1938 Cadillac V16 - GM Heritage Center

CADILLAC
V-TYPE ENGINE
DESIGN
The Only Engineeringly Correct Design for Engines
of Eight or More Cylinders
Cadillac has concentrated on V-type engines for twentyfour
years, utilizing this principle in engines of eight,
twelve and sixteen cylinders. On land, sea and in the
air this design has proved itself to be by far the best
because of its compactness, rigidity, efficiency, hence
its DEPENDABILITY. This is one of the first requirements
demanded by motor car buyers.
As early as 1922, the eminent automotive engineer,
C. F. Kettering, said, "With the unlimited funds and
vast resources of the General Motors Corporation at
my command, were I assigned the task of building
another truly fine motor car engine where the size of
the engine required of itself eight or more cylinders, it
must needs be of the V-type design.''
More costly to build than in-line types because of the
necessity for expensive, specialized machinery to manufacture
angle-spaced banks of cylinders, Cadillac has
utilized the vast resources and funds of General Motors
and its own unparalleled experience to bring the present
Cadillac-LaSaile V-8's and the new Sixteen to unrivalled
peaks of performance, smoothness, economy
and long life.
Operating
Smoothness and Long Engine Life
Engines of V-type design are far simpler, more direct
and efficient in their operation than in-line type engines.
There are numerous examples of this V-type simplicity
which promote longer engine life.
Contrast, for example, the long straight eight crankshaft
and nine small bearings with the short crankshaft
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