V-16 Survivors [1934-1937]

[ last update: 11.19.2008 ] Best viewed with a screen image size of 600 x 800 pixels

Part 4b
Roster of Survivors

Series 452D or Series 60, and Series 35-90, 36-90, 37-90
1934-1937

Regular Production Models
Body Style	Body Number	Engine Number	Latest available information
5825	15	5100051	(1934) This one, with regular wire wheels and hub caps, custom trunk rack and hand-crafted wooden bumpers (replacing the original, delicate bi-plane type) was owned in the seventies by an elderly namesake, Lyle Saunders. In a letter to Stan Squires dated Dec. 26, 1969, Lyle mentioned that his car had been featured in the CLC magazine a few years earlier. He said he had located his car on Long Island, in 1954, and a friend of his had driven it west to IL. In the early 70s, Stan reported the car to be in "very good condition". It has survived [2006], as has its former owner; I learned from the car's new owner, D. Mitchell, IL, in Nov. 2000 that both Lyle (then aged 97) and his wife were well and still enjoyed being taken for occasional rides in the old V16. I learned also that the bumpers are in fact authentic; it is the trunk rack that is made of wood.

5825-LB	11	5100031	(1934) Town car, no sidemounts. First owner: actress Marlene Dietrich. She used the car for a tour of Europe that year and left it in England. In 1963, this car was reported to be owned by Mrs. William Ott of St. Petersburg, FL [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]. Mrs. Ott reportedly bought the car in 1960 from a Mr. George Hormel of Austin, MN who had got it in 1955 from the original owner. My information [obtained from Stan Squires] shows that a Mr Milford "Tiny" Gould of Trucksviller, PA, then bought it from Mrs. Ott. It was owned subsequently, in the early 70s, by Leonard Poole of Allentown, PA. The British magazine Motor Sport for 11/1962 (p.894) reported that it was sold at auction, as part of the Sword collection in the UK, for £375 [???] to a collector in Australia? Yet, Stan Squires sent me a cutting from a MI Sunday newspaper from Nov. 26, 1972, reporting that a Mr. Charles Wood of Lake George, NY, had paid $9,500 for this car at the First Philadelphia Auto Show Auction conducted there by Kirk F. White Motorcars; it came with a photostat of the original title signed by Marlene Dietrich. In a later ad in Motor Sport, December 1973 [p.1459], the car is mentioned once again. Did Sword buy it from Mrs. Ott or from Len Poole? It was last reported in a Museum collection in New Zealand [6/1999] Late extra (9/2000): I am in contact with Stan Bellamore, the museum manager; he supplied the engine and body numbers. The body #11 is at odds with the records which show that only 4 units of this style were built in 1934. I am assuming, therefore, that the factory grouped this style with the following ones: 5775 (10 units), 5775FL (1 unit) and 5775S (5 units). If anyone has another suggestion, please let me know. Later still (4/2006): Indefatigable V16 researcher, Terry Wenger, has passed on some interesting information re the Dietrich car. He writes: Concerning the Marlene Dietrich car. I thought I read somewhere that the car she posed with was a stand-in; her car has the small hubcaps and exposed wire wheels as shown [below] when Mrs.Ott owned it. Since Marlene took delivery of the car in early '35, the new bumpers must have been installed. If you look closely at the RH picture, below, the right license bracket is still there, only it has a sign that says that the car was owned originally by Miss Dietrich. The picture you have of a town car owned by James Gaskin Sr. also is Marlene's car, taken in the '70's at Hershey [I have now moved that picture to this entry]. I took several pictures of it at Hershey that year, myself, and it still had the same sign on the RH front license bracket that it did when Mrs. Ott owned it. Thanks for the update, Terry.
The photo (top) shows the German-American actress with her new car; the lower one was taken at the time the car was owned by Ms. Ott [ Note: the license plate as changed sides ] The car at left was owned in the seventies by James E. Gaskin, Sr., of Norfolk, VA Center and right: excerpt and cover of the book Marlene Dietrich, by her daughter, Maria Riva; I believe this is the car to which Maria refers
5825LB	#35	5110206	(1936) This car was delivered as a show car to New York City on October 31, 1935 then diverted to Newark, NJ on July 10, 1936, where it was sold. It is the only Fleetwood town car on the V-16 chassis for 1936. The base price was $8,850; options included sidemounts, license frames, trunk rack and rear seat radio, bringing the total to around $9000. This car was acquired by the U.S. Navy and used by Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King from 1941 through 1946; at that time it carried USN tag #17200. It was owned later by Leo L. Gephart (mid-sixties). In 1970 it appears from a card I got from Stan Squires that it was owned by Carl J. Kalinoff in Ohio; he said it was an "excellent orriginal". then, for many years, by Robert R. Lewis (since about 1971 and through the eighties). Mr. Gephart told Stan Squires in August 1965 that the car had been Admiral Nimitz' staff car through WW2 (this may be a mistake as other sources refer to it as belonging to Admiral King); it was 100% complete with nothing missing or broken and (in 1965) had circa 37,000 miles on the odometer; the interior hardware was gilded like the well- known surviving Fleetwood V-12 town car owned by collector, Jack Frank. Subsequently, this car was acquired by Dick Kughn (early nineties?). I saw it advertised for sale on the Internet by RM Classic Investments in Aug. 1995. Kruse Auctions advertised it again in Aug. 1996 [lot #973] for $225,000. I next saw it for sale at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in Jan. 1998. It may have been acquired there by Don Behring for the Blackhawk collection, although I did not see it there when I visited in June 1999.
The car when it was owned by Robert R. Lewis, circa 1971 In this snapshot it was owned by Dick Kughn Here it is displayed in the collection of author, Clive Cussler (2002) I believe the photos in the above two rows all depict the same car. I took the one at top (right) the two below it at Scottsdale, AZ, in January 1998. The one in the upper row, left, was taken at the Gilmore Museum, Kalamazoo, MI, during the Cadillac-LaSalle Experience, in June 1993 [that photo, courtesy of my dear friend Katie Robbins]
5825	#40	5130317	(1937) This one was not previously listed here. I found it on the roster of survivors prepared by Stan Squires in the early 70s. There it was registered to a James E. Gaskins of Norfolk, VA and described as being in poor condition. He said the prior owner (unnamed) had replaced the original leather top with some kind of cloth top that deteriorated owing to the car being stored outside. The trim code is 50403. Has it survived ?
