Vehicle Description
In 1930, Cadillac fired the opening salvo in the so-called
multi-cylinder war among American luxury car companies. The new
overhead-valve V16 was unmatched in power and prestige, and
Cadillac's competitors scrambled to react, some betting - and
losing - their very existence. With few peers, the Cadillac V16 was
one of America's most sought-after luxury cars, offering 175
horsepower with exceptional refinement. Named for its displacement
in cubic inches, the Series 452 V16 was suitably updated with a
more robust chassis and running gear to handle the engine's power.
The engine was more than up to the task of propelling appropriately
large and heavy coachwork, typically in the form of elaborate,
lavishly trimmed limousines and sedans from GM's primary body
suppliers, Fleetwood and Fisher. However, a select few customers
opted for something altogether more sporting, and a comparatively
small number of more flamboyant roadsters and open convertible
coupes found their way to style-conscious owners. Cadillac wanted
the V16 to remain at the pinnacle of the market and updated it
annually. For 1934, the entire Cadillac line was redesigned with
beautiful new styling, influenced by the Streamline-Moderne period.
The new design was lower and longer than before, with pontoon
fenders, bullet headlamps, and clean, linear details. Intricate
touches like the fabulous bi-plane bumpers revealed the aviation
inspiration. Mechanically, the V16 was uprated to 185 horsepower
and sat in a massive 154-inch wheelbase chassis. Yet America was
still in the throes of the Great Depression, and despite all the
visual splendor and engineering excellence, Series 452D sales
amounted to a mere 56 chassis. This breathtaking one-off Cadillac
V16 exemplifies the elegance and grandeur of the Classic Era and is
a stunning piece of early Streamline design. According to the
accompanying build records and expert research, chassis number
51-44 was ordered through Randall-Donaldson Cadillac of Brooklyn,
New York. The build sheet specifies Fleetwood's magnificent 2-door
Convertible Coupe "Victoria" body, style number 5885, in the
Fleetwood catalogue. Equipped for long journeys, the 5-passenger
convertible coupe features a cavernous built-in trunk, as well as a
trunk rack for even more storage. Other options include a radio,
banjo steering wheel, chrome hubcaps, silver goddess mascot, and a
single trunk-mounted spare wheel. Records indicate it may have been
ordered for New York financier Allan J. McIntosh, though it is
unclear if he ever took delivery, and it is accepted that the car's
first documented owner was Hugh McLeod Fenwick, as his initials are
engraved in the steering wheel hub. An heir to a California lumber
fortune and resident of Bernardsville, New Jersey, Mr. Fenwick was
an experienced aviator and served as the European sales agent for
Vultee Aircraft (which later became Convair). Fenwick's role
required frequent extended stays in Europe, and his magnificent
Cadillac often accompanied him. With a 154-inch wheelbase and an
overall length of 21' 6", the massive V16 undoubtedly made a bold
statement. Hugh Fenwick returned home in 1940, eventually retiring
in Aiken, South Carolina. While it was customary for wealthy owners
to trade their cars regularly to stay up with the latest fashion,
Hugh Fenwick was a notable exception, holding on to his one-off
Fleetwood Cadillac until 1970! It was then when a young New
Mexico-based car enthusiast named Robert Friggens caught wind of a
V16 being offered by a dealer in North Carolina. His hunt for the
car first involved a trip to Chicago to pay a tipster for the lead.
He then flew to Washington, D.C., and hitchhiked400 milessouthwest
to Hickory, NC. There, he found a run-down old building with a
bunch of worn-out government surplus cars for sale. The proprietor,
Joe Smart, asked for payment ($6,000), and in return, gave Friggens
a receipt (for a "16 sil cat") and directions to Mr. Fenwick's
estate - a further 200 miles away! Fenwick was there to greet them,
and the men finalized a deal. He was particularly pleased that the
car would be restored, as he had a deep affection for it after
caring for it for all those years. Photos from immediately before
and after Friggens' acquisition show the Cadillac was exceptionally
well kept, though showing its age. The black paint was original,
the body complete, straight, and trim intact - down to notoriously
delicate bi-plane bumpers. The interior was original, including the
leather seat upholstery, lovingly maintained by Fenwick. With the
deal done, Friggens serviced the big V16 anddroveit home to New
Mexico. He later noted it had only 80,000 miles at the time and was
by no means a worn-out automobile - a testament to the quality of
the Cadillac Series 452D and the care it received from Mr. Fenwick.
Friggens performed an extensive restoration, and after three years
in his care, reluctantly sold the Cadillac to finance the purchase
of an ex-Al Jolson Packard. Subsequent owners are well documented,
and around 1980, Mr. Jon Freeman of Illinois commissioned Fran
Roxas to perform a meticulous restoration. It subsequently achieved
several 100-point results in CCCA competition in the early 80s and
appeared on the lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in
1982, taking Best in Class. It eventually passed to Jerry Moore of
Houston, Texas, then to the noted collector William Parfet of
Hickory Corners, Michigan. After Parfet's time, it was shown by
James Raisbeck at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours, then sold to Mr.
Steven Plunkett of London, Ontario. Mr. Plunkett had created one of
the world's premier collections of Cadillac automobiles, displaying
them at his famous Fleetwood Acres Estate, and the Fenwick V16
served as the centerpiece of his superlative collection. He showed
the car frequently, taking a Best in Show at the 2017 Hilton Head
Concours. During Plunkett's tenure, mechanical work and cosmetic
freshening were entrusted to the renowned experts at RM
Restorations in Ontario. The most recent owner acquired the car
from Plunkett in 2018, and it has continued to rake in awards and
accolades. As offered here, this extraordinary Cadillac is
presented in superb condition, with a world-class restoration that
remains remarkably fresh. It accurately restored to its original
specification, excepting only a color change from black to maroon
and the fitment of period-correct rear wheel arch skirts, which
subtly enhance the marvelous Streamline-Moderne design. The deep
burgundy leather upholstery and black canvas top round out the
elegant presentation. It is superbly detailed inside and out and is
ready to carry on its winning ways on the show field or enjoy the
unparalleled refinement on tour. This extraordinary one-off
Cadillac represents the pinnacle of American Motoring in 1934 and
remains a truly breathtaking display of Classic Era extravagance.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7256-1934-cadillac-v-16-convertible/
