[ last update: 12.19.2014]

The (new) Cadillac Database©

The Cadillac V-16

Series 452-452A
1930-1931

Part 1j(i)
Production Records


Return to The (New) Cadillac Database © Index Page

This description of the new Cadillac Sixteen [the first production automobile to be equipped with a sixteen-cylinder engine] is from the 1930 London Motor Show catalog :

 

V6Chas_olym2.JPG (22473 bytes)
This drawing of a bare-bones, RHD chassis was provided kindly by Rick LeForge;
he said: Note the carburettor air horns are missing (an early ad campaign);
the exhaust pipe is strange and the gas tank appears to by a "353" type

 

Olympia 1930: Cadillac stand (No. 36)
General Motors Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, London N.W.9

57.5HP, 16 cylinders, 77x102mm (6799 cc), tax £58, coil ignition, pump cooling,
disc clutch, 3-speed unit gear box, spiral bevel, ½ E
[elliptic?] front and rear springs,
7.50x19in. tires on wire wheels, four wheel vacuum servo brakes. Price: chassis £1500

 

 

It must have been quite a thrill to come across the V-16 exhibit at any of the major, annual motor shows in the thirties.  But in those bleak years following the Wall Street crash in Black October, 1929, few people could afford a car, never mind a Cadillac and even less one with a sixteen-cylinder engine.  

By October 1930, production of the sixteen had begun to dwindle in the wake of   the worst depression in US history.  From a high of 576 units a month in April it dropped to  54 units in October, a mere 10% of the former figure.  Yet the V-16 survived for another 10 years, albeit in very small numbers.

Who could afford such luxury, such prestige in the mid-thirties? Who were these buyers?  Who dared flaunt such wealth in the USA, as the infamous bread lines grew longer and longer?

In 50 years as an admirer of these super-models, only once did I ever talk to someone who could claim to have had a new V-16 in the family. This was Al Brander, an auto enthusiast of Phoenix, AZ.  The car  was bought new by his grandmother and Al's own mother had learned to drive at its wheel !

As a matter of interest [and we shall go into details in subsequent chapters] only fifty-odd V-16 models found buyers each year in the period from 1934 through 1937. 

I thought it would be an interesting exercise to try to list and illustrate all the sixteen-cylinder models ever built, in ascending order of rarity.  That way, if you've got one, you can exclaim either, "Hey, I've got one of the rarest V-16s ever built", or, "Hey, they didn't make many cars like mine", or "Oh, heck, I thought I had myself a rare car but they made more than 500 of them!"

On that (failed) attempt at humor, seriously, if you have a sixteen-cylinder car, no matter what year, no matter which model, you are a very fortunate and equally discerning individual.  Don't let anyone, least of all me, try to tell you that your car is just a "regular", "standard" or "mass-produced" V-16.

The Fleetwood designers had other, fancy, high-falutin' names for most of the models listed below;  I have chosen to use body styling descriptions with which I expect most Database users are familiar.  For example, do you know what is an Imperial Landau cabriolet ? No ?  Well, its just a limousine (a car with a glass division), featuring a leather-covered roof, part of which folds back behind the rear passenger seating area.

As an interesting aside, I should mention here the "M-D-B Scientific (?) Expedition", named after three men who organized and participated in it :  H.L. Menke, H.M.F. Behneman and C.J. Dixon. Their purpose was primarily to enjoy a vacation but also to demonstrate the reliability and endurance of the new sixteen by taking a used one (owned by Menke, the tour promoter) on a grand tour of the USA, from San Francisco to New Orleans (by boat from New Orleans to Havana, Cuba, and back to Miami, from Miami to New York and from New York to San Francisco.

The trip was made in 24 days. The trio had not set out to better any land speed records but simply to cover the distance in total comfort).  On the 10,000-mile journey the only maintenance required was to change a spark plug, adjust the ignition and burn off some built-up carbon deposits.

A full report on the "Expedition" was published in the in-house magazine, The Cadillac-LaSalle Service Man for July 15, 1931.

 

How many different body styles
were actually built on the V-16 chassis

The Fleetwood catalog of models for 1930-31 came with an envelope containing 20-30 designer's drawings of proposed body styles.  It appears that the number and variety of designs could vary from one envelope to another.  At this writing the experts are agreed that more than sixty different designs by Fleetwood were effectively built around the eleven basic body styles described in the table, below [LH column].

Basic Body Style Fleetwood Style Numbers Total
Coupe (2-door) 4206, 4207, 4276, 4381, 4476

5

Convertible (2-door) 4235, 4285, 4302, 4335, 4
Convertible (4-door) 4257-A, 4257-H, 4260, 4260-A, 4260 (d/c), 4280, 4380, 7
Sedan or limousine (4-door) 2950-X, 3981, 4108-C, 4130, 4130-S, 4155, 4155-C, 4155-S, 4155-SC, 4161, 4161-S, 4175, 4175-S, 4200,  4208, 4275, 4275-C, 4330, 4330-S, 4355, 4355-C, 4355-S, 4361, 4361-S,  4375, 4375-C 4375-S,  4391 28
Town car (4-door) 3289-B, 3991, 4212, 4212-C, 4220, 4220-B, 4225, 4225-C, 4262, 4264, 4264-B, 4291, 4312, 4320, 4325, 4325-C, 4391, 4412 18
[ Standard and custom designs by Fisher Body Co. ] [ various ] 10

Total

72

 

I have listed in the next pages, in numerical sequence and in ascending order of their rarity, the majority of Fleetwood and Fisher designs built on the Series 452-452A sixteen-cylinder chassis from December 1929 up to February 1932.  I got copies of most of the Fleetwood designer drawings at auction on e-Bay, in 2001.  The vendor, it turned out, was Craig Watrous, a fellow CLC member and V-16 enthusiast like me. I am guessing the majority of them are from an in-house Fleetwood book, probably dated early in 1932;  indeed, none of the early Madame X cars with the vertical, "V" windshield are included; on the other hand, there are four designs there for the Series 452-B sixteen of 1932.

