CADILLAC

After a dispute with investors Henry Ford had left the Henry Ford Company. Henry Leland was approached in 1902 for advice about liquidating the firm’s assets. Leland advised that they continue operations only with better engines that he would supply. They liked the idea if Leland would run the company. A new name was needed, so they decided that the French explorer who had established the settlement that became Detroit, Le Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac would be a good choice.

Leland was a pioneer in precision automotive manufacturing. In 1908 the Royal Automobile Club of Britain decided to test Leland’s claims. From eight, three Cadillacs were randomly chosen to be completely dismantled, the parts mixed up along with spare ones and then reassembled. Each car started and was driven 500 miles without problem. No other auto maker was building to this level of precision and for this achievement Cadillac was awarded the Dewar Trophy.

William Durant wanted Cadillac as part of General Motors and paid Leland four and a half million dollars in cash for it. Leland stayed on to run the company until 1917 then went on to found the Lincoln Motor Company.