[ last update: 02.16.2014 ]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

Photo Pages
Cadillac

1930


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year

 

Unless otherwise specified all photos and illustrations are from Yann Saunders'
collection of Cadillac photos, advertisements and product catalogs,
reproduced courtesy of the Cadillac Motor Car Division and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club

 

 

What Cadillac enthusiast would not have loved to have been around - with plenty of money - in 1930 and 1931.  Can you imagine being able to visit the local Cadillac dealership and choose among some one hundred-and-forty different1 models?

Such was the good fortune of those who had been able to keep their fortune ...after the Wall Street crash of October 1929.

Potential Cadillac buyers were confronted with a bewildering   array of models.  There were fifteen different offerings on the La Salle chassis alone (the Series 340), four of them by Fleetwood.   On the Cadillac V-8 chassis (the Series  353), there was a choice of seven different models by Fisher and fourteen special custom by Fleetwood.  On the new V-16 chassis introduced in January 1930 and built through February, 1932 (the Series 452-452A), Fisher and Fleetwood together built more than eighty different styles including thirty one-of-a-kind creations (twelve of them by Fisher and nineteen more by Fleetwood).  Finally, with the fall, came the new V-12 chassis (the Series 370) with eleven bodies each by Fisher and Fleetwood.  You do the addition! It puts to shame today's choice of only 5-6 Cadillac models!

These were the days all right ... if you had moolah!

30FwdLine.jpg (65596 bytes)      Li30CanadPric.jpg (87756 bytes)
Original 1930 model and pricing information (Canadian prices, right)

 

Each model Series had its own ID badge mounted on a curved stanchion between the two headlights. There were other obvious differences between them, including the design of the engine hood, body sills design, tail-lights, wheel caps, etc.

This page illustrates only the 1930 Cadillac models built on the V-8 chassis (the Series 353 - so named because of the volumetric displacement of the engine, measured in cubic inches).  For information and pictures of other 1930-31 cars (e.g. the La Salle and V-16), please refer to the appropriate Database pages linked above.

Once again the easiest way to identify 1930 Cadillac V-8 models is by the front grille ID badge (below, left) and the many vertical hood louvers stretching between the radiator shroud and the cowl (below, right); the 1929 models had fewer of these louvers, starting about midway back from the radiator).

 

30embv8.jpg (3870 bytes)    li30a.jpg (9342 bytes)
Left: front grille badge of 1930 V-8 models
Right: Cover of one 1930 product catalog

 

 

According to one of the sales catalogs put out that year, "Outwardly, the new cars are identified by a bold, straight-line moulding treatment from the radiator casing to the rear quarter, unbroken by cowl band or door pillars - by a wider expanse of radiator, flanked by larger headlamps; by a slightly sloping windshield with short, cadet-type visor; and by a trimly tailored valance across the rear of the car". Rear seats also were 4" wider than in previous Cadillac models, allowing three adults to share it without crowding.

Additional information on the 1930 Cadillac models and the related sales literature may be found  in The (New) Cadillac Database© sections entitled "Descriptions and Specifications of Cadillac Cars 1922 - 1931",  "Cadillac and La Salle Sales Literature 1930 - 1934"and "Dream Cars of 1930 - 1932"Further recommended reading includes:

The "Standard Catalog of Cadillac, 1903-2000" edited by James T. Lenzke, © 2000, published by Krause Publications, Inc., 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990 [ISBN #0-87341-925-1, Library of Congress #91-61301].

For this graphic presentation of the new, V-8 models for 1930 I have divided them, into two groups, below:  (a) the entry-level cars with nonetheless excellent coachwork by Fisher and (b) the more luxurious models with special custom bodies by Fleetwood. Some photos of surviving cars are interspersed with original factory photos and drawings.
___________________________________
1   By "different" models I mean those assigned a distinctive or individual job or style number by Fisher or Fleetwood

 

Bodies by Fisher
[7 styles]

The B&W artist's renderings, below, are from the 1930 catalog entitled "New Interpretations of Motoring Luxury" of which part of the cover page serves as the background image for this page.  They are listed in ascending order of their list price

 

30cpe2.jpg (8127 bytes)     30-2pCp.jpg (19301 bytes)
Fisher style #30-158 coupe for 2 passengers
List price: $3,295 (weight 4,955 lbs)

 

 

 

 

30tnsd5.jpg (7550 bytes)    30tstnk.jpg (5387 bytes)
Fisher style #30-152 town sedan for 5 passengers; list price: $3,495 (weight 5,040 lbs)
Detail of the the integral trunk is shown at right; a folding luggage rack was also included

