Cadillac- Famous in Peace. Distinguished in Battle.

Cadillac didnt intend it's 1942 year to so different. Sure, if you knew your Caddy's, you could see some subtle change-- the winged hood emblem got combined with round parking lights in the grille, and styling overall became more rounded front to rear. Changes turned major, however, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the U.S., it's people, and Cadillac were pulled into World War II.

Cadillac was able to get about 16,000 of the 1942's out the door before they got the call of duty by the U.S. office of Production Management-- with the order on Feb 14 to halt production and convert to full scale wartime production. Amazingly, within 55 days, M-series U.S. tanks began rolling off the same assembly line that the '42s had come from.



While the young went off to battle, the remaining men and women of Cadillac worked harder than ever building M-5, M-8 and M-24 tanks that were powered by dual flathead Cadillac engines and Hydramatic transmissions (each drove a track w/ spider gearing in the middle.) Hard work and overtime was a daily occurance, but employees were energized by the will to win and proudly wore the official company slogan "They Shall Not Want" on their uniforms. Inside each tank a plaque was mounted, proudly proclamining that it was a product of Cadillac. The Cadillac team was dedicated to performing well and bringing our boys home in one piece, victorious.



The Cadillac tanks were known to be the best performing in the war, and were key in helping the allies prevail. The Cadillac flathead was so successful, that the tank engines became a popular hot rodders engine of choice following the war. Veterans trust in the Cadillac extended from the war, into hot rods and onto the salt flats.



With it's success in helping win the war, Cadillac was awarded the prestigious "E" Army-Navy award for excellence in production of war equipment.The last M-24 tank rolled off the Cadillac assembly line on August 24, 1945. Amazingly, the first '46 Cadillacs were produced less than 2 months later-- a blessing to Americans who patiently waited for new wheels they knew would return after the war effort was over.



Fast forward 60+ years and the tradition continues... Thanks to HAMBer "RedBeard" I found a 346cid Cadillac flathead (example below) that served duty in a M-24 tank. It's going to be brought back to duty in my future Model A roadster project that will see the salt-- amid/late 40's styled hot rod, aptly named "Famous in Peace. Distinguished in Battle." Wait til you see the NOS speed parts im working on rounding up (I just gotta get the guts to spend the bucks, as the old timer knows the value.) The adventure will continue, so stay tuned....



See all my Cadillac WWII pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/notebooms/sets/72157604311475227/

Plug-- by the way, im still hunting for the Roadster body. Reach out if ya' got a lead...

-scott noteboom

 

Cool idea. Good luck with the project.

 

that was awesome thanks for the information, you taught me something today.

 

Scott are the planes on your intake not level? I mean are they canted to one side to lean the carbs? I think all of the tank motors had the tilted intakes, since the motors didn't sit in them flat.

 

Thanks for the history lesson! I always enjoy learning something new about Caddy's!

 

Neat reflections. Thanks
Good luck with the project.

 

It still amazes me that domestic automobile manufacturers pulled their shit together and churned out the implements of war at a time of need, something I just can't really fathom in this day and age. What a great heritage to have and an awesome way to honor all AND get your kicks.
THAT is an awesome engine.

 

I've thought the same thing. I wonder if anyone in Washington is a little concerned about the big-3 not surviving in the US, what if the military needed them again???

Great thread by the way, I love the history...

 

I'm thinking they'd be in deep doo,considering they can't build
anything without parts sourced offshore.... Cool history. I've
got a 500" Cad motor,installed in tanks from 70-76... Tanks
called Eldorado,Deville,Seville.

 

For WWIII, maybe we'd have tanks built in Mexico and China..

Back on subject. Scott, are any of those old caddy-powered tanks setting in boneyards somewhere? Nice looking engine you have, your roadster will be one of a kind, can't wait to see progress threads. Here's a decent early A roadster on eGay: item number: 320231165655

 

Hey...great info! I have a 346 Caddy Flatttie that I am going to use in a Model A. Right now it has the stock Hydro on it. Some have suggested that I don't use this tranny...I am not 100% sure what to do. I'd like to find a Caddy/LaSalle side shift tranny since those are really the only ones that are currently affordable to me.

Keep us posted with your progress!
Tim
MBL

 

Very cool ! best of luck with hthe new ride


"Tanks" for the info

 

On subject part-- Not sure about the tank boneyard. I bought my motor from Redbeard, who is on the HAMB.

Off subject part-- If there is WWIII we'll just have to do like we do today... rely on the Middle East for oil, China for manufacturing, and China/Russia for steel/aluminum. The Companies have decided we dont need to do any of that anymore here. No worries huh?

-scott noteboom

 

i will check and let you know. the guy i bought the motor from is storing it for me until the project kicks off (i.e. when i finish other stuff,) so i cant check quickly. makes sense though.

-scott noteboom

 

Weird....I must have missed this post.

The Cad motor on the trailer belonged to a friend of mine. It went into his 39 Lasalle convertible. I think I posted that photo on the HAMB years ago.

 

kool project

 

The Cadillac-Gauge company still makes tank parts by the way. Every time a gunner squeezes the trigger on an M1 series tank. It's thanks to Cadillac.

Sweet history.

 

Just an FYI. Bob Wirght lived only down the road from me,I used to see him for breakfast almost every Sat. Well he was working on recreating this roadster.
He passed away a couple of years back. Never got a chance to do it but was collecting parts.

Scott,
It would be neat to see this car recreated.

 

thanks for the info,cool project,good luck! cjc

 

Go CADDY Power!

We had a Cadillac Flathead-powered Phaeton come down to Billet Proof in 2002 from Washington that was so bitchin', Kirk and I gave him the BP trophy that year. It sounded killer too!

 

there was a short block on fleabay awhile back minimum bid $50

 

Yes, thanks for the history lesson, and good luck with your project, sound very cool.

Here is the same car at Hotrod-a-Rama.

 

Isn't this a similar set-up?

 

This is in an alley near my place. Because of this thread I will walk my dog and take more pics. BBIAB.

 

So it is for sale. I know where the guy lives so if you're seriously interested PM me and I'll go talk to the guy.

 

I'm bringing this thread back from the dead because I thought it was a pretty cool read and while we were at the Eagle Field Drags, there was an old tank out there from WWII and it had two Cadillac flatheads in it. We all thought it was the coolest thing.

I think evil1 has some pictures of it. Maybe he'll post them up.

 

very kool thread

 

Awesome post wicked motor

 

Those Caddy's are comin out of the Stewart. The driveshafts were lost long ago. It will be gettin the Hot Rod touch from my family very soon.

 

caddy flathead=nice looking engine.