1931 Cadillac V-16

1931 Cadillac V-16 Sedan - One of Only 501 Built - One of Last Survivors - WOW!!

Please go to the following link to bid on this amazing vehicle!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274437899017

Here is one of the truly rarest and most desirable finds in the classic car world that was recently purchased from an Estate in northern Arizona. It is an extremely desirable 1931 Cadillac V-16 7-passenger sedan, Series 4375-S. It is #449 of only 501 built and a small percent still surviving on the road today. This is a truly solid, unrestored survivor that is nearly 90 years old that is in very original condition with just the right amount of patina. It is 99.9 percent complete, in current running and driving condition. It is a great candidate for a restoration or it could be driven just the way sits with a few little things. What a very cool conversation piece and a piece of automotive history! 

The car is documented from the GM Historical Society with a copy of its original build sheet showing that this car was built just as it sits here today. It was ordered by Clark Cadillac Co. in Portland Oregon May,13th 1931, and delivered June 17, 1931. The car was ordered in Maharajah Maroon with dual side mounts, wire wheels, and goddess hood ornament to name a few. 

We do have a very good history of this car going back 40 plus years and it is also in the V-16 registry by Rick LeForge. The history goes back to being in the collection of Wayne Merriman and then sold to J.C. Stevens as part of his collection. Mr. Stevens was a member of the AACA and used the car frequently on Glidden Tours. In May 2006 the car was put up for auction by RM Auctions at the J.C. Stevens Estate Collection auction. The car was described as a true time warp sixteen cylinder Cadillac, all complete and correct and last used in 1983. It sold for $82,800 at that auction to a collector in northern Arizona who has owned it ever since until his passing recently where we purchased the vehicle from his estate. It appeared that he was working on the car to get in running and driving condition at the time of his passing with newer tires, boiled gas tank, hoses, ignition, etc. When we got the vehicle back to our shop, we checked the fluids, reassembled some items, tune-up, gas, battery and it started up, we put it in gear and it drove, shifted gears, hit the brakes and it stopped. 

It is wonderfully equipped with:

Proper Headlights 

Dual Rear Taillights

Trippe Driving Lights 

City Horn

Dual Side Mounts 

Luggage Rack

Stone Guard 

Jump Seats (Missing Backrests)

Rear Vanities

Goddess Hood Ornament 

Wire Wheels 

Glass Visor 


The body of this V-16 is extremely solid, straight, and rust-free. It has never been taken apart with all its original body metal and body panels. It does not appear to have any rust in the car now or in the past. The wood in the car is original and in excellent condition with its body number still stamped on the floor on the passenger side. It is finished in its original color of Maharajah Maroon but the paint is definitely showing its age as it is crazing and cracking. The fenders were originally in Viceroy Maroon when it left the factory. All in all, it does have that cool factor with its current aged patina. It makes an amazing conversation piece and I personally would leave it the way it sits. As far as the chrome goes, it is all there and complete but it looks like someone either stripped the chrome off and just wanted that polished brass look or that the chrome wore off over the past 90 years. Either way, it has a very cool look and there is no pitting or rust. The factory wire wheels and side-mounted spares are in great original condition with decent factory-correct wide whitewall tires. All the glass also appears to be in good original condition. This is one cool looking car that is truly an amazing find!

The interior of this V-16 appears to be mostly all original and almost all completely intact. Again it has just the right amount of patina for that cool factor. The dash, steering wheel and gauge cluster are all original and in good condition. All the wood trim inside the car is original and very nice and restorable. It has its original art deco ashtrays and vanities still in place as well. The rear footrests are intact as well as the rear jump seats. The backrests are missing for the jump seats. It even has its correct original 1931 Cadillac only gear shift knob. The headliner is all intact with original visors, courtesy lights, etc. 

As far as mechanical, the car does run and drive. Although it is not ready to be driven to shows right now it can be driven around your shop or property with ease. The car was previously sitting since 1983 when the previous owner started doing everything to get it ready to run and drive. When we got it we fired it up and it started right away, went into gear, moved and stopped. We did not go any further as it still needs some items to be inspected to be driving on the public streets. The engine sounds excellent and it purrs like a kitten. The carbs do leak a little fuel, the vacuum tanks are not installed and all of the wiring harnesses are original and some would need to be replaced due to age. As far as numbers go every number appears to match the original invoice on the car except for the engine numbers. Meaning this is an original V-16 engine but it has had a replacement V-16 engine at one time years ago as well as the transmission. The former engine number was 703106 and the current is 701324. The vacuum tanks, engine shields, and box of extra parts all go with the vehicle.

Overall, this an amazing find that you rarely come across anymore. We have this V-16 priced reasonably, passing the savings to you. It can be left the way it sits or it is a perfect restoration candidate. Last time this very car was sold it was purchased for $82,800 in 2006 in non running condition. Our reserve is less and there are a few on the market and have been on the market recently for near the six-figure amount in the same or lesser condition. The car is located in Scottsdale, AZ, and can be seen in person at any time. We can also assist in shipping the vehicle anywhere in the world! Any further questions or inquires please call Bob Adams at 480-628-4778. 

Good luck in the bidding!