5825	?	?	(1937) This one [one of only two town cars built on the "Sixteen" chassis in 1937, and the only known survivor] belonged to President Quezon of the Philippines; it was given as a gift to Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he was under contract to the Filipino Government to form a military force there. The car remained on Corregidor Island following WW2 in the Pacific. It is hoped at one time to get the car to the USA on a long lease arrangement with the Philippines, whereby it could be restored and better protected in a museum. In fact, the car was shipped back to Quezon City and became part of the memorabilia collection honoring former president Quezon. It was fully restored by the Vintage Car Club of the Philippines. It is said that GM funded part of the restoration at a cost of $25,000.
[ Photos: (except top, left) by Craig Watrous and Robert De Mott, CCCA ]
5833S	#12	5100106	(1934) On the roster of survivors prepared by Stan Squires in the early 70s, this one is reported to have been scrapped. Only the engine remained. It was in the name of Ben F. Snider of Riverside, CA. I found Ben's business card among the papers Stan sent me.
5833S	#24	5110221	(1936) 6-wheel town sedan. Among the correspondence exchanged in the 70s between Stan Squires and owners of V-16s from the 1934-37 era, there is a letter from a Charles Jones dated Jan. 22, 1979 telling Stan he had jist bought this car from a Mr. Paul Mundt of El Cerrito, CA. Stan was able to tell <Mr. Jones that the car had shipped form the factory April 13, 1936; he did not know the original destination of owner's name. Who has this car today ?
5833S	?	?	(1936) Town sedan. Owned by Bill Ruger Jr. of Ruger firearms
5835 [rebody]	[V-12] #35	5100129 ???	(1935) This was originally a limousine style 5875 [body #58] that was subsequently destroyed. It now carries a convertible coupe body off a V12 chassis and uses a 1933 V16 engine [???]. What became of the 1935 limousine body and engine listed here is not known; this car was featured in the August 1963 and Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the CLC's Self-Starter magazine where it was reported under the ownership of a Mr. Bernie Miller. On the roster of survivors prepared by Stan Squires in the early 70s, this one was reported to be owned by Joseph P. Mikula of Sacramento, CA.
5835	?	?	(1936) Is this the car that was offered for sale at different Kruse auctions as lots #5031, #687, #720 (in 1989) with a price tag of $800,000! The color is brown and the condition rated as excellent. Note the lack of sidemounted spares!
5835	#41	5110243	(1936) This car is said to have had a frame-off restoration in Canada, so it could be the one owned in the 70s by D. Chartier, Jr., of Sherbrooke, Canada; he had offered it to Stan Squires in Oct. 1976 for $58K; he said it was a good original ...but for new paint, new upholstery, new top and new tires. This car was a Kruse lot #650 (in 1991) and #47 and #646 (in 1994) and The color could be black or dark brown. The rumble seat is special; the original Fleetwood design comprised two Opera type [auxiliary seats], facing sideways, concealed in side walls when not in use [photo, below]. However the location of the auxiliary seating could be changed; it cost $200 and delayed delivery by one week. As lot #646 it was reported as sold for $285,000 [a far throw from the $800,000 asking price!]. The two B&W photos (below) are from the seventies (before the Canadian restoration); the rumble seat was already in place at that time.
*[ Photo: Self* Starter, Jan. 2007 ] [Color photos: Thomas Barrett III, courtesy the late Mike Chapuisat, PA] [Jim Butler photo too ? - yes, road lights are the same]**
5875(?)	?	?	(1934) Craig Watrous, a V16 collector and admirer relayed this information in June 2000: About three years ago, at Hershey, there was a 1934 V-16 7-pass. imperial for sale in the Car Corral. It allegedly had just come from England and had been purchased new by Rolls-Royce to allow them to study the competition¹. There could be no doubt it had been used in a UK country. It was equipped with trafficators, number plate sunk in the deck lid, odd ball lights in front. I may have a photograph of it somewhere. The results of the Kruse auction venue at Hershey, PA, in Fall 2005, show that the car changed hands for either $82,000 or $88,000 (the two amounts are shown). _____________________________________________- ¹ I believe this had Cadillac approval; there was an interesting series of articles on Rolls-Cadillac cooperation in the Self-Starter in 1999(?) Could this be the car, Craig? *[ Photo: courtesy Trombinoscope, France ]*
5875	#56	5100103	(1935) Reported in the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, as being only a parts car, owned by Mr. Chester Holley of Tampa, FL. He bought it from a Minister. Mr. Holley last saw it somewhere North of Orlando, FL. According to listing of survivors prepared by Stan Squires in the early 70s, only the engine remains; it was registered at that time to R. Egidi, Jr., of Yonkers, NY. The body was effectively scrapped. An earlier owner may have been Richard Terhune of Sanford, FL.
5875	#58	5100129	(1935) Has been converted to a convertible coupe [body #35]. According to the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s, the workmanship was poor but the car was running.
5875	#77	5100133	(1935) Formerly a 4-door sedan, this one was converted to a 5-pass. convertible [body #16 off a V8 or V12 car]. According to the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s, it was registered to Eugene W. Zimmerman of Harrisburg, PA. According to a card dated Feb. 14, 1969, from Cadillac dealer and friend Dave Towell of Akron, OH, this one may have been sold by him to Mr. Zimmerman.
5875	#79	5100137	(1935) is included in the roster of survivors drawn up in the early 70s by Stan Squires. It was registered at that time to Dr. John F. Patt of Gilbertsville, PA, but described by Stan as "barely restorable".
5875	#85	5110204	(1936) This car was owned in 1963 by a Mr. Victor N. Agather of Mexico City, Mexico [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; he bought it in 1959 from a Sr. Durán. This matches the information included in Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s; he described the car as "excellent and in good running condition." Late extra [June 2004] This from the son of the previous owner: I chanced upon your database and was pleased to find data on my car. I wanted to let you know that your information is correct. My father, Victor N. Agather passed away 3 years ago. Today I own the car [in a letter from Victor to Stan Squires, on Apr. 22, 1969, he said he had located a spare V-16 engine which he was having shipped to Mexico]. I imported the car back from Mexico about 10 years ago. It is a running car, though a bit rough. I have been slowly upgrading it while still driving it. The history I have is that the car was specially ordered for a customer in San Francisco, though I do not know who. The car entered Mexico in 1946 (I have the import papers). I have heard it was owned by the Governor of the state of Chihuahua, though I cannot verify this. I also have heard that the car lived in the port Mazatlán, Mexico, though I cannot verify this either. There is some corrosion on the underside of the running boards that would support its having lived in a corrosive environment like a seaport, but there is no corrosion anywhere else. If you have any other information on the car I would appreciate it [sorry Victor, but the only information I have, about any surviving V-16 cars, is what you see in this section - I never hold ANYTHING back from Database users, unless formally asked to do so by a vehicle's owner]. The car is a wonderful and after 45 years is definitely part of the family. Lots of weddings are in its history as well as the regular transportation to Church on Sundays. Perhaps Victor has a photo or two that we could add here for the viewing pleasure of our many Database visitors ?
