Body
Style |
Body
Number |
Engine
Number |
Latest
available information |
| 4220 |
? |
? |
One survivor is owned by James Harman. I've
seen it mentioned in SS, 1972 and 1985. |
| 4220 |
? |
? |
R.
Crane, NJ [CLC directory] |
| 4225 |
? |
? |
One survivor is owned by Jack Nethercutt of San
Sylmar, CA [Merle Norman collection]; it was featured in an article in AQ,
for the fourth quarter 1984. |
| 4225 |
? |
702029 |
One survivor is owned by Jack Nethercutt of San
Sylmar, CA [Merle Norman collection]; it was featured in an article in AQ,
for the fourth quarter 1984. This car once belonged to film director, Cecil B. De Mille |
|  
Photos: (top and left, below) Self Starter magazine,
2/2005; (right) © Dennis Adler
 
|
| 4235 |
#7 |
702363
???? |
I photographed the car below at a show in
Pennsylvania in the early eighties. It has survived, still, and is currently in Sweden in
the private collection of Anders Lack (photo below, right). I'm not sure of the engine and
body numbers. However, engine number 702363 is fitted with this Fleetwood convertible
coupe body style and such a car was reported in Sweden in 2000; could it be Mr. Lack's
car? |
| 
Photo (left): © 1982, Yann Saunders; (right)
© Anders Lack
|
| 4235 |
#45 |
702573 |
This car was
reported owned by a Mr. Robert [Bob] E. McGinnis of San Diego, CA. In 2009, when
Rick transferred the bulk of his archives to be incorporated into the "Cadillac
Database", he provided a "fingerprint" of the body tag that he had taken in
the fifties. |
| 4235 |
#59 |
702655 |
The owner of Fleetwood style 4235 convertible coupe
#82 (Kjell Kraakmo of Norway), believed that this car was undergoing a complete
restoration in the USA, in 2003; he did not have its engine number. Late extra [Jan., 2008]: the car has been acquired by
collector-enthusiast, Brent Merrill. Brent said : The car was originally destined for Uppercu Cadillac in New York, but was
diverted for delivery to Plattsburgh,. NY, in the summer of 1930. The ownership
history can be traced back to 1939 and we believe that, including me, there have been five
owners of the car. Two of them were long term owners (30 plus years each). We
are hoping someone might contact us to fill in the nine years we are missing between 1930
and 1939 or tell us if there was ever a Cadillac dealer in the 30's in Plattsburgh so we can trace the history to new [try contacting Knight Cadillac,
Plattsburgh. NY]. The car has had a ground-up Concours quality restoration,
completed three years ago by Bob Bachman in Virginia. The previous owner had the good
fortune of having the original sales order for the car, so it has been kept true to
original. The paint, including the pin stripes and wheels, are all the original color
identified on the build sheet. One of the owners painstakingly searched out the correct
colours over a period of years. The upper panels are Joselyn Gray and the lower
panels and trim are Trafalgar Gray. The pin stripes and wheels are Winooski Green.Since
the restoration was completed it has been driven just once. It is kept in indoor
storage. It is in EXCELLENT condition, including the paint, chrome, top, and
interior. There is not a nick or scratch anywhere. The top has never been put down,
it is perfect including the bows and the fabric. Latest
(3/2010): I got this complementary information from Mr. Merrill; he
wrote: ...I thought you might be interested in a funny
story. When I bought this 1930 Cadillac V16 convertible coupe ... I did a bit of
investigation into the prior ownership. One of those long term 30-year owners was Willy
Meffert. In our telephone conversation he asked me if I owned any other cars and I
mentioned my 4335 with engine 700898. He said that he thought the number sounded familiar.
He checked his records and, sure enough, he had owned this car also at one point. But had
sold it once he got his model 4235. Well, isn’t it interesting that I did the same
thing. Willy and I both owned the same cars and bought and sold them in the same
order…I still have the 4235. Isn’t that amazing. I mean what a coincidence ...
PS. I kind of regret selling the old girl, but a fellow can only have so many V16
Cadillacs!!! Maybe one day I can buy back the 4335 ... Ha ha. |
| 4235 |
? |
702381 |
Was offered for
sale in the classifieds of the Self Starter, in June 1966, by Dave Towell, a
Cadillac dealer in Akron, OH. He described it as "one of the top cars in the
country". It was beige with dark brown fenders. Anybody know where it is today ?
Could it be this one, owned by Dayton Card and featured in an article in AQ, for
the fourth quarter 1984.
[ possibly this car? ]
|
| 4235 |
? |
702619 |
This one is included in the roster of survivors prepared by Rick
LeForge. He says it was shipped to Milwaukee then on to Minneapolis on 19 August, 1930.
When Rick first saw it, in the fifties, it was a sound, complete and semi-restored
car. In 2001, it was part of the Otis Chandler collection (Vintage Museum).
The first owner is not known but previous owners include Elmer Franzen of Minneapolis, MN
(1961-1967), the late Cadillac Jim Pearson of Kansas City, KS (1968-1983) and Bud
Tinney (1983-1997). Enthusiast Chris Cummings believes it is now (2005) owned by Jim George of Haymarket,
VA. Jim provided the story of his car, as well as some lovely photos, in an article
published in the April 2006 edition of the Self Starter. |
| 
At the Potomac Region show, Oct. 2005
[ Photo: © 2005, Dan Reed ]
 
Left: retouched designer's drawing from 1930 V-16
product brochure
Right: profile view of Jim George's car does justice to the original design
 
