For Sale: 1930 Cadillac V16 in Saint Louis, Missouri

n 1930, Cadillac made a bold statement in the luxury automobile market with the introduction of its groundbreaking sixteen-cylinder engine. The V16, along with its twelve-cylinder counterpart, ignited a competitive race among prestige manufacturers to develop multi-cylinder engines. However, this era of innovation coincided with the onset of the Great Depression, which proved to be the undoing of many luxury automakers, including Marmon, Auburn, and Pierce-Arrow, who lacked the financial resources to weather the economic downturn. With few true rivals, the Cadillac V16 emerged as one of the most desirable prestige automobiles of its time, offering an impressive 175 horsepower and an unmatched level of refinement. Designated as the Series 452 in reference to its displacement, the V16 shared its overhead-valve architecture with the smaller Series 370 V12, delivering ample power for the stately, custom-crafted coachwork that defined Cadillac's flagship model.
To accommodate the robust V16, Cadillac engineers developed a reinforced chassis, incorporating power-assisted brakes and an advanced "Clashless" synchronized gearbox to improve drivability. The Series 452 bodies were produced primarily by General Motors' in-house coachbuilders, Fisher and Fleetwood, with only a small number outsourced to independent firms. Buyers could choose from nearly one hundred body and wheelbase configurations, ensuring the exclusivity necessary to compete with the finest offerings from Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza. Styling was overseen by Harley Earl's newly formed Art and Colour Section, marking a turning point in General Motors' design philosophy and setting a precedent for future luxury models. While initial sales in 1930 were promising, demand dwindled as the economic crisis deepened. Despite Cadillac losing money on nearly every unit sold, the V16 remains one of the most significant achievements of American automotive engineering in the 1930s. Today, it is celebrated as one of the most coveted and prestigious classic motorcars, a testament to Cadillac's commitment to innovation and excellence in an era of unparalleled luxury.
This extraordinary V-16 Cadillac is a rare gem, one of just 85 Sport Phaetons constructed, bearing the style number 4260, and was one of the very first built, bearing body #2. This Sport Phaeton was Fisher order #2587; the factory build sheet lists the model (in error) as an "All-Weather Phaeton" , style 4260, whereas it is definitely a dual windshield, special phaeton. It is one of five consecutively numbered V-16 models that were shipped to Copenhagen, Denmark in June 1930 for a promotional tour through 9 European countries. When the tour ended, the car was acquired by Parisian coachbuilder, Jacques Saoutchik. The original body was removed, but the firewall and about five inches of the cowl were retained, to which Saoutchik designed and built on this chassis a custom, semi-convertible sedan, utilizing the original front fenders, hood, running boards and most importantly the body plate on his new creation. In the 1980's the car was reimported to the U.S., and by the mid 1980's this car, along with a5-passenger sedan (#700979, style 4330) were owned by noted V16 collector Steve Nanini. Steve subsequently sold both cars to V-16 enthusiast Fred Weber of St. Louis, Mo. Fred had a new Sport Phaeton body constructed to return the car to its original 1930 specifications, utilizing the original cowl and the other original items to the car. Once the body was completed, Fred sold the unfinished project back to Mr. Nanani, who completed the restoration. Mr. Weber then mounted the Saoutchik body on the 5P sedan chassis and restored it as well.
Subsequently, the Cadillac found itself in the hands of a dedicated Midwest collector for the last two plus decades, taking pride of place in the collection. Awarded Full Classic� status by the Classic Car Club of America in 2001, the car has been actively shown in CCCA competition and achieved Premier status.
The elegant livery of two-tone grey green is adorned with painted wire wheels, polished spokes, whitewall tires, polished hood louvers and a tan cloth top and matching boot. The paintwork remains in good order, wearing the years since its restoration extremely well. The top is also very good overall, save for a minor stain, and has a removeable transparent plastic rain cover to protect it. The fit and finish are extremely nice, and the chrome is largely in very good order. It is lavishly detailed with a proper Cadillac Goddess mascot, chromed hood vents, Pilot-Ray driving lights, twin long-trumpet horns, dual sidemount spares wheels and body color [painted wire wheels with polished stainless spokes.
Like the exterior, the interior is fabulously detailed and very well presented, showing little use on the restoration. Green leather on the seats appears virtually unworn, and the excellent carpeting and door panels are accented with exquisite woodwork on the dash, door caps and rear passenger fascia. The original AC speedometer reads 120 mph - which must have seemed astonishing in 1930. A Jaeger eight-day clock keeps time, and the instrumentation is replicated in the rear for passengers to keep an eye should the driver be having too much fun exploiting all of that power.
Cadillac's formidable V16 engine is celebrated as the first engine to incorporate input from a styling department. Per Harley Earl's directives, all extraneous wiring and plumbing are concealed, and the black porcelain enamel valve covers feature silver fluted accents. These engines are renowned for their refinement. Apart from routine maintenance, the V16 remains in excellent cosmetic condition, boasting meticulous detailing and period-correct hardware and fittings.
Elegant, imposing, and powerful, the Cadillac Series 452 is undoubtedly a star of the Classic Era. In spite of the fact that there are some years on the restoration, this Cadillac still looks remarkably fresh. This marvelous example benefits from years of attentive care and is a superb choice for Classic Car Club of America tours or similar events where the V16's exceptional power and refinement can be experienced firsthand.

Offers welcome and trades considered