In this listing, the style numbers shown in italics, followed by the letter "D", in brackets, indicate a "duplicate" designer's drawing that is over-written with inner and outer body dimensions. Those that are struck through, like this: "4211",   indicate that no single unit of this style was actually built. Those in italics followed by the letter "O", in brackets, indicate again a duplicate line drawing showing an open car with the top lowered, or a town car with the chauffeur's canopy in place, or a landaulet style with the rear roof portion folded back. Those followed by the letter "V", in brackets, indicate the  Madame X  models with the almost vertical, "V" windshield and split instrument panel, built at the old Fleetwood shops in Pennsylvania, prior to May 1930.

 

Oldfltwo.jpg (7403 bytes)    Flt_plnt.jpg (9649 bytes)
Fleetwood Pennsylvania:  birthplace of  the first  Sixteens, including the bespoke Madame X models

 

 

Those appearing in red type are drawings of styles NOT included in the selection of copies I got from Craig but that we know were effectively built. These are from my own collection and that of a fellow Cadillac sales literature enthusiast, Z. Taylor Vinson of Washington, DC.

Eliminating "O" and "D" versions, mentioned above, plus the four 1932 designs also included in the selection I got from Craig (viz. styles 5112 [Fisher #32-16-225], 5175S [Fisher #32-16-212], 5180 [none of which ever reached production] and 5181 [Fisher #32-16-222]), the total number of styles effectively built in 1930 and 1931 [and which I have highlighted in green] comes to a staggering sixty-nine1

Here is that selection (BTW, many styles were built also on the V-8 and V-12 chassis, so you might want to multiply the total by three !): 2950X, 3289A, 3289B, 3981, 3991, 4108C, 4130, 4130 (D),  4130 (V), 4130S, 4130S (D), 4130S (V), 4155, 4155 (D), 4155 (V), 4155C, 4155S, 4155S (D), 4155S (V), 4155SC, 4161, 4161S, 4161S (D), 4161SC, +sure], 4200, 4200 (D), 4205, 4206, 4206 (D), 4207, 4207 (D), 4208, 4208 (D), 4210, 4211, 4212, 4212 (D), 4212 (O), 4212C, 4213, 42142, 4214 (O), 4218, 4220, 4220 (O), 4220B, 4220C, 4225, 4225 (D), 4225 (O), 4225C, 4235, 4235 (D), 4235 (O), 4248, 4257, 4257A, 4257H, 4257H (D), 4260, 4260 (D), 4260 [dual cowl], 4260 [dual cowl] (D), 4260A, 4260A (D), 4262, 4264, 4264 (D), 4264 (O), 4264B, 4264B (D), 4264B (O), 4264B [with cane work], 4275, 4275 (D), 4275C, 4276, 4276 (D), 4280, 4280 (D), 4280 (O), 4280A, 4285, 4285 (D), 4291, 4291 (D), 4291 (O), 4291C, 4302, 4302 (D), 4312, 4312 (D), 4312 (O), 4312C, 4320, 4320 (D), 4320 (O), 4320C, 4325, 4325 (D), 4325 (O), 4325C, 4330, 4330 (D), 4330C, 4330S, 4330S (D), 4330SC, 4335, 4335 (D), 4335 (O), 4355, 4355 (D), 4355S, 4355S (D), 4355C, 4355SC, 4361, 4361 (D), 4361C, 4361S, 4361S (D), 4361SC, 4375, 4375 (D), 4375C, 4375S, 4375S (D), 4375SC, 4376, 4376 (D), 4380, 4380 (D), 4380 (O-1), 4380 (O-2), 4381, 4381 (D), 4391, 4391 (D), 4391 (O), 4391C, 4412, 4476, 4476 (D).
______________________________
1  By comparison, at the dawn of the new millennium, Cadillac automobile styles [I have deliberately excluded trucks and
    SUVs from this comparison since none were available on the V-16 chassis  -  and what a shame that must have been for
    the moneyed  outdoorsmen of their day!]  were down from an incredible SIXTY-NINE designs on the V-16 chassis alone
    for 1930-31,  to only FOUR: the De Ville, the Seville, the Catera and the Eldorado.  In 2004, the number of designs rose
    to FIVE, despite the (welcome) demise of the Catera and the unfortunate disappearance of the Eldorado]. Indeed, we have
    now these acronymic novelties on the manufacturer's catalog XLR, SRX, CTS.  What fabulous places do the names
    Excelar, Essarex and Seetee-Ess conjure up for YOU ? I much prefer Eldorado, BiarritzSeville, Park Avenue...

