Vehicle Description
In 1930, Cadillac made waves in the luxury car industry with the
sensational debut of their all-new sixteen-cylinder engine. The
sixteen and its twelve-cylinder sibling kicked off the so-called
multi-cylinder war among luxury car manufacturers, which
unfortunately coincided with the Great Depression. Unfortunately,
this era coincided with the onset of the Great Depression,
ultimately spelling the end for Marmon, Auburn, Pierce-Arrow, and
others that tried to compete but lacked the financial means to
survive the ensuing economic meltdown. With few peers, the Cadillac
V16 shone as one of America's most sought-after prestige motorcars,
offering 175 horsepower and unparalleled refinement. Named for its
displacement in cubic inches, the Series 452 V16 shared its
architecture and sophisticated overhead-valve layout with the
smaller Series 370 V12. The engine was more than up to the task of
propelling appropriately large and heavy coachwork, typically in
the form of elaborate, lavishly trimmed limousines and sedans from
GM's primary body suppliers, Fleetwood and Fisher. To accommodate
the big, powerful V16 engine, engineers developed a strengthened
chassis and added power-assisted brakes and a "Clashless"
synchronized gearbox. General Motors utilized in-house
coachbuilders Fisher and Fleetwood to build the bodies for the new
Series 452, with only a select few cars going to outside firms.
Nearly one hundred body and wheelbase combinations were possible,
which ensured the exclusivity necessary if Cadillac hoped to lure
buyers from the likes of Rolls-Royce or Hispano-Suiza. The styling
came from Harley Earl's newly established Art and Colour Section at
GM, while Fisher and Fleetwood crafted the beautiful bodies.
Initial sales were robust for 1930 but tapered off dramatically in
subsequent years as the Great Depression worsened. Despite losing
money on nearly every unit produced, the Cadillac V16 remains a
proud symbol of Detroit's achievements in the 1930s and stands as
one of America's most coveted classic motorcars. This extraordinary
V-16 Cadillac is a rare gem, one of just 35 Transformable Town
Cabriolets ever constructed, bearing the style number 4325, and
only a handful have survived to this day. With bodywork constructed
in Fleetwood's factory works in Pennsylvania, the body featured
Fleetwood's distinctively Vee'd windscreen and matching trim
molding along the spine of the hoodline that gently transitioned
into the beltline wrapping the car. According to copies of factory
build records, the Cadillac was delivered new to New York City's
famed Uppercu Cadillac Company. In 1946, the elegant Town Cabriolet
was registered in Los Angeles, California to J.R. Adams. It was
still an original and unrestored machine when "Cadillac Jim"
Pearson of Kansas City, Missouri sold the car to V-16 enthusiast
Fred Weber. This vehicle marked the final V-16 to undergo a
comprehensive restoration in Mr. Weber's collection, with the
painstaking work entrusted to Marc Ohm. The finished car made its
debut at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it
claimed a prestigious class award. Subsequently, the Cadillac found
itself in the hands of dedicated collector John McMullen in Lapeer,
Michigan. Featured on the cover of the September/October 1995 issue
of the CCCA's Michigan Region magazine, Torque, McMullen proudly
declared the acquisition as "the dream of my life." The car graced
CCCA competitions, amassing a top score of 99.5 points and
achieving Senior Emeritus status in 2006. It also garnered Best in
Class awards at both the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance and Eyes
on Design. The elegant livery is adorned with painted wire wheels,
polished spokes, whitewall tires, a padded black leather roof for
the passengers, and a black cloth top for the driver's compartment.
The driver's compartment features black leather upholstery, while
the passenger cabin boasts exquisite gray broadcloth-a common
choice for chauffeur-driven cars of that era. Woodgrain accents
adorn the door tops, central divider panel, and dashboard. A
roll-up division window separates the luxurious passenger
compartment from the driver's area. The soft trim has been
impeccably maintained since the restoration. 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, and this particular
example is no exception, as it runs superbly, having undergone an
overhaul by RM Auto Restoration in 2008. 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. 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 For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7602-1930-cadillac-v16-transformable-town-cabriolet/
