Cadillac Type 53

Cadillac Type 53

Not many people have heard of the Cadillac Type 53. Why? Well for starters it was designed, built and sold mainly in the US, secondly, it was only available for a single year in 1916 and thirdly, it wasn’t even very popular!

Every modern driver owes the little-known Cadillac a debt of gratitude though, because it was the first car to introduce driving controls in the layout we use today. That means with three pedals for accelerator, brake and clutch (set out in the right order), and a gear lever and handbrake located between the seats.

The layout was soon copied by other carmakers, and not least by the little Austin 7, which arrived in 1922 and had a global impact as well as inspiring versions built by BMW in Germany, and Nissan in Japan. Sadly Herbert Austin didn’t copy the Caddy’s big 77hp V8 for his diminutive 7, but he did help to put the motorcar in reach of more people than ever, thanks to its low cost.

  1. Mustang
  2. Corvette
  3. Cadillac Eldorado
  4. Ford Model T
  5. Jeep
  6. Tesla Model S
  7. Oldsmobile Curved Dash
  8. Cadillac Type 53
  9. Ford GT40
  10. Duesenberg Model J

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Great value Suzuki S-Cross looks even better at £187 a month
Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Great value Suzuki S-Cross looks even better at £187 a month

Our Deal of the Day for Monday 27 November is the Suzuki S-Cross, a rugged and generously specced small SUV
27 Nov 2023