Lot 2091

Auburn Fall 2019

1931 Cadillac V-16 Seven-Passenger Imperial Sedan by Fleetwood

The Ed Meurer Collection

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$107,250 USD | Sold

United States | Auburn, Indiana

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Engine No.
702402
Body No.
178
  • Originally delivered to Mexico City; well-known history
  • Finished in original colors of Matisse Brown and Ravenswood Brown
  • Original engine, chassis, and body; accompanied by a copy of its factory build sheet
  • 150-hp, 452-cu. in. OHV V-16 engine and three-speed manual transmission
  • Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic

This V-16 Cadillac was originally delivered to Mexico City, per its original build sheet, finished in Matisse Brown and Ravenswood Brown with Wiese broadcloth upholstery, with metric instrumentation. In the mid-1930s it was acquired by Maurio Luna of Rio Blanca and put into storage, where it remained until 1960, when Señor Luna sold the Cadillac to American enthusiast Edward King. In an article in the July/August 1980 issue of Torque magazine, Mr. King noted that the Imperial sedan was complete and solid save for the addition of an electric fuel pump and Rochester carburetors, and that he was able to drive it 333 km over two ranges of the Sierra Madre mountains into Mexico City – on one bank of cylinders and with a flat tire!

Mr. King returned to Michigan with the Cadillac in 1963, and in 1974 had a ground-up restoration performed in the original colors by Regal Restorations. Afterward the car remained in his ownership for several years, shown in many CCCA Michigan Region activities. It was then acquired by John O’Sullivan, in whose ownership it was displayed at the ill-fated AutoWorld theme park in Flint, Michigan, before joining the current owner’s renowned collection.

Well preserved and a wonderful CCCA CARavan or tour car, this elegant V-16 boasts a superb history that would be difficult to beat.