1931 Cadillac Series 452A V-16 Coach Sill Convertible
1931 Cadillac Series 452A V-16 Coach Sill Convertible
Coachwork by Fleetwood
Chassis no. 7-2921
Engine no. 702807
452ci OHV V-16 Engine
2 Twin-Choke Cadillac Carburetors
165bhp at 3,400rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*1 of 7 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertibles remaining
*Exquisite, multi-year concours ready restoration by marque experts to factory specs
*Know history from new, complete numbers matching example retaining original coachwork
*Showcased in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon
THE V-16 CADILLAC
Cadillac astonished the world's automotive elite when it introduced a spectacular new ultra-luxury car, powered by an amazing 16-cylinder engine, at the 1930 New York Auto Show. This new super-sized Cadillac was clearly a General Motors response to the Duesenberg Model J, introduced by E. L. Cord the year before. However, while the snarl of the Duesenberg straight eight flaunted its raw, race-bred power, the Cadillac V-16 would set new benchmarks for smooth, silent and superbly impressive performance.
Cadillac created the V-16 to compete with and exceed the standards of the best automobiles in the world. GM dispatched a group of the new cars to Europe, where the Continent's most erudite automotive connoisseurs were invited to compare, first-hand, the beauty and substance of the Cadillac V-16 against the upper-crust cars of the time -including Isotta-Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes-Benz and, of course, Rolls-Royce. An impressive number of early V-16s were exported as a result.
The heart of the Cadillac V-16 was of course its magnificent engine. Displacing a total of 452 cubic inches on all its sixteen cylinders, it featured overhead valves, and produced up to 185 horsepower. Beautifully detailed and meticulously sculpted, the engine's appearance was just as awe-inspiring as its soon-to-be-legendary smoothness and quietness.
The vast majority of V-16 Cadillacs produced were built and sold in the 1930 model year. Nineteen thirty-one was essentially a continuation of the 1930 specifications and design. While there were continuous running improvements to the car's equipment and engineering, there was no official change from one model year to the next, though historians consider the 1931 models to have begun at serial number 702888 and ended at 703251. Thus only 363 1931 V-16s are known to have been produced making them considerably rarer than the 1930 models, but available in the same dizzying roster of available Fleetwood and Fisher styles.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This stunning 1931 V-16 Coach Sill Coupe Convertible (style 4235) rolled off of the production line on October 30th, 1930. The coach built beauty was built specifically to be showcased in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon. While on display, the V-16 caught the eye of Pat Carr, a gentleman who lived in Casper Wyoming and owned the Grand Hotel there, along with oil holdings in Texas and casinos in South Dakota. Mr. Carr purchased the car right away and took it back to Casper. After a number of years, Mr. Carr gifted the engineering marvel to his son. It is reported that the convertible was used regularly on trips from Wyoming to Texas. The Cadillac would then make its way to Mr. Dolph of Goose Egg Springs Wyoming, just southwest of Casper. Mr. Dolph would put the brilliant specimen into storage where it would remain until after the World War when the it was purchased by Oscar Annis of Alcova Wyoming. In 1947 Mr. Dolf commissioned a full repaint and had the convertible top replaced. He would use the car on his ranch and around town for the next 20 years before finally parting ways in 1965 when it was acquired by Arvin Martensen of Loveland Colorado. Mr. Martensen owned and maintained the Antique Auto House in Loveland where the V-16 was part of a wonderful collection. Early in 1969, the Antique Auto House and all of its assets, including the 1931 Cadillac V-16 Coach Sill Convertible were purchased by John Bergquist. Mr. Bergquist would disperse the auto houses assets later that year and the car was purchased by Lawton Clark of Amarillo Texas. In 1976 the car was acquired by "Cadillac" Jim Pearson, a well-known early Cadillac restorer. In the mid 1980s, the car was then acquired by Dick Gold of Minnesota. Mr. Gold was a past president of the Classic Car Club of America and was known to collect incredible Cadillacs.
In 1990, the consignor came across the V-16 while it was under Mr. Golds stewardship; he instantly fell in love and had to have the rare Coach Sill Convertible. After some intense negotiations, he was finally able to wrangle the car from Mr. Gold. After enjoying the car for a number of years the consignor wanted to bring the car back to its former glory and sent it back to non-other than the leading early Cadillac expert and good friend, "Cadillac" Jim Pearson in Kansas City. What was going to initially be just a cosmetic refresh turned into a complete nut-and-bolt concourse restoration. During the restoration process, Cadillac Jim passed away. After his passing, Jim's protégé and son, Sonny Elliot, who worked with Jim since he was just 17 years old took over responsibilities with his son Jeff. Sonny and Jeff are now top experts regarding these early model Cadillacs. During the restoration, the full numbers matching car was brought back to its factory original configuration in accordance with its Cadillac build sheet which was supplied by the GM historical services archive. The multi-year restoration was completed in 2019. Since completion, the car has only traveled a few test miles to ensure that everything is properly dialed in. Presently, the car is in spectacular condition and faithfully represents it appearance in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon. The quality of the restoration must be seen in person to fully appreciate the attention to detail and level of the expert finishes. The underside of the car is just as detailed and correct as the top side.
Having never been shown at a major event, this extremely rare V-16 Coach Sill Convertible would be welcomed at any national event and would without a doubt be a serious contender for a major award at Hershey, Amelia Island, or Pebble Beach. It is believed that only seven 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertibles remain in the world. With its known history from new, gorgeous factory configuration, complete numbers matching components, and incredible concourse ready condition, this is surely the finest example in existence.
