1931 Cadillac V-16

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1931 Cadillac V-16 Model 452 Custom Victoria Body by Lancefield

MODEL: 452
Sporty one-off coachwork by Lancefield of London
1931 Earls Court Motor Show car in London
Well known ownership history
Chassis No. 702873
Documentation: US Title

The dark times of the Great Depression took its toll on many of Americas great car builders. Before the stock market crash, societys elite had the choice of great cars like Marmon, Duesenberg, Stutz, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow, all with custom bodies from any of the great coachbuilders. When the U.S. emerged from this era, all these great cars had been relegated to the pages of history. One can only wonder what would have become of Cadillac were it not for the deep pockets of General Motors, which not only managed to build some astounding cars during the Great Depression but also threw caution to the wind and built the mighty V-16 engine. If ones place in society was determined by the number of cylinders in one's car, the Cadillac V-16 proclaimed to the world that its owner held a lofty place in the social order. This was an exclusive engine for the very few who could afford its lofty price tag. In the present day, these engines are a marvel as they idle silently and run with the whisper-quiet competence of a Rolls-Royce. At the very pinnacle of the Classic Era, the mighty Cadillac V-16 had no equal.

Cadillacs magnificent V-16 never looked better than in this 1930 Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Lancefield of England. Long, low, and sleek are just a few of the words that describe this incredibly elegant car that features Cadillacs fine mechanicals with bespoke European coachwork. The chassis was shipped to Lancefields London shop in 1930 and, upon completion, was exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show in London. The history and provenance of this Cadillac are known, as it was owned by the same family for over 60 years before coming to the U.S. in the 1990s. It then underwent a full restoration, during which it was refinished in its present livery of a two-tone black and green that accentuates its beautifully sculptured lines. This Cadillac then spent some time in an Austrian collection and participated in several prestigious events. Upon its return to the U.S., it was prominently displayed at such respected shows as the Greenwich Concours dElegance in 2011 and the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2012. As one of Londons finest coachbuilders, Lancefield was well known for its ability to create sporty lines on large and opulent cars, and this example is no exception.

Indeed, Chassis #702873 typifies the very pinnacle of the classic motorcar with its incredibly long hood and low-cut windshield with a steep angle that gives it just the right degree of bravura. At the rear is an accessory luggage trunk for extended touring, and the interior is finished in fine russet brown leather that is so elegant it carries the look and feel of sumptuously fine furniture. Very few cars carry the sheer elegance of the jewel-like gauges of this Cadillac, and the fine woodwork speaks to an era of true craftsmanship.

The Cadillac V-16 is a car that represents the very finest of the Classic Era, and this Victoria is special in that it carries its American chassis, fine European coachwork, and a level of sophistication that is both rare and beautiful. The chance to own a car like this is perhaps as rare as the car itself. For the very best, from the very heart of the best years of the motorcar, this Lancefield-built Convertible Victoria, with V-16 power, represents an opportunity to own a unique piece of automotive history.

Won Best of Show at the 2019 Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Series in New Britain, Connecticut.


*Vehicle shipment not included. Please call or email to arrange transportation.


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.