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... 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-- a mid/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. The adventure will continue, so stay tuned....
See all my Cadillac WWII pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/notebooms/sets/72157604311475227/
(by the way, im still hunting for the Roadster body. Reach out if ya' got a lead.)
On another note-- Me and some pals are leaving this coming Tuesday morning for our 1800 mile road trip to Austin, TX for the Lonestar Round-up. I'm driving the wagon and will take plenty of pics and stories to share soon.
-scott noteboom
Holy shit Scott, that rules. Don't know what kind of NOS speed equipment you have, I believe Kevin Preciado at Cyclone has some vintage aluminum Cyclone flathead Cad heads for the 346.
28/9 or 30/1 roadster?
See you in Austin, bring pics of the project.
Posted by: iowahawk | March 30, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Dont have much to show yet on this future project, all i have right now is the vision in my head, a Caddy flathead motor and the 3 speed LaSalle transmission, along with knowledge how where to get some NOS Edmunds heads and intake. That said, the old timer with the speed parts knows how much they are worth-- and i haven't gotten brave/stupid enough to dig that keep in the pockets yet.
Posted by: notebooms | March 30, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Caddy's signature roadster engine did, at one point, become a cultural icon, if not a favorite, in the world of automobiles. Cadillac may not be the forefront in today's race of brands, but it definitely built a name for itself.
Posted by: Patrick Gauer | November 28, 2011 at 03:28 PM