History of Cadillac

Cadillac has been an automotive icon for over 100 years, and the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has kept it going strong for decades. When was Cadillac founded, and what was the first Cadillac ever made? Explore the exciting Cadillac history below with Holman Cadillac, then visit our showroom near Maple Shade to get your hands on the Cadillac of your dreams. 

When was Cadillac Founded?

Cadillac’s roots began in 1902 when Henry Leland founded the company. It is actually named after the founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Six years later, Cadillac revolutionized the automotive industry with the development of interchangeable parts. This innovation earned Cadillac the distinction of first American car to win the Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club of England. Cadillac truly embodied their new slogan, “Standard of the World.”

What was the First Cadillac Ever Made?

The first Cadillac, the Cadillac Runabout, made its debut in 1903. It was called a 2-seater “horseless carriage,” and under the hood was a 10 hp, single cylinder engine. It was revealed at the New York Auto Show in 1903 and was priced at $850. This model was soon renamed Model A, and the improved Model B added an extended front and transverse front suspension. Model B made its debut in 1904.

The Cadillac Logo History

The history of Cadillac would not be complete without talking about its iconic logo. The Cadillac wreath and crest was inspired by the coat of arms of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. In the past 100 years, the original Cadillac logo has been redesigned more than 30 times! Here’s a quick overview of some of the most significant design changes. 

• 1906: The crest was divided into two parts, a coat and shield. The shield signified that the family descended from the royal counts of Toulouse. The birds, or merlettes, were adaptations of the martin.
• 1920: The badge featured a tulip-bulb wreath that was found on the original trademark with nine points on the crown. The crown changed to seven points until 1925.
• 1933: With this revision, the crest was given wings and made detachable.
• 1957: After this redesign, the crests started to look long and wide. This continued through 1959 until the crown was almost out of sight.
• 1963-Today: No major changes have been made.

Own a Piece of Cadillac History Today

When you visit Holman Cadillac, you can own your own piece of Cadillac history. Explore the open roads of Cherry Hill and Pennsauken behind the wheel of a Cadillac CT5 or Escalade. We would also be happy to talk about the history of Cadillac. Contact us today, stop by in person, or continue to research your favorite models.