2   This looks like the cane-work version of style 4264B although the rear body is longer

If any users have one (or more) of the cars listed here and would like me to show a photo of it in the V-16 "Survivors"  section of The (New) Cadillac Database ©, please drop me an e-Mail:

Email.jpg (1911 bytes)

 

Production figures of
the 1930-31 Cadillac V-16
[in ascending order of rarity]

 

The majority of photos were supplied graciously, over a number of years,
by Cadillac's Public Relations Department as well as by members of the
Cadillac-La Salle Club, Inc., owners or photographers of surviving cars

[the larger, improved images added in November, 2009 are cropped from a photographic showroom album
in the exceptional automobile literature collection of the late Z. Taylor Vinson of Alexandria, VA]

 

Regular Production Models
with Coachwork by
Fleetwood and Fisher

Job/Style number Body Style Units Built Notes
4375-S 7-pass. sedan featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, large  ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats and no partition or division glass between front and rear compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $6225. 501

 

V6p375.jpg (9410 bytes)

 

 

    
LH photo shows this model fitted with the regular, wooden "artillery" wheels and hub caps

4375sdg.jpg (10684 bytes)     4375ad.jpg (17716 bytes)
The most commonplace sixteens [500 units only ?] are these roomy sedans and limousines for 7 passengers;
comfortable seating for two was afforded by two large, foldaway auxiliary seats incorporating plush folding
backrests; this style, like most others with a styling code beginning "43..." feature stubby windshield posts,
a horizontal lower body sill and a raised, curved hood panel sometimes used to advantage for 2-tone paint effects
[ color ad, at right, is from 1930; it uses some artistic license... ]

v6_4375fr.jpg (7109 bytes)
This is one of a number of V-16s exported to France

4375badab.jpg (59073 bytes)

4375adaa.jpg (57111 bytes)
Illustrations from period ads

 

4375 7-pass. limousine, outwardly identical to the preceding car, but with a partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments. The photo is of a surviving car. Price 1.1.30 = $6525. 438

 

 

4375.JPG (50509 bytes)

 

 

    
Standard V-16 wheels were the wood artillery kind (left); most buyers opted for the "snazzzier" wire wheels (right)

4375sdg.jpg (10684 bytes)     v6p375b.JPG (10912 bytes)
Only by looking at the interior layout can one distinguish
between Fleetwood's 7-pass. sedan and limousine styles


From the archives of renowned former Cadillac dealer in Sweden,  Hans Osterman AB,
comes this "photo of a photo" of the first Cadillac V16 ever imported into Sweden
[ Photo: courtesy Swedish  CLC member Anders Läck and Anne]

 

4330-S 5-pass. sedan featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, small  ¼-windows, no folding auxiliary seats and no partition or division glass between front and rear compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $5950. 394

 

v6p330.JPG (12143 bytes)

 

 

4330dg.jpg (10916 bytes)
This one is like the preceding two styles
but notice the shorter rear compartment

 

4361-S 5-pass. so-called "close-coupled" sedan or town sedan, featuring the Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, no ¼-windows, no folding auxiliary seating and no partition or division glass between front and rear compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $5950. 258

 

db4361S.JPG (23464 bytes)

 

 

4361dgsm.jpg (11137 bytes)
The rear body on this style is even shorter than on the preceding car;
this "compact" town sedan features a separate rack-mounted trunk

 

4380 4-pass. so-called "all-weather" phaeton  featuring the Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding and straight (horizontal) sill; this car has a 3-position top and may be used as a fully enclosed car, a town car (with open front compartment) or a fully convertible touring car; a secondary windshield was standard; the car could be ordered without the secondary glass (this was a $200 option), no auxiliary seating. Price 1.1.30 = $6650.(down to $5750 in October 1930).

1 on the V-16 chassis alone (this body style was mounted also on the V8 and V12 chassis in 1931)

v6_4380pc.jpg (22138 bytes)
This is an origanl factory color publicity shot

 

2501

 

v6p380.JPG (11983 bytes)

 

4380dgsm.jpg (10688 bytes)

4380hals.jpg (7881 bytes)    4380dows.jpg (7545 bytes)

4380ad.jpg (72737 bytes)    
[ Again, this color ad from 1930 uses some artistic license...to lengthen and lower the car ]

 

4302 2-pass. roadster with rumble seat for two more occasional passengers, special, horizontal belt molding (atypical of sixteens with styling codes beginning "43...").  Probably the most popular and collectible sixteen of the first generation. The photo is of a surviving car. Price 1.1.30 = $5350 [cheapest of the sixteens, yet the most expensive collectible today].

v6-4302Orig.JPG (40564 bytes)

105

 

 

 

4302xx.JPG (38854 bytes)

 

 

 

 

    

4302dg.jpg (9719 bytes)     v6p302b.JPG (10198 bytes)
According to Fleetwood numbering logic, this style should feature the raised panel hood of
body styles starting with "43..."; but I guess it looks more racy with that horizontal belt molding !

4302ad2.jpg (46480 bytes)

4302adB.jpg (59481 bytes)
Illustrations from period ads

 

4335 Built in Fleetwood's Pennsylvania facility, this is a 2-pass. convertible coupe with room for two occasional passengers in the rumble seat. It too features the straight (horizontal) sill and Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, highlighted in this photo of a surviving car by a 2-tone paint scheme. Price 1.1.30 = $5900 [this model no longer appeared in the V-16 price list for October 1930] 100

 

v6p335b.JPG (9858 bytes)

 

 

4335dg.jpg (10728 bytes)     4335dwns.jpg (9298 bytes)
As with the roadster (Fleetwood style #4302)
the soft top did not lie quite flush with the body when folded back

 

4376 Also built in Fleetwood's Pennsylvania facility this is a 2-pass. stationary coupe with room for two occasional passengers in the rumble seat. Straight (horizontal) sill and Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding.   The photo is of a surviving car. Price 1.1.30 = $5950. 98

 

V6p476.jpg (11428 bytes)

 

 

    
This style in a very basic configuration, with wooden-spoked "artillery" wheels and no sidemounted spare wheels & tires
[ images (cropped by YS): courtesy Chris Cummings, VA ]

4376dg.jpg (10148 bytes)

 

4381 The first of these graceful coupes for 5 passengers.   Like style #4302 it has a  special, horizontal belt molding that is atypical of sixteens with styling codes beginning "43...". 98

 

db4381.JPG (24546 bytes)

 

 

4381dg.jpg (9659 bytes)

 