5875	#95	5110212	(1936) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. Bob Mellin of Richmond, MI [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; Bob bought it on June 30, 1962, from Thomas W. Synott II of Wenonah, NJ. Mr. Synott had got it from William T. Walter of Drexel Hill, PA, in 1954; Mr. Walter had bought it in 1951. The car was sold originally through a dealer in Jacksonville, FL where it had been shipped from the factory on April 21, 1936.
5875	#101	5110220	(1936) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. Joe P. Mikula of Sacramento, CA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; Joe bought it from Gordon Turnage of San Jose, CA, in 1962 when it had already 123K miles on the odometer. This car was shipped from the factory on May 18, 1936 [my birthday ...but three years later!]. It was sold to the first owner only in 1937. In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, it is described as a "good original in running condition". In 1971 it was owned by Bill Podsedly of Carmichael, CA, and appears in Maurice Hendry's Cadillac History.
This is how the car looked in 1971 when it appeared in Maurice Hendry's "70-Year History of Cadillac" Photos: courtesy of Larry Wolfe, L&M Classics http://www.lmclassics.com/
5875	#117	5130306	(1937) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. George E. Klein of Warrington, PA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; Mr. Klein had bought the car in 1942. It was shipped from the factory 5 years earlier, on March 11, 1937. In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, it is described as a good runner, needing body work. Mr. Klein also owned a 1930-31 V-16 engine. *[ Photo: Classic Car, June 1998, p.32 ]*
5875	#112	5130307	(1937) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. S. Howard Brown of Grantville, PA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; prior to that it may have been owned by Donald S. Gilmore of the Gilmore Museum in Kalamazoo, MI. It was shipped from the factory on March 12, 1937. This car was destroyed by fire. Only some parts remain. This information ties in with that of Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s
5875	#119	5130311	(1937) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. Michael J. Barts of Chicago, IL [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; it was first shipped to Columbus, OH, on November 25, 1936; in 1958 it was acquired from the Gaylor estate and had several owners until 1961 when it was bought by Mr. Barts from a Mr. William Holzer. This info ties in with that contained in Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s. At that time it was "good to excellent, with 23K miles on the clock" and "under the process of restoration." Among the notes I got from Stan, in 2008, was a descriptive sheet concerning this car and signed by Gary M. Smith, of Pittsboro, IN, who said he bought it from Barts in Aug. 1973; the car had paint code #6W and special order trim (#SO398). In 1981 Gary told Stan his car was now fully restored and had scored 96 points at the Indy 500 Midwestern Grand Classic.
5875	#123	5130321	(1937) This message was posted on the CLC Message Board on November 08, 2002 at 11:13:12: 3My company is restoring our 1937 V-16 limousine. I have looked everywhere and cannot find the lenses or the bezels for the front fender mounted parking lights. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone knows where some are, or where I can get some good photographs and measurements for fabrication. I wrote to Chris the same day and got this additional information:. Our Cadillac is a 1937 Fleetwood 7 passenger limousine. Body style 5875. The engine or vin# is 5130321. This is the best information I currently have. If I find something different I will let you know. Let me know if you need any further information. Chris. Would appreciate a couple of pictures when the restoration is complete, Chris. Thanks.
I believe this is the car in question; this photo was taken at the Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI Not sure if this is the car (these photos were incorrectly filed in my "Process" folder)
5875	?	?	(1937) was offered for sale in the CLC Self Starter in June, 1996; at that time it was located in San Gabriel, CA and said to be in excellent condition. Asking price was $40K.
5875FL	#23	5100035	(1934) This car was purchased new from Dew Motors in St. Petersburg, FL, June 4, 1934, by Mrs. Margaret V. Atchison. In the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p. 13, this car was reported owned by Mr. Chester Holley, a model railroad specialist in Tampa, FL. He was confirmed as the owner, in the early 70s, by Stan Squires. It is one of two such body styles built; it may have survived; it was last photographed in CA, in 1978. The trouble with cars of this "repute" is that unscrupulous restorers/speculators will discard or destroy a less attractive, closed body style to convert the car into a much more desirable convertible style. The car below may have suffered this fate. According to an article by Bob Mellin in the Self Starter issue for August 1963, p.8, at least one limousine style was "retired" and given a convertible coupe body!
5875FL	#122	5130313	(1937) This car is included in Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s; it is described as in near mint, original condition with approx. 27K miles on the clock; it was registered at that time to Peter Tilp of Adam Industries Inc., of Union, NJ. It was seen advertized for sale in Hemmings, Nov. 1967 (p. 871) by a Mr Russell C. Jackson. of Scottsdale, AZ. It has been across the auction block a few times since then. It was lot #961 at a Kruse auction (also #942 in 1991 and again #968 in 1992); the color is black [John Klein photo CCCA - perhaps not this car]. A similar car was on sale again at the Kruse auction in Tampa, FL, in March 2000. No engine number was listed. The car [lot #841] was described as a 4-door, 7-pass. limousine: Black exterior, black interior - frame off, black leather front, gray rear interior, divider Final bid $30,600. The car was not sold. Late Extra [12/2005]: The car was offered for sale on EBay with a reserve of $60K. The description reads thus: This fabulous original V-16 Cadillac has a great documented history. Only two of this style were produced in 1937 and only 37 [actually 47] total V-16's were built in that year. 1937 was the last year for the powerful 452 cu. inch V-16 OHV engine. Purchased new by Edgar Mannix, Chief of MGM Studios. In fact, he owned the car until his death in 1963. It has only traveled 34,000 and is truly a survivor. Note custom leather padded roof. Winner of the CCCA First prize, the car speaks for itself. Many options including driving lights, dual slide mounts with metal covers and mirrors, and a hidden rear seat radio. Hidden turn signals were added in the parking lamps for safe touring. Although the Cadillac was in storage for 22 years, it is mechanically sound. It has always been well maintained and updated with such things as new brake pads, lines, and wiring so that it is ready to tour once again. Mannix was great friends with Clark Gable. In fact, Gable was given the car is use during the filming of Gone With the Wind. He and Vivian Leigh, his co-star, used the car daily for their trips to the movie set. This a rare and important Classic that would be the star of any collection or Museum. Later [1/2006]: the car was bid up close to 100K ($98.7K) but failed to meet the vendor's reserve! Later still [10/2007]: the "Bulletin" of the CCCA for 10/2007 contains a 2-page story about the car; the pics there are in B&W. Latest [8/2008], from Chris Cummings: this car was sold at Meadow Brook for $192,500 .
