This car, engine number 700898, was one of one hundred 1930 V-16 Cadillac chassis produced with this beautiful convertible coupe body style, number 4335. This style is one of the best-looking bodies built on the early “Sixteen,” and it was built exclusively for the V-16 at the original Fleetwood Metal Body Company factory in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Like other “Pennsylvania Fleetwoods,” it was distinguished by its vee’d windshield, straight door sills, and a curved molding in the hood and body, which provided a natural place to split the popular, eye-catching two-tone color schemes.

Just 11 of these beautiful Classics are known to have survived today, and among them is the V-16 offered here, which is noted by its original build sheet to have been intended for the renowned Uppercu Cadillac Company of New York. Importantly, this document serves as verification that this is the original body and engine for this chassis. Interestingly, the car was originally finished entirely in black, including the chassis, with the hood and cowl vents being chrome-plated – a livery that would be absolutely stunning if recreated!

V-16 historian William Meffert has traced the car’s further ownership history to Albro Case, an early enthusiast in East Windsor Hills, Connecticut, who owned it from the 1950s until Mr. Meffert acquired it from him in 1962. Mr. Meffert retained the Cadillac, in unrestored but complete condition, until 1970, when he sold it to collector Dr. Donald Vesley of Florida.

The car eventually moved to the Midwest, where its present restoration was undertaken, in a beautiful rich two-tone red and maroon, with a black canvas top and matching leather interior. It was briefly owned by the well-known Michigan businessman, Heinz Prechter, founder of ASC, before joining Brent Merrill’s Ontario stable. It was then acquired for its current owner’s esteemed collection, in which it has received consistent excellent maintenance. The restoration is slightly older now but still presents extremely well, exhibiting only minor stretching and creasing of the interior, while the paint and chrome still hold an excellent shine. Dual driving lights, dual fender lights, and dual side-mounted spares with mirrors (as original), as well as painted wire wheels shod in whitewall tires, add a wonderful period flair.

Still enjoyable for CARavans and regional concours d’elegance, this Cadillac is one of fewer than a dozen surviving in this extremely rare and beautiful body style, and boasts wonderful authenticity and long-term known history. It awaits a happy home in a new collection, where it will be enjoyed as it has for the past six decades.