4235 A graceful convertible coupe for only 2 passengers (plus rumble seat); horizontal belt molding and curved, so-called "coach sill".  In my opinion a very beautiful sixteen. Price 1.1.30 = $6900. One source claims that 96 were built; my guess is that the other two bodies were mounted on the V8 or V12 chassis. 94

 

v64235d.JPG (11252 bytes)

 

 

    

4235dgsm.jpg (8222 bytes)     4235odgs.jpg (8913 bytes)
Note how the folded top lies flush with the belt line, for a more streamlined appearance

4235ad.jpg (50267 bytes)

 

4175
[1]
7-pass. Madame X  style limousine with flat, 18° raked windshield and central instrument panel, straight sill, large ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net; another 24 units were built earlier in Pennsylvania with the almost vertical "V" windshield (see #4175 [2], below). Price 1.1.30 = $7525. 86

 

4175.jpg (8325 bytes)

 

 


Designer's drawing of the updated Madame X sedans and limousines with
flat, 18° slanting windshield; these were built in Detroit starting in May 1930

 

4260 5-pass. special phaeton with crank-operated secondary windshield.  This phaeton style came without the usual secondary, folding cowl and windshield so typical of regular sport phaetons. It features a special,  horizontal belt molding and the curved or coach sill. Price 1.1.30 = $6150 [up to $6500 in October 1930].

Nota:  at least THREE style #4260 Phaetons were fitted WITH the tonneau and folding windshield; these were bodies # 7, 8 and 25. It seems odd that such a difference in outward appearance did not warrant from Fleetwood a DIFFERENT style or job number.

82

 

db4260.JPG (25569 bytes)

 

 

4260dg.jpg (10581 bytes)
The secondary windshield on this model is operated by a crank;
it disappears into the bulkhead partition behind the front  seat

v6-4260Orig.JPG (62549 bytes)
Many early photos of V16 models show the cars with the optional chrome-plated hood vent louvers, like this one


This artist's view is from a period ad ... the car appears much longer and sleeker


This is VIN 702677,  one of three units of this style
but fitted as full Sport  Phaetons (with a folding secondary cowl and windshield)

4355-S 5-pass. sedan featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, no  ¼-windows, no folding auxiliary seats and no partition or division glass between front and rear compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $6125. 81

 

db4355S.JPG (22419 bytes)

 

 

4355dg.jpg (8891 bytes)
Once again, only by looking at the interior layout can one distinguish
between Fleetwood styles 4355 [limousine] and 4355-S [sedan] styles

v6p355b.JPG (8774 bytes)
A survivor

 

4276 2-pass. stationary coupe with room for two occasional passengers in the rumble seat. Horizontal belt molding, curved or coach sill, Madame X  styled, raked windshield [not a full-fledged Madame X model; the latter all had 4 doors]. Price 1.1.30 = $6850.

 

70

 

4276xx.JPG (41945 bytes)

 

 

4276dg.jpg (10168 bytes)     V6p276aq.jpg (13210 bytes)
This style is very similar to #4376, except for its curved or coach sill

4276ad2.jpg (48017 bytes)

 

4355 5/7-pass.limousine featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, no  ¼-windows, light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments [outwardly similar to style #4355-S (above)]. Price 1.1.30 = $6350. 52

 

V6p355c.jpg (10733 bytes)

 

 

4355dg.jpg (8891 bytes)
This style is identical in outward appearance to style #4355-S, above

 

4330 5/7-pass. limousine featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, a straight (horizontal) sill, small  ¼-windows, small, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments [outwardly similar to style #4330-S (above), so I have used the same factory photo for both cars]. Price 1.1.30 = $6300. 50

 

db4330.JPG (24617 bytes)

 

 

4330dg.jpg (10916 bytes)
The 5-passenger version of this popular closed body style has a shorter
rear body than style #4375 and, hence, smaller quarter windows

 

4175-S 7-pass. Madame X sedan with straight sill, large ¼-windows; all of these were built in Detroit with the 18°, flat, slanting windshield [outwardly similar in appearance to style #4175[1] (above) but without partition or division glass between the front and rear compartments] Price 1.1.30 = $7525. 47

 

db4175S.JPG (22859 bytes)

 

 

4175.jpg (8325 bytes)     4175dgv.jpg (11448 bytes)
These two line drawings illustrate the difference in windshields between the Pennsylvania-built (right) and Detroit-built (left) Madame X styles

 

4161-S 5-pass. Madame X close-coupled sedan, straight sill, no ¼-windows; all built in Detroit, with the 18°, flat, slanting windshield; no partition or division glass between front and rear compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $6950. One of these was on exhibit at the St. Louis auto show in February 1931; with a $8175 ticket, it was the most expensive car at the show (this car might have been also unique style #4161, with division glass, although none is mentioned in the description) 43

 

V6p161b.jpg (11106 bytes)

 

 

4161dg.jpg (9882 bytes)      4361sc.JPG (5957 bytes)
The filigree designer's drawing at right  is a proposed landaulet version
of this rare model [Fleetwood #4361-SC];  none were actually built

4161ad.jpg (73145 bytes)
Illustration from a period ad

 

4130-S
[1]
5-pass. Madame X sedan, straight sill, small �-windows, outwardly similar in appearance to style #4130 (above), but without a partition or division glass between the driver and passenger compartments; another 10 units were built earlier, in Pennsylvania, with the almost vertical, split-"V" windshield (see #4130-S [2], below); Price 1.1.30 = $6950 39

 

db4130S.JPG (25615 bytes)

 

 

4130dg.jpg (10832 bytes)
Flat windshield Madame X styles like this one
were built in Detroit, after April 1930

 

