1931 Cadillac Series 452A

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1931 Cadillac V-16 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton Model 452A, Style 4260 by Fleetwood

This 1931 Cadillac has a genuine sport phaeton body, one of 85 built with known history dating back to 1935. Phaetons, derived from light and open four-wheeled carriages, were open-air automobiles without any fixed weather protection. They were popular from the 1900s until the 1930s when closed vehicles and convertibles became more widely available. Cadillacs' Sport Phaeton, however, was more than just a means of transportation; it was a status symbol filled with luxury options. The Sport Phaeton lacked roll-up windows, unlike its counterpart, the All Weather Phaeton or Convertible Sedan, but the model is a much rarer vehicle.

This genuine V-16 sport phaeton was shipped new to the Hollywood, California, dealership of Don Lee on July 19, 1930. The first owner is listed as Douglas Fairbanks Sr., who had ownership for five years before transferring ownership to G. Thatcher Darwin, who enjoyed ownership of this car as his everyday automobile. He also chauffeured his mother and aunt on a memorable trip up Mount Wilson for a sightseeing journey. The coachwork was designed by Fleetwood Metal Body Co. in Fleetwood, PA, known for crafting high-quality, custom-built luxury bodies for many classic vehicles.

The car was purchased just after World War II by Colonel George Van Deusen, commanding officer of the Air Force base in Tucson, Arizona, who enjoyed ownership until 1968, when it was sold to V-16 car enthusiast Paul Schinner in 1968 where it was dubbed "a forty-year project" of restoration. The restoration was finally completed in November 2024 with complete new leather upholstery, rugs, top irons, oak bows, and a new fabric top. Many correct parts were located and fitted to the completed project car, which included engine pans, side mount wheel covers, wind wings, trumpet horns, trunk rack, correct bumper hardware, and a completely rebuilt and restored V-16 engine.


MODEL: 452A

STYLE: 4260

CHASSIS NO: 7-2577

BODY NO: 50

BODY BY: Fleetwood

VIN: MVD39694

DOCUMENTATION: US Title


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.