36-7513 vehicle identifiers (numbers)

[36caddy]

Hi Caddy World,

I have a 36-7513 RHD Fleetwood Imperial Sedan for 7 passengers.  I am led to beleive that only a small number of Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles were built in 1936 and distributed to various locations around the world. (my vehicle is in Australia).  The vehicle is fitted with a "3F4" tank engine, and I do not have any references to the original engine number. 

My quieries are as follows;

1. Are 1936 Cadillacs supposed to have a chassis/body number? (if so, can anyone suggest the location of this number? or contact details of someone who can?)

2. I have been told that Cadillacs of this era were only ever identifed by their "original" engine number and did not have a chassis/body number?

3. Can anyone confirm how many RHD 36-7513's may have been produced and possibly distributed to Australia?

4. Can anyone advise what the engine number range would have been for RHD 36-7513's?

5. I have been informed that Matt Larson may be able to assist with these enquiries - does anyone have his contact details?

Cheers BJ

[Glen]

I can not answer all your questions but I may be able to help you a little bit.  Looking at my CLC Membership Directory for 2004 (I can’t lay my hands on the latest copy) there is a section on engine serial numbers. 

It shows the engine numbers for a ’36 75 series to be in the range of 3110001 to 3115248.  The 311 is the series/year designator. 

In note 1 above it says that the chassis number matches the engine number except the letter A replaces the second and third numbers and the immediate following zeros.  So if your engine number is 3110025 for example the chassis number would be 3A25. 

The next problem is finding the chassis number.  The 1950 shop manual says the chassis number for the ’36 75 series is on the “top surface of the left side bar just ahead of the dash”. 

The body number should be on the body plate which also list the style number, trim and paint codes.  On the ’38 that is on the fire wall in the engine compartment, drivers side.  Oh wait your car is RHD.  If the plate is still there it would be on the left side of the car as you sit in the car. 

Hope that helps.

Glen

[36caddy]

Hi Glen,

My 36-7513 has a vehicle I.D plate attached to the firewall on the LHS which is indicates the body as being 119,  however I am unable to locate any chassis number on the vehicle.  I dont know if body number 119 is indicitave of the entire production run or just he RHD produced vehicles. I am however extremy keen to locate the chassis number. I have been all over the vehicle with a lead light and i cannot find the chassis no. where you suggest.  I have sent acouple of pics of my facgtory RHD 36-7513 to your email address.  Let me know what you think.

Cheers BJ

[Warren Rauch]

We are assuming that this car was a V-8. The parts book (1936) says that body style 36-7513 was used on both V-8 and V-12 . The 8 cylinder was a series 75 and the 12 ,a series 85.
Series 75  serial on top surface of left  (frame) side bar just ahead of dash. Also on top surface of left (frame) side bar opposite battery .
Series 85  serial on top of right (frame) side bar in front of first body bracket (dash to frame)
  In the latest Cadillac Club Directory, Carl Steig has a listing for V-12 production (only 28 plus an export to Canada) and in the foot note says that the 85 series bodies  used 36-75xx numbers.Warren

[36caddy]

Hi Warren,

Yes, my 36-7513 is a V8.  No sign of a chassis number LHS just ahead of the dash... However, it is stamped onto the LHS chassis rail adjacent to the battery box! Not real easy to see though, the body is very close to the chassis.  And, of course the number was hidden under grime... Thanks heaps for your detective work!  I have sent a couple of pics of my caddy to your email address.  Do you have a 36-75 or similar?

Cheers BJ