The decade of the 1930s was, of course, the decade of the Great Depression, during which the number of automakers declined. In 1930 he had 2.8 million cars sold, but in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, his sales had dropped to 1.1 million. Car brands that disappeared in the 1930s include Chandler, Elcar, Jordan, Graham, Kissel, Gardner, Hupmobile, Moon, and Peerless.
1930s
In 1932, Ford introduced the V8 engine and quickly gained a reputation for its performance.in his book American Automobiles: 100th Anniversary 1893-1993Nick Giorgano reports:
“The Ford V8 was the first low-cost eight-cylinder engine, but it took a long time for competitors to catch up.”
Inline-8 engines were offered by brands such as Buick, Chrysler, Nash, Oldsmobile, Packard, Pontiac, and Studebaker.
Even during the Great Depression, luxury cars continued to be manufactured and sold. Nick Giorgano reports:
“It’s ironic that some of the greatest American cars of any era were built in the midst of a recession.”
Cadillac was a leader in the luxury car field and introduced the V16 engine in 1930. In the first year more than 2,800 V16 Cadillacs were sold, but the following year that number was down to 364 and by 1932 it was down to 300. The effects of the Great Depression and competition from his V12s offered by Lincoln, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow also played a role.
In the 1930s, closed cars (coupes and sedans) outnumbered open cars (roadsters and Phaetons) 10 to 1. margin. Hydraulic four-wheel brakes replace mechanical brakes to reduce stopping distances and improve safety.
Regarding the social impact of the automobile, the first drive-in movie theater opened in New Jersey in 1933.
Located in Marymount, Tacoma, Washington, the LeMay Family Collection is the largest automobile collection in the Northwest. In his collection he has over 1,500 vehicles.The museum is open The historic grounds and vehicles of the former Marymount Military Academy are displayed and stored in three buildings. Below are some of his 1930 vehicles.
1930 Stutz 4 door sedan SV-16
The car sold for $4,495 new and fewer than 300 were produced. The SV-16 specifies two valves per cylinder. The car is powered by an inline 8-cylinder, 322 cubic inch, 113 horsepower engine.
1930 LaSalle Fleetwood 2/4 Roadster
The car sold for $2,450 new and 11,005 were produced. It has a V8, 340 cubic inch, 90 horsepower engine.
1930 Packard 740 4 door sedan
This car sold new for $3,585. It is powered by an in-line 8,384 cubic inch, 106 horsepower engine.
1930 Pierce Arrow 143 4 door sedan
“143” refers to the wheelbase. A total of 9,700 units were produced. Top speed was 135 mph, and the car cost $3,750 new. Equipped with an in-line 8-cylinder 365 cubic inch, 125 horsepower engine.
even more cars
LeMay Family Collection: Cars of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
American Automobile Museum: Many cars from the 1930s (photo diary)
American Automobile Museum: 1930s Cars from the LeMay Collection (Photo Diary)
Museum 101: Several Chryslers and a Plymouth from the 1930s
Car Show: Cars of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Chevrolet Automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: 1930s Convertibles (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: 1930s Sedan (Photo Diary)
Museum 201: 1930s Ford coupe (photo diary)
Museum 201: Luxury cars of the 1930s
Museum 101: 1930s Ford at the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museum 101: 1930s cars (photo diary)