Cadillac Series 355

Overview

Cadillac Series 355/A/B/C/D/E

manufacturer	Cadillac (General Motors)
model years	1931–1935
assembly	Detroit Assembly, Detroit, Michigan, United States
designer	Harley Earl
related	Cadillac Series 452 Cadillac Series 370 Buick Limited Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile L-Series
class	Full-size luxury car
body style	2-door convertible 4-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door town car 4-door limousine
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
platform	GM C platform
engine	355 cuin L-Head V8‡R1R‡‡R2R‡
transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual‡R1R‡
wheelbase	1931: 134.0 in‡R1R‡‡R2R‡ 1932–33: 134.0 in and 140.0 in 1934–35: 128.0 in and 136.0 in Commercial: 1931: 152.0 in 1932–33: 156.0 in 1935: 160.0 in
length	1931: 203.0 in‡R1R‡‡R2R‡ 1932–33: 207.0 in and 213.0 in 1934–35: 207.5 in and 215.5 in
width	1931: 73.6 in 1932–35: 77.0 in
height	1931: 72.5 in‡R1R‡‡R2R‡ 1932–33: 71.5 in 1934–35: 69.5 in
weight	4600 - 5100 lb
predecessor	Cadillac Series 353
successor	Cadillac Series 70/75

The Cadillac Series 355 is a V8-powered luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from 1931 until 1935. It was offered as a 2-door club coupe, 2-door convertible, 4-door convertible, 4-door sedan, 4-door town car, and 4-door limousine. It provided a range of Cadillac below the maker's larger V-12 and V-16 lines. It was succeeded by the Cadillac Series 70/75.

Models

355A (1931)

The 1931 Series 355A was very similar to the Series 353 except it was longer and lower, had a longer hood with five hood ports, with matching doors in the cowl. There was a modified with no compartments in the The battery and tool compartment were relocated under the front seat. Floor boards were made of metal for the first time. The instrument panel was oval with the same gauge groupings as in the Series 353. The Series 355 featured a radiator screen, a single bar bumper and dual horns.

355D (1934)

The 1934 Model 355D was completely restyled and mounted on an entirely new chassis but used the same engine as in 1933. The Model 355 was divided into three series, the Series 10, 20 and 30. Bodies on the Series 10 and 20 were built by Fisher and on the Series 30 by Fleetwood, the latter shared with the Cadillac V-12 and V-16. Styling emphasized streamlining, including concealment of all chassis features except the wheels. Body construction was improved for better insulation against engine heat and reduction of engine, road and wind noise. Bumpers were a stylish but ineffective biplane design, mounted against telescoping springs. The grille was V-shaped and sloping, set into a painted shell. Although restricted use of chrome was a feature of the overall ornamentation, a chrome plated radiator shell was available as an option. Horns and radiator filler cap were concealed under the hood. Teardrop Guide Multibeam headlights were mounted on streamlined supports attached to the fenders. Parking lamps were mounted on the headlight supports. Airfoil shaped fenders were brought low over the chassis. The hood sills were high with the entire fender shape molded into the radiator shell. Hoods extending nearly to the windshield carried shutter-type louvers in the side panel. Windshields were fixed and steeply sloping; 18 degrees on Fisher bodies, 25 degrees flat or a 29.5 degree V on Fleetwood bodies. Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies, two vents projecting through openings in the hood on V-shaped windshield bodies. Bodies were 2.0 in lower than on previous models. Added passenger space in the front compartment was achieved by moving the hand brake lever to the left of the driver, under the instrument panel. Rear fenders were airfoil shaped and carried rear lights that matched the headlights. The gas tank filler was on the left side at the rear of the body, on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender. All bodies featured beaver tail deck that completely covered the chassis. On Fleetwood bodies, the spare was concealed under the rear deck, unless optional fender mounts were specified. Independent front suspension was introduced, called "knee-action". Engine horsepower increased to 120.[1][2]

Cadillac Series 355

Models

355A (1931)

355B (1932)

355C (1933)

355D (1934)

355E (1935)

References