutator drive allowed for shorter hood; dash now pressed steel; wheelbase lengthened to 110 in.; service and emergency brakes both act on rear drums. Except for the V-16's, the Model L engine displacement was not equaled in a production Cadillac engine until 1964. Wm. K. Vanderbilt, Jr. owned a Model L Cadillac, but this type of customer was rare. Cadillac needed high production to make the concept of interchangeable parts pay off.
Engine type |
Vertical, inline, L-head four cylinder, individual cast iron cylinders with copper water jacket |
Bore & Stroke |
127mm x 127mm |
Displacement |
6.438 Liters |
Brake H.P. |
40 hp |
Engine description |
Five main bearings, mechanical valve lifters |
Carburetor |
Throttled, float feed, jet type made by Cadillac |
Brakes |
Mechanical on two wheels -- service and emergency on rear drums |
Wheels (touring) |
28" front; 27" rear 12 spoke wood artillery wheels |
Wheels (limousine) |
28" front; 26" rear 12 spoke wood artillery wheels |
Tires (touring) |
36 x 4 front; 36 x 4.5" rear |
Tires (limousine) |
36 x 4 front; 36 x 5" rear |
Wheelbase |
2794mm |
Overall length (touring) |
4115mm |
Overall length (limousine) |
4115mm |
Height (touring) |
1905mm |
Height (limousine) |
2261mm |
Front/Rear Tread |
1435mm |
Weight of 2-door Touring |
1295 kg |
Weight of 2-door Limousine |
1636 kg |
Transmission type |
Planetary transmission |
Speeds |
Three forward and one reverse |
Controls |
Right hand drive with controls to the right |
Clutch |
Twin disc in flywheel, disc and 3 bands on transmission |
Drive |
shaft |
Differential |
Live axle, bevel drive, bevel differential |