info@MythicAuto.com
Dream Car Giveaway

 

TYPE 59

Type 59 was similar to the 1919 Type 57, with the following exceptions:


1920-21 Cadillac

Click to supersize
1920-21 Cadillac Victoria Model 59 V-8

Bodies

  • The general lines were slightly straighter and fuller.
  • The cowl was lengthened on the Phaeton and Roadster.
  • The windshield on the Limousine and Town Brougham were tilted slightly.
  • The lower section of windshield was fixed; ventilation to the lower part of the front compartment was provided by a vent in the top of the cowl.
  • The hood hinge was concealed.
  • Narrow beading was added on the cowl at the joint with the hood.
  • They also featured smaller sidelights which were placed closer to the windshield.
  • The shield shaped pattern on the headlight doors changed to a narrow bead with curved sides; the detachable emblem was at the top.
  • The headlights and sidelights were optionally available in full nickel.
  • The touring model was mounted on a 3353mm wheelbase.
  • The two passenger was Coupe new.
  • However, the Coupe and the Town Brougham were dropped in mid run but picked up again as Type 61 for 1922-23

Chassis

  • The front wheels were changed from ten to twelve spoke.
  • The frame was stiffened by lengthening the deep section.
  • The radiator water condenser moved to the outside of the frame.
  • The extra length chassis was not available.

Drive line:

  • The speedometer drive moved from the front axle to the transmission.

Engine

  • The intake manifold was heated by exhaust gasses.
  • The timing chains were adjustable from the outside crankcase.
  • The crankshaft diameter increased to 51mm.
  • A new-style 4-pole motor-generator used.

I.D. DATA

1920 Cadillac

Click to supersize
1920-21 Cadillac

Serial numbers were not used.

Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase just back of the right hand bank of cylinders, and on a plate on the dash.

Engine No.: 59-A-1 through 59-Z-1000 and 59-AA-1 through 59-BB-12.

STYLE

First Design
Style No.Body TypeSeatingPrice
-4-door Touring7$3740
-4-dr. Phaeton4$3590
-2-dr. Roadster2/4$3590
40002-dr. Victoria4$4340
-2-dr. Coupe2$4290
40104-dr. Sedan5$4750
40204-dr. Suburban7$4990
40304-dr. Limousine7$5090
40504-dr. Imperial Limousine7$5190
40404-dr. Town Brougham7$5090
Second Design
Style No.Body TypeSeatingPrice
-4-dr. Touring7$3940
-4-dr. Phaeton4$3790
-2-dr. Roadster2/4$3790
41302-dr. Victoria4$4540
-2-dr. Coupe2-
41404-dr. Sedan5$4950
41204-dr. Suburban7$5190
41504-dr. Limousine7$5290
41704-dr. Imperial Limousine7$5390
41604-dr. Town Brougham7$5290
Third Design
Style No.Body TypeSeatingPrice
-4-dr. Touring7$3940
-4-dr. Phaeton4$3790
-2-dr. Roadster2/4$3790
42902-dr. Victoria4$4540
-2-dr. Coupe2P-
42704-dr. Sedan5$4950
43004-dr. Suburban7$5190
43604-dr. Limousine7$5290
43504-dr. Imperial Limousine7$5390
-4-dr. Town Brougham7$5690

Note 1: Some Fisher references designate 1st, 2nd, 3rd designs as 59-A, 59-B. 59-C. These designs differ only in detail and are not significant styling changes. The -A, -B, -C's refer only to bodies, not "Type" -- there was no Type 59-A, Type 59-B, or Type 59-C Cadillac.

Note 2: The two-passenger Coupe appeared only in early Type 59 catalogs. If produced at all as a Type 59 body style, this Coupe was dropped by April, 1920 but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.

Note 3: The April 1, 1920 price list advanced all prices by $200 (two-passenger Coupe was not listed). The only price change on May 1, 1920 was an advance to $5690 for the Town Brougham. This body style was not shown in the later (1921) catalogs, but was picked up as a 1922 Type 61 style.

Note 4: Job (Body) number is stamped on right front door sill.

ENGINE

1920 Cadillac

Click to supersize
1920-21 Cadillac

Engine Type Ninety degree V-8. L-Head. Cast iron blocks of four on Aluminum crankcase.
Bore and Stroke 79.4mm x 130.2mm
Displacement 5.153 Liters
S.A.E./N.A.C.C. H.P. 31.25.
Main bearings Three.
Valve lifters Rockers with roller cam follower acting on mechanical lifters
Carburetor float feed, auxiliary air control; manufactured by Cadillac under C. F. Johnson patents.

CHASSIS

Item Type 59 Phae., Rds., Vict., Cpe., Sed. Others
Wheelbase 3175mm 3353mm
Front/Rear Tread 1422mm 1422mm
Tires 34 x 4-1/2 35 x 5

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission Selective sliding gear transmission. Case in unit with engine
Speeds 3 Forward and 1 Reverse
Controls Left drive, center control (right hand drive optional)
Clutch Multiple disc, dry plate clutch
Drive Shaft drive
Axle Spiral bevel, full floating rear axle
Overall ratio 4.44:1, 5.07:1
Brakes Mechanical brakes on two wheels, one external, one internal.
Wheels Wood artillery wheels, demountable rims, 12 spoke
Wheel size 25 in.
Optional Drive ratio 3.94:1

OPTIONS

All nickel headlamps, sidelamps, and hubcaps. R-W wire wheels.

HISTORICAL NOTES

1920-21 Cadillac Notes

  • Introduced January, 1920.
  • Model year sales: 24878.
  • Model year production: 24878.
  • Richard H. Collins was president and general manager
  • Herbert H. Rice became president and general manager on May 1921.
  • Benjamin H. Anibal was chief engineer
  • Lynn McNaughton was general sales manager
  • The general state of the post war economy, shortages of materials, railway strikes, and the completion and occupation of a new factory resulted in a production slump at Cadillac during 1920-1921. With the outstanding war record of the Type 57; with long waiting lists of eager customers; and with reconstruction pressures in the nation and in the company -- Cadillac built the new Type 59 for two years without significant styling or mechanical changes.