Vehicle Description
By the time General Motors acquired Cadillac in 1909, Henry M.
Leland's company had already established itself as a leader in
innovation, mechanical sophistication and luxurious quality. That
spirit continued under the auspices of General Motors as it is
Cadillac that brought consumers the first electric starter, the
first electric lamps, the first synchromesh transmission, the first
dual-plane crankshaft V8 and even the first V16 engine. From their
earlies models, Cadillac was renowned for their exceptional build
quality and elegant style and General Motors proudly placed them at
the pinnacle of their product line where they remain to this day.
Cadillac was riding a wave of success going into the 1930s. A wise
decision to include a "junior" brand (LaSalle) kept the company
afloat as the economy faltered. They entered the decade with a
heady confidence that spawned the incredible V16 and V12 models.
But Cadillac's mainstay for the 1930s was the 355 series; an
8-cylinder model manufactured between 1931 and 1935. It was
available in variety of standard body styles that ranged from a
formal limousine to a sporting 2 door roadster. Cadillac's model
naming system meant the model name coincided with the engine size,
but for some reason that changed in 1931 as the 355 carried over
the Series 353's 5.8 liter, 353 cubic inch V8 L-head engine. Output
was a stout 95 horsepower, plenty enough to give the big Cadillac
very respectable performance for its day and earn Cadillac strong
sales, with more than 10,000 examples built for '31. 1930s elegance
abounds with this fine 1931 Cadillac 355A Convertible Coupe. This
CCCA Premier Award-winning example has been fully restored to its
original colors of Viceroy Maroon over black fenders and chassis,
as indicated on the original build sheet. It is finished to a high
standard and remains in excellent condition today. It is a lovely
machine with fine quality paintwork and detailing. Of the eleven
standard body styles available, the Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
ranks among the most desirable on the 355 chassis. Its sporting,
elegant appearance recalls carefree playboys enjoying the trappings
of their wealth as the roaring twenties came to a close. The
convertible coupe combined the style and open air experience of the
roadster, but with the additional comfort provided by roll up side
windows and a more substantial folding roof and more luxurious
trim. As with most 355-series Cadillacs, our example is
well-equipped with dual sidemount spares topped with Cadillac
mirrors, a mesh radiator stone guard, Goddess mascot and a pair of
Senior Trippe Light driving lamps. While the restoration is
approaching two decades old, the exterior cosmetics remain very
strong, and this example presents very well indeed. The interior is
trimmed in beautiful tan leather in excellent condition on the
front seat, rumble seat, door cards and kick panels. Woodgrain trim
caps the doors and dash, and the instrument fascia features a
beautiful Art-Deco sunburst pattern that is the signature of the
355 Series. Original instruments remain in excellent order and all
switchgear and controls function as they should. Fitment and
quality of the detailing is exemplary, as one would expect from a
former CCCA award winner. The convertible top is trimmed in tan
canvas, with excellent fit and easy, smooth operation of the frame.
Cadillac's venerable 353 cubic inch V8 is very nicely presented in
the engine compartment. It is correctly finished in porcelain-like
black with correct hardware, hose clamps and detailing. This should
rank as one of Cadillacs greatest engines, as it provides smooth,
reliable running and outstanding performance for the era. In fact,
the 355-V8 offered performance that was nearly on par with the
headline-grabbing V12 and V16 cars, thanks in large part to much
lighter weight when compared to its multi-cylinder stablemates.
Likewise, handling and braking were more predictable as there was
less weight over the front axle. The three speed synchromesh
transmission makes for easy operation and strong four wheel brakes
provide peace of mind in virtually all conditions. Our example is a
fine running machine, needing nothing to be enjoyed on the road.
There is a good reason why the Cadillac 355-series is such a highly
collectible motorcar. It combines the grand elegance of the early
1930s in a mechanical package that is unintimidating and
approachable for even the novice enthusiast. Our example has been
treated to a very high quality restoration and has been carefully
tended to since and has benefited from some light recent
freshening. It remains attractive enough for show, yet is
well-sorted for CCCA CARavan touring. This is a fabulous
all-rounder; a beautiful restoration on a beautiful automobile.
