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Cadillac stunned the automotive world when it introduced a spectacular new ultra-luxury car powered by an amazing 16-cylinder engine at the 1930 New York Auto Show. This glamorous new Cadillac was clearly General Motors answer to the Duesenberg Model J introduced by E. L. Cord the year before. However while the advanced Duesenberg straight eight flaunted its raw race-bred power the Cadillac V-16 would live up to its slogan as The Standard of the World for smooth silent performance.Cadillac created the V-16 to compete with and exceed the standards of the best automobiles in the world. GM sent a group of the new cars to Europe where the Continents most sophisticated automotive connoisseurs were invited to compare first-hand the beauty and substance of the Cadillac V-16 against the exclusive machines of the time - including Isotta-Fraschini Hispano-Suiza Mercedes-Benz and of course Rolls-Royce. An impressive number of early V-16s were exported as a result.At the heart of the Cadillac V-16 was of course its magnificent engine designed by ex-Marmon engineer Owen Nacker. Displacing a total of 452 cubic inches across its sixteen cylinders it featured overhead valves and produced 165 horsepower. Beautifully detailed the Cadillac V-16 was the first engine ever to have been styled for appearance with input from Harley Earls new Art and Colour Department. The look of the massive technological masterpiece under the Cadillacs long hood was just as awe-inspiring as its soon-to-be-legendary smoothness and quietness.This car is one of 85 examples of the handsome Fleetwood All-Weather Phaeton produced on the original Cadillac V-16 chassis. It is an early-production car bearing engine number 700395. Its factory build sheet a copy of which accompanies the car notes its delivery with body number 39 by way of the Raritan River Railroad at Newark to the Beldon-Joiner Cadillac Corporation of New Brunswick New Jersey for use as a demonstration car. Dual side-mount spares were specified; the only additional option noted was a quart of alcohol.The cars earliest known owner was Ray W. Rodgers of Warren Ohio who listed it in the Antique Automobile Club of Americas 1954 roster and exhibited it at early CCCA events. In the early 1970s enthusiast George J. Luchetti of Massachusetts acquired the Cadillac in Plattsburgh New York; it was in completely original condition but by now in need of restoration. Mr. Luchetti returned the car to its original condition performing much of the work himself. Five years later the Cadillac was sold to a collector who retained it in their distinguished collection for forty years before being acquired by its current owner.The restored car has made only one concours appearance - at Amelia Island in 2016. In fact this is believed to have been the only show that the car has attended since its restoration was completed in 1975! It retains its side-mount spares with mirrors and is further accessorized with the Heron radiator mascot a stone shield dual horns and a matching dark brown original Cadillac accessory trunk on the trunk rack. The paintwork is glossy and attractive and on close inspection the gracefully aging high-quality restoration work now exhibits some charming patina such as some light crazing to some of the paint. The engine compartment remains in fine condition and on a recent road test the car performed and drove superbly. Overall the car is in excellent condition which is a testament to the high quality of the restoration as well as the loving care and maintenance the car has enjoyed since.This wonderful Cadillac has many handsome styling features that include an attractive Brown and Ivory paint scheme rich Espresso brown leather interior black wall Firestone tires mounted on wire wheels with painted hubs with stainless steel spokes and most notably a fabulous split-V windshield that adds a touch of glamor and excitement that sets it apart from many cars of the era.Accompanying the car is the aforementioned factory build sheet along with factory service manuals and reproduction factory literature. Well preserved stylish and a CCCA full classic this magnificent 16-cylinder Cadillac is perfectly suited for touring or exhibition and would make an impressive cornerstone for any collection of significant automobiles.Offers welcome and trades considered ?For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7554-1930-cadillac-v16-all-weather-phaeton-by-fleetwood/