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1931 Cadillac Series 452A V-16 Coach Sill Convertible
Coachwork by Fleetwood
Chassis no. 7-2921
Engine no. 702807
452ci OHV V-16 Engine
2 Twin-Choke Cadillac Carburetors
165bhp at 3,400rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*1 of 7 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertibles remaining
*Exquisite, multi-year concours ready restoration by marque experts to factory specs
*Know history from new, complete numbers matching example retaining original coachwork
*Showcased in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon
THE V-16 CADILLAC
Cadillac astonished the world's automotive elite when it introduced a spectacular new ultra-luxury car, powered by an amazing 16-cylinder engine, at the 1930 New York Auto Show. This new super-sized Cadillac was clearly a General Motors response to the Duesenberg Model J, introduced by E. L. Cord the year before. However, while the snarl of the Duesenberg straight eight flaunted its raw, race-bred power, the Cadillac V-16 would set new benchmarks for smooth, silent and superbly impressive performance.
Cadillac created the V-16 to compete with and exceed the standards of the best automobiles in the world. GM dispatched a group of the new cars to Europe, where the Continent's most erudite automotive connoisseurs were invited to compare, first-hand, the beauty and substance of the Cadillac V-16 against the upper-crust cars of the time -including Isotta-Fraschini, Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes-Benz and, of course, Rolls-Royce. An impressive number of early V-16s were exported as a result.
The heart of the Cadillac V-16 was of course its magnificent engine. Displacing a total of 452 cubic inches on all its sixteen cylinders, it featured overhead valves, and produced up to 185 horsepower. Beautifully detailed and meticulously sculpted, the engine's appearance was just as awe-inspiring as its soon-to-be-legendary smoothness and quietness.
The vast majority of V-16 Cadillacs produced were built and sold in the 1930 model year. Nineteen thirty-one was essentially a continuation of the 1930 specifications and design. While there were continuous running improvements to the car's equipment and engineering, there was no official change from one model year to the next, though historians consider the 1931 models to have begun at serial number 702888 and ended at 703251. Thus only 363 1931 V-16s are known to have been produced making them considerably rarer than the 1930 models, but available in the same dizzying roster of available Fleetwood and Fisher styles.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This stunning 1931 V-16 Coach Sill Coupe Convertible (style 4235) rolled off of the production line on October 30th, 1930. The coach built beauty was built specifically to be showcased in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon. While on display, the V-16 caught the eye of Pat Carr, a gentleman who lived in Casper Wyoming and owned the Grand Hotel there, along with oil holdings in Texas and casinos in South Dakota. Mr. Carr purchased the car right away and took it back to Casper. After a number of years, Mr. Carr gifted the engineering marvel to his son. It is reported that the convertible was used regularly on trips from Wyoming to Texas. The Cadillac would then make its way to Mr. Dolph of Goose Egg Springs Wyoming, just southwest of Casper. Mr. Dolph would put the brilliant specimen into storage where it would remain until after the World War when the it was purchased by Oscar Annis of Alcova Wyoming. In 1947 Mr. Dolf commissioned a full repaint and had the convertible top replaced. He would use the car on his ranch and around town for the next 20 years before finally parting ways in 1965 when it was acquired by Arvin Martensen of Loveland Colorado. Mr. Martensen owned and maintained the Antique Auto House in Loveland where the V-16 was part of a wonderful collection. Early in 1969, the Antique Auto House and all of its assets, including the 1931 Cadillac V-16 Coach Sill Convertible were purchased by John Bergquist. Mr. Bergquist would disperse the auto houses assets later that year and the car was purchased by Lawton Clark of Amarillo Texas. In 1976 the car was acquired by "Cadillac" Jim Pearson, a well-known early Cadillac restorer. In the mid 1980s, the car was then acquired by Dick Gold of Minnesota. Mr. Gold was a past president of the Classic Car Club of America and was known to collect incredible Cadillacs.
In 1990, the consignor came across the V-16 while it was under Mr. Golds stewardship; he instantly fell in love and had to have the rare Coach Sill Convertible. After some intense negotiations, he was finally able to wrangle the car from Mr. Gold. After enjoying the car for a number of years the consignor wanted to bring the car back to its former glory and sent it back to non-other than the leading early Cadillac expert and good friend, "Cadillac" Jim Pearson in Kansas City. What was going to initially be just a cosmetic refresh turned into a complete nut-and-bolt concourse restoration. During the restoration process, Cadillac Jim passed away. After his passing, Jim's protégé and son, Sonny Elliot, who worked with Jim since he was just 17 years old took over responsibilities with his son Jeff. Sonny and Jeff are now top experts regarding these early model Cadillacs. During the restoration, the full numbers matching car was brought back to its factory original configuration in accordance with its Cadillac build sheet which was supplied by the GM historical services archive. The multi-year restoration was completed in 2019. Since completion, the car has only traveled a few test miles to ensure that everything is properly dialed in. Presently, the car is in spectacular condition and faithfully represents it appearance in the 1931 Chicago Auto Salon. The quality of the restoration must be seen in person to fully appreciate the attention to detail and level of the expert finishes. The underside of the car is just as detailed and correct as the top side.
Having never been shown at a major event, this extremely rare V-16 Coach Sill Convertible would be welcomed at any national event and would without a doubt be a serious contender for a major award at Hershey, Amelia Island, or Pebble Beach. It is believed that only seven 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertibles remain in the world. With its known history from new, gorgeous factory configuration, complete numbers matching components, and incredible concourse ready condition, this is surely the finest example in existence.
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