While we wait for the SS Lap Times Here is what the CTS V did.
Disciple
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 270
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (20 min. down the road from the "Shwa"!)
Cadillac actually has a proud history in the post-war era as a performance vehicle, dating back to 1949 when the new 331 CID 160 HP OHV engine replaced the old 346 CID L-head motor. The '49 Caddy is considered a "milestone" car as a result of the introduction of this engine.
http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad49s.htm
The engine was a sensation, so much so that it was rushed off to race tracks across the country. Almost-stock Caddys with big racing numbers plastered on their sides were seen roaring down race track straightaways within a few short months after the '49 models bowed. The cars were so hot that famed Briggs Cunningham took the Caddys racing, even to the 24 hours of Le Mans in France. There, a near-stock Coupe de Ville finished tenth overall against the world's finest racing machinery. The British Allard Company even used the engine in its new J-2 sports/racing car.
Out on the street, buyers could tell the difference, too. Though road test magazines were few in 1949, "Uncle" Tom McCahill reported in Mechanix Illustrated that "With this engine, Cadillac, despite its large size, out-performs just about every car being made." He backed that up by posting a 0-60-mph romp of 12.1 seconds (with stick shift) and a top speed of around 105 mph. No other car he tested that year did better. Author Hendry quoted slightly more conservative figures of 100 mph tops and 0-60 in 13.4 seconds. Either way, probably only the lighter-weight Olds 88 could keep up.
Introduction of the new engine helped erode a consumer problem Cadillac Division had faced since the close of the war. Cadillac had advertised heavily during World War II that M-5 and M-24 tanks were powered by Cadillac engines, so some consumers tried to get hold of the military engines and modify them for domestic use. Of course, such attempts at modification were more often than not fraught with a host of technical problems. Cadillac had tried every way it could to discourage such modifications, but it was the arrival of the new overhead V-8 that made the L-heads seem far less attractive.
In retrospect, the new Cadillac V-8 arrived on the scene just when it was needed. The L-head had served its era well, including the emergence of the automatic transmission. But now roads were getting better -- there were already a few limited-access roads and talk of many more to come -- and gasoline octane ratings were climbing. The new V-8, under constant development even after introduction, could handle these, so the first major redesign wasn't deemed necessary until 1964.
Best regardSS,
Elie
http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad49s.htm
The engine was a sensation, so much so that it was rushed off to race tracks across the country. Almost-stock Caddys with big racing numbers plastered on their sides were seen roaring down race track straightaways within a few short months after the '49 models bowed. The cars were so hot that famed Briggs Cunningham took the Caddys racing, even to the 24 hours of Le Mans in France. There, a near-stock Coupe de Ville finished tenth overall against the world's finest racing machinery. The British Allard Company even used the engine in its new J-2 sports/racing car.
Out on the street, buyers could tell the difference, too. Though road test magazines were few in 1949, "Uncle" Tom McCahill reported in Mechanix Illustrated that "With this engine, Cadillac, despite its large size, out-performs just about every car being made." He backed that up by posting a 0-60-mph romp of 12.1 seconds (with stick shift) and a top speed of around 105 mph. No other car he tested that year did better. Author Hendry quoted slightly more conservative figures of 100 mph tops and 0-60 in 13.4 seconds. Either way, probably only the lighter-weight Olds 88 could keep up. Introduction of the new engine helped erode a consumer problem Cadillac Division had faced since the close of the war. Cadillac had advertised heavily during World War II that M-5 and M-24 tanks were powered by Cadillac engines, so some consumers tried to get hold of the military engines and modify them for domestic use. Of course, such attempts at modification were more often than not fraught with a host of technical problems. Cadillac had tried every way it could to discourage such modifications, but it was the arrival of the new overhead V-8 that made the L-heads seem far less attractive. In retrospect, the new Cadillac V-8 arrived on the scene just when it was needed. The L-head had served its era well, including the emergence of the automatic transmission. But now roads were getting better -- there were already a few limited-access roads and talk of many more to come -- and gasoline octane ratings were climbing. The new V-8, under constant development even after introduction, could handle these, so the first major redesign wasn't deemed necessary until 1964. Elie
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 515
Cadillac has also run in the 24 Hours of Lemans back in the 50's and did quite well for a small effored on the part of Briggs Cuinngham.
I would like to see companied set a standard for the ring if they are going to post brag numbers.
Standing starts on cars in as sold trim with production tires should be a reasonable standard. On additions or changes would be the addition of safety equipment.
Nissan and many others have and do take some liberties.
I would like to see companied set a standard for the ring if they are going to post brag numbers.
Standing starts on cars in as sold trim with production tires should be a reasonable standard. On additions or changes would be the addition of safety equipment.
Nissan and many others have and do take some liberties.
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