Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 89 ¤
1916 Cadillac Type 53 Roadster Engine no. A25384
Sold for US$35,840 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 89¤
From the Minden Automotive Museum
1916 Cadillac Type 53 Roadster
1916 Cadillac Type 53 Roadster
1916 Cadillac Type 53 Roadster
Engine no. A25384
Engine no. A25384
314.5ci L-Head Northway V-8
Single Cadillac Updraft Carburetor
77bhp at 2,400rpm
Three-Speed Sliding Gear Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Front Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Rear Platform Leaf Springs
Rear Wheel Mechanical Contracting Band/Internal Expanding Shoe Drum Brakes
* The second year for Cadillac's potent V-8
* 77 horsepower in 1916
* Now standard three-pedal controls
* Cosmetically restored and static displayed for 50 years
CADILLAC TYPE V-8
Cadillac's first cars were built under the guidance of Henry Leland. He was schooled in the armories of New England and imbued with the importance of precision machining and interchangeable parts and it was a Cadillac single that in 1908 won the Royal Automobile Club's Dewar Trophy, then the most prestigious prize for any automobile manufacturer. It was Cadillac's Dewar Trophy that initiated "The Standard of the World" motto to signify the precision manufacturing standards that prevailed at Henry Leland's company.
Cadillac introduced its first four-cylinder car in 1905. They comprised the bulk of Cadillac production thereafter until 1915 when four-cylinder power was replaced by the Type 51 with a 315 cubic inch L-head 90° V-8 with an engine-mounted transmission and a multi-disc clutch replacing earlier leather-faced cone clutches. It was a step-change in automobile power, sophistication and quality. An amazing 13,002 were built the first year.
The Type 53 followed in 1916 with an improved and more powerful engine with revised intake manifolding and carburetor that upped the 315 cubic inch V-8's power to some 77 brake horsepower. Now (since 1915) standardized with lefthand drive, 1916 was the first year to standardize three-pedal controls (clutch, brake and throttle, left to right) and was Cadillac's last full year under the leadership of Henry Leland, Detroit's "Master of Precision". 18,004 were built.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1916 Cadillac Type 53 Roadster is emblematic of the historic Cadillacs built under Henry and Wilfred (his son) Leland. A sporting roadster, is presented in light yellow with black fenders and running boards, but body color frame aprons. The upholstery is maroon leather and the folding top black cloth. It has Bausch & Lomb bell headlights, brass electric cowl lights, maroon wire wheels, 35-5 tires, a single rear-mounted spare, wind wings, Klaxon electric horn, Moto Meter, Waltham clock and Warner drum speedometer.
This car was acquired a half-century ago by Ted Bacon for the Minden Automotive Museum and has been on static display since then protected from the elements and with no use. The paint is old and dulling but sound, as are the upholstery and top. The engine compartment and chassis are largely, if not completely, original and appear consistent with the 46,081 miles showing on its odometer.
This is a fabulous old car with visual presence and bright sporting roadster coachwork. It is a rare opportunity that can be presented and toured with its current cosmetics after straightforward mechanical recommissioning. It is a milestone model in Cadillac's history, one of the last Cadillacs built by Henry and Wilfred Leland. With some 77 horsepower it will cruise at close to modern highway speeds and be a revelation when passing conservative drivers of CT5-V Blackwings.
Footnotes
Titled under its engine number.
Additional information
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