[ Photos: Internet, 12/2005 ] Could this be the same car? [ Photo: Self Starter, Jan. 2007 ]
5875-S	#2	5100012	(1934) This car was reported in the Harrah collection, Reno, NV, in the early seventies. According to V-16 researcher, Stan Squires, the car needed a complete restoration. Could this be the car mentioned on one of Stan Squires roster inputs; that one was a 6-wheel job that apparently Ron Renaldi bought from Batey Chevrolet, who had acquired it from the Harrah Collection in Reno, NV, in 1977. Renaldi had subsequently sold it to a Gunnar (?) Henriouille in 1978. Where is it now ?
5875-S	#9	5100016	(1934) This car was reported to be owned in 1963 by Mr. Robert E. Harrison of Philadelphia, PA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]; it was shipped from the factory on July 25, 1964; this was the third car of this style to be built; it remained in storage for many years. It is believed to have been acquired, later, by Don Herrington of Doylestown, PA, then Dave Towell of Akron, OH [seen in the Self-Starter, August 1965]. In the early 70s, it was in the hands of Eugene W. Zimmerman of Harrisburg, PA. At that time, according to Stan Squires, the car was in "rough" condition and not operable. Late extra [Oct., 2003]: the present owner, Cliff Woodbury (who was to celebrate his 89th birthday in March 2003) wrote to say he had this car. He explained the apparent discrepancy in unit numbering, his car being #9 of only 5 units built on the V-16 chassis; he said "Fleetwood body styles were installed on V8, V12 and V16 chassis without interruption of the body number progression." BTW, Cliff owns also a 1935 Cadillac convertible coupe, style 35-668 that he bought in October, 1940 (!), and still drives !

5875-S	?	?	(1935) Craig Watrous owned this (green) sedan in the mid-sixties (photo in SS Nov-Dec 1965) [ missing photo]
5875-S	?	5110252	(1936) The owner contacted me on New Year's Day, 2007, informing me that he owned this car (purchased originally by his great-grandmother); it has only 43K miles on the odometer and is presently undergoing restoration in CT. I hope to get more information soon, as well as a couple of pictures. The owner writes: This car was bought new in Charlotte, NC by my great grandmother, Mary Ella Cannon. It was ordered for her and has her name and last three digits of it's serial engraved on the steering wheel. She ordered a silver plated goddess hood ornament which I have replaced but have the original on a marble stand. She had a chauffeur and was the wife of the founder of Cannon Mills, maker of towels and sheets. She lived in Concord NC and died in 1938, thus it was her last vehicle. The car sat from 1952 until 1972 then it was partially restored and driven sporadically until 2005. Today it is near the end of a frame off restoration at Enfield Auto in CT. I plan to keep it in my family for more generations. I am the third owner and the fourth generation.
5875-S	?	?	(1937) This car was offered for sale by a a Mr. Walter Gehlmar of IL. He ran an ad in one of the earliest Self Starter classifieds, back in 1958. I have no way of knowing if it survived the next 50 years !
5875-S	#19	5130336	(1937) According to the roster of survivors drawn up in the early 70s by Stan Squires, this car has been destroyed and only the chassis and engine remain. At that time it was registered to Richard Ancerewicz of Detroit, MI.
5876	#24	5100050	(1934) Such a car was owned by Bob Mellin of Richmond, MI, as reported in the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13. I saw it again in the Self-Starter for Nov.-Dec. 1967, p.7. It was acquired subsequently by Stan Squires, MI. Stan was a great help in piecing together this section on V-16 survivors. He was telling me just recently (March, 2004) that his car was missing all the instruments on the dash; believe it or not, he actually found a complete set for sale; talk about LUCK! He says: The car had to be in very good condition because the instruments are beautiful. They are definitely from a 1934 to 37 Cadillac V-16 as the face is gold with black letters [V-16 only]. I would suspect that it was a limo more than a coupe or convertible and it was in California. Stan was able to obtain many drawings from Cadillac where he was in close contact with Pete Estes. His car was originally owned by Daniel B. McDaniel of Houston, TX. Then between 1955 and 1958 was in a stock car race at Blue Island, IL [!!!]. Stan purchased it from Bob Mellin, in 1964. It is believed the car has now passed into the ownership of Monty Holmes, WA.
Before (top) and after (above) completion of full restoration
5876	#25	5100059	(1934) was included in Stan Squires' listing of survivors that he drew up in the early 70s. It had been spotted in Virginia, in rough but original condition
5876	#39	5100130 or 5100132	(1935) was listed in the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, as being owned by Mrs. Mary B. Hecht of Alligerville, NY and Miami, FL. In November 1975, V16 enthusiast Stan Squires informed me that this car [as well as a second one] had been sold to a Mr. John Serafin of Rockville Center, Long Island, NY
5876	???	???	(????) As indicated in the previous entry, another Fleetwood style #5876 was sold to Mr. John Serafin of Rockville Center, Long Island, NY
5876	?	?	(1936) Tom Barrett III of Scottsdale AZ has (had?) one with a reported 18K miles
5876	#43	5130315	(1937) A Mrs. Edward Hummel got this car as a wedding present around July 1937; her husband was the President of P. Lorillard Co. In the CLC's Self Starter magazine for Nov.-Dec. 1963, it was said to be owned by a Mr. Bill Wenslau, son of that first owner; at that time the car had a reported 15K miles on the odometer. In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, the car is described as being in excellent, original condition; he confirmed the mileage at 15K. At that time, the owner was listed as James G. Groendyk of Dunedin, FL. This one was Kruse lot #43 at a recent auction; it had been lot #29 in 1993 and probably also lot #684 in 1992. The color is black. I wonder if this is the same car listed above as being a 1936 model??? Is this the car? [ Photo: Self Starter, Jan. 2007 ]
5880	#23	5100040	(1934) This one was reported to be owned by a Mr. A.E. Marcotte of Glendive, Montana, in the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, on P.13. This car was scrapped around 1958 and the engine installed in a racing car; second car of the series to be built, it was shipped form the factory in May 1934. I have it that the car was rescued by Monty Holmes, WA., many years ago, along with the race car. It was in pretty horrible shape. Both the Convertible Sedan and the race car are being restored. The finished chassis was shown at Pebble Beach about 5 years ago, and the car is currently (2006)
5880	#25	5100038	(1934) This car shipped from the factory June 19, 1934; it was reportedly purchased new by Ethel DuPont Regal. It was acquired in 1952 by Roy N. Licari of Alexandria, VA (see Nov-Dec. issue of the Self Starter, p.13). Mr. Licari sold it to the current owner, Mr. Louis L. Barnhart, in 1963. Louis told me, in May 2003, that being the brash youth he was in 1963 he had simply jumped in the car and driven it home the 300 miles from near Philadelphia, PA, to his home near Roanoke , VA. Although he says some electricals were faulty he was able to complete the trip without incident. He describes the car's condition as "'good", but that it would need work to be a "show car". Louis has also a 1959 Coupe de Ville. Late Extra [9/2008]: Louis called to inform me that his car has gone, in a trade, to a new owner, David Kane in NJ. David has already completed a ground-up restoration of the car which took a first place at Pebble Beach this year! Louis will be sending me other "inside information" about V-16s with which he is familiar.
