Looking Back on Cadillac’s 120 Years of History

Cadillac hasn’t just been making cool cars for the elite and rich since its creation in 1902; Cadillac has been designing luxury vehicles for everyone for 120 years. One-hundred-twenty years of history. One-hundred-twenty years of pushing the boundaries of what makes a great car. One-hundred-twenty years of innovation. We at Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin, Missouri want to join in on the celebration on August 22, 2022, the date that marks 120 years since Henry Leland began the Cadillac car brand. We’re going to do so by diving into a few key points in its rich history. Let’s get into it! 

Our Cadillac Inventory

1903: One year after Henry M. Leland began Cadillac, the first Cadillac vehicles were shown at the New York Auto Show. The New York Auto Show itself was still in its infancy at the time, as it is celebrating its 122nd anniversary this year. 

1915: The first mass-produced V8 engine was created by Cadillac in 1915. This engine would be available to all models at the time and would eventually be the ancestor of the current 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that powers current Cadillacs, like the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing. Check out the recent awards given to the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V.

1926: Cadillac is known for its style and pleasing interior design. In 1926, Cadillac began providing 500 color and upholstery design combinations for its vehicles, so customers could have a vehicle that fit their personal style and tastes. 

1938: Sunroofs allow both extra light and air into the cabin. Plus, it’s just a cool feature. Cadillac became the first to offer sunroofs in America in 1938. The feature was cutely called “Sunshine Roof” then. See our inventory of vehicles with sun- and moonroofs. 

1946: During the early 1940s, Cadillac put a pause on producing cars, instead focusing its efforts on creating the M24 Chaffee light tank for the U.S. Army during WWII. In 1946, passenger cars started to hit the market again. 

1959: The late 1940s ushered in the tail fin car design, which was loosely based on fighter planes. The design became insanely popular in the ‘50s, the era of other important design features and achievements like power steering. The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone was a concept car that took both these features, and cues from other futuristic rocket designs, to create a vision of the modern vehicle. The Cyclone Concept, as seen above, made the list of Our Favorite Classic Cadillacs.

1964: Nineteen-sixty-four was the year of the automatic cabin climate control system and the year front seat belts were standardized in Cadillac vehicles. Cabin comfort continues to be a Cadillac priority and shows up in the LYRIQ’s Active Noise Cancellation features. Want to order a Cadillac LYRIQ? 

1978: Technological advancements have kept Cadillac vehicles at a high standard. In 1978, an in-dash trip computer was added to the Cadillac Seville. Today, Cadillacs include technology such as screens as big as 38 inches and convenience features for each individual passenger. Keep up-to-date with new Cadillac technology news.

1987:  The Cadillac Allante debuted in 1987, which led to future management over exterior lighting for Cadillac vehicles. 

1997: In 1997, Cadillac added another layer of protection to its safety options. OnStar became available for any Cadillac owner with purchase. Today, OnStar and Connected Services still offer drivers and their vehicles support during any and all emergency situations. Learn more about this available feature and what it includes. 

2004: The V-Series is the turning point for what luxury in a Cadillac is with the launch of the Cadillac CTS-V in 2004. Learn more about the current V-Series lineup and each vehicle’s powertrain. 

2017: Cadillac Super Cruise is a driver assistance feature that allows you to take your hands off the wheel with the help of cameras, sensors, GPS, and radars on compatible roads. This hands-free driving experience was introduced in 2017 and has only improved since. Learn more about Super Cruise and how it works. 

And now we’re here 120 years later in 2022. This year has been packed with new and exciting news. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V becomes the first SUV to join the V-Series family. The LYRIQ becomes Cadillac’s first all-electric vehicle and orders for it are now open. The CELESTIQ Show Car takes things to a whole other level of tech and safety. The InnerSpace Concept begins to demonstrate just where Cadillac is heading as the auto industry continues to push boundaries. We at Landers Cadillac of Joplin, Missouri are excited to see what will happen next! Let us know which of the past 12 decades of Cadillac history has been your favorite in the comments!