Cadillac V-16
1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster
Overview
ManufacturerCadillac (General Motors)
Production1930–1940
AssemblyDetroit, Michigan[1][2]
DesignerHarley Earl
Body and chassis
ClassUltra-luxury car
Body style2-door convertible[1][2]
4-door convertible[1][2]
2-door coupe[1][2]
4-door sedan[1][2]
4-door town car[1][2]
4-door limousine[1][2]
LayoutFR layout[1][2]
PlatformD body
Powertrain
EngineCadillac V16 engine
Transmission3-speed synchromesh manual[1][2]

The Cadillac V-16 (also known as the Cadillac Sixteen) was Cadillac's top-of-the-line model from its January 1930 launch until 1940. The V16 powered car was a first in the United States, both extremely expensive and exclusive, with every chassis being custom-finished to order. Only 4,076 were constructed in its 11-year run, with the majority built in its debut year before the Great Depression took strong hold. The onset of World War II reduced the sales, resulting in its demise. It was, however, at least thrice cheaper than Bugatti Royale (6 made).

Genesis

In 1926, Cadillac began the development of a new, "multi-cylinder" car. A customer requirement was seen for a car powered by an engine simultaneously more powerful and smoother than any other available. Development proceeded in great secrecy over the next few years; a number of prototype cars were built and tested as the new engine was developed, while at the same time Cadillac chief Larry Fisher and GM's stylist Harley Earl toured Europe in search of inspiration from Europe's finest coachbuilders. Unlike many builders of luxury cars, who sold bare chassis to be clothed by outside coachbuilding firms, General Motors had purchased the coachbuilders Fleetwood Metal Body and Fisher Body to keep all the business in-house. Cadillac rolling stock chassis could be purchased if a buyer insisted, but the intention was that few would need to do so. One Cadillac dealer in England, namely Lendrum & Hartman, ordered at least two such chassis in even rarer right hand drive (RHD) configuration and had Vanden Plas (Belgium) build first an elegant limousine-landaulet (engine #702297), then a sports sedan with unusual cycle fenders and retractable step plates in lieu of running boards (engine #702298, which was successfully shown in various Concours d'Elegance events in Europe before being bought by the young Nawab of Bahawalpur); both these cars have survived. A third RHD chassis was ordered by the Indian Maharaja of Orchha (Bhopal) and sent to Farina in Italy, in July 1931, for a boat tail body (engine between #703136 and #703152).[3]

It was not until after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that Cadillac announced to the world the availability of the costliest Cadillac yet, the new V-16 Series 452. The new vehicle was first displayed at New York City's automobile show on January 4, 1930. Despite the bad timing and high retail price, and although sales would later drop off considerably, the launch "exceeded Cadillac’s fondest aspirations."[4]

1930–1937

Generation 1 (Series 452 and 90)
1930 Cadillac V-16 Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton
Overview
Model years1930–1937
Body and chassis
PlatformSeries 90: D-body
RelatedCadillac Series 370/85
Cadillac Series 355
Cadillac Series 75
Powertrain
Engine452 cu in (7.4 L) Cadillac V16
Dimensions
Wheelbase1930–31: 148.0 in (3,759 mm)[1][2]
1932–33: 143.0 in (3,632 mm) and 149.0 in (3,785 mm)[1][2]
1934–37: 154.0 in (3,912 mm)[1][2]
Length1930–31: 222.5 in (5,652 mm)[1][2]
1932–33: 216.0 in (5,486 mm) and 222.0 in (5,639 mm)[1][2]
1934–35: 240.0 in (6,096 mm)[1]
1936–37: 238.0 in (6,045 mm)[1][2]
Width1931: 73.6 in (1,869 mm)
1932–35: 77.0 in (1,956 mm)
1936–37: 74.4 in (1,890 mm)
Height1931: 72.5 in (1,842 mm)
1932–33: 71.5 in (1,816 mm)
1934–37: 69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Curb weight5,300–6,600 lb (2,400–3,000 kg)

The Cadillac V-16 was distinguished by its pioneering V-16 engine, a narrow 45° V angle OHV Series 452 displacing 452 cu in (7.4 L).

Upon its introduction the new car attracted rave reviews from the press and huge public attention. January production averaged a couple of cars per day, then ramped up to twenty-two. By April, 1,000 units had been built, and by June, 2,000 cars. These could be ordered with a wide variety of bodywork. The Fleetwood catalog for the 1930 V-16 included 10 basic body styles; there was also an envelope containing some 30 additional designer's drawings. Research by the Cadillac-La Salle Club, Inc. puts at 70 the number of different job/style numbers built by Fisher and Fleetwood on the Sixteen chassis.

Beginning in June 1930, five new V-16s participated in a promotional tour of major European cities including Paris, Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Nuremberg, Vienna (where they won prizes), Berne, Geneva, Lausanne, Zürich, Madrid, San Sebastian, La Baule and Angers. On the return journey from Spain, the V16 caravan stopped also in the town of Cadillac, in south-western France, although that city bears no relationship to the marque, other than its name.

