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Standardization opened the eyes of
the industrial world and was the cor-
ner-stone of modern
U
production. From this achievement
evolved the reference to Cadillac as
"Standard of the World:
In
1909
Cadillac was purchased
by
the then new General Motors
Corporation. Convenience, clean-
liness and all-weather comfort were
greatly enhanced in
1910
when Cad-
illac became the first manufacturer
to offer closed bodies as standard
equipment.
"The Penalty of Leadership"
first appeared in the January 2,
1915
issue of The Saturday Evening Post
as an expression of the Cadillac com-
mitment to leadership, quality, and
innovation. It is widely regarded as
one of the finest documents ever
written and was published following
the introduction of the first produc-
tion
V8
engine. The
V8
was stan-
dard in all
1915
model Cadillacs.
Many Cadillac "firsts" have fol-
lowed over the years, including the
synchro-mech clashless transmis-
sion, a nation-wide comprehensive
1
cy--
45
O
V-16 Engine
Ir
A
service policy, security plate glass,
chrome plating and the first car to
be designed by a stylist
(1927
La-
Salle/Harley Earl). The
'30s
wit-
nessed production of the smooth and
quiet
V12
and
- \
The crisp, contemporary lines of the
1938
60 Special series ushered in
a
new era in styling.
During World War
11,
shortly
after Pearl Harbor, Cadillac discon-
tinued car production for the first
time since
1902
in order to construct
light tanks, combat vehicles and
internal parts for Allison
V1710
en-
gines. Two Cadillac V8 engines and
Hydra-Matic transmissions were
used in each tank.
A
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