Vehicle Description
1931�Cadillac V-16 Madame X Imperial Landaulet Cabriolet. Body
Style #4155-C. One of two built with a collapsible rear quarter.
Rare Fleetwood�Madam X body style. One of the most elegant of the
V-16 Cadillac's. Engine Number: 702584 ��� On January 4, 1930, New
Yorkers were treated to an automotive unveiling like no other. At
the opening of the National Automobile Show at the Grand Central
Palace, Cadillac unveiled the world's first production V-16
automobile engine. Aesthetically, this engine was a work of art and
it was said to be the first automobile engine that was truly
designed with visual aesthetics in mind. While the new
sixteen-cylinder engine was beautiful to look at, its performance
statistics were impressive as well. The new, V-16 engine boasted a
cubic inch displacement of 452 while producing 185 horsepower. This
was almost five times the horsepower as a 1930 Ford Model A. The
new engine was designed with two, separate, eight-cylinder engine
blocks that were topped with overhead valve cylinder heads. Each
cylinder block was carbureted with a separate carburetor and a
separate fuel delivery system. The new engine was mounted on
Cadillac's new 148-inch wheelbase chassis, which had been designed
specifically for the new model. ����� While the engine was a
mechanical masterpiece, the exterior design of the new Cadillac
V-16 was a design achievement as well. Buyers could choose from a
variety of 54 bodies, with the most ornate and most expensive being
part of the so-called 4100 series, a group of closed body styles
distinguished by sporty 18-degree slanted windshields and narrow
window pillars that were edged in chrome. The name� "Madame X" was
applied to the style, after a famous stage play of the era. It was
a name never used by Cadillac, but has been enthusiastically
adopted by collectors. These bodies were designed and built by
Fleetwood. This extremely rare 1931 Cadillac V-16 uses the
Fleetwood body style designation of 4155. The proper name for this
particular body style, as designated by Fleetwood, is an Imperial
Landaulet Cabriolet. It is one of only eighteen #4155 landaulet
body styles built for the V-16 chassis. This particular example is
more specifically designated as a 4155-C and is believed to be one
of only two Imperial Landaulets built with a convertible top that
opens to expose only the rear seating area-a design that was made
popular by many of the famous European coachbuilders of the period.
This car was sold new and delivered to the Cadillac dealer in
Antwerp, Belgium through General Motor's Export Division. At some
point, it found its way to Switzerland. The last European owner
retained this car for nearly 40 years before it was sold to a
collector in the United States in 2012. Most recently, this car has
been part of a major, east coast collection of prewar cars. Today,
this vehicle is predominantly original having only had some
cosmetic restoration over the years, which has served well to
protect and preserve this impressive motorcar. The body is
extremely straight, solid and tight. The doors open and close with
a solid feel and fit the body with even gaps and margins. The body
appears to retain all of its original wood, which has been well
preserved and today remains solid throughout. Numerous pieces of
wood found on this body show both the Fleetwood name as well as the
body style and body number clearly stamped. The hood aligns
properly with the cowl and radiator shell. The fenders align well
and the bottoms are just as clean as the tops. The maroon and black
exterior paint was likely refinished many years ago but today
remains extremely clean and presentable. The car retains all of its
correct and proper V-16 items such as the bumpers, headlights, cowl
lights, horns, stone guard, gauges, hubcaps, etc. Under the hood,
the original and correct sixteen-cylinder engine, #702584, is
largely original and very clean. For reliable driving, later Solex
carburetors are being used with an updated fuel pump instead of the
original and sometimes troublesome, Cadillac carburetors. A pair of
Cadillac carburetors from the same era are included in the sale.
The firewall retains the original trim tag, which clearly labels
the car as the rare, 4155-C Imperial Landaulet Cabriolet, body
number 18. The car also has an interesting and original brass data
tag used for export models only. A copy of the original Cadillac
build sheet, which accompanies this car, clearly indicates that
this V-16 Cadillac retains its original engine, chassis and body
components. Unlike many other V-16 Cadillacs that have been
assembled from parts, this example is original throughout and well
documented. The interior is finished in period correct, wool
broadcloth. The interior was professionally replaced many years ago
and appears to be correct and is in very nice condition. The rear
compartment includes vanity lights and built-in arm rests. The
dashboard retains all of its proper gauges and controls and
features a rare Kilometer speedometer that shows the mileage to be
43,861, which is very likely to be original. The thin, die-cast
trim ring is missing from the dashboard, although we believe
reproductions of this part are available. The folding landau top is
in very good condition and fully functional. This car is equipped
with the typical period and factory accessories one would expect on
a Cadillac V-16 including dual side mounted spare tires, a
rear-mounted luggage rack, white wall tires, Cadillac's Goddess
mascot, and a radiator stone guard. ��� This is a Cadillac V-16 of
fine character and elegance. It is an authentic and documented car
that has been well cared for. This Imperial Cabriolet is ideal for
enjoyment on Classic Car Club of America CARavans and other tours.
It will certainly be a welcomed participant at any of the nations
leading concours d'elegances.