30TnSdn5p.JPG (38042 bytes)
This artist's view is from an item of merchandising literature of the period
[ Source:  Z. Taylor Vinson collection ]

30TNSED.JPG (8465 bytes)
Publicity shot of the period

    30tnsd2.jpg (10891 bytes)    30TNSD3.JPG (8188 bytes)
A fine survivor; different lighting suggests different colors
[ Photo (left): © 1999, Yann  Saunders; right:
© 2000, J. Scott Harris ]

   30tnsd.jpg (7717 bytes)    30v85psd.jpg (9781 bytes)
Another nice-looking survivor

 

30TnSd01.JPG (95251 bytes)      30TnSd02.JPG (78964 bytes)

30TnSd03.JPG (108426 bytes)      30TnSd04.JPG (116393 bytes)
This superb survivor in original condition (engine, paint and trim) was hidden
in a shed for 65 years
; it has only 55,000 miles on the odometer
[ Photos; ©2010, David Brommerich, owner ]

 

 

 

30cvc2p.jpg (7319 bytes)    30cvtop.jpg (5119 bytes)
Fisher style #30-168 convertible coupe for 2 passengers; list price: $3,595 (weight 4,860 lbs)
Details of the folded top and rumble seat are shown, right

30cvcclr.JPG (9657 bytes)
Illustration from 1930 product catalog

30v8dstr.jpg (6178 bytes)
Bird's eye view of a survivor (right)

30v8rdst.jpg (9472 bytes)
A beautiful survivor

 

 

 

30cpe5p.jpg (7452 bytes)
Fisher style #30-172 coupe for 5 passengers
List price: $3,295  (weight 4,945 lbs)

30CPE5.JPG (12419 bytes)


Photo:  Self Starter

 

 

 

30sdn5p.jpg (8519 bytes)
Fisher style #30-159 sedan for 5 passengers
List price: $3,695  (weight 5,070 lbs)

30fwdsd.JPG (10985 bytes)

30sd5p8.jpg (11200 bytes)    30sdfrt.jpg (7586 bytes)

30sed2.jpg (13367 bytes)    30sednrr.JPG (9928 bytes)


Above three rows: some fine survivors
[ Photos: Internet ]

 

 

 

30sed7p.jpg (7635 bytes)
Fisher style #30-162 sedan for 7 passengers
List price: $3,795  (weight 5,170 lbs)

 

 

 

30imp7p.jpg (8572 bytes)
Fisher style #30-163 limousine for 7 passengers
List price: $3,995  (weight 5,210 lbs)

30limclr.JPG (11094 bytes)
Illustration from 1930 product catalog

 

 

  Bodies by Fleetwood
[14 special custom styles]

Although each of these bodies carried its own, specific job number, they were identified in merchandising literature by a fancy-sounding name beginning with "Fleet...", all reminiscent of bucolic (if imaginary) English hamlets: Fleetdowns, Fleetway, Fleetwind, Fleetdene, Fleetmere, Fleetdale, Fleetwick, Fleetcrest and Fleetbourne; (in  addition, on the La Salle chassis, were also the Fleetcliff, Fleetlands and Fleetshire models); in fact, the cover of each folder in the large, prestige, Fleetwood color portfolio for 1930 carries an art-deco drawing of typical English country scenes. Similar scenes are painted in the 1930 catalog "The Picture Book of Cadillac".

All these bodies, and more, were available also on the V16 chassis (Series 452-452A) in 1930 and 1931; however, none of the fancy "Fleet..." names were used.  I guess the copywriters would have been hard pressed to find fifty or more  of these fancy names for the numerous new styles available.  The V-8 bodies were mounted also on the new V12 chassis (Series 370), starting in September 1930, but there is no reference to these "Fleet..." names in any of the V-12 literature I have seen.  Of course, the V-12, Series 370, was essentially a 1931 model, although it made its first appearance in October, 1930.

The artist's drawings below are from the extremely rare, and [today] very costly prestige color portfolio of Fleetwood styles on Cadillac and La Salle chassis for 1930. I have seen pristine examples offered for sale in recent years in the $2000-2500 range! To illustrate this page of the Database, I was fortunate to be able to borrow a magnificent example from a fellow literature collector in Washington, D.C. , Mr. Taylor Vinson. 

Only the basic selection of Fleetwood styles is shown here, where possible in ascending order of list price.  There were many more variations on these basic themes; indeed, Fleetwood catered to individual desires and would frequently build-to-order for its moneyed clients.

