By the mid-1920s Cadillac had more than justified its worldwide reputation for luxurious, high-quality automobiles. Its cars were powerful, well-built, and available in a wide range of designs to meet the needs of its discriminating clientele. These Cadillacs were fine cars, to be sure; one thing they often lacked, however, was style. That would change in 1927, when General Motors recruited Harley J. Earl. Earl’s styling revolution soon spread upmarket through the GM line, to tremendous effect, resulting in some of the prettiest Cadillacs of the era.

The build sheet for this particular 1928 Cadillac recounts that it was supplied new to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, delivered as a phaeton—style number 1172—in a special-order color scheme of Duco Emerald Green with Leaf Green moldings, Emerald Green and Emerald Argent fenders, an interior in Emerald Green pebble-grain leather, and a chassis finished in, you guessed it, Emerald Green. Its buyer’s favorite color can readily be assumed. Unusually, the build sheet lists the car by a different body number than what is now present on the firewall tag, 270 rather than 286. It is assumed that a new tag was reproduced for the car during restoration, at the same time that a second cowl was crafted and installed.

In the 1961 Antique Automobile Club of America rosters, the car was listed in the ownership of Phares B. Frey, an enthusiast from Gilbert, Pennsylvania. It is believed to have later been restored in the ownership of well-known vintage parts supplier, the late Henry Yeska, in whose ownership it was an AACA Grand National award-winner in 1979. Still wearing that restoration, it is finished in a black and deep maroon livery, with the interior in black leather upholstery with maroon carpets, and a beige cloth top with black leather bindings. Typical of the automobiles in Sony Schwartz’s Suzy Q Collection, it has been well-accessorized with dual Pilot Ray driving lights, Herald mascot, chrome wire wheels, dual side-mounted spares with fabric covers and mirrors, dual cowl lights, dual spotlights, air horns, and both a Cadillac-badged rear-mounted trunk as well as a secondary rack for additional luggage. The result is quite a flamboyant machine, sure to attract attention wherever it ventures.

Ideal for freshening and recommissioning, and enjoyment as a jazzy beast for any number of tours and events, this is a truly grand vintage Cadillac.