4325 7-pass. town car featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, no  ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather-covered roof, removable driver's roof curtain carried under front seat, robe cord, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. (the true body length is not easy to see in this angled view). Price 1.1.30 = $7150 [down to $6525 in October 1930]. 35

 

db4325.JPG (23609 bytes)

 

 

4325dg.jpg (11315 bytes)
Rear seat passengers in Fleetwood's long-bodied cars,
like this one, sat behind the rear wheel axle

 

4391 7-pass. town brougham featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, large  ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, painted metal roof [i.e. no leather roof covering], removable driver's roof curtain carried under front seat,  robe cord, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. (the true body length is not easy to see in this bird's eye view). Price 1.1.30 = $7150 [down to $6525 in October 1930],. 30

 

db4391.JPG (27629 bytes)

 

 

     4391.JPG (48175 bytes)

4391dg.jpg (11287 bytes)    

Schu_Heink.jpg (19681 bytes)
The RH car in the photo (above)  was acquired by opera singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink;
it is believed Ms. Schumann-Heink bought these TWO sixteens together; the other car
appears to be the very rare Fleetwood style #4275C limousine-landaulet  (2 units built)
[ Photo: from the late Al Waddell collection, courtesy of John Conde and the Self Starter annual, 1990]


Here is a larger view of the town car

 

4320 7-pass. town car featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, small ¼-windows [not clearly visible in this factory photo], large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, small, imitation landau bars, removable driver's roof curtain carried under front seat,  robe cord, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. Price 1.1.30 = $7150 [down to $6525 in October 1930]. 25

 

v6p320.JPG (11394 bytes)

 

 

4320dg.jpg (10998 bytes)
The distinguishing mark of Fleetwood body styles
with final digits "20" is the small, rear quarter window

 

4175
[2]
7-pass. Madame X  limousine with  vertical, "V" windshield and split instrument panel, straight sill, large ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net; another 86 units were built later, in Detroit, with the 18° , flat, slanting windshield (see #4175 [1], Price 1.1.30 = $7525. 24

 

V6p175v.jpg (16275 bytes)
Door handles on this restored survivor
have been mounted upside down!

 

 

4175dgv.jpg (11448 bytes)
Madame X styles with the almost vertical, split "V"
windshield were built at the old plant in Fleetwood, PA

 

4312 5/7-pass. town car featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, no ¼-windows, small, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, imitation landau bars, removable driver's roof curtain carried under front seat,  robe cord, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net.  Price 1.1.30 = $7000 [down to $6525 in October 1930]. Look at that sumptuous interior in the oval, right! 24

 

v6p312a.JPG (8450 bytes)   


 

db4312.JPG (21386 bytes)

4312dg.jpg (10910 bytes)     v6tc12i.jpg (6042 bytes)
In short-bodied Fleetwood town cars,
rear passengers sat above the rear wheel axle

 

30-1681 2-pass. convertible [Fisher body]; one more car derived from this regular Fisher convertible coupe style got special trim modifications (job #LX2903, listed on the next page). I am guessing that all the Fisher-bodied sixteens were mounted on the chassis of the "43..." group and got the regular V-16 hood with the five louver doors. Early factory photos, like this one, show the demo cars with chrome-plated vent louvers, as here. 16

 

v630FshrCvCp.jpg (115616 bytes)
[ Original factory photo taken on roof of G building in downtown Detroit ]

 

 

v630FshrCvCp.jpg (115616 bytes)

30-168dg.JPG (8815 bytes)    
[line drawing montage by Yann Saunders]

 

4291 7-pass. town brougham featuring the so-called coach sill, large  ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, painted metal roof [i.e. no leather roof covering], driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  robe cord and arm slings.  Price 1.1.30 = $8750. 14

 

db4291.JPG (24553 bytes)

 

 

4291dg.jpg (10723 bytes)
Long-bodied Fleetwood town car styles ending with
digits "91" feature a large rear quarter window

 

4130
[1]
5/7-pass. Madame X  limousine, straight sill and horizontal belt molding, flat, 18° raked windshield, center instrument panel, small ¼-windows; light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [production figures are my own guestimate; another 5-7 units were built earlier, in Pennsylvania, with the almost vertical, split-"V" windshield (see #4130 [2], below.  Price 1.1.30 = $7300. 10-12

 

4130pho.jpg (44141 bytes)

 

 

4130dg.jpg (10832 bytes)

 

4476 2-pass. rumble-seat coupe with Madame X   windshield [not a full-fledged Madame X style that comprised ONLY 4-door models]; similar to #4276 but with straight sill like #4376 and horizontal belt molding as seen on "41..." styles; this car is another exception to the Fleetwood system of coding body styles. this was a late addition to the "Sixteen" model range; all were built in 1931.   Price 10.15.30 = $5800 [not offered until late 1930]. At least one is believed to have survived. 11

 

4476srv.jpg (15765 bytes)
Auto historian Richard Burns Carson described this car in The Classic Car,
summer 2006 as a custom creation based on Fleetwood style #4276 for a client who wanted
his own V-16 No. 4276   coupe delivered without dipped sills or a left hand golf-bag door!