 

 

30fdowns.JPG (7771 bytes)
"Fleetdowns" roadster, style #3902; list price $3,450; weight 4,625 lbs;
a similar style, the La Salle "Fleetcliff",  cost $2450

30-3902Rds.jpg (8296 bytes)

fdowni.jpg (3971 bytes)    fdownrb.jpg (4542 bytes)
Seating plan (left) and rumble seat detail (right)

30rds2p.jpg (8368 bytes)    30rdswsh.jpg (4281 bytes)
Detail of the folding windshield is shown at right

   30rds2.JPG (10561 bytes)     30rds3.jpg (10912 bytes)
Outings in Cadillac V-8 roadsters, circa 1930

30rdst.jpg (8897 bytes)    30rdsclr.JPG (11327 bytes)
Factory publicity shot (left) and illustration from 1930 product catalog (right)

30rds4.JPG (8564 bytes)    30rds4a.JPG (11372 bytes)    30Rds.jpg (22214 bytes)
Three survivors

 

 

 

Fdene_s.jpg (9546 bytes)
"Fleetdene" sedan, style #3930-S;
weight 5,150 lbs, list price $4195)

30-3930Sdn.jpg (11714 bytes)
There are no external differences between Styles #3930 and 3930-S



 


Fmere_s.jpg (8366 bytes)
"Fleetmere" sedan, style 3955-S
weight  5,200 lbs; list price $4,245

[from original portfolio; color modified by Y. Saunders
to differentiate between limousine and sedan]

30-3955Fmere.jpg (11754 bytes)
There are no external differences between Styles #3955 and 3955-S

 

 

Fdale_s.jpg (8024 bytes)
"Fleetdale" sedan, style #3975-S,
weight 5,280 lbs; list price $4,295

[from original portfolio; color modified by Y. Saunders
to differentiate between limousine and sedan]

30-3975FDale.jpg (12335 bytes)
There are no external differences between Styles #3975 and 3975-S

 

 

 

30fdene.JPG (9483 bytes)    fdenei.jpg (4065 bytes)
"Fleetdene" limousine (with division), style #3930;
weight 5,220lbs; list price $4,395

[from original portfolio; color modified by Y. Saunders
to differentiate between limousine and sedan]

30-3930Sdn.jpg (11714 bytes)
There are no external differences between Styles #3930 and 3930-S

 

 

 

30fmere.JPG (8717 bytes)    fmerei.jpg (3902 bytes)
"Fleetmere" limousine (with division), style #3955,
weight 5,240 lbs; list price $4,445

30-3955Fmere.jpg (11754 bytes)
There are no external differences between Styles #3955 and 3955-S

 

 

 

30-3981Fwind1.jpg (29850 bytes)    30-3981Fwind2.jpg (4654 bytes)

30fwind.jpg (7630 bytes)    fwindi.jpg (3534 bytes)
"Fleetwind"  cabriolet, style #3981, a fixed top sedanette cabriolet
version without quarter windows and with a light colored Burbank top over metal;

weight 5,070 lbs; list price $4,500

30awp.jpg (9500 bytes)    30awpPho.jpg (41949 bytes)
Not sure if these two images are of the same "Fleetwind" cabriolet

 

 

 

30-3982Fwind3.jpg (30315 bytes)     30-3982Fwind4.jpg (4677 bytes)

fwindls.jpg (7245 bytes)    fwindi2.jpg (3797 bytes)
"Fleetwind" (or "Fleetwing?) sedanette, style #3982, a fixed top sedan
with quarter windows and with a light colored Burbank top over metal;

designed for the La Salle, this body style was used also on Cadillac chassis;
weight 5,070 lbs; list price $4,595

[oddly, the same name, "Fleetwind",  appears to have been used for two distinctively different styles, although I've also come across "Fleetwing" for this style]

 

 

 

30fdale.jpg (7820 bytes)    fdalei.JPG (3804 bytes)
"Fleetdale" limousine (with division), style #3975,
weight 5,320 lbs; list price $4,595

30-3975FDale.jpg (12335 bytes)


There are no external differences between Styles #3975 and 3975-S

At least one of these was made with RHD and was acquired at the time by a wealthy Indian potentate.  That car has survived
and is presently being restored (in India) by the owner who bought the car in Indore from Mavendra Singh Barwani, many years
ago. It is the only such model in existence today in India and carries body number 13 [Indian registration number: MKO 1214]

