Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 507
1904 Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau Engine no. 2928
Sold for US$78,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 507
1904 Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau
1904 Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau
Engine no. 2928
Engine no. 2928
98.2 cu ins Horizontal Single-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
8bhp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring – Live Rear Axle
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*119-year-old quality Veteran car
*Formerly in the ownership of Conrad Fletcher
*Dependable Four Seater Veteran Car
*Potentially eligible for the London to Brighton
THE EARLY CADILLAC
Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit, Michigan completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA. In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers. The company took its name from the great French 17th century explorer who had founded Detriot in 1701.
The first Cadillac automobile was completed and test driven in October 1902, and the following January made a triumphal debut at the New York Automobile Show where sales manager William E Metzger took orders for no fewer than 2,286 cars, famously declaring mid-week that the Cadillac was 'sold out'. An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillac's 98ci (1.6-liter) 10hp single-cylinder engine - known as 'Little Hercules' - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission, with center chain drive to the rear axle. Keenly priced at only $750, the Model A was available with either two- or four-seat coachwork and had a maximum speed of around 30-35mph.
That first 1903 curved-dash Cadillac was re-designated as the Model A after the Model B's introduction for 1904, the 'B' being a more expensive version with box-shaped 'bonnet', pressed-steel frame, 'I'-beam front axle and single transverse front spring. At first Leland & Faulconer supplied only engines, transmissions and steering mechanisms for the Cadillac before taking responsibility for its entire construction in 1905.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The Cadillac was acquired by the Two Generations from noted collector Conrad Fletcher of Colorado, and presents as a clean example of the model with an older restoration. Decorating the car is a set of immaculate brass accessories, out front stands an exquisite self-generating Phare Solar lamp which is matched by a Solar taillamp, while the dash is adorned with Neverout sidelamps. Improving both its physical presence and protection from the elements is a full 'surrey' top, while the sensible provision of wicker side baskets provide accommodation for tools, umbrellas, or indeed a good picnic!
It had always been the intention that the car should be shipped to the UK to complete the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but ultimately this was not accomplished. The car appears to conform to the standard specifications of the model, and its engine number sits comfortably in the sequence for those cars that are categorized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain to be eligible for the London to Brighton, although this process was never undertaken and would today need to be carried out to enable that possibility.
120 years on, Cadillac remains a high quality automobile, it was the reliable quality of Leland and Faulconer's product from day one that set that tone and this is excellent evidence of why.
Single Carburetor
8bhp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring – Live Rear Axle
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*119-year-old quality Veteran car
*Formerly in the ownership of Conrad Fletcher
*Dependable Four Seater Veteran Car
*Potentially eligible for the London to Brighton
THE EARLY CADILLAC
Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit, Michigan completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA. In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers. The company took its name from the great French 17th century explorer who had founded Detriot in 1701.
The first Cadillac automobile was completed and test driven in October 1902, and the following January made a triumphal debut at the New York Automobile Show where sales manager William E Metzger took orders for no fewer than 2,286 cars, famously declaring mid-week that the Cadillac was 'sold out'. An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillac's 98ci (1.6-liter) 10hp single-cylinder engine - known as 'Little Hercules' - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission, with center chain drive to the rear axle. Keenly priced at only $750, the Model A was available with either two- or four-seat coachwork and had a maximum speed of around 30-35mph.
That first 1903 curved-dash Cadillac was re-designated as the Model A after the Model B's introduction for 1904, the 'B' being a more expensive version with box-shaped 'bonnet', pressed-steel frame, 'I'-beam front axle and single transverse front spring. At first Leland & Faulconer supplied only engines, transmissions and steering mechanisms for the Cadillac before taking responsibility for its entire construction in 1905.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The Cadillac was acquired by the Two Generations from noted collector Conrad Fletcher of Colorado, and presents as a clean example of the model with an older restoration. Decorating the car is a set of immaculate brass accessories, out front stands an exquisite self-generating Phare Solar lamp which is matched by a Solar taillamp, while the dash is adorned with Neverout sidelamps. Improving both its physical presence and protection from the elements is a full 'surrey' top, while the sensible provision of wicker side baskets provide accommodation for tools, umbrellas, or indeed a good picnic!
It had always been the intention that the car should be shipped to the UK to complete the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but ultimately this was not accomplished. The car appears to conform to the standard specifications of the model, and its engine number sits comfortably in the sequence for those cars that are categorized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain to be eligible for the London to Brighton, although this process was never undertaken and would today need to be carried out to enable that possibility.
120 years on, Cadillac remains a high quality automobile, it was the reliable quality of Leland and Faulconer's product from day one that set that tone and this is excellent evidence of why.
Saleroom notices
Please note that while we have received a factory record from Cadillac confirming that the car with engine number 2928 was delivered on June 7th, 1904, experts have noted that there are other aspects of the car that appear later than this and so we reiterate that the car would need to receive formal dating to receive acceptance for the London to Brighton. The Model B was produced into 1905.
Additional information
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