Offered with entry to the 2024 Audrain Veteran Car Tour...

1904 Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau
Engine no. 4301
Body no. 12515

98.2 ci Horizontal Single Cylinder Engine
Approximately 10bhp at 900rpm
Single Carburetor
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Transverse Semi Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension, Rigid Axles
Rear-Wheel Mechanical Brakes

*2012 AACA National First Prize Award winner
*A Delightful "Leland Era" Cadillac
*Rare and interesting removable tonneau coachwork
*Includes "Runabout Deck" to replace rear tonneau
*Wonderfully suited to touring enjoyment

THE CADILLAC MODEL B

The Cadillac Automobile Company rose from the remains of The Henry Ford Company, after a dispute between the implacable Henry Ford and his investors saw Mr. Ford forced out of his eponymous firm. Financiers hired Henry M. Lelend, the former New England teamster and founder of Leland & Faulconer Engineering, to appraise the company's assets. Instead, Leland convinced the backers to continue automobile manufacture, using Leland & Faulconer's proven single-cylinder engine design. Like Ford, Leland was a champion of standardization, which he learned while at Colt Manufacturing, and later applied to his work on the Curved Dash Olds – the world's first "mass production" auto.

The Cadillac Model A arrived in 1902, with production fully commencing the following year. It featured the robust single, mounted horizontally in the center of the chassis, and feeding a two-speed planetary gearbox. In 1904, Cadillac introduced several revisions on the Model B and its myriad derivatives. While the engine and gearbox remained the same, the chassis was a new pressed-steel design, with revised axles and suspension. Performance was on-par with the Model A, with 35-40mph attainable depending on the coachwork. The build quality was superlative, and serviceability was assured, thanks to Leland's commitment to interchangeability of parts. Cadillac quickly found itself at the leading edge of the emerging automobile industry, forming a foundation of quality for which it held for decades to come.

THE CAR OFFERED

This handsome Model B represents the dawn of the great Cadillac company under the guidance of its founder Henry M. Leland. Resplendent in bright red with gleaming brass accoutrements, black patent leather mudguards, and black tufted leather seats, this four-passenger Tonneau is the epitome of early motoring elegance. It features the rare rear-entrance tonneau body, named thusly for the passenger door at the back of the body. Additionally, the car can easily be converted to a two-seat runabout by simply unbolting the rear section and replacing it with the included "turtle back" trunk.

Photos of the car at the time of acquisition by the Carlson's show the car amazingly complete and well preserved. It had the original tonneau and front hood still with its Cadillac painted script. Purchased from noted early Cadillac aficionado Don Rising, a full restoration was performed bringing the Cadillac to a high cosmetic standard but keeping many details only possible when starting with a fine original example. Notably also, the lovely original kick board and floorboards. The mechanicals of the car are to the typical high standard of all the Carlson cars, begin restored to drive. Finished off with an excellent set of brass lighting, also all finely restored. Not surprisingly, the car was awarded an AACA National First Prize in 2012.

This a great example of a 1904 Cadillac that has been lovingly restored to a high authentic standard. It is rare to find one that was restored from such a proper and complete original car. Now in superb order this Cadillac is ready to hit the road with a new owner.