30_3975Ind2.jpg (10282 bytes)    30_3975ind1.jpg (9777 bytes)
[ Photos and infor, courtesy of Ajit Ramchandran, the owner]

 

 

 

30fway.JPG (8128 bytes)
"Fleetway" all-weather phaeton, style #3980;
the top, when folded back, lies flush with the belt line;

this body style was mounted also on the La Salle chassis
weight 4,990 lbs; list price $4,700

fwayin.JPG (4370 bytes)    fwaysd.jpg (3769 bytes)
Seating plan (left); top in raised position (right)
and semi-convertible phaeton position, below

fwaysd2.JPG (3863 bytes)

30awp6.jpg (14778 bytes)
This illustration is from a period advertisement

30Flway.jpg (8377 bytes)    30phatnk.jpg (3646 bytes)    
Note vertical rubbing strakes on rear body to prevent scuff marks from trunk

30sdnclr.JPG (11453 bytes)
Illustration from 1930 product catalog

   30_08AWP.JPG (9085 bytes)  
Survivor photographed by the late Gene Babow (right)

30Brussel1.JPG (74261 bytes)      30Brussel3.JPG (96062 bytes)
This survivor resides in Belgium's National Motor Museum
where it is wrongly identified as a 1928 model
[ Photos:  courtesy Jeff G., TX ]

 

 

 

30fdalep.JPG (8488 bytes)    fdalep.JPG (3723 bytes)
"Fleetdale" sedan, special style #3975-P, list price $4,845;
this model was built-to-order with a plain hood in lieu of Fleetwood's signature, scalloped hood

These illustrations are montages by Y. Saunders from existing factory drawings

 

 

 

fdenesc.JPG (6436 bytes)
"Fleetdene" landaulet-sedan style #3930-SC; list price $4,995
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

fmeresc.JPG (6481 bytes)
"Fleetmere" landaulet-sedan style #3955-SC; list price $4,995
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

30fwick.JPG (8536 bytes)    fwickop.jpg (3208 bytes)
"Fleetwick"  town car for 5 passengers with blanked out rear quarters, #3912;
small vignette (right) shows occasional, so-called "opera" seats;
weight 5,230 lbs; list price $4,995

fwicki.jpg (3956 bytes)    
The seating plan

30fwick2.jpg (5647 bytes)

30Fl3525.jpg (16823 bytes)    30Fl3525i1.jpg (5629 bytes)    30Fl3525i2.jpg (5487 bytes)
Fleetwood style #3912, the Fleetwick town car for 5/7 passengers
[ Publicity photos of this popular town car style ]

 

 

 

fdalesc.JPG (5812 bytes)
"Fleetdale" landaulet-sedan style #3975-SC; list price $5,095
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

3991A2.JPG (28099 bytes)
"Fleetbourne" town brougham for 7 passengers, style #3991;
metal roof (no leather); weight 5,320 lbs, list price $5,145.

3991A1.JPG (20949 bytes)    3991A2.JPG (17600 bytes)
The seating plan (left); driver's canopy cover in place (right)

30-3991FBourn.jpg (11766 bytes)      30-3991int.jpg (19907 bytes)


This survivor appears to be of this Fleetwood style

 

 

 

fmont.jpg (8481 bytes)    fmonti.jpg (4135 bytes)
"Fleetmont" town car for 7 passengers, style #3920;
small quarter windows; weight  5,150 lbs; list price $5,145

30-3920FMont.jpg (9701 bytes)

 

 

 

30fcrest.jpg (8747 bytes)    fcrsti.jpg (4185 bytes)
"Fleetcrest" town car for 7 passengers, style #3925, with blank rear quarters;
weight 5,135 pounds; list price $5,145 (i.e. a tad over $1 a pound!)

30-3925FCrest.jpg (9211 bytes)

 

 

 

fdenec.JPG (6487 bytes)
"Fleetdene" limousine-landaulet style #3930-C; list price $5,195
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

Fmerec.jpg (6099 bytes)
"Fleetmere" limousine-landaulet style #3955-C; list price $5,195
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

30fmere.jpg (6538 bytes)    30-3955cFMere2.jpg (11521 bytes)

 

 

 

Fdalec.jpg (5843 bytes)
"Fleetdale" limousine-landaulet style #3975-C; list price $5,395
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

fwick_c.JPG (5593 bytes)
"Fleetwick" town landaulet style #3912-C; list price $5,745

