1931 Cadillac V-16 Model 452 Custom Victoria Body by Lancefield

• MODEL: 452
• Sporty one-off coachwork by Lance­field of London
• 1931 Earls Court Motor Show car in London
• Well-known ownership history
• Chassis No. 702873
• Documentation: US Title

Cadillac’s magnificent V-16 never looked better than in this 1930 Con­vert­ible Victoria with coachwork by Lance­field of Eng­land. Long, low, and sleek are just a few of the words that describe this incredibly elegant car that features Cadillac’s fine mechanicals with bespoke European coachwork. The chassis was shipped to Lance­field’s London shop in 1930 and, upon completion, was exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show in London. The history and provenance of this Cadillac are known, as it was owned by the same family for over 60 years before coming to the U.S. in the 1990s. It then underwent a full restoration, during which it was refinished in its present livery of a two-tone black and green that accentuates its beautifully sculptured lines. This Cadillac then spent some time in an Austrian collection and participated in several prestigious events. Upon its return to the U.S., it was prominently displayed at such respected shows as the Greenwich Con­cours d’Elegance in 2011 and the Amelia Island Con­cours in 2012. As one of London’s finest coachbuilders, Lance­field was well known for its ability to create sporty lines on large and opulent cars, and this example is no exception.

Indeed, Chassis #702873 typifies the very pinnacle of the classic motorcar with its incredibly long hood and low-cut windshield with a steep angle that gives it just the right degree of bravura. At the rear is an accessory luggage trunk for extended touring, and the interior is finished in fine russet brown leather that is so elegant it carries the look and feel of sumptuously fine furniture. Very few cars carry the sheer elegance of the jewel-like gauges of this Cadillac, and the fine woodwork speaks to an era of true craftsmanship.

The Cadillac V-16 is a car that represents the very finest of the Classic Era, and this Victoria is special in that it carries its American chassis, fine European coachwork, and a level of sophistication that is both rare and beautiful. The chance to own a car like this is perhaps as rare as the car itself. For the very best, from the very heart of the best years of the motorcar, this Lance­field-built Con­vert­ible Victoria, with V-16 power, represents an opportunity to own a unique piece of automotive history.

The dark times of the Great Depression took their toll on many of America’s great car builders. Before the stock market crash, society’s elite had the choice of great cars like Marmon, Duesen­berg, Stutz, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow, all with custom bodies from any of the great coachbuilders. When the U.S. emerged from this era, all these great cars had been relegated to the pages of history. One can only wonder what would have become of Cadillac were it not for the deep pockets of General Motors, which not only managed to build some astounding cars during the Great Depression but also threw caution to the wind and built the mighty V-16 engine. If one’s place in society was determined by the number of cylinders in one’s car, the Cadillac V-16 proclaimed to the world that its owner held a lofty place in the social order. This was an exclusive engine for the very few who could afford its lofty price tag. In the present day, these engines are a marvel as they idle silently and run with the whisper-quiet competence of a Rolls-Royce. At the very pinnacle of the Classic Era, the mighty Cadillac V-16 had no equal.

See illustrated provenance

Won Best of Show at the 2019 Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Series event in New Britain, Connecticut.