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.
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The 1909 Model Range
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 The same model with protective top |
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 The demi-tonneau with top |
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 The same model with cape top |
