For Sale at Auction: 1936 Cadillac Antique in Carmel, California

Engine No. 5110221
Body No. 24
Fleetwood Style No. 5833-S

1936 marked the penultimate model year for Cadillac's celebrated overhead valve V-16, an engine that had redefined standards of power, smoothness, and underhood presentation since its 1930 debut. Whisper-quiet in operation, the 452-cubic-inch sixteen was perfectly suited to large luxury bodies such as this Fleetwood Five-Passenger Town Sedan.

Cadillac had projected annual output of up to 400 V-16s between 1934 and 1937, yet total production across the four-year run reached only 212 cars, of which 52 were completed in 1936. Just three of those received Fleetwood Style 5833-S coachwork, the Five-Passenger Town Sedan, and chassis 51-221 (engine number 5110221) is the sole known survivor.

A Cadillac Motor Car Co. build sheet on file confirms the original specification and a shipping date of 19 April 1936, when the car was dispatched to the Chicago Branch finished in Tunis Blue over Wiese broadcloth upholstery. Factory equipment included the silver Goddess radiator mascot, six chrome wire wheels, dual fender-mounted spares with metal covers, a master radio, and whitewall tires.

Recorded ownership begins with Paul Mundt of California, who sold the Cadillac to Charles Jones in 1979. Although the car suffered a fire during Jones's tenure, it remained fundamentally sound and complete, providing an ideal foundation for the meticulous restoration that followed its 1995 acquisition from the Jones estate by William B. Ruger Jr.-the engineer, noted collector, and son of the firearms manufacturer. Ruger entrusted the comprehensive body-off rebuild to Fran Roxas-world-renowned restorer and multiple Pebble Beach First in Class award-winner-with Chris Nierstheimer fitting the Bedford cord and leather interior. Receipts on file document a total restoration cost exceeding $340,000.

Several period-correct refinements were carried out during the restoration: the dual side-mounted spares were replaced with a single trunk-mounted spare to emphasize the long front end, the dual exhaust tips were angled inward in accordance with original Cadillac drawings, and custom 3.31:1 final-drive gearing was installed for improved touring performance. Completed in 1998, the Cadillac took First in Class at both Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach that year and participated in the inaugural Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance.

In 2020, the V-16 passed from the respected Oklahoma-based collection of John D. Groendyke to The Casa Bella Macchina Collection. The only known surviving example of Fleetwood Style 5833-S, this Town Sedan remains beautifully presented and ready to once again grace the lawns of Pebble Beach and the world's finest concours.