Cadillac 335D 668 2-passenger Convertible Coupe by Fisher
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Car producer : |
Cadillac |
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Model: |
335D 668 2-passenger Convertible Coupe by Fisher |
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Year: |
1934-1935 |
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Type: |
Cabriolet |
The 1934 Cadillacs were completely restyled and mounted on an entirely new chassis, but used the same basic engines as in 1933.
Bodies: Bodies on the Series 10 and 20 cars were built by Fisher. Bodies on the V-8 Fleetwood Series were shared with the twelves and sixteens. 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 grill was Vee 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 in the headlight supports. Airfoil shaped front fenders were brought low over the chassis. The hood sills were high, with the entire fender shape moulded into the radiator shell. A curious horizontal crease broke the nose contour of the fenders. Hoods extending nearly to the windshield carried shutter type louvers in the side panel. Windshields were fixed and steeply sloping; 18 degrees flat on Fisher bodies, 25 degrees flat or 29-1/2 degrees Vee on Fleetwood bodies. Cowl vents opened toward the windshield; one vent on flat windshield bodies, two vents projecting through openings in the hood on Vee windshield bodies. Bodies were two inches 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. On twelves and sixteens, the gearshift lever was moved forward to the clutch housing. Rear fenders were Airfoil shaped and carried rear lights which matched the headlights. The gas tank filler on Fisher bodies was on the left side at the rear of the body; on Fleetwood bodies in the left rear fender. All bodies featured a beaver tail rear deck which completely covered the chassis. On Fleetwood bodies, the spare was concealed inside the rear deck, unless optional fender mounts were specified.
Chassis: Significant changes in chassis design resulted in improved riding and handling plus decreased driver fatigue. The new independent "knee action" front suspension with coil springs and centre point steering resulted in greatly reduced unsprang weight. Front shocks were now an integral part of the suspension; the shock arm being the upper suspension arm. An inverted steering box, mounted on the outside of the frame, was used on Fleetwood bodied cars. Hotchkiss drive replaced the torque tube drive. Rear brakes were operated by pull rods and cables. A new frame of X design added to chassis strength and allowed for the reduction in overall vehicle height. A stabilizer bar to control body roll in turns was added at the rear of the chassis. The brake and clutch pedal assembly was relocated from transmission to frame. Mufflers on Fleetwood bodied cars were relocated to the outside of the frame. In Fisher bodies, the battery was under the front seat, on the right side. In the Fleetwood bodies, the battery was under the right front fender and was removed from underneath.
Engine: Engine changes were few, but horsepower was increased. All engines used Lynite Aluminium pistons. Compression ratios were increased. Intake ducting to the carburettor air cleaner was extended to the radiator casing, providing cold, dense air rather than the hot air in the engine compartment. The combination of Aluminium pistons, cold intake air, and higher compression with improved fuels resulted in increased horsepower and engine speeds. Detail changes in the V-8 engine included a change to the Detroit Lubricator Carburettor, use of dual valve springs, discontinuation of the oil filter, and solenoid starter control with starter button on instrument panel. One V-8 engine change to be appreciated by anyone removing a cylinder head was the change from head studs to cap screws. The change was actually made so that the heads could be turned before lifting, so as to clear the hood shelf. Another change, not necessarily appreciated was the elimination of provision for hand cranking.
The V-8 Cadillac for 1935 remained virtually unchanged from 1934. The biplane bumpers of 1934 were replaced by more conventional units. One major change was introduced on Fisher bodies--the all steel Turret Top. Fleetwood bodies did not have the steel top until 1936. For 1934, Fleetwood bodied V-8's on 3708mm wheelbase were designated Series 30. Fisher bodied cars continued under the designations Series 10 and Series 20.
Having been associated with funeral and ambulance equipment for many years, Cadillac embarked on an extra effort in 1935 to consolidate this business. Three Fleetwood bodied seven passenger livery sedans were offered on the V-8 Series 30 chassis. Additionally, a 4064mm wheelbase commercial V-8 chassis was offered for hearse and ambulance adaptation.