IMHO, it's not a custom job but one of the eleven Fleetwood style #4476 coupes
that were built; it certainly resembles closely the original factory drawing (below)

 

 

4476-2.JPG (39916 bytes)    

    

4476dg.jpg (10348 bytes)
 Here is an orphan Fleetwood style; the horizontal sill should place it in the "43..." group, but then
it would have a curved, raised hood molding; yes, but the horizontal belt molding and slanted windshield
belong to the "41..." group; OK,  but that group is only for 4-door cars, the so-called Madame X models

 

4130-S [2] 5-pass. Madame X  sedan, outwardly similar in appearance to style #4130 [2], above, straight sill and horizontal belt molding, almost vertical "V" windshield, split instrument panel, small ¼-windows; no auxiliary seating, partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [another 39 units were built later, in Detroit, with the flat, 18° raked windshield (see #4130S [1], above)].   Price 1.1.30 = $6950. 10

V64130v5.jpg (9356 bytes)
Possibly a surviving car

 

4130vdg.jpg (10591 bytes)     4130MmeX-V.jpg (58696 bytes)
Designer's drawing (left) and arist's view (right) ;
short-bodied Fleetwood sedans and limousines have a small rear quarter windows,
like this Madame X style built in the old Fleetwood works in Pennsylvania

 

4220 7-pass. town car featuring the so-called coach sill, small ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, small, imitation landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  robe cord and arm slings.. Price 1.1.30 = $8750.]. 9

 

V64220.jpg (11148 bytes)

 

 

4220dg.jpg (11345 bytes)

 

4155
[1]
5/7-pass. Madame X  limousine with flat, 18° slanting windshield and central,oval instrument panel; straight sill, no ¼-windows, light-weight, folding  auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [production figures are my own guestimate; another 1-2 units were built earlier, in Pennsylvania, with the almost vertical, split-"V" windshield (see #4155 [2], below)].  Price 1.1.30 = $7350. 7-8

 

V6p155b.jpg (11993 bytes)

 

 

 

4155sdg.jpg (10494 bytes)

 

4208 Outwardly similar to the preceding car but with less rake to the windshield, this is a 5/7-pass. limousine featuring the so-called coach sill and no ¼-windows; it has light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), a partition and a division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, imitation landau bars. The chassis cost $4800, the body an additional $4000.  One of these, with a few extras, cost $9375 in 1930.

 

7

 

V64208.jpg (10122 bytes)

 

 

4208xx.JPG (31733 bytes)    
Band leader Paul Whiteman with one of the 7 special Fleetwood "cabriolet" styles

     4208dgsm.jpg (9774 bytes)
Left:  Factory photo.  Right:  rare Fleetwood designer's drawing, included
in a batch of  Xerox copies I bought from fellow V-16 enthusiast, Craig Watrous

 

4130
[2]
5/7-pass. Madame X  limousine, straight  sill and horizontal belt molding, almost vertical "V" windshield, split instruments panel, small ¼-windows; light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [production figures are my own guestimate; another 10-12. units were built later in Detroit with the flat, 18° raked windshield (see #4130 [1], above)]. Price 1.1.30 = $7300. 5-7

 

 

 

    
Image:  CCCA Bulletin #3, April 2005

4130vdg.jpg (10944 bytes)

 

4155-S [1] 5-pass. Madame X  sedan with flat, 18° slanting windshield and central, oval instrument panel; straight sill, no ¼-windows, no partition or division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [production figure of 6 units is my own best guestimate; surviving car #2 has the flat windshield, which suggests that only car #1 could have had the almost vertical, split-"V" windshield of Pennsylvania-built cars (see #4155S [2], below)]. Price 1.1.30 = $7125. 6

 

db4155S.JPG (25336 bytes)

 

 

4155sdg.jpg (10494 bytes)

 

4212 5/7-pass. town car featuring the so-called  coach sill, no ¼-windows, light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, imitation landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  robe cord and arm slings.   Price 1.1.30 = $8750. 6

 

v64212.JPG (12423 bytes)

 

 

 

4212dg.jpg (10207 bytes)
Fleetwood town car styles with final digits "12"
had shorter bodies and no rear quarter windows

 

4225 7-pass. town car featuring the so-called coach sill, no ¼-windows, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, imitation landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  robe cord and arm slings.  Price 1.1.30 = $8750. 6

 

4225dg.jpg (10783 bytes)

 

 

4225tcxx.JPG (31779 bytes)
Fleetwood town car styles with final digits "25"
had long bodies and no rear quarter windows

 

4155-C 5/7-pass. Madame X  landaulet with flat, 18° slanting windshield and central, oval instrument panel; straight sill, folding roof portion over rear seat, light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), (not so in the car shown),  (sliding) partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net  Price 1.1.30 = $7350 [plus approx. $800 for landaulet roof] 5

 

v6_4155SCa.JPG (10139 bytes)
Photo of survivor in Switzerland
[ © 1995, Yann Saunders]

 

 

4155sdg.jpg (10494 bytes)     4155sdgo.JPG (32594 bytes)

 

30-159 5-pass. sedan [Fisher body]; two more cars derived from this regular Fisher style got custom modifications and trim (jobs #2651X and #2911LX, listed on the next page). My montage (below) assumes that all the Fisher-bodied sixteens except #30X were mounted on the "43..." type chassis and got a V-16 hood with five louver doors. 5

[ no photo ]

 

v6_159.JPG (8649 bytes)
[line drawing montage by Yann Saunders]

 

4108-C 5/7-pass. Madame X  landaulet with almost vertical "V" windshield and split instrument panel; straight sill, light-colored coupienne roof covering, folding roof portion over rear seat, light-weight, folding auxiliary seating (opera seats), partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. The car in the factory photo [right] got the Burbank roof covering later. [Nota: Carl Steig says only 3 units were built; in fact body No. 2 of  four #4108-C cars built was changed to #4155-C (all these had a  raked windshield); at the same  time, body No. 4 of  ten #4155-C styles built was corrected to  #4108-C (all these had a "V" windshield)]. Price 1.1.30 = $7350 plus approx. $800 for landaulet roof]. You can read more on this style, here.

