Cadillac
The Standard of the World: A Legacy of Luxury, Innovation, and American Prestige
Introduction
Cadillac’s story is the definitive history of American luxury. Founded from the remnants of the Henry Ford Company, it was named after the explorer who founded Detroit. Cadillac earned its ‘Standard of the World’ motto by pioneering precision manufacturing, technological innovation, and bold, artistic design. For over a century, it has represented the pinnacle of American automotive achievement, creating iconic machines that are symbols of success, from the towering tailfins of the 1950s to the hand-built V-16 engines of the Classic Era.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1902 (by Henry M. Leland) |
| Parent Company | General Motors (GM) |
| HeadQuarters | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| First Car | Cadillac Model A (1903) |
| Founding Principle | Precision Engineering |
Iconic Cadillac Engines
- V-16 (1930-1940): The ultimate statement of luxury. An overhead-valve, 45-degree V16 engine that was incredibly smooth, silent, and complex. The pinnacle of pre-war automotive engineering.
- OHV V8 (1949-Present): The modern V8 revolution. Cadillac’s high-compression overhead-valve V8 set a new standard for power and efficiency in post-war America, making existing flathead engines obsolete overnight.
- Northstar V8 (1993-2010): The technological showcase. An all-aluminum, DOHC, 32-valve V8 known for its power and front-wheel-drive layout, though also notorious for its head gasket issues.
- Blackwing V8 (2019-2020): The modern twin-turbo masterpiece. A hand-built, DOHC, 4.2L twin-turbo V8 that was incredibly advanced but short-lived, powering the CT6-V.
- Super Cruise (2017-Present): While not an engine, this is Cadillac’s innovative hands-free driver assistance technology, a key part of its modern tech-forward identity.
Legendary Cadillac Models
- Cadillac Series 62 / de Ville (1940-1993): The post-war icon. Represented the height of American luxury and style, especially the infamous 1959 model with its massive tailfins and chrome.
- Cadillac Eldorado (1953-2002): The personal luxury flagship. A style-setting coupe and convertible that often featured cutting-edge technology like front-wheel drive and hidden headlamps.
- Cadillac V-16 (1930-1940): The ultimate Classic Era Cadillac. Offered in a stunning array of body styles, it was the most prestigious and expensive American car of its time.
- Cadillac CTS-V (2004-2019): The German-fighter. A high-performance sports sedan with a Corvette-derived V8, proving Cadillac could build a world-class performance car.
- Cadillac Escalade (1999-Present): The modern status symbol. The luxury SUV that defined the segment and became a cultural icon in music and film.
- Cadillac Fleetwood (1940s-1996): The formal luxury limousine. The long-wheelbase Brougham models were the choice for presidents and executives.
- Cadillac ATS (2013-2019): The compact sports sedan. A critically acclaimed driver’s car designed to challenge the BMW 3-Series.
The Standard of the World
Cadillac earned its famous motto through groundbreaking innovation. It won the Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club in 1908 for demonstrating the complete interchangeability of precision-made parts, a foundational principle of the modern auto industry. This was followed by the industry’s first electric starter, the first V8 engine, the first V16 engine, and the first fully automatic transmission. For decades, Cadillac wasn’t just a luxury car; it was a showcase of the latest and greatest in automotive technology.