Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit completed its first car in October 1902 and the firms superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconers first speciality - soon established it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA.
In 1901, Olds Motor Works had contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Fords ex-backers, taking its name from the great French explorer who had founded Detriot in 1701.
An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillacs 98cu in (1.6-litre) single-cylinder engine - known as Little Hercules - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission and centre chain drive to the rear axle. The Model A was available with either two- or four-seat coachwork and has a maximum speed of around 30-35mph.