 

4

 

4108cAD.jpg (21688 bytes)
This is car #3; it was featured in a colorful ad for the w1985 models;
it belonged at the time to Dave Towell of Akron, Ohio


 

    
Left:  Factory photo; right: artist's rendering of that same image

4108cclo.jpg (10810 bytes)     4155cVop.JPG (32503 bytes)

4155CMmeXV-ad.jpg (59130 bytes)
This illustration is from a period ad
[ all the #4155-C cars were converted to the light-colored top ]

 

4264 5/7-pass. town brougham featuring the so-called coach sill, no ¼-windows, square corners at rear, light-weight, olding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, no leather roof covering or landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  two arm slings. Price 1.1.30 = $9200. 4

 

db4264.JPG (21561 bytes)

 

 

 

    

4264clo.JPG (7792 bytes)
This line drawing shows the car with the driver's curtain in place

 

4260B 5-pass. special sport phaeton, coach sill, folding secondary cowl and folding secondary windshield. At least one of these survives. Factory production records listing all body styles built on the new V-16 chassis show that thee one out of the 85 phaeton style #4260 built (see Part 1j [i]), featured a "folding tonneau windshield"; it is listed as Style #4260-B. THIS is one of these thee cars, although the actual body tag reads only "4260".

It was formerly believed that Fleetwood built only ONE of these special phaetons built with the secondary. folding cowl and windshield. Research conducted by RM auctions (?) in 2012 revealed that THREE of these were in fact built. They have been identified as VINs 702691 (body #7), 702682 (body #8) and 702677 (body #25 - this car)

3

 

V64260sp.jpg (11658 bytes)

 

 

4260dcsm.jpg (8899 bytes)     4260dim.jpg (3981 bytes)
It is unusual for a radical departure in styling to not have an individual styling code number;
with its secondary folding cowl and windshield this model differs greatly from
the special phaeton style #4260 [filigree image, right] from which it is derived


This is VIN 702677,  one of three units of this style
but fitted as full Sport  Phaetons (with a folding secondary cowl and windshield)

 

158 5-pass. 2-pass. coupe [Fisher body]; two more cars derived from this regular Fisher style got custom modifications and trim (jobs #2651X and #2911LX, listed on the next page). My line drawing montage (below) assumes that all the Fisher-bodied sixteens except #30X were mounted on the "43..." type chassis and got a V-16 hood with five louver doors 3

 

v6fshds3.jpg (13695 bytes)

 

 

30-158dg.JPG (8666 bytes)

 

152 2-pass. coupe [Fisher body] I am assuming that all the Fisher-bodied sixteens except #30X were mounted on the "43..." type chassis and got a V-16 hood with five louver doors. 3

[ no photo ]

 

[ no line drawing ]

 

4207 The designer's drawing shows a special 2-pass. special coupe with slightly raked "V" windshield, light-colored Burbank top, exposed door hinges and long golf bag door; the Master Parts List (MPL), on the other hand, describes this model as having a flat windshield and a period photo does seem to show that kind of windshield. Since there is confusion between styles #4206 and #4207, I have decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the designer's original drawings. The bare chassis for this model cost $4800; the body was another $4500. One such car, with extras, cost $9875; the latter was shipped to Towell Cadillac, Akron, Ohio, on  4.15.30. It was black with a silver molding; chassis and under fender areas were Emerald green; fender moldings were chrome plated; it had a single, rear-mounted spare and all wheels had chrome-plated spokes; the hood was plain with locks on either side; a single key was supplied for the hood, doors and ignition; the car was fitted with a radio. 3

 

V6p206x.jpg (9483 bytes)
This photo is ID'd as style #4206 but the belt molding
corresponds to the designer's drawing for style #4207

 

 

4207dgsm.jpg (8452 bytes)
Fleetwood designer's drawing of style #4207

 

4264-B
[1]
5/7-pass. town brougham featuring the so-called boot-toe or half-coach sill, no ¼-windows, square corners at rear, light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, no leather roof covering or landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  two arm slings. Price 1.1.30 = $9700. 3

 

V6p264b2.jpg (10176 bytes)

 

 

4264BDG2.JPG (31425 bytes)

 

4264-B
[2]
5/7-pass. town brougham featuring the so-called boot-toe or half-coach sill, no ¼-windows, square corners at rear, light-weight auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, no leather roof covering or landau bars, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  two arm slings. These three cars had cane work meticulously painted on the lower rear body. Price 1.1.30 = $9700 plus cost of cane work, which I estimate was around $500.

4264b2.JPG (36819 bytes)

 

3

 

V6p264b1.jpg (10173 bytes)

db4264B.JPG (24794 bytes)

 

 

4264bdg.jpg (10819 bytes)
I made up this drawing by using the factory designer's drawing
for style #4264-B and adding the French cane work to the rear body

V6Drg-4264b.jpg (50702 bytes)
Artist's rendering of Fleetwood style #4264-B, with driver's curtain in place

4264b-aa.jpg (55385 bytes)

4264b-ad.jpg (66793 bytes)
Illustrations from a period ads

    
The painting on the left was photographed by Gita in the Gilmore Museum, Kalamazoo, MI;
I cropped it and used PhotoShop in an attempt to improve on the image for the Database;
the artist's name is illegible; if anyone has it, I shall gladly give credit where it is due

 

4280 4-pass. all-weather phaeton  featuring the "coach" sill and special belt molding; like style #4380 (above). This car has a 3-position top and may be used as a fully enclosed car, a town car (with open front compartment) or a fully convertible touring car; a secondary windshield was standard; the car could be ordered without the secondary glass (this was a $200 option), no auxiliary seating. Price estimated at circa $8500. 3

 

V6p280d.jpg (11346 bytes)

 

 

4280clo.JPG (29771 bytes)     4280op.JPG (30523 bytes)

4280DRG.JPG (7691 bytes)
This artist's rendering shows the car, in error, with a straight sill

