Hello and welcome once again to Clash of the Classics. This month, we’ll look back to an interesting time in our nation’s history. To some, the 1930s were defined by poverty and suffering. The Great Depression left its blemishes on early 20th-century culture so profound that it would take decades to rebound from. Making matters even worse was the rise of an evil dictator in Germany who would go on to commit atrocities so unthinkable, that even today, we have trouble making sense of it.
Others, however, see the 1930s as a time of great creativity and innovation. The first electric guitar was invented early in the decade, the helicopter made its way into American culture a few years later, and in Detroit, a couple of automobile manufacturers were set to introduce two of the most beautiful and distinctive cars ever produced.
In this edition of Clash of the Classics, the 1931 Chrysler CD 8 Roadster battles the 1931 Cadillac 355A Convertible Coupe.
Let’s begin with a look at the Chrysler CD 8 roadster.
As far back as the mid-’20s, Chrysler was determined to offer their customer base the latest automotive design technologies. Packard was one of their fiercest competitors at the time, as was Lincoln with their popular model K roadster. As we’ll see a bit later, Cadillac was also an industry rival that wasn’t to be overlooked. Therefore, in 1930, Chrysler’s upper management decided to focus time and financial resources on developing an 8-cylinder engine that would position the company more favorably in terms of power and driveability.
For 1931, both the CD and DG models were offered with the newly developed straight 8 engine. It was a 240 ci displacement that produced 84 hp. Later that year, engineers redesigned the block and head increasing displacement from 240 cid to 282 cid and increasing power to 100 hp.
The all-new 1931 Imperial 8 was also introduced along with the new engine designs, but the top brass still felt there was too much of a gap between the basic entry-level Chrysler lineup and the top-of-the-line Imperials. It was then that Chrysler introduced the 1931 CD8.
Several years ago, our team at Horsepower Broadcasting had a chance to see and experience a late 1931 Chrysler CD8 roadster at a Classic Auto Show in Los Angeles. Experiencing this factory survivor car is almost indescribable, as I looked closely at the car, I was reminded of how different automotive manufacturing was during the early 20th century. With so few CD8 models left, I still feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to experience the car in person.
The 282 in-line 8-cylinder and 4-speed manual transmission were cutting-edge for the time period. Hydraulic brakes were standard as was a mechanical fuel pump which was a considerable upgrade as earlier designs used less reliable vacuum-type pumps.
The 4-speed transmission was a 3-speed with a choice of two (2) first gears. 1st gear that was typically chosen was great for everyday driving. If you found yourself needing additional torque, a lower (granny) type gear was available much like some of the later model trucks we see today.
The rear differential gear ratio was a 4.10 which may seem a bit extreme but with the all-new 282 cid engine, it cruised smoothly and effortlessly at 50 mph.
The suspension was a leaf-spring design for both the front and rear of the car and although there were inherent design limitations with the chassis, the car was still considered reliable in terms of steering and suspension.
The interior of the car is a great blend of sport and elegance. Buyers in the 1930s were treated to fulldash instrumentation with a tasteful layout. The cloth seats were expertly upholstered with hand-made attention to detail.
Outside, the car is truly distinctive with a flair found only in 1930s model vehicles. Spare tires mounted on each side of the car add to its uniqueness, as do the louvered accordion hood panels. The car looks equally good with or without the top down, and the trunk rack adds a subtle touch that further accents the upscale look.
As with most 1930 designs, the body lines are what truly make the car attractive. The doors and rumble seat lid all fit well, as do door gaps and hinge mounts.
Beauty, quality, and uniqueness are three words that probably best describe the 1931 Chrysler CD8 roadster. It is a great-looking car that continues to impress even the staunchest critics. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of these cars known to exist. Hopefully, those who are lucky enough to own one will preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
Now let’s look at the 1931 Cadillac 355A Coupe.
As the decade of the 1930s began, the country was dealing with the worst of times regarding the economy. The Great Depression was a time of unimaginable stress and suffering. By 1930, 4 million Americans looking for work could not find it; that number had risen to 6 million in 1931.
This fact makes the development of the Cadillac 355A more interesting. In 1931, Cadillac was part of the largest company in the world. Despite the crumbling economy, they were still profitable during the 1930s.
