Vehicle Description
1904 Cadillac Model A Runabout
In the spring of 1904, the Cadillac factory suffered a fire that
virtually shut down the factory to near zero production for 45
days. Deposits on 1,500 orders were returned to prospective
customers, however, the volume of sales still exceeded those of any
other make in the country.
This terrific and rare example was restored by a gentleman from
Delaware in 2002 and received its AACA Senior Badge # W16280 in
2003. In 2004 it won the Cadillac /LaSalle Award from the AACA. It
was an incredible restoration and still shows extremely well today.
Very close to a concours example and running perfectly. Would be
perfect for the London-Brighton run.
Exterior
A beautiful coat of deep red covers all the straight and true but
very curvaceous body panels that have obviously spent a lot of time
on an English wheel. There is some cracking in the curve of the
body behind the seat. Pristine black fenders hang above each spoked
wheel and are wrapped with clincher tires, for easier changing
which will inevitably have been necessary due to the undeveloped
roads of the time. Beautiful solid brass pin striping is seen on
the hood, and it is bordered on both sides with black. A Cadillac
brass badge is noted on the radiator, and 2 brass headlamps are
seen on either side of the upper hood. A woven basket adorns the
flat rear "trunk" area of the vehicle, as well as another brass
lamp attached to the back of the car.
Interior
If you will for this open-air car, a large leather buttoned tufted
bench seat in black stretches across the car. This is fronted by an
ultra-shiny brass steering column that makes its way from the floor
to being topped by a perfect ebony and brass spoked steering wheel
and spark advance lever. 2 simple red pedals mounted into the
floor, one gear ratcheted, control the motion of the car.
Drivetrain
Leland & Faulconer produced the engine which was called the "Little
Hercules." The valve train was fully actuated, and acceleration
controlled by sliding cam on the intake valve. With a square bore
and stroke of 5 inches, 6.5 horsepower was the advertised rate.
This engine sits under the driver's seat and sends power to the
rear wheels through a 2-speed transmission and Brown-Lipe
differential. Braking is handled only on the rear wheels by
applying friction to the half-shafts.
Undercarriage
Model A chassis and bodies were all produced in house at Cadillac.
The car is held together by a steel frame that is suspended on
longitudinal leaf springs and rigid axles. The underside of this
vintage example is as beautiful as the topside and is a fascinating
look into early automobile propulsion and the technology available
at that time.
With a high level of craftsmanship and usability, the 1904 Cadillac
Model A was well received at the New York Auto show and orders
poured in. It was Cadillac's first car and became known for its
reliability and performance. This wonderful example is ready to be
shown and driven and can be seen and tested here at Classic Auto
Mall.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.