[ These photos and previous row, right, courtesy Self
Starter, April 2006 ]
|
| 4235 |
#91 |
702807 |
Info from Rick LeForge. This car
was shipped to Chicago on 30 November 1931. |
| 4235 |
#92 |
702834 |
Former owners were (1) John
Osborne and (2) Paul Schinnerer. Info from Rick LeForge who supplied a "finger
print" of the body tag that he got in the 50s. The car
was stolen in May of 1976. It had many special features. |
| 4235 |
#82 |
702876 |
K. Kraakmo, Norway. This car is
undergoing a full restoration. The owner informed me in March, 2003, that the engine was
cast in July 1930. It was delivered to Uppercu Cadillac Co. in New York on Christmas
Eve, 1930. |
| 4235 |
#961 |
703220 |
1 According to the owner of the
preceding car (#82), ninety-six of these convertible coupe bodies were built by Fleetwood
and this one carries Body #96. Factory records thoroughly researched by Carl Steig and
others show that only 94 such bodies were mounted on the V-16 chassis. I surmise,
therefore, that the two "extra" bodies were mounted on V8 or V12 chassis; there
are other instances of V-16 body numbers exceeding the known V-16 production total.
Perhaps Mr.William Meffert, THE authority on Fleetwood style #4235, can resolve the
mystery of this high body number (BTW, he believes there are some 10 survivors worldwide).
|
| 4235 |
? |
? |
Jefferson M. Brown of the Peerless Motor Car Club recognized
this photo from the 2000 NAPA parts store Collector's Edition
calendar. The owner is identified as Dale E. Fowler, but no location is given. 
|
| 4235 |
? |
? |
Rick
Carroll [article in AQ] |
| 4235 |
? |
? |
J. Bohmer, ME [CLC
Directory] |
| 4235 |
? |
? |
T. Derro, MA [CLC Directory] |
| 4235 |
? |
? |
J. Pascoe, MI [CLC
Directory] |
| 4235 |
? |
? |
B. Scheef, WA [CLC
Directory] |
4257-A?
4257-H? |
? |
701849 |
A combination of these TWO
unique Fleetwood body styles appears to have survived. The owner, Joe Moore, left
this message on the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.'s message board on June 21, 2002:
Have 7-pass one of a kind with scroll hood. Need any parts & accessories
including any information of original sales data. Delivered new to a dealer in NYC.
Fleetwood body #16-688, engine # 701849. Currently in complete restoration. Any help will
be greatly appreciated. Joe. In the 2002 CLC Directory the owner is listed as
B. Massman, CA. 
Factory photo shows correct curved sill for Fleetwood
"42.." group
|
| 4260 |
#1 |
? |
This car was for sale in
California (there was an ad in SS for Nov.-Dec. 1967, p.15). |
| 4260 |
#82 |
700665 |
This car was sold for $150,000
as lot #1136 at a Kruse auction in Auburn, IN, in August 2000. It was blue outside and in;
although an older restoration, it is still in fine condition, with a new top, covered
sidemounts and mirrors, trunk rack and spotlights. Numbers were supplied kindly by Timothy
Pierce who represents Robert De Mars Ltd. Automobile Appraisers/Historians in West Palm
beach, Florida USA. The low engine number suggest that this is a re-body; perhaps someone
has info about the original body that was used with engine #700665. Tim says the car
is currently [March 2001] available for sale for $235,000 
|
| 4260 |
#2 |
701554 |
This was Fisher order #2587. The factory build
sheet lists the model as an "all-weather phaeton" whereas it is definitely a a
Fleetwood dual windshield, special phaeton. The upper body was painted Indiana Gray
(R&M #20157); the lower panels as well as the hood and cowl vents were painted Duco's
Saxon Gray (#2445519). Fenders and chassis were painted a contrasting Duco Rosewood
Brown (#5782); the finish moldings above the belt were chrome plated. I saw this car at
the Barrett-Jackson auction in January, 1998. It was gray-mauve with matching
leather trim and trunk. It carries the engine that was first used in the European Tour
car; the latter was re-bodied by Jacques Saoutchik of Paris, circa 1930-31. This is CLC
Senior car #141 and is owned (2002) by Steven Nanini of Tucson, AZ.
Photo: © 1998, Yann Saunders
|
| 4260 |
ex- #2 |
ex-
701554 |
Chassis # 7-101(?) (see below - this chassis was re-bodied by Jacques Saoutchik of Paris, France - the
original sport phaeton body (#2) was mounted, later, on another V-16 chassis (see
preceding car) |
| 4260 |
#42 |
702401 |
Was last sold at
auction in January,
2006, for $363,000 [tip from V-16 owner/enthusiast, Chris Cummings]. This car has been
retrofitted with power steering. The build sheet shows it to have been delivered first to Cadillac’s Philadelphia branch. It was
later diverted to New York and sold there. Owned by collector Robert Chamberlain,
Maryland, in the seventies, he sold it in 1981 to the late Philip Wichard of Hauppage, New
York, who had it fully restored in the late 80s. The car has scored 100 points in CCCA
Grand Classic judging. Sold by Christie's in 1995, it was acquired by Charles Cauley who
sold it to the current vendor in 1998. The driver’s compartment remains in show
condition. Accessories include a “lo-boy” trunk, Pilot Ray driving lights,
radiator stone guard, twin windshield mounted spotlights, wind wings, and metal sidemount
covers. Late Extra [1/2008]: the
car is slated for sale, again, at RM Auctions’ Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction,
March 8, 2008. Estimate was between $400,000 and $500,000. The car sold for
$522.000! Late Extra [8/2008]
According to Chris Cummings, this car is to be sold again at the coming RM auction in
Monterey, CA. |
| 
 
