Cadillac Type 53

Introduced in 1916, the Cadillac Type 53 succeeded the Type 51, which a year earlier had introduced one of the first mass-produced V8 engines. Cadillac was then establishing itself as America’s brand of technical innovation.

Its 5.1-litre V8 produced around 70 horsepower and gave smooth, quiet driving. But the Type 53 went down in history for a less spectacular reason: it was one of the first cars to adopt the layout of controls we still know today. Clutch, brake and accelerator pedals from left to right, gear lever in the centre, steering wheel on the left. It also had electric starting and lighting, introduced by Cadillac in 1912.

This standard was quickly adopted by the whole car industry. By setting the gestures of driving, the Type 53 made the car easier to learn and to share: a driver could now switch from one vehicle to another without having to learn to drive again.