1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton
Cadillac produced only 85 examples of the Sport Phaeton during 1930 and 1931, with just 17 authentic survivors documented today, making it among the rarest body styles ever mounted on the V-16 chassis.
The design represented a modern interpretation of the traditional dual-cowl phaeton, featuring an innovative rear windshield mounted directly behind the front seats that could be raised or lowered with a hand crank.
This engineering solution eliminated the bulky second cowl found on conventional dual-cowl designs, creating unusually clean lines that resembled a four-passenger roadster.
The 148-inch wheelbase allowed for exceptional proportions with an extended hood and low beltline, producing striking visual impact whether the convertible top was raised or lowered.
Power came from Cadillac’s 452 cubic inch overhead-valve V-16 engine generating 165 horsepower, connected to a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
The chassis featured a solid front axle and a three-quarter floating rear axle, both suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs with hydraulic dampers, while four-wheel vacuum-assisted mechanical drum brakes provided stopping power.
General Motors selected an original Sport Phaeton to represent the V-16 in its corporate Heritage Collection, reflecting the high regard for this particular design within automotive history.
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