 
|
| 4260 |
? |
702406 |
[NEW, Dec. 2008]. This car was offered at
auction by the Gooding Co. for their January 2009 venue in Scottsdale, AZ. It has
been fully documented. Here is the auction catalog description supplied kindly by
collector-enthusiast Jon Riley of Chicago: This
spectacular Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton was delivered to its first owner in Brookline,
Massachusetts, through the local distributor, Boston Cadillac, LaSalle and Oldsmobile.
While the name of the original owner is unknown, a later owner, Richard Warren, had done
much research on the car and believed that this rare Sport Phaeton was primarily used at
the summer home of its original owner, located in Vergens, Virginia. By the late 1940s,
the original owner had parted with his exceptional Cadillac and the car was in the care of
a local garage owner. In 1950, the garage owner sold the car to a prominent collector,
Harry King of Worcester, Massachusetts, for the outrageous sum of $125. Some years later
Richard Warren of nearby Auburn purchased the car from King for the same price of $125.
Evidently King became tired of the car by this time and simply felt that he merely receive
his minor outlay in return.Warren kept the car for some time and during his ownership he
installed a fresh 1932 V-16 motor to keep the car on the road. Thankfully when he sold the
car to Homer Fitterling in 1955, the original engine went with the car [Mr.
Fitterling still had the car in 1959; he was a member of the CLC at that time]. When
Fitterling passed away in the mid-1980s, the car, along with its proper, original engine,
was sold at auction to George Lucetti of Springfield, Massachusetts. Lucetti spent the
next four to five years treating this important car to a comprehensive restoration. Not
simply content with restoring the car cosmetically, he completely rebuilt and reinstalled
the original V-16. After restoration Lucetti sold the car and for a number of years it
resided in the collection of noted collector Bob Bahre. In the mid-1990s, Bahre sold the
car to another noteworthy collector, Bud Lyon, who retained it for nearly a decade, a
strong testament to its outstanding quality. Lyon then sold the car to Dave Kane, yet
another collector of great American classics. Since Mr. Kane’s ownership, the car has
had only two subsequent caretakers, the last of which has gone to great lengths to ensure
it remained in pristine condition throughout. Beyond careful cosmetic upkeep, Classic and
Exotic Service, Inc. in Michigan has ensured that this V-16 has been properly maintained
in every respect. Today the car is beautifully presented in a very fitting color scheme
for such a grand, luxury automobile, and it sports a number of desirable accessories
including a pair of Pilot Ray auxiliary driving lights, dual side-mounted spares, radiator
stone guard, chrome wire wheels, wind wings and the beautiful Jaeger Eight-Day trip clock
and speedometer in the rear compartment – a feature only found on the prestigious
Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton. The interior, with its machine-turned dashboard, uncluttered
gauges and ample legroom is a truly inviting space for open touring and the whole car has
a lovely feel to it, as would be expected from such a solid, well-cared-for example. The
original Cadillac shipping documents support that this is one of the original, always
desirable V-16 Sport Phaetons. If it was an exceptional car in its day, it is even more so
over 75 years on, as so few have survived with their original bodies, chassis and engines.
This example is one of the fortunate survivors, and it is one of the most important
examples of the Olympian Classics produced in Detroit’s golden era. The 1930 and 1931
Cadillac V-16s are the ultimate development of the classic narrow body, flat radiator
automobiles developed during the 1920s. The Sport Phaeton is, to many, the most desirable
of all. This V-16 is a marvelous example of one of the most legendary cars in the history
of the American automotive industry and it will continue to serve as an excellent
contender in concours d’elegance competition, a faultless touring car and a proud
example of General Motors’ glory years. The car is black with a red interior.
The car changed hands for $632,000, which
exceeded the auction estimate. |
| 4260 |
#34 |
702408 |
The car was
first shipped to Philadelphia on July 19, 1930. It is included in the list of
survivors prepared by Rick LeForge. The original owner is cited as "Senator
Woods"; could this be Senator James E. Woods
(1858-1931)? Woods was a lawyer, served as city councilman, mayor, commissioner of the
fire department, director of the public library and school trustee. He was State
representative from 1911 to 1919 then State Senator from 1919 to 1923. He died in 1931, so
it is possible that the car was subsequently owned by his son. There exists an
article and photos of the car; unfortunately I do not have a copy. |
| 4260 |
#33 |
702425 |
Owned by Dick Gold, article in "Torque",
Jan-Feb. 1982 [this V-16 style listed at $6150 on 1.1.1930, then $6500 on
10.15.1930]; in the CLC directory it is listed as being under the
ownership of C. Selick, NY. I wonder if this is the car shown on p.29 of the Australian
CLC's La Cad magazine for spring 2004; there the owner is identified as Charles
Selick. Unlike other "4260" models, this one has a "43**" series
scalloped hood and horizontal sill. Is it possibly a re-body ? |
| 4260 |
#55 |
702478 |
This phaeton was delivered
originally to Don Lee Cadillac in Los Angeles for the actor Richard Arlen. The original
color was Talina brown and the factory invoice is dated June 13, 1930. Subsequent
owners include a Mr. Brinkerhoff, then Jim Brucker, owner
of Cars of the Stars, museum who customized it and loaned it out for use in the
movie The Carpetbaggers, starring Alan Ladd (it was outfitted with longhorns atop
the front grill, cowhide (calf skin) seat covers and six-guns as door handles). Enthusiast-historian Rick LeForge provided
me in 2009 with a "fingerprint" of the body tag that he had made in the fifties;
his notes to me mention that the car had poor white paint (obviously the car had not been
stripped prior to painting); it was equipped with 18" wheels from a V8 model; the
wrong trunk was installed in the rear; it was missing the the entire rear instrument board
and crank handle; the rear-view mirror was the wrong model; "Pep Boy" sidemount
mirrors had been installed; the wind wings were the wrong type; the tail-light brackets
too were the wrong type; the engine compartment looked OK but lacked the splash aprons;
otherwise Rick described it as a "very sound car". When the Cars of the
Stars museum closed down, the car was acquired by Don Westerdale, then by
"Cadillac Jim" Pearson of Kansas City, then Rick Carroll and later Donald Mayora
who returned it to original factory specs around 1985 and restored it fully in 1990.
In 2002 it was owned by Ed Dauer of Coral Springs, FL (2002). It is CLC Senior car
#142 [my own former '42-75 is #601]. The car is now fire-engine red; it was on show in
Pennsville, NJ, in 1991). The story of this V-16 is told in CC 12/92
pp.32-37 and CLC 4/93, pp.3-4.
This particular car was offered for sale by the Kruse auctioneers as lot #655 (...but
which year?) |
| 
A scene from the movie, "The Carpetbaggers"
 
