What is the History of Cadillac?

Cadillac wasn’t always the premier luxury vehicle manufacturer that it is today. Cadillac humbly began with a simple sketch that revolutionized the way automobiles were produced. Find out more about when Cadillac was founded, what the first Cadillac ever made was, and Cadillac logo history with the experts at Covert Cadillac. Then, visit us in Austin to take your favorite model out for a spin!

Beginning of Cadillac’s History

Henry Leland originally founded Cadillac in 1902. The company’s name is derived from Detroit’s founding father, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Cadillac changed the face of automotive manufacturing by introducing the idea of interchangeable parts to the industry. This innovative leap forward in vehicle design helped Cadillac become the first American car company to win the Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club of England. Cadillac’s world-famous slogan, “Standard of the World”, was actually inspired by this trophy, earned six years into the company’s existence.

What Was the First Cadillac Ever Made?

The first Cadillac ever made was the Cadillac Runabout in 1903. Cadillac changed the game with this 2-seater “horseless carriage”. Released in August 1903 at the New York Auto Show, this cutting-edge model blew attendees away with its 10 hp, single-cylinder engine, and starting price of $850. Later, the Runabout was renamed Model A and an upgraded model, referred to as Model B, was later introduced in 1904 with transverse front suspension and an extended front.

Cadillac Logo History

So, what’s the history of Cadillac’s logo? The iconic wreath and crest design was inspired by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac’s coat of arms. The Cadillac logo has been remade a number of times over the years. Originally the logo had much sharper lines and smoother angles, however, the design has undergone a variety of changes over the course of a century:

• 1906 – The crest was divided into two parts, a coat, and a shield. The shield signified that the family descended from the royal counts of Toulouse. The birds, or merlettes, were adaptations of the martin and won’t be found on the crests of today.
• 1920 – The badge incorporated the tulip-bulb wreath from the original trademark, with nine points on the crown. The crown reverted to seven points up until 1925.
• 1933 – To match the brand’s design element, the crest was given wings and made detachable.
• 1957 – The crests were further enhanced to look long and wide. This continued through 1959 until the crown was almost out of sight.
• 1963-Today – No major changes have been made since the logo was designed to be a tab more chiseled to match the brand perfectly.

Celebrate Our History at Covert Cadillac

Cadillacs has come a long way since 1902, having served countless drivers worldwide. Whether you’re looking for a high-end pre-owned or new Cadillac vehicle, Covert Cadillac is guaranteed to have the model you’re looking for. Reach out to us online for more information about the history of Cadillac, or to browse our available inventory in person!