There are many special cars and the Cadillac Sixteen is one of them, being the world’s first production car with a V16 engine. That made it one of the most expensive and prestigious automobiles in the United States in the 1930s… and today it remains one of the most sought-after classics of the time by collectors.
And it is that the keys to its success then are still valid today. In addition to its V16 engine with great power and unparalleled smoothness… it is one of those cars ready to show off with it. Unfortunately, very few were made. Partly because of its exclusivity, partly because it was designed in the 1920s to be released in the 1930s, shortly before the Great Depression, a time when ostentation was not highly regarded.
Also known as the Cadillac V-16 (the hyphen is a must), the Cadillac Sixteen’s engine was developed by the firm’s engineers at a time of post-World War I economic prosperity that seemed like it would never end. Luxury cars were in high demand and it made sense to launch something like this. Nobody expected the Crac of 29.
Cadillac was one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the early 20th century. They were the first to mass-produce a car with a V8 engine (back in 1915) and to launch innovations such as electric starter or synchronized transmissions. It is not surprising that they worked on something like a V16 with which to leave behind rivals with “simple” V8 or V12 engines.
They weren’t the only ones with a V16 in development. The Marmon Motor Company was working on its own design, and Peerless would join soon after. As long as the money flow continued, everyone wanted to get on the luxury car bandwagon. It is possible that Cadillac got there first after signing one of Marmon’s engineers, Owen Nacker.
Thus, the first V16-powered car hit the market and the company became the most prominent in the United States. In 1930, before the stock market crash, they sold 2,500 units. A year later, barely 750, which would rise to 300 in 1932 and less than 50 in 1937.
The V16 under the hood of the Cadillac Sixteen was an engineering marvel The 16 cylinders at 45º with overhead valves, counterbalanced crankshaft with five bearings, two valves per cylinder, hydraulic tappets… two iron blocks of eight cylinders mounted on a crankcase of aluminium alloy.
The 185bhp and 344Nm of torque (at 1,400rpm, 407Nm from idle) may not be scary these days, but the engine was so smooth and quiet that period magazines claim the carburettors were louder than the engine. combustion The engine was linked to a three- speed manual transmission, but with that torque figure it was almost possible to start it in top gear from a standstill and drive it almost like an automatic.
Despite the unfortunate timing of the launch, there were two generationsthe first of 1930 to 1937 and the second of 1938 to 1940. It was not an update like current cars. They shared few body parts (it looked a lot more like the cars of the 1940s than the 1920s) and even the V16s that powered them were completely different, flat-headed – a simpler design – with 7.1 displacements. (and the same 185 hp as the previous engine).
The images that accompany this article correspond to a second generation model, called 90 serieswith that more modern body style… although there were a variety of body styles to choose from, with various wheelbases (those with the shortest wheelbase were said to be able to exceed 160 km/h).
And yes, Cadillac lost a lot of money on each unit sold. But it remained in production as the brand’s halo model, hoping that the Great Depression would pass soon. It did not happen, hence the second generation was launched. Today they are not as expensive as the originals and many collectors put their eyes on it.
Be careful, precisely this unit is not what you say economic, because the bid starts at $190,000. But after learning about its history and knowing that in 1938, the year it dates from, only 315 units were manufactured (and only 10 of them with this Fleetwood-style convertible coupe body)… well, you understand its price a little more. It is in collectible condition (it has won several awards and with that brown body and tan leather upholstery, matching the top, it continues to turn necks in its wake.