These images, kindly sent by the car's owner, were taken at a picnic organized by the Barnharts each year for the Roanoke Valley region AACA
5880	#44	5100052	(1934) Is said to have been designed for the Edgewater Beach Hotel Auto Show, Chicago Il. It was purchased from the floor of the General Motors Rotunda at the 1933-1934 Chicago World's Fair by the Williams family, of Western and Southern Life Insurance. It has been locally owned since new. Stan Squires reported, in the early 70s, that it was owned by Sam J. Paolella of Cincinnati, OH; it was listed under that name in the Self Starter issue for Nov.-Dec. 1963. In 1991, this car was owned by Bob Westerman of Cincinnati, OH; there is an article in the Self-Starter for September, 1991. Late Extra [1/2007] from John M. Mereness who has helped me in the past to straighten out erroneous information in the Database: The car was originally pearl grey (and was still original prior to being restored and painted black); it was built for a hotel auto show (I had the [build] sheet from GM in my hand a few weeks ago and cannot remember what it said though it lists the hotel and is very detailed as to the paint finish which must have been a very early use of pearl paint); later, it was bought new from the GM World's Fair Rotunda where the original owner's son still talks about it revolving on a platform in the middle of the rotunda. That family, the Williams family owned (and still own) Western & Southern Life Insurance Co. in Cincinnati. The house where the car resided is also still in existence and for sale at something like 6 million dollars! The picture of the car is the black one that you have equally misidentified below. You can see the Ohio historical license tag. The car is very distinctive as it has a trunk mounted spare. I had a new top put on for them several weeks ago and had the pleasure of taking the car across town (one helluva great driving car). Hope this info helps. John added: This may be of interest as well: we had a new top put on and while the top was replaced, the pads were original. Inside the pads runs a radio antenna that circles the car inside the top pads. It was very difficult to restore and added about $2,500 to the bill for the top, of nearly $8,000 dollars, due to the overall complexity of the top.
Car has been black since the late 1960's; wheel disks were gold plated (right) and getting shabby, so were chrome for a period; gold plating was restituted at restoration, when it was discovered they had been delivered thus to the first owner [ Photos: © and courtesy Bob Westerman and John M. Mereness ] Pebble Beach, 2008 ?
5880	[1936 body] used to be #75	5100023	(1934/1936) Frequently seen at Kruse auctions too, during the collector car "boom" in the late eighties and early nineties, I saw this car as lot #46 in 1994, #49 in 1993, probably #5033 in 1992, #710 in 1991, #690 in 1990 and #700 in 1989 and lot #662 [year unknown]. As that particular lot, it was said to have been sold for $115,000. Current vendor says the car underwent a professional, body-off restoration in 1974 and is in excellent running condition; chassis/engine # originally carried a 6275-S flat-windshield sedan body; it was converted to a [much more desirable] convertible sedan using the body off a 1936 car; it had circa 61K miles on the odometer in 2001; it is black with a red leather interior and a tan Stay-Fast convertible top. Newly rechromed bumpers and grille. Dual side mounts. Price $175,000; call Frank [Nicodemus - of F.E.N. Enterprises?] 845.462-5959 (NY) [http://www.classiccarshowcase.com/34cadv16.htm] . Latest offer from Frank (2006): $225,000 !
I believe this is the car [photo: Kruse auction catalog]
5880	?	5100043	(1935) To be auctioned in Arizona by RM Classics in January 2009. More details awaited. This car is the same color (and has the same color license tag) as this one, previously listed here as a survivor from the 1937 production run:

5880	#64	5100104	(1935) This car has been junked. According to the Self Starter issue for Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13, it was owned at that time by Mr. Bob Mellin. It was shipped by the factory on January 24, 1935 to the Cadillac branch in Philadelphia, PA, only to be diverted later to the New York Auto Show; after the show it returned to PA where it was acquired by Henry W. Breyer, Jr. of Breyer Ice-Cream renown; at that time the car was painted a similar green to the color of the Breyer ice-cream cartons. William T. Walter of Drexel Hill, PA, bought the car in 1952 and sold it in 1954 to Thomas W. Synott II of Wenonah, NJ. The late Dave Holls bought it in 1962 and spent many hours restoring it; sadly the Holls' home caught fire on January 2, 1963 and the car was all but destroyed. Bob Mellin acquired it for parts. According to Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, the car (or the carcass?) was registered at that time to Richard Ancerewicz of Detroit, MI.
5880? [rebody]	#16	5100133	(1935) is a conversion from limousine style #5875, body #77. According to the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s, it was registered to Eugene W. Zimmerman of Harrisburg, PA.
5880	#86	5100143	(1935) According to the Self Starter issue for Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13, this car was owned at that time by Alden O. Johnson of Minneapolis, MN. An army captain had sold it to a used car dealer in the fifties; the late Dexter Buell bought it from the dealer, located in St. Paul, MN. He sold it to a Mr. John Morgan who, in turn, sold it to a Mrs. Norval. In 1957 Mrs. Norval sold it to Mr. Johnson. In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, it is described as "disassembled, with no running boards, but otherwise good condition".
5880	#100	5100144	(1935) In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, it is described as a mere parts car [engine]; it was registered at that time to John T. Fisher of Huntington, IN [or Henry Groner of Berger, MO?]
