1918 Cadillac Type 57

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1918 Cadillac Roadster Type 57

The 1918 Roadster Type 57

It is often forgotten that the 1918 Cadillac represented quite a significant step forward for the company, as its first ever-so-subtle step towards a modern, and indeed, streamlined design. The restyled bodywork now featured a hood and cowl that formed a continuous line to the windshield, and both the hood louvers and windshield were inclined by six degrees, giving the car a bit sportier appearance. Cadillac audaciously offered their V-8-powered automobile in no fewer than 17 body styles, including five different limousine configurations alone. It was truly one of Americas best-engineered automobiles, and a great credit to its creators.

The most beautiful of the 1918 Cadillacs was undoubtedly the two-passenger roadster, of which the car offered here is a high-quality example. In the consignors ownership this car underwent a complete, body-off restoration, reportedly taking some seven years to complete, and including a full rebuild of the V-8 engine. The cars build sheet indicates that this engine number was originally mounted in a town landaulet, while the body shell is an original, likely from another example, rebuilt with new wood. The body was finished in a rich royal blue, with black leather interior to both the drivers compartment and rumble seat, with accents of a black fabric top, blue wooden-spoke artillery wheels, and blackwall tires. Nickel accents throughout are few and subtle, including the headlamps, radiator gauge, and hubcaps, while the rear-mounted spare adds an appropriately jaunty and jazzy touch.

The meticulous restoration was completed in 2018, in time for the cars 100th birthday, after which it was exhibited at a handful of East Coast events. It has otherwise been well-preserved within the owners distinguished collection of pre-war Cadillacs, with occasional exercise. Undoubtedly few 1918 Cadillacs have been restored to such a high standard of presentation and finish.

A striking example of a significant model within the history of the storied marque, this car is deserving of the greatest collection of The Standard of the World.

+One of the most beautiful Cadillacs of its era

+Attractively presented full restoration

+Well-preserved since completion; a fine example

+Engine No.57H658

-RM Sothebys, 2025


+Complete seven-year, body-off professional restoration with no expense spared

+Complete meticulous engine rebuild using all new parts

+Collapsible fat man wheel

+New wooden exterior

+New royal blue paint

+New black leather upholstery

+Boyce MotoMeter

+Rumble Seat

+Waltham 8-Day Dash Clock

+Warner Odometer


Cadillac

In 1902, Henry Ford left the Henry Ford Company with several of his key partners, and with Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company, they began manufacturing automobiles with Lelands single-cylinder engine. They named this venture Cadillac Automobile Company after the French explorer who founded Detroit in 1701, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, and based the logo on his coat of arms. This made Cadillac among the first automotive brands in the world, and they immediately began producing 10 HP horseless carriages called Runabouts and Tonneaus that were almost identical to the Ford Model A. Because of their precision manufacturing and reliability, they quickly accumulated orders and in 1905, merged with Leland into the Cadillac Motor Company. By 1906, they were the first volume manufacturer of a fully enclosed car and took international notice as the awards for interchangeability and reliability began to pile up.

Its no wonder that General Motors took notice of Americas premier luxury car maker and purchased it in 1909. Together, they founded the mass production of automobiles and many innovations, including (the first) full electrical systems, Synrcho-Mesh manual transmission, the first mass-produced automatic transmission, steel roofs, dual-plane crankshafts, and shatter-resistant glass. Of the three engines they developed, the V8 set the standard. They would go on to make more than large luxury vehicles, producing limousines, military vehicles, ambulances, and even hearses. In the midst of the Great Depression, they introduced the iconic V-16 engine, and sales bounced back and then some by 1940.

To this day, Cadillac automobiles remain a global brand of luxury, at the pinnacle of GMs 2.7 million vehicles sold in 2024.