Cadillac Series 355

Cadillac Series 355
1934 Cadillac Series 355D
Overview
Manufacturer	Cadillac (General Motors)
Model years	1931–1935
Assembly	Detroit Assembly, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	2-door convertible 4-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door town car 4-door limousine
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform	GM C platform
Related	Cadillac Series 452 Cadillac Series 370
Powertrain
Engine	353 cu in (5.8 L) L-Head V8
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1931: 134.0 in (3,404 mm) 1932–33: 134.0 in (3,404 mm) and 140.0 in (3,556 mm) 1934–35: 128.0 in (3,251 mm) and 136.0 in (3,454 mm) Commercial: 1931: 152.0 in (3,861 mm) 1932–33: 156.0 in (3,962 mm) 1935: 160.0 in (4,064 mm)
Length	1931: 203.0 in (5,156 mm) 1932–33: 207.0 in (5,258 mm) and 213.0 in (5,410 mm) 1934–35: 207.5 in (5,270 mm) and 215.5 in (5,474 mm)
Width	1931: 73.6 in (1,869 mm) 1932–35: 77.0 in (1,956 mm)
Height	1931: 72.5 in (1,842 mm) 1932–33: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 1934–35: 69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Curb weight	4,600–5,100 lb (2,100–2,300 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Cadillac Series 353
Successor	Cadillac Series 70/75

The Cadillac Series 355 was manufactured by Cadillac from 1931 to 1935. They were 8-cylinder cars, sold in several models: a 2-door club coupe, a 2-door convertible, 4-door convertible, a 4-door sedan a 4-door town car and a 4-door limousine.

The 1931 Series 355A was very similar to the Series 353 except it was longer and lower, had a longer hood with five hood ports, with matching doors in the cowl. There was a modified coach sill with no compartments in the splash pan. The battery and tool compartment were now under the front seat. Floor boards were made of metal for the first time. The instrument panel was oval with the same gauge groupings as in the Series 353. The Series 355 featured a radiator screen, a single bar bumper and dual horns. The headlight diameter was reduced by one inch. There was a new frame with divergent side rails. The suspension springs now had metal covers. The radiator was mounted lower in the frame and there was now a condenser tank for cooling operation. The engine was the same 353 cu in (5.8 L) L-Head V8 as on the Series 353, thus the series designation no longer matched the displacement. Engine horsepower was 95. A five point engine suspension, similar to the V-16 was used. An intake muffler was added and the distributor was mounted 1.5 in (38 mm) higher. The fan was mounted lower to match the lower radiator. Model year sales totaled 10,717.

1931 Cadillac Series 355A

1931 Cadillac Series 355A Phaeton

The 1932 Series 355B was even longer and lower, with an entirely restyled front assembly. The roof line was lowered 1–3 in (25–76 mm). The longer hood now had six hood ports. The new front end styling included a flat grille built into the radiator shell, head and side lights of streamlined bullet shape and the elimination of the fender tie bar and monogram bar. The trumpets of the dual horns projected through the headlight stanchions. The headlight lenses were 9.5 in (241 mm) in diameter. The dual taillights matched the headlights. Super safe lighting featured three filament bulbs and four contour positions for degree and angle of illumination. The front license plate was mounted on the bumper. Runningboards curved to match the sweep of the front fenders and blended into the rear fenders. The tail of the rear fenders blended into the fuel tank valence. The trunk on the town sedan, town coupe and five-passenger convertible coupe was integral with the body. The vision of the driver was improved by 30 percent as a result of the elimination of the outside visor and the construction of a 12 degree sloping windshield and corner posts. There was a large ventilator on top of the cowl and none on the sides. All separate body moldings were eliminated. A three spoke steering wheel enabled an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster when in the straight ahead position. The right side of the instrument panel was occupied by a "locker." Engine horsepower increased to 115. The deepening Great Depression helped sales plummet to 2,700.