1931 Cadillac 355 Town Sedan
Cadillac’s V8 line received significant refinement for 1931 with the introduction of the Series 355A, featuring a lower, longer profile than its predecessor. The extended hood incorporated five ventilation ports on each side, while styling updates included a single-bar bumper, dual horns, and a subtly V-shaped chrome radiator screen.
Built on a 134-inch wheelbase (shared with LaSalle), the design measured approximately 203 inches overall, about six inches shorter than Cadillac’s 1930 V8 models. Factory coachwork was supplied by Fisher and Fleetwood, with thirteen different body configurations offered.
Despite the 355 designation, the L-head V8 displaced 353 cubic inches and produced 95 horsepower, aided by a five-point engine mounting system introduced for smoother operation.
Power was delivered through a three-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on second and third gears, a Cadillac innovation first introduced in 1929.
The Town Sedan carried a base price of $2,895 and weighed approximately 4,600 pounds. Cadillac produced 10,717 Series 355A V8 cars in 1931 despite the Depression, positioning it as the brand’s entry-level Cadillac while competing in the showroom alongside the company’s V12 and V16 models.
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