(Left and right) The Carpetbaggers car after a first
restoration; the original color was Talina brown
and (Center) ...after a second, subsequent restoration when it was painted
"prize-winning red"
These two photos and the one below by Dennis Adler
for Car Collector magazine
|
| 4260 |
? |
702514 |
This one was said to have been acquired by
Aaron Weiss, circa 2006. Late Extra (1/2008):
The car was listed for sale at the annual RM auction that took place on January 18, 2008
(lot #138). Value estimate was between $300,000 and $350,000, the car sold for $302,500.
In the text description accompanying the catalog entry, it was stated that this car
had remained with its current California owner for 20 years (did the sale to Aaron not go
through?). It is a re-body although the first body is thought to have been the same
as this one (sport phaeton). It was sold to the present owner by Fred Weber in the
mid-80s. This car or one very much like it was on the block at another RM venue [as lot
#229]. However, the S/N was listed as #702797 and the engine as #702998; that car
sold for $495,000 [commission included]. It was said to have been restored in 1987 for
Bill Lassiter and is an AACA national first prize winner. A previous owner was Rick
Carroll. Christie's had sold this car in March 1999 for $299,500. |
| 
 
  
[ Photos: RM Auction web site ]
|
| 4260 |
#2494
???? |
702515 |
Thanks
to enthusiast Ray A. Holm, a relative of the family of an early owner, we now know
that this car was once owned by Joseph B. Runyan of Pasadena,
California.
Mr. Runyan restored this vehicle in the late 1950's (I believe), and owned it until his
death. The vehicle was sold to Otis Chandler by the surviving family members [daughter
Constance (Runyan) Pace]. Ray knows the car well and had occasion to drive it. Thanks for
the "inside information", Ray. A color photo of this car is featured in Maurice
Hendry's definitive Cadillac History;
at the time Mr. Runyan first restored the car, he had it painted black. During a later
restoration he changed the color to bottle green, as may be seen in the snapshot below.
|
| 4260 |
#41 |
702588 |
According to Rick LeForge, this special phaeton was
shipped first to Philadelphia on August 14, 1930. At the time Rick encountered the
surviving car, in the fifties, it was owned by a Mr. Cole. |
| 4260 |
? |
702751 |
Owned by Patrick Ferchill, TX |
| 4260 |
#70 |
702797 |
This one is owned by collector-enthusiast, Aaron
Weiss, who informed me in Feb., 2008 that it was a part of his superb collection. I am
hoping that he will provide the body number as well as a couple of photos for the Database
records. I am wondering if this is not the SAME car as listed above, with VIN #702514 and
below, with VIN #702998 [but S/N #702797]? |
| 
|
| 4260 |
? |
702927 |
This rare RHD survivor was owned by Russ
Head; it was built for Maharajah Bhupinder Singh of Patiala1 who subsequently gave it as a gift to his
friend, the Maharajah of Tikari, in India. Enthusiast,
David Hayward (e-Mail address: gmhistorian@btopenworld.com)
wrote in July, 2002: The r.h.d. 1930-31 Sports Phaeton # 702927 has belonged to an
acquaintance of mine, Ron Hickman, on the Island of Jersey for many years. It has also
been featured on a Jersey stamp. Thanks for the info, David.
_____________________________________________________
1 The story goes that the Maharaja of Patiala was snubbed by
snooty British salesmen at a Rolls Royce showroom in the U.K.; he is reported to have got
his own back by buying up the entire consignment of 50 vehicles on display and turning
them into garbage trucks back home. An English paper printed a picture and the story,
which sent company representatives scurrying to Patiala with an olive branch. It is
interesting to note that the Maharajah never bought another RR in his life, nor did
his children. As Capt. Amrinder Singh remarked, "He hated Rolls Royces for the pomp
and snobbery attached to them". The family were great fans of American Cars. |
 
