Vehicle Description
1931Cadillac V-16 Madame X Imperial Landaulet Cabriolet. Body Style
#4155-C. One of two built with a collapsible rear quarter. Rare
FleetwoodMadame X body style. One of the most elegant of the V-16
Cadillac's. This 1931 Cadillac V-16 Madam-X Landau Sedan is a rare
find. Extremely Rare 1931 Cadillac V-16 Madam-X Landau Sedan
Background: Engine Number: 702584 On January 4, 1930, New Yorkers
were treated to an automotive unveiling like no other. At the
opening of the National Automobile Show at the Grand Central
Palace, Cadillac unveiled the worlds first production V-16
automobile engine. Aesthetically, this engine was a work of art and
it was said to be the first automobile engine that was truly
designed with visual aesthetics in mind. While the new
sixteen-cylinder engine was beautiful to look at, its performance
statistics were impressive as well. The new, V-16 engine boasted a
cubic inch displacement of 452 while producing 185 horsepower. This
was almost five times the horsepower as a 1930 Ford Model A. The
new engine was designed with two, separate, eight-cylinder engine
blocks that were topped with overhead valve cylinder heads. Each
cylinder block was carbureted with a separate carburetor and a
separate fuel delivery system. The new engine was mounted on
Cadillacs new 148-inch wheelbase chassis, which had been designed
specifically for the new model. While the engine was a mechanical
masterpiece, the exterior design of the new Cadillac V-16 was a
design achievement as well. Buyers could choose from a variety of
54 bodies, with the most ornate and most expensive being part of
the so-called 4100 series, a group of closed body styles
distinguished by sporty 18-degree slanted windshields and narrow
window pillars that were edged in chrome. The name Madame X was
applied to the style, after a famous stage play of the era. It was
a name never used by Cadillac but has been enthusiastically adopted
by collectors. These bodies were designed and built by Fleetwood.
Extremely Rare1931 Cadillac V-16 Madam-X Landau Sedan Info: This
extremely rare 1931 Cadillac V-16 uses the Fleetwood body style
designation of 4155. The proper name for this particular body
style, as designated by Fleetwood, is an Imperial Landaulet
Cabriolet. It is one of only eighteen #4155 landaulet body styles
built for the V-16 chassis. This particular example is more
specifically designated as a 4155-C and is believed to be one of
only two Imperial Landaulets built with a convertible top that
opens to expose only the rear seating area-a design that was made
popular by many of the famous European coachbuilders of the period.
This car was sold new and delivered to the Cadillac dealer in
Antwerp, Belgium through General Motors Export Division. At some
point, it found its way to Switzerland. The last European owner
retained this car for nearly 40 years before it was sold to a
collector in the United States in 2012. Most recently, this car has
been part of a major, east coast collection of prewar cars. Today,
this 1931 Cadillac V-16 Madam-X Landau Sedan is predominantly
original having only had some cosmetic restoration over the years,
which has served well to protect and preserve this impressive
motorcar. The body is extremely straight, solid and tight. The
doors open and close with a solid feel and fit the body with even
gaps and margins. The body appears to retain all of its original
wood, which has been well preserved and today remains solid
throughout. Numerous pieces of wood found on this body show both
the Fleetwood name as well as the body style and body number
clearly stamped. The hood aligns properly with the cowl and
radiator shell. The fenders align well and the bottoms are just as
clean as the tops. The maroon and black exterior paint was likely
refinished many years ago but today remains extremely clean and
presentable. The car retains all of its correct and proper V-16
items such as the bumpers, headlights, cowl lights, horns, stone
guard, gauges, hubcaps, etc. Under the hood, the original and
correct sixteen-cylinder engine, #702584, is largely original and
very clean. For reliable driving, later Solex carburetors are being
used with an updated fuel pump instead of the original and
sometimes troublesome, Cadillac carburetors. A pair of Cadillac
carburetors from the same era are included in the sale. The
firewall retains the original trim tag, which clearly labels the
car as the rare, 4155-C Imperial Landaulet Cabriolet, body number
18. The car also has an interesting and original brass data tag
used for export models only. A copy of the original Cadillac build
sheet, which accompanies this car, clearly indicates that this V-16
Cadillac retains its original engine, chassis and body components.
Unlike many other V-16 Cadillacs that have been assembled from
parts, this example is original throughout and well documented. The
interior is finished in period correct, wool broadcloth. The
interior was professionally replaced many years ago and appears to
be correct and is in very nice condition. The rear compartment
includes vanity lights and built-in armrests. The dashboard retains
all of its proper gauges and controls and features a rare Kilometer
speedometer that shows the mileage to be 43,861, which is very
likely to be original. The thin, die-cast trim ring is missing from
the dashboard, although we believe reproductions of this part are
available. The folding landau top is in very good condition and
fully functional. This car is equipped with the typical period and
factory accessories one would expect on a Cadillac V-16 including
dual side mounted spare tires, a rear-mounted luggage rack, white
wall tires, Cadillacs Goddess mascot, and a radiator stone guard.
This is a Cadillac V-16 of fine character and elegance. It is an
authentic and documented car that has been well cared for. This
Imperial Cabriolet is ideal for enjoyment on Classic Car Club of
America CARavans and other tours. It will certainly be a welcomed
participant at any of the nations leading concours delegances.
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