You know that kid in grade school who always had to “one-up” everyone else? If you were going camping at a nearby State Park, he was leaving for Daytona Beach. If your Grandfather was Mayor, his was undoubtedly crowned Sultan. Well, this is the car for those who like to end those conversations quickly. “You got the V8?” “No, actually… mine is a V16.” This 1931 V-16 Cadillac (as evidenced by a magazine article in the listing) emerged from a barn in the late 1980s and has barely changed cosmetically since. Aside from mechanical refurbishment and necessary replacements like tires, the car maintains mostly original parts and finishes, and is offered as covering fewer than 10,000 miles. If this Maryland classic catches your eye, simply click Buy It Now here on eBay, and it can be yours for $225,000.
If you’re wondering why the rear seat is sealed in plastic, you’re clearly not old enough to remember when many conscientious home owners encased their living room furniture in space-age plastic to protect them from messy children, tobacco smoke, and muddy-footed beasts. Though prized for their ability to preserve fabric for eternity, plastic covers have the side-effect of rendering stealthy amorous advances Mission Impossible by squeaking at the slightest movement.
During the Great Depression, luxury car manufacturers had two choices: build more affordable models for the almost-wealthy, or compete hard for the reduced pool of high-rollers with disposable income. This elegant Landau Sedan fits solidly in the latter category. Cadillac had no plans to let global economic collapse deter their mission to knock off Packard and everyone else as the world’s premier luxury auto maker. The prior year’s 1930 Cadillac sales literature explains how 12 and 16 cylinder engines “…inaugurate a new era in fine-car motoring.”
From this angle you might mistake this engine for an elegant straight-eight, except the other side looks the same. Want to shame the plebeian neighbors of your gated community? Simply pop your hood and brag that the superior Cadillac design hides your ignition wires in accord with your belief that servants should work unobtrusively out of sight. Why waste six-digits funding an immaculate restoration and fretting every time a limb sways over your baby, why not buy a car that runs and drives and can withstand the occasional scratch from an overzealous young enthusiast? Are you breaking open your Grey Poupon jar of change or raiding the crevices of your plastic-wrapped settee to buy this snapshot of history?
Well, all you would need is a trench coat, an Al Capone Fedora, and a Chauffeur and you’d be all set for a night in Chicago.
I’ve seen RV trailers with less room…oom….oom……oom
I have to agree with the above. No way short of someone with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth can afford this thing.
I’ve never been a big fan of overly indulgent luxury cars, however, that being said, I have a soft spot for a Cadillac 16 and a Pierce Arrow 12. It’s likely because a local farmer/collector had one of each, both in worse shape than this one. They had both been chopped up and changed over to be used as trucks. Kind of a heart breaker to see such classics butchered up so the owners could still get gas rations. The cars sold for pretty good money at the guy’s farm auction but it’s strange that none of us who were there knows where they ended up. It’s because of that experience just over 50 years ago that I would welcome a car like this to my place….
Cool canvas top.
Talk about pay to play! Not likely any of us barn finds readers are going to be paying up for this one. I do love it though.
WOW! That is some find..!!!
These were magnificent cars in their day, and I’m sure if restored, the price would be even more stratospheric.
Thanks for sharing.
These are fantastic cars but that price is quite optimistic.
While patina may look on some vehicles, not this grand old lady. Cars like this require full restorations, as is, to the layperson, this is just a beater of an old car. Seller is dreaming, maybe 15 years ago, someone would tackle this for that but today? Pfft. Has to be nice.With no connection to these cars, it has to be nice to be enjoyed by anyone younger than 50. Drop a zero, and put $50g’s into it, is more like it today, and even then, with prices on
the decline for these, it may not even be worth that.
Ohhhh nooooo. Not another car that you actually have to drive. Cadillac just released an ad for ‘no hands driving’ on their latest whatever model. You know, Scotty, the convenience package for the “no brain, no headache” drivers of today. “Cadillac… for the ultimate discriminate riding experience.” Jes’ romp into the back set with your secretary and let the Caddy do the chores of cutting off motorcyclists. I should’a worked for a Mad Avenue ad agency.
This car needs a Lockheed 12A to match it’s presence in your collection. Beautiful find.
Where in the world do these people come up with these prices? Rediculous!
Nice find, but the problems are it is a sedan and unrestored.
Even fully restored Caddy V16 sedans don’t bring that kind of money. From my perspective, this vehicle is way overpriced.
I called a good friend who is one of the best known and most experienced classic car appraisers in the US. To support that claim, he was one of three appraisers Holiday Inn asked to appraise the Harrah collection when they bought the whole shebang after Bill passed (they averaged the numbers, which weren’t all that far apart.).
His valuation, based on my verbal description, was $40,000 or so.
Good luck to the seller.
Try to find one for anywhere near that price,anywhere
Family legend says that my grandfather had one like this. He purportedly made more than a few trips from the farm in Chenango County up to Canada during Prohibition to stock up on libations. I imagine you could fit quite a few cases of Seagram’s in that backseat area..
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
I sold my ’30 V-16 Imperial sedan, last year, for 175K. Who priced this car? Recently a Packard sold at Amelia RM Sothbys sale for about 145K and turned up in St. Louis, by a dealer, for 249K. Do your homework!
I gave a whiff of appraiser’s crenditials, I believe. And indicated that he has not seen the car, as I have not.
Condition matters, sir. And let’s not compare Packard to Cadillac. And let’s also not compare a 3/4 condition car to one in far better condition.
And let’s not compare an open car of any stripe to a sedan. RM’s results are online and I don’t see any sedan that sold in the last few years that matches your claim. Link please?