Cadillac V16 engine

Cadillac produced two of only three production V16 engine models in history. Both were used in the 1930s Cadillac V-16 automobile, the first from 1930 until 1937, and the second between 1938 and 1940. The company has twice attempted to build a new V16 engine, once in the 1980s and again in recent years, but these have yet to be built.

The only other 16-cylinder engines ever attempted were Bugatti's 1915 U16, and Marmon's V16. A modern W16 was prototyped but never built by the new Audi-owned Bugatti in the 1990s.

Series 452

The original Cadillac V16 could be said to be two straight-8 engines on a common crankshaft and crankcase, because each bank operated entirely independently of the other with no other common components. It used the unusually narrow angle of 45° between the banks to reduce the width of the engine, and had a 3 in (76 mm) bore and a 4 in (102 mm) stroke, giving a displacement of 452 in³ (7.4 L). It was therefore known as the Series 452 engine. Cadillac rated the engine at 185 bhp (138 kW), undoubtedly a somewhat low figure. It was capable of powering these heavy cars to speeds in excess of 80 mph (130 km/h), 100 mph (160 km/h) for some of the lighter examples.

This engine was used in the various V-16 models:

1930-1934 Series 452 ("A" through "C")

1935 Series 60

1936-1937 Series 90

Series 90

The second generation of V16 used an unusually wide vee-angle of 135°, giving a wide but much lower engine to suit the styling tastes of the late 1930s. The carburetors and air cleaners were mounted on top of the engine block in this design. These engines had 'square' proportions; bore and stroke were both 3¼ in (83 mm), giving an overall displacement of 431 in³ (7.0 L). Cadillac rated these engines at the same 185 bhp (138 kW) as the previous series. These engines were known as the Series 90, as was the cars that used them. The Series 90 V16 was produced from 1938 through 1940.

This engine was used in the 1938-1940 Series 90.

V12

Cadillac also built a V12 based on the Series 452 engine for 1930 through 1937. It retained the 45° vee-angle and displaced 368 in³ (6 L) from a 3.125 in (79.4 mm) bore and 4 in (101.6 mm) stroke. Output was rated at 135 hp (101 kW) with two carburetors. The cars were designed to make a statement, so all engine wiring and plumbing was hidden from view.

The V12 was used in the Fleetwood-bodied V-12 models:

1930-1935 Series 370 ("A" through "D")

1936-1937 Series 80/85