Vehicle Description
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