Photo [left]: © 1982, Yann Saunders
 
The car was a real eye-catcher at the
super-Cadillac-meet organized
in England, in September 2003, by CLC member Robert Maidment;
teenager on RH photo, above is Sven, the son of Dutch enthusiast and friend, Dirk Van
Dorst
[ Photos above two rows: © 2002 and courtesy Dirk Van Dorst ]
Photo: Robert Maidment, CLC - UK
|
| 4260 |
? |
702987 |
Info from
Rick LeForge. Only the engine remain. It was installed in a '34 Ford (article in 1946
issue of Motor Trend). |
| 4260 |
? |
702998 |
Identified as
S/N 702797 with engine #702998, this car looks very much like the one identified above as
#702514. It could be also the sport phaeton above with VIN #702797? I saw a
report of an RM auction sale, with this car listed as lot #229. It was sold
for $495,000 [commission included]. That car was said to have been restored in 1987
for Bill Lassiter, it is an AACA national first prize winner. A previous owner was Rick
Carroll. Christie's had sold this car in March 1999 for $299,500.
[ Photo: RM auction catalog ? ]
|
| 4260 |
? |
703060 |
This car was
shipped to Buffalo, NY, on February 14, 1931. According to Rick LeForge, only the engine
remains. |
| 4260 |
#85 |
703225 |
Formerly owned by
Pete Brogea, then Cadillac dealer Dave Towell of Akron, OH. Info from Rick LeForge
who supplied a "finger print" of the body tag that he got in the 50s. |
| 4260 |
#33
or
#71 |
703249 |
Rick LeForge's listing shows the body number as 71
and the owner as Ray Jones. This is the second to last V-16 of the 452-452A series;
it was brought to my attention by the current owner, in October 1999. It was sold
originally by Cadillac's Ohio dealership to the first owner, Joseph Vanmeter of Piketown,
OH who is reported to have kept until the early fifties. Subsequent owners are not known
until 1984, when the car was owned by aficionado, Fred Weber. Fred sold it to Steven
Nanini of Tucson, AZ, who had the car fully restored by Tom Sparks and subsequently sold
it back to Fred; subsequent owners include Pat Ryan of Montgomery, AL, the Hogan family
and ultimately Ray Jones.
Late extra [April, 2007]: the car changed hands again at Amelia Island, in March 2007 [sold
by RM Auctions for $561,000]. Thanks to Chris Cummings for this update. Here is the rather
lengthy, but justified description of the car, as published in the RM Auction catalog
[paragraph spacing eliminated to save entry space]: Although constructed in
1931, car #703249 was not sold until 1932, when it was transferred to an Ohio Cadillac
dealer, who arranged delivery to its first owner, Joseph Vanmeter of Piketown, OH. The
Vanmeter family kept the car for many years – reportedly well into the 1950s.
Subsequent ownership history is not known, but by 1984 the car was in the care of Cadillac
V16 aficionado Fred Weber, of St. Louis, MO. In 1985, Weber sold the car to Tucson
collector Steve Nanini, who immediately sent the big V16 to Tom Sparks, a noted Hollywood,
CA based restorer. Sparks reported that upon disassembly, 703249 proved to be in
remarkable original condition. Nonetheless, he embarked on a comprehensive, professional
restoration to the highest standards. It was a true “nut and bolt” restoration,
including a full mechanical rebuild and the installation of a high speed rear axle to
permit relaxed touring at modern highway speeds. Among V-16s, 703249 is instantly
recognizable by its stunning color combination – a rich, dark blue that appears black
at first glance, accented by a lovely blue leather interior. The combination clearly
impressed the judges at Pebble Beach as well, as the car won its class – first time
shown. Multiple concours victories followed while Nanini and Sparks continued to refine
the restoration; their efforts were rewarded the following year at the prestigious Meadow
Brook Concours d’ Elegance, where the car not only won its class, but brought home
best in show honors as well. Club judging results were equally impressive, with the car
earning its AACA National First Senior award, as well as scoring a perfect 100 points in
CCCA judging. Unable to resist the car, Fred Weber repurchased the V-16 from Steve Nanini,
although circumstances led him to sell it shortly afterwards to Montgomery, Alabama
collector, Pat Ryan. Ultimately, Ryan sold the car to the Hogan Family Foundation, from
whom the vendor acquired the car about three years ago. An extremely detail-oriented and
highly focused businessman, the vendor commenced a program of upgrades to what many would
have said was already a perfect car. In total, he spent more than $50,000 with noted
restorer Steve Babinsky on a host of improvements, including engine work, a new tan top,
correct sidemount covers and mirrors, chrome updates (including all the top bows), and a
comprehensive program of detailing intended to return the car to the very highest echelon
of competitive concours cars. The result was another string of accolades, including top
awards in 2005 at both the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance and the Concours d’
Elegance of the Eastern United States. Although the restoration is now nearly twenty years
old, the vendor’s updates have achieved the desired goal - the car still presents
beautifully, and gives little sign of the years that have passed since the restoration was
completed – a reflection of both the quality of the workmanship and the high regard
its owners have felt for this astonishing sixteen-cylinder masterpiece. It is important to
note that even under close examination it seems that the V-16 also retains all of
important original components, including all gauges and instrumentation. The driver’s
compartment remains in show quality condition, fitted with the correct Jaeger eight-day
trip clock and speedometer, while the rear compartment features an additional speedometer
and chronograph – a feature completely unique to the V-16 Sport Phaeton. Accessories
include chrome wire wheels with stainless spokes and wide whitewall tires, Pilot Ray
driving lights, a radiator stone guard, twin windshield mounted spotlights, dual side
mounted spare wheels with the extremely rare correct metal covers, accessory mirrors, and
a correct Cadillac Heron radiator mascot. As one of just eighteen original V-16 Sport
Phaetons remaining, this beautiful and correct original-bodied example is one of the most
sought after classic cars from the period. The quality of the restoration, and the care
taken in its preservation make it quite possibly the finest example of its kind extant. |
|  
 
Since the previous owner kindly supplied these
photos, the car has acquired a new tan top, authentic, Cadillac V-16
metal side-mount covers [below] as well as a new "Heron" hood ornament in lieu
of the original "Goddess"
This car? Possibly, but note the metal spare wheel
cover
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
This one is currently owned by the Cadillac
Division of GM; called the Red Devil on account of its red-red-red color
scheme (originally Satan red with Puritan white wheels), it was donated to the Division in
1973 by the original lady owner, Mrs. Little. At the time she acquired the car, she
had a private 'plane painted in an identical color scheme. There are articles about the
car in Torque, the SS and AQ |
| 
 
 
The old and the new ...Cadillac "Sixteen"
(1930 and 2003)
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
As yet unidentified photo: 
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
P. Schinnerer, CA [CLC Directory].
Is THIS the car? It was shown at the 2006 Grand National in Anaheim,. CA, where it
was photographed by Dave Armbruster, director of the St. Louis Missouri region CLC.
The hood was wired shut for transport so Dave was unable to get the numbers off the body
tag. Paul has also a style 4280 AWP.
Photo: © 2006 and courtesy Dave Armbruster
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Mike Alabaster, Australia [CLC
Directory] - Many B&W photos to be seen in Australian CLC's La Cad magazine
for Summer 2004 / 2005; Aussie CLC member John Hewitt who kindly supplied the photos,
below, mentioned that Mike had built this BEAUTIFUL car from the ground up. I shall try to
get more details (donor car, numbers, restoration photos, etc.) |
| 
 