5880	#101	5110245	(1936) In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, this car is registered to Sam J. Alfano, Jr., of Houston, TX. At that time it was in excellent condition with only 39.5K miles. The original owner was said to be a Mr. R. A. Josey. Car was estimated at 90 points; it was black with a red interior. The horn button carried this info: "#245 - Mr. R.A. Josey". The car in this picture was included at one time in a Kruse auction catalog, in the eighties. Possibly this car that I have not yet been able to identify for sure
5880	#100	5110222	(1936) This car shipped from the factory on February 10, 1936. In 1963, according to the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, it was owned by the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL, the museum having got it as a gift, in 1949, from a Mr. John B. Hawley of Minneapolis, MN. At that time it was in fine condition despite non-original front bumpers, headlights, running board, rear stone guards and rear fender spears. In Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, it is described as "very good ... except the car has been butchered (running boards removed, headlights in fenders, etc.)." Late extra [6/2006]: this just in from enthusiast Chris Summers of W.Virginia. I recently visited the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and 5110222 is still there and still part of the museum, listed on the info card as donated by Mr. Hawley. It appears to be in poor condition, with chipped and scratched paint and a threadbare, water stained convertible top; I was unable to see much of the interior because the top and windows were up, but it appeared ratty, as well. It has its headlights mounted in the front of the fenders [???], running boards split and curved in towards the middle, and rounded front and rear bumpers, as well as solid guards on the rear fenders. None of which are for the better, in my opinion... A photo would be useful, if any Chicagoans can do the honors! Later still [8/2006]: the car was offered at auction, at no reserve. as Lot #512. It was valued between $300-500K. The current (2008) odometer reading is only 17K miles. The alleged "butchering" mentioned by Stan Squires is described by the vendor as "custom design features". The factory full-length running boards have been modified or replaced with short, wing-like running boards, for the rear doors only. The front fenders on the vehicle have also been extensively modified and now have headlamps built into them, replacing the bullet-shaped original headlamps that once flanked the grille. The vendor posits that the special running boards were designed into the vehicle when new and that the front fenders were modified by a coachbuilder just before, or perhaps shortly after, World War II. Photos of the car from 1947 already reflect the custom features as well as its 1942-1947 Cadillac-style bumpers. The original leather is reported to be largely intact and in good overall condition. The dashboard retains all of its proper gauges and controls. The Fleetwood style 5880 body included the division window that separates the front driver’s compartment from the rear passenger compartment. The paint remains quite presentable for its age. The top material has been replaced and is somewhat deteriorated. Two of the exterior door handles are missing, as is the original radiator mascot.
The B&W photo (left), taken circa 1947, already reflects the major body modifications made to this car and seen in the RH photo; the chrome trim spears on the rear fenders are reminiscent of those used on the sixteens of 1938-40, but integrated headlights mounted inside and flush with the front fenders did not appear on Cadillacs until 1941, so these may be post-WW2 modifications; the front and rear bumpers, clearly visible in these two photos, are without doubt off a 1942 Cadillac; even THEY are quite rare! Far left: rear fender spears; far right: integrated headlights Center photos: interior layout and trim appear to be factory stock Clues in these 2 rows suggest that this is an authentic, numbers matching car; it has to be assumed, therefore (and taking into account the 1942-style bumpers on the car), that the body modifications were made independently, at least 7-8 years after the car left the factory [ all photos: Internet, October 2008 ]
5880	#104	5130320	(1937) This car was shipped from the factory on December 12, 1936; the original owner was a Mrs. E.P. Waggoner of Beverly Hills, CA; her name still graces the horn button along with number "320" [from the engine number 5130320]. In 1958 it was acquired by a Mr. James A. Weston who, in 1961, sold it to Mr. Craig Watrous of Sacramento, CA. It was reported to be still owned by Craig in the Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]. In the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s, the car is registered to Joseph P. Mikula of Sacramento, CA and said to be in very good condition, having been restored in 1959. In 2001, it was owned by Hunter Classics. Late Extra [1/2007]: enthusiast and restorer, John M. Mereness, kindly sent this description from the Hunter Collection catalog: This particular car was ordered in October, 1936 for shipment 'Dec. 12, sure' to A.P. Mitchell Cadillac of Fort Worth [TX]. The purchaser was Mr. E.P. Waggoner, whose family controlled one of the largest ranches in Texas (Mrs. Wagonner's daughter, Electra, was the famous Texas beauty for whom the Buick Electra was named in 1959). The build sheet specified black exterior with flare red wheels, black leather interior and silver goddess (mascot). It became part of the Jim Brucker (Cars of the Stars - Movie World) collection in the 1960s and appeared at an auction in Southern California in the early 70's, at which time it was bought by Thomas Cadillac [Los Angeles]. It is pictured at that auction on page 125 of [Roy Schneider's] Sixteen Cylinder Motor Cars. It can be identified by its distinct (non authentic) rear window. It was sold at the Thomas Cadillac auction, April 1986 [1996?] and restored by Hunter Classics in 1997-98. It received a 2nd in class at Pebble Beach, 1998 and scored 100 points (Senior #22232) at the Indiana Grand Classic." I have among the papers I got from Stan Squires a letter from him to Mr. Thomas inquiring about the engine number of the car, which Mr. Thomas had shown as "702889" [which is the number of a V-16 engine from a 452 or 452A series car]; he said also that his car was tan colored.and needed some wiring. He later confirmed that Stan was right; the correct engine number being "5130320".
*[ Photo: Self Starter, Jan. 2007, courtesy of Hunter Classics ]* [ trunk image to be processed ] In his authoritative work on the V-16, Roy Schneider wrote in Sixteen-Cylinder Motor Cars, page 125: Although integral trunks were spacious on many 452Ds [i.e. 1934 V-16s], an accessory trunk rack was available as seen in this photograph - arms swung out to receive trunk and folded against body when not in use [ Photos: Sixteen-Cylinder Motor Cars, courtesy of Roy Schneider and the late Dave Holls ]
5880	#107	5130349	(1937) This was the last V16 convertible phaeton built and the second last V16 car of the 452ci series. The list price of this particular car was $8105 and it weighed 6210 lbs. In the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, it was reported to be owned by a Mr. S. Howard Brown of Grantville, PA. Mr. Brown bought the car on September 16, 1947, from a Dr. Devine, the second owner; he was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The story of this car was published in Torque magazine for Mar-Apr. 1987, pp. 4-5. In the roster of survivors drawn up in the early 70s by Stan Squires, the then owner is listed as Donald S. Gilmore, bord chairman of the Upjohn Company as well as owner/curator (?) of the well-known and respected Gilmore Museum, Kalamazoo, MI. Stan said it was in very good condition. Late Extra [May, 2007]: According to Aussie/Tasmanian enthusiast, Bruce Reynolds, who took a photo of this car at the Gilmore Museum in PA, in 2002, the car is now dark green. It was previously listed here as an "unknown" because I did not have the VIN or body numbers.
Left and/or right? The Gilmore Museum car before restoration The photo [left] was a post card that you could purchase in the gift shop of the museum [ thanks to Jon Riley for identifying this former "unknown" V-16 ] Photo, center, was taken on the occasion of the Gilmore Museum's Cadillac-LaSalle Experience, in Kalamazoo, MI, in June 1993; the restored car is dark green although this may not be very obvious in the pics at left and center [ Photo (2nd row, center): courtesy Katie Robbins ]
5880	#121	5130319	(1937) was not previously included here; I just found it on the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s; it is described there as a 7-pass. limousine [???]. At that time it was registered to Russel C. Jackson of Scottsdale, AZ. It was described as a "good original." Who has it today ?
