The decade of the 1930s was, of course, the decade of the Great Depression and during this time the number of automobile manufacturers decreased. In 1930, there were 2.8 million cars sold and in 1932, at the depth of the Depression, this had dropped to 1.1 million. Among the automobile brands that died during the 1930s were Chandler, Elcar, Jordan, Graham, Kissel, Gardner, Hupmobile, Moon, and Peerless.
In 1932, Ford introduced its V8 engine which soon earned a reputation for performance. In his book The American Automobile: A Centenary 1893-1993, Nick Georgano reports:
“The Ford V8 was the first low-priced eight-cylinder engine, and it was a long time before the competition caught up.”
Straight-eight engines were offered by brands such as Buick, Chrysler, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pontiac, and Studebaker.
Luxury cars continued to be made and sold during the Depression. Nick Georgano reports:
“It is ironical that some of the finest American cars of any age were made during the depths of the depression.”
Cadillac was the leader in the luxury car field and introduced its V16 engine in 1930. In its first year, more than 2,800 V16 Cadillacs were sold, but this fell to 364 the following year and to 300 in 1932. This was due in part from the Depression and in part to competition from the V12s offered by Lincoln, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow.
In the 1930s, closed cars (coupes and sedans) outsold open cars (roadsters and phaetons) by a ten to one margin. Hydraulic four-wheel brakes replaced mechanical brakes which provides a shorter stopping distances and improved safety.
With regard to the social impact of automobiles, the first drive-in movie theater open in New Jersey in 1933.
Harold LeMay, a Tacoma businessman, loved cars and managed to collect more than 3,000 automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles over forty years of collecting. A number of the vehicles from his collection form the nucleus of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum. This collection of more than 300 cars, motorcycles, and trucks is displayed in a four-level building in Tacoma, Washington. Shown below are some of the cars of the 1930s displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1930 Ford Model A Fordor
This car has a 4-cylinder, 201 cubic inch, 120 horsepower engine with a 3-speed manual transmission. (Note: while the Museum description says 120 horsepower, it probably should be 40 horsepower—see comments),
1930 Willys Knight 70 B Light Six Coupe
This car has a 6-cylinder, 178 cubic inch, 53 horsepower engine.
1930 Packard 740 Custom Super Eight, 2-Door Convertible Coupe
According to the Museum:
“The 740 and 745 chassis were typically given to closed bodies, making this Model 740 Convertible Coupe rare. Nicely concealed under its long hood is a 384.8 cubic inch straight eight cylinder engine producing over 105 horsepower.”
1930 Packard Standard Eight 4-Door Sedan
According to the Museum:
“The cars that Packard produced were positioned for the high to upper class that could afford these beautiful but expensive creations.”
This car has an 8-cylinder, 320 cubic inch, 90 horsepower engine.
1932 Auburn Model 8-100A 4-Door Sedan
According to the Museum:
“The 8-100A is powered by a Lycoming 8-cylinder engine and came equipped with a Columbia Dual Ratio rear axle, which allowed the drive to adjust the car’s performance while in motion according to load, speed and road conditions.”
The 269 cubic inch engine has 98 horsepower.
1933 Hupmobile Series I-326 4-Door Sedan
According to the Museum:
“In a departure from the company’s reputation for conservative design, Hupmobiles of 1932-1933 were acclaimed for flamboyant styling. The design featured sleek fenders that closely followed the curve of the wheels, mimicking those found on bicycles and motorcycles.”
This car has an 8-cylinder, 303 cubic inch, 109 horsepower engine.
1936 Cadillac Series 60, 4-Door Sedan
According to the Museum:
“The 1936 Series 60 Cadillac was born of the manufacturer’s realization that they had to produce a more cost-competitive car. Cadillac knew that in order to keep the company alive, they needed to build cars that were both stylish and affordable. The Series 60 was a hit, reaching a new and broader market of Cadillac customers.”
This car has a V8, 322 cubic inch, 125 horsepower engine.
1937 Cadillac Series 1795 Fleetwood Town Car
This was the final model year for Cadillac’s V12 Engine. Only 478 models were produced with the V12 in 1937.
1937 Cord 812 Westchester 4-Door Sedan
According to the Museum:
“Designed by the legendary automotive stylist Gordon Buehrig, the 1936-37 Cord remains one of the most distinctive vehicles ever manufactured with its iconic ‘coffin nose’ and hidden flip-top headlights. The innovative front-wheen drive design allowed the vehicle to ride lower than preious models eliminating the need for a running board to step into the vehicle. In 1937 only 37 model 812s were created out of the 1,066 Cords produced.”
This car has a V8, 289 cubic inch, 125 horsepower engine.
1939 Packard Super Eight
According to the Museum:
“As one of the high prized ‘3 Ps’ of early automotive history, Packard, along with Peerless and Pierce-Arrow, were known for high style and superb build quality, a fact that allowed the company to survive when many others succumbed to hard times.”
1939 Ford “The GT-39”
This street rod began as a 1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible which was then customized.
More cars from the 1930s
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A couple of Chryslers and a Plymouth from the 1930s
Car Show: Cars from the 1930s (Photo Diary)
LeMay Family Collection: Cars of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: Convertibles of the 1930s (photo diary)
Packard Museum: Sedans of the 1930s (photo diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1930s (Photo Diary)