[ Photos: © and courtesy John Hewitt, CLC Australia
]
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
(1931) Owner:
Thomas La Rue, of Thomas Cadillac, Los Angeles (SS, cover 9/96); this car
was offered for sale at auction in the nineties [lot #1051 - which year, which venue?]; it
was described as a fabulous concours quality body-off restoration of an outstanding
car with original paint and one of 18 documented originals. AACA National first and CCCA
Senior... No sale ensued at that particular auction, where the car was bid up to
"only" $325,000.
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Dennis Sobieski, Downers Grove, Illinois ? [The
Classic Car, Autumn, 2001 and winter 2006] |
|  
I wonder if this could be the former La Rue car ?
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
One enthusiasts
wrote: the silver and blue 30 or 31 V-16 sport phaeton is owned by two guys from
Kalamazoo, MI. They also own the tan-colored 1940 V-16 convertible coupe that sold
about four years ago for $360k.
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Owner anyone ? |
| 
  
[ Photos in above 2 rows were taken at the GM Museum
in Detroit ]
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Owner, anyone?
This is an older, color PC and probably shows a museum car.
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Owner, anyone? This is an older PC image.
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
[unidentified] |
|  
Possibly one of these two unidentified cars
[ Photo: RM Auction catalog ]
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
...>>>>> to be completed |
| 
Before restoration
 
|
| 4260 |
? |
? |
R. Benach, IL [CLC Directory] |
| 4260 |
? |
? |
C. Harper, NH [CLC Directory] |
| 4260 |
? |
? |
R. Ritterbeck, OH [CLC Directory] |
| 4260 |
? |
? |
Offered for sale in the Self Starter classifieds
for Nov.-Dec. 1966 by Don Cole of Columbus OH, who said it had been bought new by his
father. He said, "it looks horrible, but it is excellent". It may be
one of the cars listed above. |
4260
|
? |
? |
The owner of
this dual-cowl phaeton contacted me in May, 2004, pointing out that the car was in
his family's collection since 1958. He reports that it entered the renowned collection of
D. Cameron Peck in 1941; the current owner, Patrick Ferchill, TX, retains a copy of the
title in that name. Around 1947 the car was sold to a Raymond Utter of Shawnee, OK before
being acquired by Mr. Ferchill's dad in 1958. |
4260
special
d/c |
#25 |
702677 |
Body #25 of 85, in fact this is a unique sport
phaeton built by Fleetwood with a folding secondary
cowl and equally folding secondary windshield (regular 4260 styles had a crank-down
secondary windshield); it was owned for many years by our friends Ray and Dorothy Radford
of Portland, OR, then later by Bob Laravee; there is an article about this V-16
in AQ. This car may have been owned also by Ted Hohman of Grand Rapids,
MI [mentioned in CLC 1/96, p.12] Rick LeForge's records show the car was
shipped to San Francisco on 30 August 1930. |
| 
Cutaway of the special, dual-cowl sport phaeton by
Ron Kimball for Automobile Quarterly
The D/C phaeton at the time it was owned
by Ray and Dorothy Radford of Portland, OR
[ Photo: ©1973-74, and courtesy Ray and Dorothy
Radford ]
 
