News:

Due to a technical issue, some recently uploaded pictures have been lost. We are investigating why this happened but the issue has been resolved so that future uploads should be safe.  You can also Modify your post (MORE...) and re-upload the pictures in your post.

Main Menu

First time Cadillac introduced......?

Started by Ross Morgan #22943, October 04, 2009, 09:18:54 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Ross Morgan #22943

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

#1
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.
fward

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for YOURSELF

HUGE VENDOR LIST CLICK HERE

Ross Morgan #22943


D.Yaros

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
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

David King (kz78hy)

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
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

Glen

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
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

David King (kz78hy)

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
David King
CLC 22014  (life)
1958 Eldorado Brougham 615
1959 Eldorado Brougham 56- sold
1960 Eldorado Brougham 83- sold
1998 Deville d'Elegance
1955 Eldorado #277
1964 Studebaker Commander
2012 Volt
CLCMRC benefactor 197

Director and Founder, Eldorado Brougham Chapter
Past President, Motor City Region

Rare Parts brand suspension parts Retailer via Keep'em Running Automotive

Robert Meyers

1988 & '89 Broughams. 2 X 1992 Fleetwood. 1956 Packard Patrician. 1978 Peugeot 504 Wagon. 1975 Ford Custom 500 Wagon, 1972 Lincoln Continental.

Walter Youshock

6-way electric seat-1956
electric antenna-1956
power trunk-1956
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

D.Yaros

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.
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

D.Yaros

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.
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

Otto Skorzeny

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.
fward

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for YOURSELF

HUGE VENDOR LIST CLICK HERE

Glen

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
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

Walter Youshock

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.
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

RobW

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.
Rob Wirsing

Mike Josephic CLC #3877


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
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

RobW

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"
Rob Wirsing

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

#17
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
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

RobW

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

Ross Morgan #22943

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.