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

*The Danbury Mint V-16, previously owned by Dr. Joseph Murphy
*Well-documented example retaining original coachwork, chassis and driveline
*Cadillac's crowning technological achievement in the most desirable Roadster form
*Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance entrant

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.

Cadillac offered a number of Fleetwood bodies for the 1930-31 Series 452A V-16 chassis. Arguably, the most stylish and collectible to this day was the Roadster. This sleek and sporting, close-coupled two-seater design by Fleetwood designated with style number 4302, was made in few examples, and carried a hefty price tag. These classic Roadsters remain the quintessential Classic Era top-of-the-line collector car.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This fine example of Cadillac's technological tour de force Series 452 V-16 sports the stylish Fleetwood Roadster body it has worn from new and is likely to be one of the best, genuine examples existence. As revealed by engine number 701056 and body number 29, It is an early example and therefore retains the early features not seen on the later 1930 and 1931 model-year V-16s, such as the lack of cowl vent and the early dash assembly.

The original owner of this stunning V-16 Roadster was William C. Bryant who lived on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. Being a local, he was able take delivery of his new Roadster at Cadillac's Detroit Assembly Plant. The car retains its original delivery tag attached to the firewall with Mr. Bryant's name - a feature that was common on V-16s that were sold directly by the factory and not by a dealership. The second owner was Wilbur Sanders, also from Detroit, who purchased the car in the 1950s. Sanders sold the car to Richard Sahlin in the 1980s. When Sahlin purchased the stylish Roadster, it was an extremely low mileage original car that had never been restored or disassembled. Sahlin commissioned noted specialists Bryan Joseph to complete the first restoration. The car was judged by the CCCA during 1990 and 1991 seasons and awarded a Senior Badge and was furthermore a class winner at the 1991 Meadowbrook Concours.

The car was quietly sold during in the early 1990s and became part of the prestigious collection of Dr. Joseph Murphy of Pennsylvania. During his ownership, the car was featured in his book In Search of Excellence: The Dr. Murphy Automobile Collection by Dennis Adler. Dr. Murphy later sold the V-16 Roadster to a private collector on the West Coast. The car was kept in a private collection during this period with the exception of being on loan to the prominent Los Angeles-based Petersen Automotive Museum for a short period of time and exhibited at the 1998 Pebble Beach Concours. The current owner acquired the V-16 about five years ago and began a re-restoration which included a new black leather interior, new black top, new paint and a complete mechanical servicing by V-16 Cadillac experts Jeff Pearson and Sonny Elliot.

Based on the original build sheet, this car retains all of its original, numbers matching components that were originally supplied with the car when it was built from new. The car retains its original Fleetwood tag as well as all of its original body wood which has been preserved in exceptional condition and is all clearly marked with the number "29". The original engine, number 701056, has recently been serviced and has been properly and accurately detailed to show condition. The chassis shows equally well and would surely be a benchmark example at a Concours d'Elegance. The sporting V-16 Roadster was refinished in its original colors as specified on the build sheet. The black leather interior and rumble seat are in exceptional condition having been replaced just two years ago by Mark Larder, while Dan Kirkpatrick created a new, properly fitted top with correct side curtains that were copied from originals.

It is believed that there are less than ten, authentic 1930-31 V-16 Roadsters in existence today. Marque experts believe that this very car is likely to be one of the best examples. Furthermore, the car was used as the model for Danbury Mint's, well-known, die-cast 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster model. It has been featured in the books Sixteen Cylinder Motorcars by Roy Schneider and Walter Mc Calls 80 Years of Cadillac and La Salle.

This historic, top-of-the-line Cadillac V-16 offers its next owner the opportunity to debut this important American Classic at any of the nation's leading Concours d'Elegance events, or event show it abroad. It is a vehicle that possesses it all: desirability, authenticity, an unbroken ownership chain from 1930 to present, as well as a fresh and correct restoration. This fine Cadillac, with its mighty 16-cylinder engine, is a top-shelf classic era automobile designed for society's elite. Now is a rare opportunity to purchase an extremely significant and completely proper 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster.