Sam's Auto Blog: CADILLAC - Precision and Luxury

In 1890, Henry Martyn Leland (1843 - 1932) along with Robert A Faulconer and Charles Norton founded the Leland, Faulconer and Norton company and was involved in the manufacture of precision machinery and measuring equipment. After the exit of Charles Norton in 1894 , the company name changed to Leland and Faulconer Manufacturing company.

In 1901 , L&F manufacturing company was one of the major supplier of engines and transmissions to Oldsmobile plant for the curved dash Oldsmobile car.

In 1902 , the Henry Ford Company was dissolved and Henry Leland was called in to assess the worth of the machinery so that they can be disposed off. Henry Leland, instead, convinced them to continue in the automobile manufacturing business and renamed the company as Cadillac Automobile Company. The name Cadillac was from the 17th century French explorer, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe , Sieur de Cadillac who founded the city of Detroit.

Leland fitted his single single cylinder engine on to the chassis left over by Henry Ford and the first Cadillac was rolled out in 1902. The car resembled Ford Model A in every respect except the engine.

A 1902 Cadillac -

Cadillac quickly gained acceptance due to its reliability and precision build. A 1903 Cadillac -

In 1905 , L&F Company was merged and the company was renamed as Cadillac Motor Car Company. In 1909, William Durant integrated Cadillac Motor Car Company in to the General Motor Company, along with Buick Motor Company and many other smaller automobile companies. Cadillac became a separate brand in General Motors.

Cadillac was pioneer in interchangeability of parts which laid the foundation for mass production in the automobile industry.

Cadillac was known for many innovations , the well known being the introduction of electric starters in 1911. A 1911 Cadillac Model 30 with electric starter -