5880-S	#23	510040	Was formerly owned by A.E. Marcotte of Glendive, Montana. Stan Squires, of Detroit, who has thoroughly researched the sixteens of this era, reports that the car was effectively scrapped, circa 1958
5885	#1	5100044	(1934) This unique convertible Victoria was purchased new by Hugh McLeod Fenwick of Aiken, South Carolina, for $8150. In the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, it was reported [apparently in error] to be in the Princeton Auto Museum, Princeton, MA. The second owner was Robert P. Friggens of Allison Engineering, NM; he kept it for many years. Stan Squires described it in the early 70s as a "good original with 80K miles on the odometer." It was offered for sale in the early seventies, for $37,500 by George J. Patterson, of Houston, TX. At that time it had no rear fender skirts nor bumper guards [top photo]; on the other hand, there were two additional front lights. Another owner was Automatic Transmission Services in Los Angeles, CA. The car was fully restored for Jon Freeman, by Fran Roxas of Chicago, IL; work was completed in May, 1981. There is an article about it in CC for June, 1983. The car was subsequently advertised for sale by Kruse in August 1996.
Photo taken when the car was owned by Robert P. Friggens of New Mexico The upper photo was taken way before Jon Freeman had the car restored by Fran Roxas [photo, below] On show at Pebble Beach (?), 2002 Pebble Beach, 2008?
5885 ex-5875	[ #5 ]	5100013	(1935) This car was on display at a Florida CCCA meet in 1990; believed to be owned today [2001] by Hunter Classics of St. Louis, MO. Formerly a light color (early '90s), currently (2001) it is painted black. The original chassis/engine carried a limousine body (style #5875); somewhere along the line it appears to have acquired a much more desirable convertible Victoria body. The car was formerly in the Princeton Auto Museum. Its body reportedly was changed by the Museum in the 40's, after a wreck. Gene Zimmerman owned it and displayed it at his Automobilarama Museum near Harrisburg, PA, before moving to FL. Currently (2006) it is owned by Hunter Classics. Friend and enthusiast, Terry Wenger has photos of it that he took in 1971, in PA.when it was apart and that body had been on it for a long time.
This car? Different wheels from car shown below
5885	#11	5100118	(1935) In the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self-Starter, p.13, this car was reported owned by Mr. Albro Case of E. Windsor Hill, CO. In the roster of survivors drawn up by Stan Squires in the early 70s, it was listed as belonging in to the late "Cadillac Jim" Pearson, of Kansas City, KS. Could this be the car now (1999) owned by Jack Nethercutt of the Merle Norman collection, San Sylmar, CA?
5885	?	?	(1935/37) I saw and photographed this modified convertible Victoria in the Blackhawk collection in Danville, CA, in June 1999
(Left) Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance (1998?); (Right) Blackhawk collection, Danville, CA (1999) [ Photo (right): © 1999, Yann Saunders ]
5891	#8	5130309	(1937) According to Stan Squires' roster of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s, this car was destroyed by fire; only the engine remains, which is most unfortunate as Fleetwood built only ONE unit of this style over the entire period 1934-37. Louis Banhart heard fom Romeo Boivin of Bagotville, Quebec, Canada, that the car had been destroyed by fire; he [Boivin] said the town car had been acquired [new?] by a local taxi company of Montreral. It was later acquired by a Mr. Joseph Cosgrain in whose garage it was totally destroyed by fire. Boivin later found the remains behind a barn; the farmer intended to use the engine to run a sawmill but could not find some missing parts! Boivin acquired the engine and later may have sold it to Alden O. Johnson of Minneapolis, MN.
5899	#3	5100034	(1934) was formerly owned by William T. Walter, Sr. of Drexel Hill, PA. He bought the car in 1946 and still owned it in 1963, according to the Self Starter issue of Nov.-Dec. 1963]. Immediately recognizable in those days by its single, massive, orange, Cyclops-like fog light, the car was on the field at Hershey in 1967 (photographed there by the late Dave Ficken). It was fully restored in the nineties and went from being a nice, used car worth $5-6K to one estimated (by some) at over $2 million! Indeed, I saw it and photographed it at the Barrett- Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in 1998. There it carried a $2.2 million price tag! At an earlier showing it was priced at "only" $850,000 (lot #11). I believe the car currently (2005) is in the Blackhawk Museum collection in Danville, CA. It has been advertised for sale also by the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Latest [8/2007]: An effective sale took place at the Gooding & Co. auction at Pebble Beach on August 19, 2007. The car achieved "only" (!) $616,000 [thanks for the update, Chris Cummings].
William T. Walter's aero coupe before it was fully restored *[ Photos (above 2rows): courtesy Imperial Palace, Las Vegas ]* Photos (left and center): © 1998, Yann Saunders Photo (right): courtesy Imperial Palace, Las Vegas
5899	#5	5100060	(1934) In the Nov.-Dec. 1963 issue of the Self Starter, p.13, this car was reported owned by Grady Paine of Lakewood, CA. This was confirmed by Stan Squires in his listing of survivors, drawn up in the early 70s. At that time it was reported as unrestored. It had been converted from a 6-wheel to a 5-wheel job. Original colors included brown, tan and black.. It was complete, mechanically in good order "but reluctant to start", said Mr. Paine. This may be the car I saw offered for sale by auction, by the Kruse organization, in August 1996.
Possibly this car, although identified as a 1936 model
5899	?	?	(1934) Seen on the Web in May, 2001; this vehicle is reported to have served a beer delivery route during WWII. The car recently completed a full restoration :
Possibly this car [left], formerly owned by William C. Williams [ Photo on right was taken during a CCCA CARavan in 1956 - it is possibly also the same car ] [ Photos: © and courtesy CCCA ]
5899	#13	5110224	(1936) This 5-wheel job was first reported to be owned by Robert Day of Los Angeles, CA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13], then by a Mrs.Wilhelmetta Keck-Day of Los Angeles/Santa Monica, CA. On a card I got from Stan Squires, in the early 70s, it says "original owner W. M. Keck.". At that time the car had around 58.5K miles on the odometer and was an "unrestored original." I believe the current owner is either Jim Zanardi, a member of the CCCA, or Bill Parfet, a principal of the Gilmore (CCCA) Museum where the car was on show in July 2007. Thanks to Jon Riley for this update.
