- Arguably the most famous, well-known surviving V-16 sport
phaeton
- Believed to have been originally owned by legendary
silver-screen actor Richard Arlen
- Featured in the 1964 film The Carpetbaggers
- Formerly owned by the Brucker family, "Cadillac Jim" Pearson,
and Donald Mayoras
- Well-preserved older concours restoration
- Original engine and coachwork; documented by its build
sheet
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
With its disappearing tonneau windshield and second set of
instruments for the rear-seat passengers, the Cadillac V-16 Sport
Phaeton was a sleek beast that looked the part of a star's car. And
so it was with car no. 702478, offered here, which was delivered
via Los Angeles's Don Lee Cadillac. Its original owner is long said
to have been Richard Arlen, one of the most respected Hollywood
actors of the 1920s. Arlen got his start as an extra when he fell
off his motorcycle outside the Paramount gates, and his
best-remembered role is as the lead in the 1927 film Wings, winner
of the very first Academy Award for Best Picture. He was also a
notable car enthusiast who obviously appreciated fine styling and
engineering, as the Cadillac shared space in his stable with a
Model J Duesenberg.
The car's build sheet reflects the original color scheme, Pastel
and Talina Brown. There is an apocryphal tale, too delightful not
to repeat, that when Arlen arrived at Don Lee's to collect his new
sport phaeton, he found Mae West sitting in it, saying that if he
did not buy it, she would. She would be disappointed; the car is
marked as "sold" on the original build sheet, indicating that it
was already Mr. Arlen's!
In the late 1930s, Mr. Arlen's film career slowed, and the sport
phaeton passed to a Mr. Brinkerhof of Bishop, California, who
largely garaged it except for occasional appearances in the town's
Fourth of July parade. Some twenty years later it was purchased,
following a tip from a friend, by James Brucker Sr. The Brucker
family was for decades a major supplier of automobiles to the film
industry; when not on a studio lot, their cars were exhibited at a
famous roadside museum in Buena Park, California�Movieworld Cars of
the Stars and Planes of Fame. Mr. Brucker enjoyed Cadillacs
especially, and his collection included many fine examples.
The Bruckers customized the sport phaeton for a starring role of
its own, in the 1964 film The Carpetbaggers, in which it is driven
by Alan Ladd in his last film appearance. Befitting Ladd's role as
Nevada Smith, a flamboyant Western gunslinger turned actor in the
Tom Mix mold, the car was painted bright white and decorated with
calfskin seat covers, six-guns as door handles, and a pair of
longhorns atop the radiator.
Dubbed "Bull" for its most famous role, the Cadillac remained with
the Bruckers at Movieworld until the museum closed, and then was
acquired by Don Westerdale, a California V-16 enthusiast whose
collection also included the one-off Murphy-bodied all-weather
phaeton. Following Mr. Westerdale, the sport phaeton was briefly
owned by the noted V-16 authority "Cadillac Jim" Pearson, then by
Rick Carroll and finally Donald Mayoras, then of Bryn Mawr,
Pennsylvania. In Mr. Mayoras's ownership the sport phaeton received
a well-deserved restoration by the respected Stone Barn of Vienna,
New Jersey, completed in May 1990. Subsequently, the car was
acquired by the current owners, avid Cadillac enthusiasts, for
their distinguished private museum, in which it has now remained
for nearly two decades.
The car's restoration is very well detailed, with many of the
original components still intact, including correct V-16
instrumentation, engine splash pans, rear-view mirror, and badging,
with the interior upholstered to the proper pattern. Only the
highest-quality chrome trim was used throughout, and the acrylic
lacquer Satin Red finish and tan leather are both well preserved.
The original Fleetwood body-stamping "55" is still visible in the
floorboards, testimony to how well kept the Cadillac has been for
its entire existence. The car is even accompanied by a genuine
original and correct "low boy" trunk, with three pieces of fitted
luggage, an accessory now nearly impossible to find. Other
desirable accessories include a radiator stone shield, metal
side-mount covers with mirrors, Pilot Ray driving lights, and dual
cowl-mounted spotlights.
Further, the Cadillac boasts a long and enviable record in national
competition, including a Classic Car Club of America National
Senior First Prize, and Antique Automobile Club of America Senior
First and Preservation honors; it was also a class award winner at
both Meadowbrook and Pebble Beach following its restoration. More
recently, its appearances have been limited to occasional showings
at regional concours in the South, including twice at Boca Raton.
The Cadillac has been well-known to armchair enthusiasts for
decades, as well, having appeared in Car Classics in May 1969 and
Car Collector in December 1992, as well as in Roy Schneider's book
Sixteen Cylinder Motor Cars. Its history has been more recently
detailed in Chris Cummings's book, Cadillac V-16s Lost and
Found.
The car has been recently freshened by the well-known Steve
Babinsky's Automotive Restorations of Lebanon, New Jersey,
including installation of a beautiful new top and leather
interior.
Few surviving V-16 sport phaetons have such a long, well-known
history, beginning with one of the great actors of his era,
continuing through its own Hollywood appearances, and time with
many noted collectors. That rich provenance makes "Bull," as it is
still fondly known, the most famous and best-known surviving sport
phaeton�a true star in its own right on the show field as it was on
the screen.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
