Cadillac Type V-63 and the 314: the cross-plane V8

The Cadillac V-63 was introduced in September 1923 as a 1924 model, replacing the Type 61, and it kept the V8 name that Cadillac had established with the Type 51. Its main innovation was a cross-plane crankshaft, which made the V8 far smoother. From 1926 the car was called the Series 314, after the engine’s displacement.

Cadillac Type V-63 at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the V-63, which also covers the Series 314.

History of the Cadillac Type V-63

The V-63 replaced the Type 61 and used an improved version of the L-head V8 that had made Cadillac famous. The key change was a cross-plane crankshaft, which improved balance and smoothness; the design needed complex mathematical analysis and was patented at the same time by Peerless, and the two companies agreed to share it. That let Cadillac claim the V8 as a market distinction, at a time when the Packard Eight straight-eight competed on reduced vibration. Body style choices expanded to 14, and commercial applications were not offered at first. New features included balloon tyres on wire wheels or pressed steel discs, hickory wooden wheels as standard, and optional front-wheel brakes.

Standard and Custom bodies

For 1925 Cadillac split the range into two classes of body. The Standard line offered a five-passenger Brougham, a two-passenger Coupe, a four-passenger Victoria, five- and seven-passenger Sedans and a seven-passenger Imperial limousine. The higher-content Custom line added a Roadster, Touring Car, Phaeton, five-passenger Coupe and Sedan, a seven-passenger Suburban and the top Imperial limousine, with the mechanicals unchanged. Fisher Body continued to supply the coachwork, and DuPont’s new Duco lacquer gave buyers 24 matched colours and ten upholstery patterns. Prices began at $2,995 for the Brougham and reached $4,485 for the Imperial limousine.

Series 314

For 1926 the naming changed to Series 314, after the engine’s displacement, and the previous Custom line kept its 138-inch wheelbase while the Standard line stayed at 132 inches. The V8 was described as the “New Ninety Degree Cadillac” and kept the flathead architecture, and the chassis and body were shared with the new LaSalle Series 303. The commercial chassis returned, offering an ambulance and a hearse with bodies by Superior. Cadillac also began engraving a unit number on each engine block with a matching plate on the firewall, and from the Series 314 onwards cars were advertised simply as “Cadillac” rather than by series. Fleetwood began supplementing Fisher coachwork in 1927, and displacement grew to 341 cubic inches in 1928.

Design and features

• Cross-plane crankshaft: the change that made Cadillac’s V8 smooth, shared with Peerless by agreement.
• Standard and Custom lines: two levels of body and equipment from 1925.
• Duco lacquer: 24 matched colours and ten upholstery patterns by 1925.
• Commercial chassis returns: ambulance and hearse bodies by Superior from 1926.

Cadillac Type V-63 versions

• V-63 (1924): the first cross-plane V8 Cadillac, with 14 body styles.
• Standard bodies (1925): Brougham, Coupe, Victoria, Sedan and Imperial limousine.
• Custom bodies (1925): Roadster, Touring, Phaeton, Coupe, Sedan and Suburban.
• Series 314 (1926-1927): the 314 cu in version, with the commercial chassis back.
• Series 341 and 353 (1928-1930): later enlargements of the same V8.

The V-63 followed the Type 51 and was replaced by the larger V-12 and V-16 models of the 1930s; the engine family is described in the V8 article. More Cadillacs are in the Cadillac collection.

Video: 1927 Cadillac 314 Engine rebuild

Video by mlarum on YouTube.

Sources

• Cadillac Type V-63, English Wikipedia: cross-plane crankshaft, bodies, Series 314, coachbuilders