1936 Cadillac V-16 Town Sedan
Magnificent engineering reached its Depression-era peak with the 1936 Cadillac V-16, representing America’s most ambitious luxury automobile at a time when exclusivity meant everything.
Cadillac had planned to produce 400 examples of the V-16 annually between 1934 and 1937, but total production for the series was just 212 cars, with only 52 built in 1936.
By 1936, Cadillac styling had evolved into sleeker, more streamlined forms that emphasized the car’s imposing 154-inch wheelbase and dramatic proportions. The Town Sedan body style, crafted by Fleetwood, featured elegant blind rear quarters and a formal roofline that projected dignified sophistication.
Power came from a naturally aspirated 452-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) overhead-valve 45-degree V16 with two valves per cylinder, producing 185 horsepower at 3,800 rpm. This remarkable engine essentially combined two straight-eights on a common crankshaft and featured hydraulic valve lifters for silent operation and exceptional smoothness.
Advanced features included independent front suspension, a synchromesh three-speed transmission, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes, making the V-16 among the most sophisticated automobiles available anywhere in the world at the time.
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