Former "Boot Legger" car with special equipment
1928 Cadillac 353 V-8 Coupe

Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia Auction|11 October 2020, 13:00 EDT|Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

1928 Cadillac 353 V-8 Coupe
Engine no. 309994

314.5ci Side Valve V-8 Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
83bhp at 3,00rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Suspension by Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Mechanical Brakes

*Fascinating piece of prohibition history
*Equipped with an elaborate police evading smoke screen
*Desirable convertible coupe coachwork

THE CADILLAC V-8

Cadillac's imposing Model V63 was the culmination of a series of cars which shared the same basic engine design as the 1914 Type 51. This special model was custom-built by Fisher on a 138 inch wheelbase, on one of just four chassis of this length built in 1924. Color and trim were to the owner's specification and the finish generally was to a significantly higher standard than the shorter chassis-ed standard production models. The technically highly advanced side-valve engine featured the first ever inherently balanced two plane crankshaft ever fitted to a production motor car.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The Prohibition era caused a huge industry of illicit alcohol trafficking. Boot leggers used to run booze across borders doing their best to evade the authorities. The more clever drivers would seek out the best performing cars and modify them to suit their needs. Enter the V-8 Cadillacs, which were well-known for both their power and reliability.

This is an amazing piece of American Prohibition era boot legging history. Equipped with an elaborate smoke screen system on the firewall, the Auto pulse fuel pump injects oil from a reservoir into the exhaust stem to produce a sliding wall of smoke. If the powerful Cadillac could not outrun the police, this smoke screen helped evade capture.

Found in complete condition a little over ten years ago, when discovered the rumble seat had been removed to allow for extra contraband storage. Since this time the car received some cosmetic restoration including a paint job, new top, new upholstery and a re-nickeling to much of the bright work. The chassis and mechanicals have been left in largely original condition as has the smoke screen device.

Perfect for a museum display or a great conversation piece at a show, this Cadillac represents a rare and fascinating piece of history to survive from this notorious era.

Saleroom notices

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