Vehicle Description
Cadillac stunned the automotive world when it introduced a
spectacular new ultra-luxury car, powered by an amazing 16-cylinder
engine, at the 1930 New York Auto Show. This glamorous new Cadillac
was clearly General Motors' answer to the Duesenberg Model J,
introduced by E. L. Cord the year before. However, while the
advanced Duesenberg straight eight flaunted its raw, race-bred
power, the Cadillac V-16 would live up to its slogan as The
Standard of the World for smooth, silent performance. Cadillac
created the V-16 to compete with and exceed the standards of the
best automobiles in the world. GM sent a group of the new cars to
Europe, where the Continent's most sophisticated automotive
connoisseurs were invited to compare first-hand, the beauty and
substance of the Cadillac V-16 against the exclusive machines of
the time - including Isotta-Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes-Benz
and of course, Rolls-Royce. An impressive number of early V-16s
were exported as a result. At the heart of the Cadillac V-16 was of
course its magnificent engine, designed by ex-Marmon engineer Owen
Nacker. Displacing a total of 452 cubic inches across its sixteen
cylinders, it featured overhead valves and produced 165 horsepower.
Beautifully detailed, the Cadillac V-16 was the first engine ever
to have been styled for appearance, with input from Harley Earl's
new Art and Colour Department. The look of the massive,
technological masterpiece under the Cadillac's long hood was just
as awe-inspiring as its soon-to-be-legendary smoothness and
quietness. This car is one of 85 examples of the handsome Fleetwood
All-Weather Phaeton produced on the original Cadillac V-16 chassis.
It is an early-production car, bearing engine number 700395. Its
factory build sheet, a copy of which accompanies the car, notes its
delivery with body number 39 by way of the Raritan River Railroad
at Newark to the Beldon-Joiner Cadillac Corporation of New
Brunswick, New Jersey, for use as a "demonstration car." Dual
side-mount spares were specified; the only additional option noted
was "a quart of alcohol." The car's earliest known owner was Ray W.
Rodgers of Warren, Ohio, who listed it in the Antique Automobile
Club of America's 1954 roster and exhibited it at early CCCA
events. In the early 1970s, enthusiast George J. Luchetti of
Massachusetts acquired the Cadillac in Plattsburgh, New York; it
was in completely original condition, but by now in need of
restoration. Mr. Luchetti returned the car to its original
condition, performing much of the work himself. Five years later
the Cadillac was sold to a collector who retained it in their
distinguished collection for forty years before being acquired by
its current owner. The restored car has made only one concours
appearance - at Amelia Island in 2016. In fact, this is believed to
have been the only show that the car has attended since its
restoration was completed in 1975! It retains its side-mount spares
with mirrors and is further accessorized with the Heron radiator
mascot, a stone shield, dual horns, and a matching dark brown
original Cadillac accessory trunk on the trunk rack. The paintwork
is glossy and attractive, and on close inspection the gracefully
aging high-quality restoration work now exhibits some charming
patina, such as some light crazing to some of the paint. The engine
compartment remains in fine condition and on a recent road test the
car performed and drove superbly. Overall, the car is in excellent
condition, which is a testament to the high quality of the
restoration as well as the loving care and maintenance the car has
enjoyed since. This wonderful Cadillac has many handsome styling
features that include an attractive Brown and Ivory paint scheme,
rich Espresso brown leather interior, black wall Firestone tires
mounted on wire wheels with painted hubs with stainless steel
spokes, and most notably, a fabulous split-V windshield that adds a
touch of glamor and excitement that sets it apart from many cars of
the era. Accompanying the car is the aforementioned factory build
sheet along with factory service manuals and reproduction factory
literature. Well preserved, stylish and a CCCA full classic, this
magnificent 16-cylinder Cadillac is perfectly suited for touring or
exhibition and would make an impressive cornerstone for any
collection of significant automobiles. Offers welcome and trades
considered ? For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7554-1930-cadillac-v16-all-weather-phaeton-by-fleetwood/
