Dream Car Giveaway

 

Three primary models were available for 1932:


355-B (8-CYLINDER)

1932 Cadillac

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1932 Cadillac

The Cadillac Series 355-B is representative of changes for 1932 that other models made.

BODIES

1932 Cadillac

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1932 Cadillac

  • The bodies were longer and lower with an entirely restyled front assembly.
  • The roof line was lowered one to 76mm.
  • The longer hood had six ports.
  • The new front styling included a flat grill built into the radiator shell, headlight, streamlined bullet shaped side lights, and elimination of the fender tie-bar and monogram bar.
  • The trumpets of the dual horns projected through the headlight stanchions.
  • The headlight lenses were 241mm each in diameter.
  • The dual tail lights matched the headlights.
  • The Super-safe lighting featured three-filament bulbs and four control positions for degree and angle of illumination.
  • The front license plate was mounted on the bumper.
  • The running boards curved to match the sweep of the front fenders and blended into the rear fenders.
  • The tail of the rear fenders was blended into the fuel tank valance.
  • The trunk on the Town Coupe, Town Sedan, and five passenger Convertible Coupe was integral with the body.
  • The driver's vision was increased by 30 percent, as a result of elimination of the outside visor and construction of the 12 degree sloping windshield and corner posts.
  • A large ventilator was in the top of the cowl, but none in the sides of the cowl.
  • All separate body moldings were eliminated.
  • The three spoke steering wheel afforded easy view of instrument cluster in front of the driver.
  • The right side of the panel was occupied by a "locker."

I. D. DATA

  • There were no serial numbers used for the Series 355-B Cadillac.
  • Engine numbers were stamped on the crankcase near the water inlet on the right hand side.
  • Starting 1200001. Ending 1202700

STYLE

Fisher 134" wheelbase
Job numberDoorsStyleSeatingPrice Weight
32-8-1552-doorRoadster2/4$28952107 kg
32-8-1782-doorCoupe2/4$27952139 kg
32-8-1682-doorConvertible Coupe2/4$29452125 kg
32-8-1594-doorStandard Sedan5$28952220 kg

STYLE

Fisher 140" wheelbase
Job numberDoorsStyleSeatingPrice Weight
32-8-2564-doorStandard Phaeton5$29952136 kg
32-8-2804-doorSpecial Phaeton5$30952159 kg
32-8-2734-doorAll Weather Phaeton5$24952305 kg
32-8-2794-doorSport Phaeton5$32452182 kg
32-8-2722-doorCoupe5$29952143 kg
32-8-2594-doorSpecial Sedan5$30452257 kg
32-8-2524-doorTown Sedan5$30952264 kg
32-8-2624-doorSedan7$31452323 kg
32-8-2634-doorImperial Sedan7$32952341 kg

STYLE

Fleetwood 140" wheelbase
Style numberDoorsStyleSeatingPriceWeight
4930-S4-doorSedan5$33952257 kg
4975-S4-doorSedan7$35452323 kg
49754-doorLimousine7$37452341 kg
49812-doorTown Coupe5$33952234 kg
49124-doorTown Cabriolet5/7$40952268 kg
49914-doorLimousine Brougham7$42452318 kg
49254-doorTown Cabriolet7$42452318 kg
4975-H44-doorLimousine7  
49852-doorConvertible Coupe5  

ENGINE

TypeNinety degree L-head
CylindersEight cylinders
CrankcaseCast Iron on Aluminum crankcase
Bore & Stroke85.7 x 125.4
Displacement5.793 Liters
Compression ratio5.38:1 std; 5.70:1, 5.20:1 optional
Brake horsepower115 @ 3000 rpm
SAE Taxable horsepower36.45
Main bearingsthree
Valve liftersMechanical
CarburetorCadillac/Johnson
  • Twenty-one percent increase in power achieved mostly from new manifold design plus carburetor revisions.
  • Intake manifold redesigned to give equal length path to each cylinder.
  • Location of inlet and exhaust valves interchanged on middle cylinders of each block, placing inlet valves side by side at the center so that one leg of the inlet manifold can service both middle cylinders.
  • Exhaust manifold placed on top of the intake manifold, with single exhaust pipe to the rear.
  • Air filter added to intake muffler.
  • External tuning chamber on tail pipe.
  • Mechanical fuel pump replaces vacuum tank fuel feed.
  • Separate vacuum pump for wipers.
  • Oil filter mounted along left side of crankcase.
  • Increased capacity from battery and air cooled generator.
  • Manual advance on distributor eliminated.
  • Six point engine suspension (four corners of engine plus dual mount at rear of transmission).
  • Fan mounted closer to radiator.
  • Close fitting fan shroud adjustable and must be moved up or down on radiator as fan assembly is moved for adjustment of belt tension.
  • Radiator of full-bodied-fin construction.
  • Thermostat controlled shutters retained.

CHASSIS

Wheelbase3404mm or 3556mm (3962mm Commercial Chassis)
Overall length5258mm, 5410mm
Front Tread1521mm
Rear Tread1549mm
Tires7.00 x 17

1932 Cadillac

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1932 Cadillac Roadster

  • Frame redesigned using more box construction and no front or rear tubular cross member.
  • Brake drums cast Molybdenum.
  • "Cardan" shaft replaced by cable control for front brakes.
  • "Full Range Ride control" by driver adjustment of shock absorber valves.
  • V-threaded spring shackle pins to control side play.
  • Wire wheels standard, with optional full chrome covers to simulate disc wheels.
  • Optional demountable wood wheels fit same hubs as wire wheels.

DRIVETRAIN

TransmissionSelective synchro transmission
Speeds3 forward, 1 reverse
ControlsLeft-hand drive, center controls (right-hand drive optional)
ClutchTwin disc clutch -- selective vacuum-activation
DriveShaft drive
--Torque tube
Axle3/4 floating rear axle
Drivespiral bevel drive
Overall ratio4.36:1, 4.60:1
BrakesMechanical brakes on four wheels
Drums381mm brake drums
WheelsWire wheels (std), demountable wood (opt)
Wheel size17 in. drop center
  • "Triple-Silent Synchro-Mesh" transmission by use of a constant-mesh helical gears with ground and lapped tooth profile for all forward gears.
  • Rear axle redesigned to be lighter and stronger, through the use of improved heat treatment.
  • Final drive ratios changed, but smaller tires give same net effect.
  • "Controlled Free Wheeling" used -- vacuum assist on clutch, controlled by foot button. Depressing button releases clutch, releasing button or depressing accelerator re-engages clutch.

OPTIONS

Tire cover(s)$5-$20 each
Trunks$100-180
Heron or Goddess$20
RadioPrice on application
Heater$37.50-47.50
Auxiliary lights$37.50-57.50
Wind wings$25-47.50
Tonneau Shield$185
Seat covers$26.50-73.50
Mirrors$8-16 each
Full covers for wire wheels$10 each
6 wire wheels with fender wells and trunk rack$130
5 demountable wood wheels$30
6 demountable wood wheels with wells and rack$166
Colored fender set$50

HISTORICAL NOTES

1932 Cadillac Notes

  • The 1932 models were introduced January, 1932
  • Model year production of V-8: 2693
  • Model year production of V-12: 1709
  • Model year production ov V-16: 296
  • The president and general manager was Lawrence P. Fisher
  • Ernest W. Seaholm was chief engineer
  • J. C. Chick was general sales manager