- Unique wood-bodied V-16
- More than four decades of known history
- Soon to be featured in a book on the Cadillac V-16
On 4 January 1930, Cadillac stunned the Depression-era fine car
market at the New York Auto Show with the introduction of its
all-new V-16. With this engine, Cadillac instantly catapulted
itself to the head of the luxury class in one brilliant stroke.
Until then, only Bugatti had produced a 16-cylinder engine, which
was accomplished by bolting two eight-cylinder inline engines
together, an innovation that was originally intended for aircraft
use.
Cadillac's V-16 was the first true 16-cylinder engine to be
designed and built from scratch. Project leader Owen Milton Nacker
demanded the utmost secrecy from his team. In fact, in order to
avoid knowledge of the project leaking from lower-level GM
engineering departments and parts suppliers, a well-coordinated
disinformation campaign was created, which included cover stories
and notes on various blueprints that indicated that the project was
actually Cadillac's contribution to a new GM bus project.
Cadillac managed to survive the rapidly declining luxury car market
of the early 1930s, thanks to the financial resources of its
massive parent company, General Motors. Without GM's support,
Cadillac could never have produced such a limited-production,
luxurious automobile. Although the V-16 was brilliantly designed,
its shrinking Depression-era market meant that the V-16 was, of
course, produced in tiny numbers for the fortunate few. Without a
doubt, those scarce examples remaining today offer a rare glimpse
into one of the most exciting automotive eras of all time.
The unique example featured here is one of the most impressive and
unique Cadillacs powered by their legendary V-16. Engine number
702994 was originally delivered in a Series 4375 seven-passenger
limousine. One of 438 cars built for that series, it was originally
sold from a Chicago dealership in February 1932. Though the fate of
the original body and chassis is unknown, the known history of the
engine begins in 1985, when enthusiast Alan Merkel purchased it
from noted collector Melvin Patterson. Through a multi-party deal,
the engine eventually found its way into the collection of Mr.
James Pascoe of Escanaba, Michigan.
Enamored with wood-bodied automobiles, Mr. Pascoe had previously
built other wooden-bodied vehicles, including at least one Buick.
After acquiring engine number 702994, he set out to build a wooden
convertible complete with rumble seat and golf-bag door. After
spending some 2,000 hours on the project, the car was sold to the
consignor, Mark Thomas, and his son Morgan approximately 10 years
ago. It has remained in his collection ever since.
A highly unique V-16, the car is reported to run and drive
beautifully. As a totally unique "woodie" convertible Cadillac, the
car has been shown at several Michigan Region CCCA events, and the
process is ongoing to seek recognition of the car as a re-bodied
Full Classic. A beautiful and unique Classic-era Cadillac, it will
make a superb addition to any Cadillac collection.To view this car
and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