From 1929 to 1932, sales of all new cars dropped by roughly 75 percent. During that time, the highly profitable luxury end of the market all but disappeared and yet Cadillac continued to press on, not only maintaining the current lineup but daring to develop new models, a testament to their relentless quest to build the finest cars in the world.
In 1930, the marketing department created the official ad slogan “Cadillac, the Standard of the World” and they were driven to live up to it. Harley Earl was the chief designer at the time and to say he was a visionary would be a serious understatement.
After developing ideas for a new Cadillac-based automobile, Earl submitted the design for review and board approval. Ultimately, all of Earl’s ideas were approved and he was chosen to direct its production.
While exact figures are unknown, it is speculated that Cadillac budgeted $100 million toward the new 355A platform. Inspired by LaSalle’s low profile and long hood, the car was well received and sold well considering the times. Cadillac sold 10,717 Series 355A vehicles in 1931.
Over the next four years, it became Cadillac’s mainstay, outselling the Packard Eight and Super Eight models. The new 355A replaced the earlier Series 353 with revised styling and engine refinements. The updated 353 cu.in. 90-degree L-head V8 was rated at 95 horsepower and was mated to an all-new synchromesh 3-speed manual transmission.
In 1929 Cadillac invented the “Synchromesh Transmission”. It’s a trademarked name that has survived even to this day. Many readers may recognize it as we see it in many GM manual transmission-equipped vehicles.
The clutch pedal was fairly light and the shifter moved through the gears with no grinding or clashing found in many other models of that time. The rear differential came stock with a 4.91 ratio which made for nice cruising in high gear.
The brakes and suspension were mechanical but if the car was driven casually, they performed well enough. The steering was a bit unpredictable, but that was the case for most cars built during those days and during low speeds, the car may have felt heavy. As far as the ride quality was concerned, that was where Cadillac shined brighter than the competition. Thanks to its massive wheelbase, the ride felt luxurious and smooth.
The interior was world class with advanced seat designs that were well ahead of their time. Cadillac wanted their prospective buyers to be amazed and wowed by the fit and feel and to that end they were successful.
The dash and instrument layout was, and continues to be awe-inspiring. The analog gauge cluster is grouped in the center making all readouts easy to view regardless of steering wheel position.
The body lines and overall styling exude quality and class, the rumble seat lid fits smoothly into the body contour and the convertible top looks great up or down. The dual side-mount spares enhance the high-end look much like it does with the Chrysler CD8 we discussed earlier.
And, just like our experience with the Chrysler CD8, we also had the opportunity to view and experience a 1931 Cadillac 355A during the Classic Auto Show in Los Angeles. It was my first chance to witness these cars up close and personal and I must admit, my fondness and appreciation for the 1930s vehicles has done nothing but elevate since that experience.
Now comes the difficult part, as always, we must decide the winner of today’s head-to-head battle. While both cars are superb, today, the nod goes to the Cadillac. Chrysler did an outstanding job designing and producing a vehicle that was worthy of competition but in the final analysis, the Cadillac is just a cut above. The deciding factor was the plush interior and the feel when sitting in the car.
As I close, I understand many readers may comment that the Cadillac may be a bit higher tier vehicle than the Chrysler and to that point, you would be correct. And, although there were likely several reasons and governing factors that led to the car’s development, the Cadillac and others inspired Chrysler to produce the CD8. While the Chrysler fell a bit short this time, it is a worthy opponent that would be a great addition to anyone’s classic car collection.
As always, we’d love to hear from you, let us know which car you prefer and why.
Until next time when we take a ride on a classic highway, stay safe… stay timeless…stay classic!
About the Author
Donny Caccamise is an Automotive Technology Graduate and a Certified Master Technician with more than 40 years of automotive industry experience. Before retiring, he hosted the Nationally Syndicated Automotive Talk Radio Show “Horsepower for an Hour” airing on 161 AM and FM radio stations across the nation. He is a retired member of the ATRA Board of Directors, and retired transmission shop owner. Vintage and classic cars are his specialty. Contact Donny at donnycaccamise@gmail.com