 

4325-C 7-pass. town landaulet featuring the so-called Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, folding roof portion over rear seat, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather-covered roof, removable driver's roof curtain carried under front seat, robe cord, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. Price 1.1.30 = $7150 plus $750 for landaulet roof] 3

 

V6p325ca.jpg (7117 bytes)
The car in this period photo was
exported to Berlin, Germany;

it carries German tag #1A75825

 

 

4325clo.JPG (30805 bytes)     4325c.JPG (30078 bytes)

 

172 5-pass. coupe [Fisher body]. My montage (right) assumes that all the Fisher-bodied sixteens except #30X were mounted on the "43..." type chassis and got a V-16 hood with five louver doors.  This body style is similar to Fleetwood style #4381. 2

 

[ no photo ]

 

 

v6_172.JPG (8526 bytes)
[ line drawing miontage by Yann Saunders ]

 

4155-SC 5-pass. Madame X  sedan-landaulet with flat, 18° slanting windshield and central, oval instrument panel; straight sill, opening roof portion over rear seat, no partition or division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net. Outwardly similar style #4155-C (above), but without the partition and division glass between the driver and passenger compartments. Price 1.1.30 = $7350 plus approx. $800 for landaulet roof] 2

 

[ no photo ]

 

 

4155sdg.jpg (10494 bytes)     4155sdgo.JPG (32594 bytes)
Easy ID: similar in appearance to Fleetwood
style 4155C, above, but without
division glass and auxiliary seating

 

4275-C 7-pass. town landaulet featuring the so-called coach sill, opening roof portion over rear seat, large, folding auxiliary seats, partition and division glass between front and rear compartments, leather roof covering, driver's roof curtain folds back into roof compartment,  robe cord and arm slings. Price estimated at $1600 more than #4375 plus approx. $800 for landaulet roof, i.e. approx. $9000] 2

 

v6a275c.jpg (8313 bytes)

 

 

4275c.JPG (31252 bytes)
With driver's curtain in place and rear roof raised,
this was an elegant, enclosed limousine

Schu_Heink.jpg (11251 bytes)
The LH car in the photo, above,  appears to be the rare Fleetwood style #4275C; it was acquired by opera singer
Ernestine Schumann-Heink; it it is believed Ms. Schumann-Heink bought these TWO sixteens together
at the same time; the RH car is Fleetwood town Brougham style #4391of which a mere 30 units were  built
[ Photo: the late Al Waddell collection, courtesy of John Conde and the Self Starter annual, 1990]

 

4285 5-pass. convertible Victoria with the so-called coach sill; of the two units built, one was exported to Canada. Price unknown but estimated around $9000. The "Canadian" car had 1930 tags E.5684 from the province of Ontario (photo in 2003 book by Angelo Van Bogart, pp.68-692). 2

 

V6p285a.jpg (12575 bytes)

 

 

4285.jpg (7111 bytes)
The large, exposed door hinges on the actual model
were not shown on the original designer's drawing

 

4361 5-pass. town sedan with a special division glass mounted between front and rear compartments, Le Baron hood with curved, raised molding, straight (horizontal) sill, no �-windows, no auxiliary seating. Outwardly similar in appearance to style #4361-S (above) [photo in fact depicts a surviving style #4361-S]. Price 1.1.30 = $5950 plus approx. $225 for the partition and division glass] 2

 

v6p361a.JPG (11802 bytes)

 

 

4361sdg.jpg (11079 bytes)

 

4375-C 7-pass. limousine-landaulet with a partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments and a folding roof portion over the rear seat; outwardly similar in appearance to style #4275-C (above), but with a straight sill (like style #4375, above). Price 1.1.30 = $6525 plus $800 for landaulet roof] 2

[ no photo ]

 

4375c.JPG (9356 bytes)

 

4155 [2] 5/7-pass. Madame X  limousine with almost vertical "V"  windshield and split instrument panel; straight sill, no ¼-windows, light-weight, folding auxiliary seats (opera seats), partition and division glass between driver and rear compartments, robe cord with assist cords, arm slings, silk umbrella, sheepskin mat, luggage net [production figures are my own guestimate; another 7-8 units were built later, in Detroit, with the slanting windshield (see #4155 [1], above)]. Price 1.1.30 = $7350 1-2

 

[ no photo ]

 

 

4155V2.JPG (9397 bytes)

 

1  The Fisher styling codes consist of  1 to 4 digits;  however, in the thirties, it was customary for Fisher to include also the year [in this case "30"] and, sometimes, the number of cylinders [i.e. "8", "12" or "16"].  A typical Fisher body tag on the 1930 V-16 would show the style number or styling code  as "30-168" or "30-16-168".  I have chosen to show only the last part of that code, as it corresponds to the numbers listed in the Database section devoted to the Fisher body coding system.

2  It was previously believed that this car had been exported to Europe; that belief was dispelled when a larger photo of the car was published in 2003, in the superb coffee table book, Cadillac - 100 Years of Innovation, by Angelo Van Bogart, where the Ontario (Canada) license tags are perfectly visible.

 

4375int1.jpg (5802 bytes)     4375int2.jpg (5140 bytes)
Luxurious interior of 1930-31 Fleetwood style #4375, 7-pass. limousine

V630dash.jpg (7337 bytes)     V630pnl1.jpg (8099 bytes)
Regular instrument panel (left); split panel of Pennsylvania-built enclosed cars (right)


1930-31 Dash panel - Detroit cars

 


Continued in Part 2

 

Return to The (New) Cadillac Database © Index Page
or to the "V-16" index page

 

© 1996, Yann Saunders and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Inc.
[ Background image: Fleetwood designer's drawing of style 4375, the most common V-16 of 1930-31 ]