Cadillac, the most loved American car brand, has been making a strong image in the automotive industry for more than a century. The founder, Henry M. Leland, was a genius. With a vision that was way ahead of its time, he made the brand “first” in loads of innovations. So, let’s dive into some interesting facts about Cadillac.
Named After a Frenchman
Despite being purely American, the company got its name from a French explorer, Antoine Laumet de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit, Michigan. This name was chosen to honor the Frenchman and reflect his pioneering spirit associated with both the exploration and the automotive industry.
One of the Oldest Car Manufacturers
Cadillac has been around for quite a while. Henry M. Leland, the co-owner of Henry Ford Company, was afraid of losing the ownership, so he came up with a car that was powered by a single-cylinder Oldsmobile engine. Well, this worked out really well and resulted in Cadillac’s birth. Their first happy customer got their car keys back in 1902 at the New Year Auto Show for just $850, making Cadillac one of the oldest in the automotive industry.
Made its Debut as a Luxury Brand
Since its initial stages, Cadillac’s key focuses have been innovation, comfort, and style. When General Motors acquired the brand in 1915, they positioned Cadillac as a premium option and further enhanced their image. Fast-forward to the present, Cadillac competes with top luxury brands such as BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, etc. Owning it means a sign of deep pockets, which makes it attractive to those who seek social status and classiness.
Pioneers in Electric Starters
Thanks to Cadillac, drivers no longer had to hand-crank their rides to start. Featured in the Model 30 back in 1912, you could fire up your engine with just a push of a button. The electric starters were warmly accepted by the automotive industry and are used in modern cars.
History With US Presidents
Back in the day, a luxury car brand that packed tons of features into its vehicles was likely to get noticed among big names. Numerous US Presidents, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy, had Cadillac as their preferred rides. Even the latest US Presidential limo, known as The Beast, is a Cadillac based on a CT6.
Al Capone’s Bulletproof Cadillac
Apart from being a feared mob boss and a prominent figure in the criminal underworld, Al Capone was also a Cadillac fan and had his ride tailored to be bulletproof. It featured inch-thick glass windows and armored plating all over the body. Weighing just 1,360 kilograms, the 1928 Town Sedan was the brand’s first (even the world’s first civilian) bulletproof model.
Custom Station Wagon
Cadillac had never made a station wagon before, but at Elvis Presley’s request, the brand built him a one-of-a-kind custom 1974 DeVille Station Wagon featuring a 24-karat gold emblem and wheel spokes. This beige station wagon was Presley’s partner on tours and continued to run even after his demise in 1977.
First to Mass Produce V8 Engines
Cadillac’s massive and strong 5.1L V8 engine was produced on such a large scale that it became a thing back in the day. Featuring a coolant reservoir to keep the 70 horses chilly, the engine was so robust that the US Government used them under the hood of military vehicles to transport officers during World War 1.
Self-Inflating Tires
Self-inflating tires in the 1920s sound so fictional, but Cadillac somehow pulled this off with their 1922 Type 59C. This vehicle was fitted with a self-powered air compressor, enabling it to perform such magic. While quite innovative indeed, this feature did not make it to production.
The MagneRide
First introduced in 1995, the MagneRide is the secret behind Cadillac’s buttery smooth ride. The dampers are packed with magnetic fluid, where an electromagnetic piston slides according to the sensor’s command, and even on rocky roads, MagneRide makes sure that you glide over it regardless of the conditions.
Invented Climate Control System
Climate control was another of Cadillac’s ideas. With the introduction of the Cadillac Comfort Control System back in 1964, it became possible for drivers to maintain a set temperature in their cabins. This innovation was revolutionary, just like their electric starter, and now, it’s standard in modern cars.
Featured in a Lot of Movies & TV Shows
Cadillac has also cruised through a lot of famous movies and TV shows, for example, in GoodFellas, where Ray Liotta can be seen behind the wheel of a burnt-brown 1979 Phaeton Coupe. Similarly, Mad Max: Fury Road, a blockbuster, featured a monstrous villain vehicle called Gigahorse that was based on two 1959 Coupe DeVille. Even now, the Cadillac is still starred in many movies, like Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, where Brad Pitt cruises in his Coupe DeVille.
Cadillac Ranch: A Tourist Attraction
The good news for Cadillac fanatics is that there is a famous roadside attraction known as Cadillac Ranch located in Amarillo, Texas, which can be seen while cruising down Route 66. Crafted by artists from San Francisco in 1974, the Ranch is a showcase of 10 nose-dipped vintage Cadillacs in the heart of the desert, covered in graffiti. This is not only a popular tourist spot but also a symbol of American Car Culture, and you, too, can do graffiti on it. How cool is that?
3D Printed Cadillacs
If you think 3D printing is a technology that came out today, you are wrong. It’s been out for a long time, and Cadillac is the proof of it. From A/C ducts to front bumpers and all the way to prototype parts, Cadillac has been manufacturing car parts through 3D printing for years.
Dominance in the Chinese Market
The love for Cadillac is not limited to America. The brand has significant global respect and presence, and the evidence for this is China, which is the second-largest global market for Cadillac. With record-breaking sales of over 230,000 units sold back in 2021, the company is still selling well and has Chinese fans who put their trust in it.
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Zainab Noor is a motoring journalist. Childhood rides in Nissan Almera fueled her love for cars. After graduating from AIOU in 2021, she steered her passion into freelance writing. You can find Zainab on LinkedIn.