Possibly this car, now owned by Jim Zanardi; not sure if the car on the right is the same car [ Photo (left): © and courtesy CCCA ]
5899	#20	5130339	(1937) In the Self-Starter for 3/63, on p.11. there is a photo of this car when it was owned by a Mr. Rudolph Buckles; in the issue for Nov.-Dec. 1963, on p.13, the car is shown to be in the ownership of a Mr. Wilbur "Bill"F. Sanders, of Dearborn, MI; the latter matches the information gathered by Stan Squires for his roster, drawn up in the early 70s. It was said to be in good, original, unrestored condition. Another owner was John Serafin of Long Island, NY [at one time, John owned TWO of these aerodynamic coupes]; it was acquired later by Jack Nethercutt for the Merle Norman collection, San Sylmar, CA. This is the only aero coupe built in 1937.
[ Color photo: courtesy " Trombinoscope"]
6275	#356	5100136	(1935-36?) Was included in the Vegas Auction for April, 2001. The listed engine number, if correct, would make this car a 1935 model. The auction ad described it thus: 1936 Cadillac V-16 armored limousine ID #5100136; Roosevelt's car - own a part of American history. I saw this car in a glass display case at the Imperial Palace, Las Vegas, in 1999. At that time it was in "as found" condition (in drab, military olive gray garb). The holes in the windshield and side windows allowed occupants to fire guns at would-be aggressors ! Late Extra [June, 2004]: Tim Pawl who heads our CLC Museum and Research Center reports that the car is currently at the Peterson Museum in L.A. A young CLC members has an internship there sent Tim a letter describing the car; he said it was located in their basement storage, looked rough and thought it should be "saved". The Peterson Museum has no current plans for restoring the car. In a letter from Cadillac PR to Stan Squires on Ovt. 28, 1976 it wa ststated that all armor plating was done by outside contractiotrs like hess & Eusenhardt. Eight ppor Xerox copies of photos are attached to the letter; I wonder who has the originals? Stan?
Image (right): Las Vegas auction site, Internet, April 2001
6275	#100	5100024	Was previously listed here in error as a Fleetwood style #5875; Louis Barnhart has set me straight. This one was seen advertised for sale in Scottsdale, AZ (at the annual Barrett-Jackson venue in 2001); it was described thus: basically original, solid, perfect running V16, new interior, no rust, mechanics sound, good driving and running original V16, divider window . The car was bid up to $62,500 but not sold. Louis Barnhart [V-16, style #5880, body #25] knows this car and will be sending me some more recent information about it.
6275	#107	5100030	(1934) The first owner is believed to have been Texan, John Nance Garner, Vice President of the USA in the Roosevelt administration (1933-1941). A subsequent owner (or the very next one?) Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, US naval officer and famed Angtartic (South Pole) explorer. In the 60s, it was owned by the Admiral's son, by R.E. Byrd (Jr.?) of Boston, MA. He sold it [in the late sixties?] to Count J.O. Raben, of Nysted, Denmark. Somewhere along the way, this car was considerably modified [by whom?]. I got the engine number from Mr. Raben's secretary in 1977. The Museum catalog tells this story: The Admiral's son [R.E. Byrd] wrote to the Museum [no date indicated] asking whether the car might be of interest to it. He admitted it was in poor condition as it had lain out in the open for fifteen years, so the price was reasonable. Unfortunately, although the initial cost to acquire he car was low, restoration proved to be very expensive. The engine, however, was in good condition. All that was needed was to clean out the fuel lines; the car started up after only a few engine revolutions. Matt Larson, CLC archivist par excellence, confirmed that this car started out as a flat-windshield 1934 V-16, Fleetwood style #6275 [as now listed here - previously I had it listed as a custom job]. Note, however, that the converted car has a "V" windshield as well as fully enclosed rear quarters. Stan Squires [car #5100050] a long-time acquaintance and V-16 enthusiast pointed out many years ago the following anomalies on the Raben car: (1) the car has no rear bumper, (2) three vertical "stiffeners" have been added between the bi-plane front bumper bars, (3) there are painted grille areas that should be chrome, (4) sealed-beam headlights have been added, (5) car has the wrong wheel covers.
This is exhibit #86 in the Aalholm Museum, Nysted, Denmark This town car conversion currently (2002) is located in Denmark; it is believed to have been owned, initially, by US VP, John Nance Garner ?
6275	#356	5100136	(1934) [information supplied by Chris Cummings, V-16 owner, and Mike Fairbairn of RM Auctions]. This Series 6275 seven-passenger limousine has been known for years as Joseph Kennedy’s car. It was first delivered to Rolls Royce in London, according to the build sheet [apparently, Rolls-Royce serviced and maintained the cars for the U.S. Embassy; a handwritten note on the build sheet indicates that the car was intended for Kennedy’s use - while the car was indeed delivered in 1934, Senator Kennedy did not become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom until 1937; it is likely, nevertheless, that the car was still part of the Embassy fleet during his tenure; clearly, however, it could not have been ordered for him]. Shown at Meadowbrook in August, 2005, this car was said to be unrestored and has never required restoration. It was expected to fetch between $75,000 and $100,000. It is believed the car returned to the U.S. after the war, although little is known of its ownership history since then. The vendor acquired the car from a well-known Oklahoma collector [James C. Leake ?], who had expended considerable effort to ensure that the car would be in top operating condition, including a full rebuild of the remarkable 16-cylinder engine and a conversion to 12-volt operation. The body number seems high, considering that only nine units were mounted on the V-16 chassis; we must assume, therefore, that the balance includes also the sedan style, #6275-S, as well as bodies mounted on V-8 and V-12 chassis that year.
6275-S	#75	5100023	(1934) This car was reported to be owned, in 1963, by Mr. Joe P. Mikula of Sacramento, CA [Self Starter, Nov.-Dec. 1963, p.13]. Norman Taunton of Galt, CA, bought the car in 1960. On the horn button is an indication that the original owner was a Mr. R. Van Hoosear, with number "11". Stan Squires reported in the early 70s that the car was a "fair original" showing about 150K miles on the odometer.
6275 or 6275-S	#107	5100030	(1934) Thanks to recent research [7/2001] by Matt Larson of the CLC, it was determined that this car was a flat-windshield limousine, Fleetwood style #6275 [body #107], and that the first owner was not [as I had been told earlier] South Pole explorer, Admiral Byrd. The car was ordered by Capital Cadillac Co., Washington, D.C., and is listed as "Charge to Mrs. John N. Garner at Factory". Neither Matt nor I know who the Garners were, but cars charged to factory accounts in those days are rather unusual; that notation is found, for example, on build sheets for cars ordered by the various Fisher brothers, by Alfred P. Sloan, by Harley Earl, etc.] Late Extra [8/2002]: Long time CLC member, Currell Pattie, has solved the mystery; he wri