Built to each customer’s individual taste, it became an American icon of prestige and helped the company out-perform Packard and their V12. The introductory brochure proudly claimed “Sixteen-cylinder powering, complete individuality in style that, in brief, is the story of the Cadillac V16.” It was named after its 452 inch cubic displacement and produced 185 bhp which was good for 100 mph. The selling price was $6,650 with only 50 units made per year. The customer could choose between 70 or so available bodies that were elaborately finished and all highly individualized in detail.
This car was specially built for the 193 London Auto Show at Earls Court. It remained in England for more than 60 years in the hands of the original family before it was brought to the United States in the late 1990s. It is one of about a dozen right-hand drive v-16s sent to Europe in 1931 to be custom bodied. Some stayed in Europe and some were sent to India. This one of a kind V16 custom was built by Lancefield of London.
You may purchase a print in our dElegance 2012 online gallery.
