Author Topic: First time Cadillac introduced......? (Read 4059 times)

Ross Morgan #22943 · « **on:** October 04, 2009, 09:18:54 AM »

I have been trying to find a thread that covered "The first time Cadillac introduced...." (ie, power steering, power brakes, wrap around windshield, seat belts etc) but after at least an hour of looking and not finding one, wondered if one existed? I found the thread

http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/forum/index.php/topic,99677.0.html

which covers "The last time Cadillac came with....".

Does anyone know?

Thanks! Ross.

Otto Skorzeny · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2009, 09:24:46 AM »

Go here and you'll find some of the things you're looking for:

http://home.iag.net/~middlebr/yrs.html

At the bottom of the page there is a link to take you to other pages on the site to see various designs and body styles, logo development, etc.

Ross Morgan #22943 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2009, 02:37:30 AM »

Thanks Otto.

Regards, Ross.

D.Yaros · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2009, 11:10:54 AM »

While not presented as a comprehensive listing, I have compiled some of this data on my web site. Go to http://GrayLady.WebNG.com/firsts.htm

David King (kz78hy) · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2009, 02:13:03 PM »

Hi Dave

Great listing of firsts. One small correction though, the 57 & 58 Broughams did not have cruise control, I think that came in 59. They did have the first transistor radio if you need something else to included there.

David

Glen · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:14:12 AM »

Are we talking about first in the industry or first time available on a Cadillac?

I see some items missing such as first time automatic head light dimming (Autotronic Eye) 195?
Remote trunk release and pull down 1955?
Cornering lights 1962
Power windows 1948?
Power seats 19??
Power antenna 1948?

Any more?

Glen

David King (kz78hy) · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2009, 09:33:48 AM »

As far as the radio, first for Cadillac and I think for any production passenger car. Same is true for the air suspension, even though it was not as robust as it should have been. I'm refereing to Brougham's here, 1957.

David

Robert Meyers · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:30:34 AM »

Autronic Eye, 1952..

Walter Youshock · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:36:44 AM »

6-way electric seat-1956
electric antenna-1956
power trunk-1956

D.Yaros · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:42:51 AM »

Quote from: Glen on October 06, 2009, 02:14:12 AM

Are we talking about first in the industry or first time available on a Cadillac?

I can only speak for myself, but my listing on The Gray Lady web site is of what I believe are industry firsts.

D.Yaros · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:44:58 AM »

Quote from: kz78hy on October 05, 2009, 02:13:03 PM

Great listing of firsts. One small correction though, the 57 & 58 Broughams did not have cruise control, I think that came in 59.

David, thanks for the kind words. Will have to research the correction. The addition has been noted for inclusion. Thanks.

Otto Skorzeny · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:52:06 PM »

Not to nit pick but Cadillac was not the only maker to offer quad headlights in 1957.

In 1957, Chrysler offered some of it's vehicles with quads in states where it they were legal and duals everywhere else. Same model, different front end treatment. New Yorker is one example.

In 1958 they all had quads.

Glen · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2009, 12:53:59 AM »

Thanks for the info Walter and Robert.

Did Cadillac have 2 way power seats before the 6 way?

When was the first vacuum powered antenna?

When was the first windshield washers?

Thanks
Glen

Walter Youshock · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2009, 09:24:40 AM »

Yes, Cadillac had 2 and 4-way seats first. Tops, windows and seats were originally hydraulic powered. The 6-way seat introduced in 1956 added the tilt functions. On a car that came standard with a 4-way seat, the 6-way option was called "Posture Seat".

The first bucket seats were 2-way power.

No idea on the antenna or washers.

Up to 1954, even power steering, power brakes, oil filters and heaters were optional.

RobW · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:36:18 PM »

73 was the first for the passenger side illuminated vanity mirror and the outside thermometer on the driver's side view mirror and 5mph bumpers, VIR AC system, (and maybe the EGR valve ?) and radial tires.

Mike Josephic CLC #3877 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2009, 10:49:33 PM »

73 was the first for the passenger side illuminated vanity mirror and the outside thermometer on the driver's side view mirror and 5mph bumpers, VIR AC system, (and maybe the EGR valve ?) and radial tires.

Radial tires were first offered as an option in 1971 and that continued in 1972, 1973.
In 1974 they became standard equipment.

Mike

RobW · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2009, 05:02:20 PM »

I think you're mixing up L78-15 whitewalls which were still an option in 72 with L78-15 radials and space saver spare option in 73. Dealer brochure states "A deluxe American made steel-belted radial tire is now available for all series except the Fleetwood seventy-fives"

Mike Josephic CLC #3877 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:18:45 PM »

Nope -- I am the original owner of a '73 Eldorado and the radials were still an option then
(I still have the sticker). They were then called "L78R's" -- I don't remember the additional
cost but I could dig the sticker out and tell you. The space saver tire was available, but was
a separate issue from this. I elected not to get it -- I still have the original full size spare.
You see -- I ordered mine from the factory and specified all of the options -- in those days
could still do that -- and the option list was pages long!!!

Mike

RobW · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:15:30 PM »

Yeah 73, I know, but I don't think they had radials in 71 and 72.

Ross Morgan #22943 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2014, 07:09:06 AM »

This is an old thread that I started a few years back. I thought there had been a definitive list created since then but can't find one.

What I wanted to know was the which year Cadillac first introduced an all synchromesh manual gearbox (ie, including first gear)?

Thanks, Ross.