 
[2nd row, above]: the car prior to its restoration by
Bob Larivee
Lower row (left): possibly from an auction catalog of the eighties
Lower row (right): © Automobile Quarterly
[ Note how the car was repainted "award-winning"red ! ]
|
| 4264-B |
#1? |
700001 |
According to enthusiast-historian, Rick LeForge,
who kindly donated all his historical notes to the Cadillac Database in May 2009, this was
the first (or second) V-16 to leave the factory. It was shipped on December 28, 1929,
bound for the Astoria Hotel in NYC, venue of the 1930 Motor Show. It's fate is unknown. |
4264-B
[4291] |
[#14] |
[703164] |
It is believed that none of the original, six
Fleetwood style #4264-B razor-back town broughams survived; only three of these featured
the French cane finish applied to the rear body. Designed in October 1929, this Fleetwood
style listed between $9,700 and $10,275. This particular car is a conversion from a
Fleetwood style #4291 town car [listed below]; that car had silver leaf pin striping and six
stainless-steel spoked wheels. The conversion work was completed over a
period of more than twenty years (from 1965 to 1985) for Dave Holtzman of Birmingham, MI, a
wealthy real estate developer and owner of several classic cars. Dave commissioned Herb Brown of Farmington Hills,
MI to do the conversion [Herb owned the restoration shop that serviced Mr.
Holtzman's cars]. I saw and
photographed the fabulous "finished product" in 1994, at the home of its then
owner, in Ohio. Later, I saw it listed in a Kruse auction [year ???] as lot #705. In April 2002 the car was again offered for sale in the Self-Starter
for $365,000! V16 enthusiast, James McLynas, contacted me in February 2008 and
provided much of the historical background to this car. Here are some excerpts from
his long Email: "I was at the Concours d'Elégance at
Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester Michigan in the late 80’s when this car was present and
shown. It won an award that day and was introduced [wrongly] as THE New York
Auto show car [actually, two V-16s were on display at the NY Salon in January 1930;
one was a Fleetwood Madame X landaulet, style #4108-C, the other was one of
the six AUTHENTIC style 4264-B town broughams - NOT this conversion] ... Back
in the late 70’s I worked for Herb Brown who was commissioned by Dave Holtzman to
replicate the New York show car from a
clean, open front V-16 Towncar with a rounded rear roof design. The [donor] car
was originally all black [as confirmed by the build sheet] and was in remarkable
condition, including the original needlepoint interior [that the Ohio owner showed
me, in 1994; the build-sheet shows that special trim as Wiese #3035, with needlepoint
medallions] ... Herb had a master craftsman named Ron [Clark?] who did the
actual body transformation. They had all of the original photos enlarged and made full
size drawings (from the photos) of the body and roof. The original car was also converted
to the "half coach" sill design during the transformation ... at the time I
worked there I remember thinking how sad it was to cut apart that wonderful original car
with its original paint [James believed the "donor" car might have been
owned by the Wrigley Gum family; in fact it was the property of a West Virginia
businessman - more below] ... I remember filing smooth those wonderful door handles
that were recast out of solid brass. Ron had also replicated the lower runningboard
compartment door chrome bezels out of solid brass too. One of my tasks was to sand the
sheaths that were placed over the rear leaf springs ... Herb diligently worked on a
replica of the original tool used to apply the cane-work. He only had pictures of the tool
to work from. It was kind of like a cake-icer with wheels that would somehow squeeze the
thick paint out of an orifice leaving it in a half-round configuration as it went along.
The trick was laying the lines even and letting one line dry before applying others over
it [regrettably, the "cane" was applied wrongly, with the double lines
diagonally through the single lines instead of the opposite] ... The car was still in
Herb's shop, off of Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills Michigan, when I left ... I
remember feeling sad about the demise of the original open front V-16 towncar, a rare and
desirable car in and of itself. James believes - but is not 100% sure - that
the donor car had the solid rear quarters (no rear windows); in fact the build sheet shows
that it was most definitely one of the 14 Fleetwood style #4291 town cars built that
year]. Late Extra [4/2008]: Thanks to
V-16 sleuth, Chris Cummings, I learned that the car had been offered for sale in Hemmings
Motor News, May 2008 (on-line version); no price was shown. The caption to the color
photo read 1981 [1931?] Cadillac Town Brougham - Cane Bodied Town Car,
the most expensive V-16 produced, the only known example (the ad lists a phone number
in Ohio). Even later [June, 2008]:
Chris Cummings sent me a copy of the build-sheet he had got for the car, as well as a
brief history of it. The original town car was ordered through Thackston Motor Co.
of Huntington, WV, on August 12, 1931 and delivered on October 8, 1931. The
buyer was Charles Wellington Watts, a prominent local figure. Mr.Watts was a successful
business man. He had risen from bookkeeper to president of one of Huntington's leading
wholesale houses. Born at Webster, OH, in 1867, he was the son of James M. and Nancy
(Collis) Watts; his father, who had spent most of his active life in the iron industry at
Jackson, OH, was a Virginia native and his mother was from Maryland. Charles was the
second in a family of three children. He was schooled locally. In 1887, at the age of 20,
he was keeping books for a firm at Point Pleasant, WV. The following year he came to
Huntington where he was for two years bookkeeper for the Barlow-Henderson Company that was
succeeded by Biggs, Watts & Company. In 1906, the company became the Watts-Ritter
Company, wholesalers of dry goods, with Mr. Watts as president. He was a director of the
First National Bank of Huntington and member of the executive committee; he was president
also of the Blue Jay Manufacturing Company, overall manufacturers; he was vice-president
of the Empire Furniture Company and a director of several other companies in Huntington.
In 1895 he married a Miss Elizabeth Biggs, from KY; unfortunately, she died in 1904. He
re-married in1916 to Ouida Caldwell, daughter of prominent Huntington banker and
capitalist, James L. Caldwell. Ouida had completed her education at the Mary Baldwin
Seminary, in Staunton, Virginia. The car had been purchased by Mr. Watts for his wife. The
late "Cadillac Jim" Pearson of Kansas City, MO, was the next owner. When he sold
it in 1962 to Dave Holzmann, it had a reported 12K miles on the odometer. The restoration
was begun in the shop of Ray Jones, most of the work being done by Herb Brown, as reported
above. Around 1969 the car was moved to LaSalle Body under the direction of Ron Clark. As
work progressed, it was moved to Fran Roxas' shop in Chicago. The upholstery work is
credited to Chris Nurstheimer [or Nierstheimer?]. The project was overseen by the late
Dave Holls former GM Vice-President of design. The car was completed in 1988 in the shops
of Classic and Exotic Services, in Troy, MI, by Mr. Brian Joseph. Late
extra [Jan. 2009]: These additional comments are from James
McLynas who also got to work on this fabulous car: I read your updated account of
the Fleetwood style #4264-B razor-back town brougham. What a wonderful read. I commend
your efforts to compile the history of these fine cars. You stated "The restoration
was begun in the shop of Ray Jones, most of the work being done by Herb Brown, as reported
above. Around 1969 the car was moved to LaSalle Body under the direction of Ron
Clark." A little more clarification to set the record straight. Yes, Ron Clark WAS
the master craftsman that had overseen the reconstruction details of the conversion while
I was at Herb's. I could not remember his last name until I read it in your article. He
had a large mustache and was friendly, but a serious kind of guy. You stated below that
around 1969 the car was moved to LaSalle Body under the direction of Ron Clark. Sorry, but
there was no way that Herb Brown, Ron Clark OR Mr. Holtzman would have allowed LaSalle
Body Shop to touch that car. LaSalle Body Shop was the shop that was right next door to
Herb's shop and as Herb would say, they were "Cake Icers", which was a term used
to describe body shops that would slather their cars with bondo and carve a wavy panel
from the mess. It was a dusty, dirty typical production body shop and Herb or Ron would
never have "supervised" any form of work done in those conditions.
LaSalle’s only claim to old car expertise was a late 30’s 6-door woody airport
limo that Herb said they had "butchered" and did look very rough that they would
park out front for advertising. Herb's shop was behind the lighting fixture store next
door to LaSalle behind a private gate. If you didn't know it was there you would never
guess that there was a Bugatti or an Isotta Fraschini or a Stutz or this V-16 hiding
behind those doors. Perhaps someone drove by and looked at the addresses and assumed that
LaSalle was somehow involved in the restoration since the lighting store did not look like
a restoration shop. The lighting store owner also had a black E-type that Herb would work
on occasionally. Furthermore, I apprenticed at Herb’s shop from about 1977-1979. The
town brougham was there the entire time, therefore it could not possibly have been at
LaSalle’s in 1969. The bodywork was complete, the car was painted and the re-assembly
was well under way with the chassis complete, the engine in place and running and all but
the fenders hung on the car while I was there. The fenders were painted in Lacquer and had
been hanging in the attic for over 8 years "curing" so that they would be rock
hard for sanding and buffing. During that time we cut and fit the glass, made new handles
and chrome fixtures for the car, fabricated the running board aprons, lower compartment
doors and dash gauges and concentrated on general assembly. Work was VERY slow and
methodical. If it did not come out absolutely perfect, it was started over. I hope this
helps put the accurate pieces together for your historical record. Herb was connected to
Barney Pollard and helped him work on several of his rare finds. But at the time I was
with him he mainly worked on Mr. Holtzman's cars and a few others. |
| 
Conversion work under way
 
