1903 Cadillac bare chassis

Cutaway view of the 1903 Cadillac chassis and engine;  note
the huge flywheel below the engine cover and front seat support

In 1903 the Cadillac factory used these
belt driven machines at each work position

This early factory photo shows the Tonneau version of the first Cadillac production model in 1903.  Two people could quite easily install or remove the rear body, which cost $100.  Access was through a rear door; on each side of it, corner seating could accommodate two extra passengers.  By removing six more bolts, the entire body could be separated from the chassis, facilitating adjustments and repairs, without disturbing a single wire or lever (try doing that today with your average Seville or Eldorado model !)

   
The 1903 production cars used 10-spoke, wooden artillery wheels

This beautiful survivor features later,  optional side lights and a Cyclops (single) running light by Gray & Davis, as well as a superb and most practical wicker picnic basket for those Sunday outings in the country.  Remember, in 1903, the road system we know today was non-existent;  there were few paved roads; these cars rode in the tracks of the disappearing horse and buggy
[  Photo:  Yann Saunders collection, courtesy Jack Tallman, Decatur, IL ] 

   
Left: on the sloping rear deck of the little 1903 Cadillac runabout could be mounted a vast
storage trunk (ancestor to today's car trunk?); this accessory was popular with
various tradesmen around Detroit at the start of the 20th century

Right: more popular than the storage trunk was the 2-passenger tonneau
that was simply bolted to the sloping rear deck [see image below]

       
Left: this PC from the sixties shows a surviving 1903 runabout, with a couple posing in period attire
Center: Enthusiast Stuart Kline sent in this photo of another survivor in far-away Turkey; the car was acquired in England;
the color scheme is non-original (this model was available only in black or dark maroon)
Right: another survivor in a correct color scheme, with cape top in place [Internet photo]

 
Surprised onlooker (left) and city cop (right) watch in
amazement as sturdy little 1-cyl. Cadillac tonneau hauls
12 men, with ease, up steep Shelby Street hill, Detroit

Family outing aboard a 1903-04 Cadillac tonneau
at the turn of last century

1903-04 survivor (in the fifties)

This survivor, from the Cadillac Historical Collection,
is featured here on the occasion of a convention in the sixties

     
This rare, old invoice from July, 1903, covers the sale (to a doctor)
of a 1903 Cadillac runabout costing $750; the optional "lamps" added $12 to the price

This survivor is in Australia

   
(left) Brake and shift levers [red] protrude at driver's side, between seat cushion and arm rest
(right)  Two corner seats like this, in detachable tonneau, convert car from 2 to 4 passengers

   
(left) Step plate, at left, helps passengers to access rear entrance tonneau
(right) Detail of wooden, 12-spoke wheel and suspension