Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit, Michigan completed its first car in October 1902, the firm’s superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer’s first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA.

In 1901, Olds Motor Works 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 Ford’s ex-backers.

The company took its name from the great French 17th century explorer who had founded Detriot in 1701.

The first Cadillac automobile was completed and test driven in October 1902, and the following January made a triumphal debut at the New York Automobile Show where sales manager William E Metzger took orders for no fewer than 2,286 cars, famously declaring mid-week that the Cadillac was ‘sold out’.

An exemplary performer by the...