 
The completed car in 1994
[ Photos (above two rows): © 1994, Yann Saunders ]
 
The original seat back inserts, with
the ornate petit point motif
typical of this model, have been saved
 
Unfortunately, the restorer applied the double French cane strips
diagonally (left) instead of vertically (right), per the manufacturer's design
At right (above) are
samples of French cane in sizes "55" and "90" from the French L'Auto-Carrosserie
(circa 1919)
When correctly applied, the double beads of paint lie
horizontally and vertically, while the single bead runs diagonally through them
 
Factory photos of Fleetwood town car style #4291
(left), the donor car, and Fleetwood's town brougham style #4264-B (right)
[ note that the buyer ordered the donor car in conservative black and specified
blackwall tires all round ]
The conversion, as completed
[ Photo: © 1994, Yann Saunders ]
|
| 4275 |
#47 |
702414 |
This 7-pass. limousine was shipped originally to
London, UK, on July 21, 1930. According to Rick LeForge, who kindly provided a
"fingerprint" of the body tag he had taken in the fifties, the car later
returned to the USA and was owned at one time by a Mr. George Muddlestone. Rick
described it is a "very good" car with RH drive. |
| 4275 |
#411
??? |
703108 |
Nicknamed "Blue Boy", he car was owned
formerly by "Cadillac Jim" Pearson of Kansas. Now Ben LeForge, CA [CLC
Directory, 2002]; Ben is the son of enthusiast-historian Rick LeForge. |
| 4276 |
#17 |
702246 |
This entry is based on the "fingerprint"
that Rick Le Forge took of the car's body tag, back in the '50s. He mentioned that the
engine might have been replaced. Late Extra (3/2010): Interestingly, owner-enthusiast and
impassioned V-16 researcher, Chris Cummings, informed me that a blue series
"4376" coupe [the version with the straight sill] with black fenders and with
this same engine number was owned by the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie
Valley, North Carolina. It was reputed to have been owned formerly by singer/songwriter
Neil Young. It had the optional V-16 step plates installed on the running boards. My
curiosity having been piques, I went to the Museum's home page and cropped out the
image below; I think this car has the curved or coach sill of style #4276, and not the
straight, horizontal sill that would identify it as a "4376". Of note is
the fact that the Museum is closing its doors at the current location. I wonder
where they will move the collection.
I cropped this image from a larger one on the
Museum's home page
|
| 4276 |
? |
702261 |
This car was
shipped to Buffalo, NY, on July 3, 1930. Formerly owned by the late "Cadillac
Jim" Pearson of Kansas City, MO, it is included in Rick LeForge's list of survivors.
Apparently the body was destroyed; only the engine remains. |
| 4276 |
? |
702291 |
Nice original in white and black (originally all
black), brought to my attention in October, 2004, by Norwegian enthusiast Kjell Kraakmo. |
| 4276 |
#54 |
702486 |
This one was
first shipped to Portland, ME, on August 1, 1930. It was later registered in
California, some time in 1931. Rick LeForge sent a "fingerprint" of the body tag
that he had made on a used car lot in California. A former owner was Dean Brown. |
| 4276 |
#71 |
702594 |
According to Rick
LeForge, this car was shipped to Buffalo, NY, on August 14, 1930. Rick provided me with a
"fingerprint" of the body tag that he took in the fifties. Initially owned
by a Mr. R. Blake, subsequent owners were Wayne Merriman and Dean Brown. Info from
Rick LeForge, 2009. |
| 4276 |
#32 |
703132 |
One of these was owned in July 1970 by William A.
Johnson (SS, 7/70); it may have been sold to one of the other owners,
below.
|
| 4276 |
? |
? |
One of these was (is?) owned by Ray Salentine. It
was featured in an article in AQ, for the fourth quarter 1984 [PHOTOS
BELOW] |
|  
 
|
| 4276 |
? |
? |
The Kruse organization
listed a Fleetwood Coupe for sale at their Scottsdale, AZ, venue in January
1999 [lot #1087] and January 2000 (lot #1029). It was said to be in condition #3.
But was it this car? Apparently it was sold in 2000 for $79,000 although it had been bid
up to $100,000 and NOT sold in 1999. It was described in the auction catalog as V16,
unknown exterior [???] - this car was owned by Malcolm Kincaid from 1988-1990,
then Imperial Palace in 1991. Car is a former CCCA national first place winner. It
was last seen in two shades of red. 
This car, perhaps?
|
| 4276 |
? |
? |
Story in older CC (same car as
above ?) |
| 4276 |
? |
? |
E. Petter, FL [CLC Directory, 2002] |
| 4280 |
? |
700847 |
An entry like this one breaks my heart.
Only THREE of these beautiful, custom Fleetwood styles were built. This one
apparently was for a time in Mike McManus' wrecker's yard and broken up for parts !!! Info
from Rick LeForge. |
| 4291 |
#13 |
703000 |
This
car was delivered to HRH the Crown Prince of Thailand; today it is owned by his son,
who carries the same title. The car is currently (9/2000) being cleaned up in Brussels,
Belgium [this info received from John M. Mereness of the CCCA] |
| 4291 |
#14 |
703164 |
This
V-16 was shipped to Huntington [WV?] on September 18, 1931. The car has survived but was
converted in the seventies to a Fleetwood style #4264B town brougham, the one with French
cane applied to the lower rear body; you will find it also on this page under that
number. The latter car was owned for many years by a Cadillac collector friend in
Ohio. It is in superb condition and as close to a Fleetwood original is was humanly
possible to achieve. |
??
