[ last update: 02.03.2013 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1909


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
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Unless otherwise specified all photos and illustrations are from Yann Saunders'
collection of Cadillac photos, advertisements and product catalogs,
reproduced courtesy of the Cadillac Motor Car Division and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club

 

The "Thirty" was powered by the 4-cylinder motor introduced in 1905.  By industry standards of the time, it was rated at 28.9 HP; in fact, dynamometer testing at the factory showed it to develop 33 HP.  In accordance with Cadillac's conservatism, however, it was accorded a nominal rating of 30 HP, hence the model designation "Thirty".

The Cadillac "Thirty" was a thoroughly standardized car, meaning that every individual part was exactly like every other part of its kind.   All parts were absolutely interchangeable and many were accurate to one thousandth of an inch, i.e. about half the thickness of a human hair.  The company was prepared to furnish any buyer with an exact duplicate of any part of any car it ever built.

All body frames were made of ash; the doors of the touring car and demi-tonneau were made of  aluminized sheet steel.  Wheels were of the artillery type of second growth hickory with steel hubs; they had easily detachable rims. Fenders were steel and finished in several coats of black enamel.

A standard cost of $1400 FOB Detroit [$1550 FOB Los Angeles] applied to all models.  No limousine was included in the lineup for 1909.

Some additional descriptions of the 1909 cars  may be found in The (New) Cadillac Database© section giving full specifications and descriptions of the Cadillacs of  1905-1912.

 

 

    
The newest Cadillac models on display at the Chicago Automobile Show

p09old.jpg (9758 bytes)
Ladies participating, later, in an endurance
trial aboard a 1909 Cadillac touring car

 

 

 

 

The 1909 Model Range

 

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The touring car

 

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The same model with protective top
 

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The demi-tonneau

 

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The demi-tonneau with top
 

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The roadster

 

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The same model with cape top

 

 

Other Details of Construction

 

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The 1909 Cadillac chassis

 

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The power plant, RH sideAccesspries

 

Accessories

 

09speedo1.jpg (3622 bytes)    09speedo2.jpg (5041 bytes)     09speedo3.jpg (3750 bytes)
This early speedometer was made for the Cadillac Motor Co

 


      

Some Survivors

 

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Two splendid roadsters

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Three equally beautiful touring cars (although the one in the center is an odd color)

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Ed De Vries of Grand Rapids, MI, owns (owned?) this lovely survivor;
it is near original, with only the wiring and upholstery restored
[ Source:  Antique Automobile, AACA magazine ]

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year
or go to the  La Salle photo index page

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club. Inc.
[ Background image: name and crest from 1909 product catalog ]