1930 Cadillac V-16

Engine no. 700847

• First-year Cadillac Series 452 V-16 fitted with its original roadster coachwork
• Offered from the General William Lyon Collection
• Mellowed restoration ideally suited for tours or comprehensive concours restoration
• Finished in its factory-correct English Gray with contrasting dark gray fenders
• Equipped with dual side mount spares and Pilot Ray driving lamps
• Once property of legendary collector Bill Harrah

Cadillac entered the 1930s at the very top of the American luxury-car market, and nothing demonstrated the companys ambition more clearly than the introduction of its magnificent V-16. Developed under the direction of Cadillac chief engineer Ernest Seaholm, the new sixteen-cylinder engine was not simply an exercise in excess, but a remarkably sophisticated and refined powerplant designed to deliver effortless performance with exceptional smoothness. Displacing 452 cubic inches and producing 175 horsepower, the overhead-valve V-16 was beautifully engineered and equally beautifully finished, with concealed wiring and plumbing giving the engine compartment an unusually clean and almost architectural appearance.

Introduced for 1930, the Series 452 V-16 immediately became one of the most prestigious automobiles available in America. Cadillac offered an extraordinary range of bodies, most by Fleetwood, allowing buyers to specify everything from formal limousines to sporting open cars. Among the most desirable was Style 4302, the two-passenger roadster with rumble seat. Its long hood, low windshield, sweeping fenders, and compact passenger compartment gave the enormous V-16 chassis a particularly sporting appearance, while the rumble seat provided occasional additional accommodation without disturbing the roadsters elegant proportions.

This 1930 Cadillac V-16 is fitted with its original Fleetwood roadster coachwork, Style 4302. Identified by its engine number, 700847, factory records show it was invoiced number 4A 4001 and shipped on April 2, 1930, with Detroit listed as its destination. It was originally finished in English Gray with dark gray fenders and equipped with dual side mount spare wheels and Pilot Ray driving lamps, a particularly attractive specification for Cadillacs flagship model.

While little is presently known of its early ownership history, the Cadillacs known history begins with its acquisition by legendary collector Bill Harrah in 1967. It is believed the V-16 was restored under the ownership of Harrah, as he often did with so many of his cars in his in-house restoration shop. After his passing, Harrahs retained the car until 1986, when it was acquired by Major Gen. William Lyons collection, where it has resided since.

In its current form, the Fleetwood-clothed V-16 has taken on a mellow appeal. The paint, now aged in appearance, shows the light wear and patina one would expect from a restoration that has been enjoyed rather than preserved purely for show. The body retains the commanding proportions that make the Fleetwood Roadster so appealing, while the contrasting dark gray fenders and trimline, dual side mounts, and period driving lamps give the car considerable presence from any angle.

The interior is in similarly well-kept, older-restored condition. The plain-stretched black leather bench seat, surrounding upholstery, trim, and fittings have mellowed sympathetically and remain inviting rather than overly formal, giving the cockpit the comfortable character of a car that is meant to be driven. The black canvas convertible top offers similar condition, with both the bows and canvas remaining in good order. The instrument panel and controls retain the rich visual appeal associated with Cadillacs finest cars of the era, while the rumble seat adds both charm and practicality to the otherwise intimate roadster body.

Under the hood, the magnificent V-16 remains the centerpiece. Even at rest, Cadillacs sixteen-cylinder engine is an impressive piece of machinery, and its refined design remains one of the great engineering achievements of the Classic Era. Combined with the long-wheelbase chassis, hydraulic brakes, and carefully engineered running gear, it gave the Series 452 a level of refinement and ease that few automobiles of the period could match.

Offered from the renowned General William Lyon Collection, this Cadillac strikes an appealing balance between presentation and usability. It is sufficiently well preserved to remain an impressive example of the model yet mellowed enough that its next owner can enjoy it on tours, club events, and casual road use without the concerns that often accompany a freshly restored concours car. At the same time, the desirability of the underlying specification makes it an excellent candidate for a future high-level restoration should its next caretaker wish to return it to the standard of the finest judged examples.

With its first-year V-16 chassis, handsome Fleetwood Style 4302 roadster coachwork, documented factory specification, and desirable open configuration, this Cadillac represents one of the most compelling expressions of the marques extraordinary ambitions at the dawn of the 1930s.

Offers welcome and trades considered.