[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

fcrest_c.JPG (6320 bytes)
"Fleetcrest" town landaulet style #3925-C; list price $5,895
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

fmont_c.JPG (5651 bytes)
"Fleetmont" town landaulet style #3920-C; list price $5,945
[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

30tcimpa.jpg (6462 bytes)
I believe this is a surviving Fleetwood style #3920-C

 

 

 

fbourn_c.JPG (6075 bytes)
The most expensive Cadillac in the V-8 range for 1930 was this
"Fleetbourne" town landaulet style #3991-C; list price $5,945

[This is a montage by Y. Saunders from an original Fleetwood drawing]

 

 

 

 

30-4150a.jpg (11452 bytes)

30-4150b.jpg (4890 bytes)    30-4150c.jpg (4526 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4150, all-weather phaeton

In his excellent book, Fleetzwood - the Company and the Coach Craft, author James Schild includes for 1930 a custom Fleetwood style #3350 All-Weather phaeton, which I assume to be similar to this model,  but was mounted on a chassis with a wheelbase of  152 inches, as was 1928 Fleetwood style #3208-C, below; two more Fleetwood town car designs were mounted on that long chassis (styles #3412 and #3435); these used for the Series 341-B production of 1928 as well as the Series 353 in 1930

 

 

 

30-4160.jpg (56135 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4160 Phaeton

 

 

 

30-4160a.jpg (9215 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4160A Phaeton

 

 

 

30-4160B.jpg (10039 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4160B Phaeton

 

 

 

30-4161.jpg (9699 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4161 sedan cabriolet [ NOT BUILT ]

db4161S.JPG (22480 bytes)
This is a modified version of the original Fleetwood style #4161 (above);
it was built on the V-16 chassis in 1930-31, with and without chauffeur division;
it had a straight sill, flat slanting windshield and belongs to the "Madame X" group of closed V-16s


29CusCabri.jpg (29645 bytes)
Fleetwood had built a similar style, but with landaulet roof  (#3208-C) in 1929, on a chassis with 152" wheel base,
reportedly "for a prominent motor-car official"  (Alfred P. Sloan, Larry   Fisher, Harley Earl - who knows?)
I believe that car was shown at the 1929 Paris Salon and became known as the "French Brougham"

 

 

 

30_4164.JPG (7062 bytes)      30-4164.jpg (10355 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4164 Town Brougham [NONE BUILT ]


4264BC.JPG (10169 bytes)
This modified version of Fleetwood style #4164 was mounted on the 1930
sixteen-cylinder chassis; it was numbered
4264-B]

 

 

 

30-4176.jpg (9947 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4176 Coupe

[ NONE BUILT ]

 

 

 

30-4185.jpg (9869 bytes)

30-4185b.jpg (4672 bytes)
Fleetwood custom style #4185 Convertible Victoria
[ NONE BUILT ]

 

4285.jpg (7111 bytes)     V6p285a.jpg (12575 bytes)
This is a similar but modified version of the original Fleetwood style #4161 (above);
two units were built on the V-16 chassis in 1930-31

 

 

 

 

Mystery Cars

30SPTPH.JPG (11131 bytes)
This model is  described as a "dual-cowl phaeton"; Cadillac usually described an open car with secondary, folding cowl as a "sport phaeton"; this lovely image is printed on silk and featured on a "kitschy" birthday greeting card I got from Gita, some twenty years ago

v630Pha.jpg (6108 bytes)
This is an older, color PC and probably shows a museum car

 

 

 

Details

 

30grlshd.jpg (2845 bytes)    30instru.jpg (5528 bytes)    30tnkrk.jpg (4396 bytes)
From L-R:  (1) Thermostatic radiator shutters, (2) the 1930 V-8 instrument board, (3) folding trunk rack

30engne.jpg (6326 bytes)    30rraxl.jpg (4002 bytes)
(Left) 1930, 353ci V-8 engine,  (right)   ¾-floating rear axle

30v8das2.jpg (9140 bytes)    30v8dash.jpg (8360 bytes)
Two different restored instrument panels for 1930

 

 

 

30smking.jpg (3069 bytes)
Fleetwood smoking and vanity cases (detail)
were finished with inset upholstery fabric

 

 

 

30BDYDRP.JPG (6267 bytes)
Dropping the engine onto the chassis

30plaqu.jpg (13574 bytes)
Manufacturer's body plate

 

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database© Index Page
or go back to the Cadillac photo index page to pick another year

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image:  ¾-front view of a 1930 Cadillac V-8 sedan, the Series 353 ]