Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 519
1910 Cadillac Model 30 Tourer Chassis no. 21280 Engine no. 43969
Sold for US$42,560 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 519
1910 Cadillac Model 30 Tourer
1910 Cadillac Model 30 Tourer
Chassis no. 21280
Engine no. 43969
Chassis no. 21280
Engine no. 43969
226ci Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
30bhp at 2,300rpm
3-Speed Sliding-Gear Transmission
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*The quintessential brass-era automobile
*Believed to have formerly been part of the Indianapolis Museum of Speed Collection
*A nicely patinated example
*Potential to make a usable tour car
THE CADILLAC MODEL 30
The Model 30 was not the first four-cylinder Cadillac, but it was arguably the perfected four-cylinder Cadillac, setting a standard for quality, luxury, performance and price which positioned Cadillac for the century of leadership that followed.
As any contemporary observer will quickly recognize, the re-invention of Cadillac which the Model 30 represented was not the last time Cadillac would endure that wrenching metamorphosis. In 1909, Cadillac was only in its sixth year. It was still under the guidance of its founder, Henry Martyn Leland, and his son Wilfred, and had only five years before merged with Leland & Faulconer. It was in only its second year as part of William Crapo Durant's General Motors.
Cadillac introduced its first four-cylinder automobile in 1905, the Model D. Its arrangement of four individual cylinders with copper water jackets and unusual variable valve lift throttle system mimicked aspects of the successful Cadillac singles' design and construction. Its configuration was refined over subsequent years until 1909 when Cadillac realized the singles which had gotten it started were now a distraction from the rapidly evolving market which had come to expect greater refinement, size, reliability and power.
In 1908, there had been five different models in Cadillac's catalog. Three of them were single-cylinder powered cars, while two of them were four-cylinder powered. A year later, there was only one, the four-cylinder powered Thirty. Rationalizing the catalog and streamlining production allowed Cadillac to improve quality and at the same time lower prices by a whopping 30%!
That the Thirty met the expectations of the market is clear in its longevity. It remained the sole model in Cadillac's catalog for the next six years although the model designation changed and in 1913 an increase in stroke of 1 1/4" substantially increased displacement and brake horsepower even though the calculated rating stayed the same. Annual production went from 5,903 in 1909 to 15,018 in 1913 and 14,003 in 1914.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
In the early 2010s a small number of cars emerged from the vaults of the Indianapolis Museum of Speed, being sold privately then and dispersed privately also through dealer Charles Bronson. According to information on file, the Cadillac presented here was one of those cars, joining this collection alongside the Locomobile and Oakland. On the basis of its origins, the Cadillac was therefore almost certainly previously part of the Tony Hulman Early Wheels Collection in Terre Haute, Indianapolis, prior to their merging at the Speedway. Cars in that collection were generally acquired in adolescence of the hobby and so it is likely that even by then it has spent some 40-50 years housed at Indy.
Fitting that narrative, the Cadillac sports a road registration sticker from 1967 for Pennsylvania, and it is quite possible that this was the last time that the car saw road use. On close inspection, the car was either restored in that period, or is an extremely well preserved original car, it is a hard call to make when viewing the interior as to which option it might be.
The Model 30 Cadillac has an excellent following by enthusiasts today, providing a wonderful resource for owners in terms of knowledge and repair. They are known to be good touring cars. This charming car offers the potential to be part of that select club and to own a brand that has stood for quality from its outset.
Single Updraft Carburetor
30bhp at 2,300rpm
3-Speed Sliding-Gear Transmission
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*The quintessential brass-era automobile
*Believed to have formerly been part of the Indianapolis Museum of Speed Collection
*A nicely patinated example
*Potential to make a usable tour car
THE CADILLAC MODEL 30
The Model 30 was not the first four-cylinder Cadillac, but it was arguably the perfected four-cylinder Cadillac, setting a standard for quality, luxury, performance and price which positioned Cadillac for the century of leadership that followed.
As any contemporary observer will quickly recognize, the re-invention of Cadillac which the Model 30 represented was not the last time Cadillac would endure that wrenching metamorphosis. In 1909, Cadillac was only in its sixth year. It was still under the guidance of its founder, Henry Martyn Leland, and his son Wilfred, and had only five years before merged with Leland & Faulconer. It was in only its second year as part of William Crapo Durant's General Motors.
Cadillac introduced its first four-cylinder automobile in 1905, the Model D. Its arrangement of four individual cylinders with copper water jackets and unusual variable valve lift throttle system mimicked aspects of the successful Cadillac singles' design and construction. Its configuration was refined over subsequent years until 1909 when Cadillac realized the singles which had gotten it started were now a distraction from the rapidly evolving market which had come to expect greater refinement, size, reliability and power.
In 1908, there had been five different models in Cadillac's catalog. Three of them were single-cylinder powered cars, while two of them were four-cylinder powered. A year later, there was only one, the four-cylinder powered Thirty. Rationalizing the catalog and streamlining production allowed Cadillac to improve quality and at the same time lower prices by a whopping 30%!
That the Thirty met the expectations of the market is clear in its longevity. It remained the sole model in Cadillac's catalog for the next six years although the model designation changed and in 1913 an increase in stroke of 1 1/4" substantially increased displacement and brake horsepower even though the calculated rating stayed the same. Annual production went from 5,903 in 1909 to 15,018 in 1913 and 14,003 in 1914.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
In the early 2010s a small number of cars emerged from the vaults of the Indianapolis Museum of Speed, being sold privately then and dispersed privately also through dealer Charles Bronson. According to information on file, the Cadillac presented here was one of those cars, joining this collection alongside the Locomobile and Oakland. On the basis of its origins, the Cadillac was therefore almost certainly previously part of the Tony Hulman Early Wheels Collection in Terre Haute, Indianapolis, prior to their merging at the Speedway. Cars in that collection were generally acquired in adolescence of the hobby and so it is likely that even by then it has spent some 40-50 years housed at Indy.
Fitting that narrative, the Cadillac sports a road registration sticker from 1967 for Pennsylvania, and it is quite possible that this was the last time that the car saw road use. On close inspection, the car was either restored in that period, or is an extremely well preserved original car, it is a hard call to make when viewing the interior as to which option it might be.
The Model 30 Cadillac has an excellent following by enthusiasts today, providing a wonderful resource for owners in terms of knowledge and repair. They are known to be good touring cars. This charming car offers the potential to be part of that select club and to own a brand that has stood for quality from its outset.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
Auction Viewings
- 28 April 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 EDT
- 29 April 2023, 08:00 - 16:00 EDT
Bid now on these items