After the peak in V-16 orders in mid-1930, production fell precipitously. During October 1930, only 54 cars were built. The lowest figures for the 452/452A cars of 1930–31 were August 1931 (seven units) and November 1931 (six units). Minimum production continued throughout the rest of the decade with a mere 50 units being built both in 1935 and in 1937. 1940 was only marginally better with a total of 51 units. Not surprisingly, Cadillac later estimated that they lost money on every single V-16 they sold. The 1930 Town Brougham was listed at US$9,200 ($161,165 in 2022 dollars [5]).[1]

Production of the original V-16 continued under various model names through 1937. The body was redesigned in 1933 as the model 452C. Innovations included Fisher no draft individually controlled ventilation (I.C.V. or vent windows).

For 1934, the body was redesigned again and denoted as 452D, and as 452E in 1935. The V-16 now featured the Fisher Turret Top all-steel roof, though the cars were still built by Fleetwood. This same basic design would remain virtually unchanged through 1937. With a wheelbase of 154.0 inches (3,912 mm) and a curb weight of up to 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg) these are perhaps the largest standard production cars ever produced in the United States. Combined production for the 1934 and 1935 model years was 150. It was redesignated the Series 90 in 1936 as Cadillac reorganized their model names. Fifty-two units were sold that year, with nearly half ordered as limousines. Hydraulic brakes were added for 1937, the last year of production. Fifty vehicles were produced.

1937 Cadillac V16 Hartman Cabriolet

In 1937 Cadillac built fifty of their most expensive Series 90 V-16 chassis, and all but two were bodied in-house by Fleetwood. This chassis was delivered to Lausanne, Switzerland, to be bodied by Carrosserie Willy Hartmann per an order by local resident Philippe Barraud, a wealthy paper mill heir and playboy of the 1930s. Barraud wanted an outrageous, bespoke automobile to suit his stylish lifestyle. Stretching 22 feet in length, the car was designed in the sweeping cabriolet style of the Delahaye built by Figoni & Falaschi for the 1936 Paris Auto Salon.

Production / Sales

1930 2,500
1931 750
1932 300
1935 to 1937: 49 each year [4]


1938–1940

1940 Cadillac Series 90 coupe
Generation 2 (Series 90)
1940 Cadillac Series 90 Town Car by Fleetwood
Overview
Model years1938–1940
Body and chassis
PlatformD-body
RelatedCadillac Series 75
Buick Limited
Powertrain
Engine431 cu in (7.1 L) Cadillac V16
Dimensions
Wheelbase141.0 in (3,581 mm)
Length255.6875 in (6,494 mm)[1]
Width77.6 in (1,971 mm)
Height69.6 in (1,768 mm)
Curb weight5,200–5,700 lb (2,400–2,600 kg)

The V-16 "Series 90" and V-12 "Series 80 and 85", were essentially merged for 1938 with the introduction of the new L-head V-16. The 431 cu in (7.1 L) engine was an in-block valve (i.e. flathead) design, and featured a wider 135° V-angle, twin carburetors, twin fuel pumps, twin distributors, twin water pumps, and a nine main bearing crankshaft (compared to the OHV V-16's five bearing crank) and produced the same 185 hp (138 kW) as later versions of the original V-16. This engine was nearly silent at idle and exceptionally smooth in operation. The wheelbase was reduced to 141.0 in (3,581 mm), the body remained 222.0 in (5,639 mm) in overall length. The "Sixteens" (as Cadillac referred to them) were basically series 75 cars with the new V-16 engine although they differed from the firewall forward from the V-8 cars and had several other trim differences. The instrument panels were identical to and changed yearly with the V-8 cars from 1938 to 1940. Only the '38 Sixteens had a horn button which had "Sixteen" in art deco script; the '39 and '40 models, like the V-8, had the Cadillac crest on the button. 315 were sold in the first year, 138 in the next. The production of the 1940 models ended in December 1939. The most expensive model documented was the 1940 Series 90 Town Car by Fleetwood at US$7,175 ($150,950 in 2022 dollars [5]) using a 141 in (3,581 mm) wheelbase.[1]

Today

The Cadillac V-16 is today recognized as one of the finest automobiles of the prewar era by many authorities. The Classic Car Club of America rates all V-16s as CCCA Full Classics, a rating reserved for only the finest automobiles of the 1925–1948 period.

Concept car

In 2003, Cadillac created a concept car called the Sixteen, which used a 13.6 litre V-16 engine that developed 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS). Even though it used the current "A&S" (Art & Science) style of design that is Cadillac's stylistic hallmark, it shared many small details from the classic V-16. The Sixteen is also known to have the steering wheel logo carved out of solid crystal and a Bulgari clock.[3]

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Kimes, Beverly (1996). Standard catalog of American Cars 1805–1942. Krause publications. pp. 201–246. ISBN 0-87341-428-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Gunnell, John (2005). Standard Catalog of Cadillac 1903–2005. Krause publications. ISBN 0873492897.
  3. 1 2 "V16 survivors, custom jobs". Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  4. 1 2 Sherman, Don. "Sweet V-16: Cadillac's most exotic engine (11 June 2019)". www.hagerty.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  5. 1 2 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.

Bibliography

  • Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 42–43. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
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