Cadillac V-16

Cadillac V-16
Overview
Manufacturer	Cadillac (General Motors)
Production	1930–1940
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Designer	Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Class	Luxury car
Body style	2-door convertible 4-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door town car 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Platform	D body
Powertrain
Transmission	3-speed synchromesh manual

Generation 1 (Series 452 and 90)
Overview
Model years	1930–1937
Body and chassis
Platform	Series 90: D-body
Related	Cadillac Series 370/85 Cadillac Series 355 Cadillac Series 75
Powertrain
Engine	452 cu in (7.4 L) Cadillac V16
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1930–31: 148.0 in (3,759 mm) 1932–33: 143.0 in (3,632 mm) and 149.0 in (3,785 mm) 1934–37: 154.0 in (3,912 mm)
Length	1930–31: 222.5 in (5,652 mm) 1932–33: 216.0 in (5,486 mm) and 222.0 in (5,639 mm) 1934–35: 240.0 in (6,096 mm) 1936–37: 238.0 in (6,045 mm)
Width	1931: 73.6 in (1,869 mm) 1932–35: 77.0 in (1,956 mm) 1936–37: 74.4 in (1,890 mm)
Height	1931: 72.5 in (1,842 mm) 1932–33: 71.5 in (1,816 mm) 1934–37: 69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Curb weight	5,300–6,600 lb (2,400–3,000 kg)

Generation 2 (Series 90)
Overview
Model years	1938–1940
Body and chassis
Platform	D-body
Related	Cadillac Series 75 Buick Limited
Powertrain
Engine	431 cu in (7.1 L) Cadillac V16
Dimensions
Wheelbase	141.0 in (3,581 mm)
Length	222.0 in (5,639 mm)
Width	77.6 in (1,971 mm)
Height	69.6 in (1,768 mm)
Curb weight	5,200–5,700 lb (2,400–2,600 kg)

The Cadillac V-16 (sometimes known as the Cadillac Sixteen) was Cadillac's top-of-the-line car from its January 1930 launch until production ceased in 1940 as the war in Europe killed sales. All were finished to custom order, and the car was built in very small numbers; only 4076 cars were constructed in the eleven years the model was offered. The majority of these were built in the single year of 1930, before the Great Depression really took hold. This was the first V16 powered car to reach production status in the United States.

In 1926, Cadillac began the development of a new, "multi-cylinder" car. A customer requirement was seen for a car powered by an engine simultaneously more powerful and smoother than any other available. Development proceeded in great secrecy over the next few years; a number of prototype cars were built and tested as the new engine was developed, while at the same time Cadillac chief Larry Fisher and GM's stylist Harley Earl toured Europe in search of inspiration from Europe's finest coachbuilders. Unlike many builders of luxury cars, who sold bare chassis to be clothed by outside coachbuilding firms, General Motors had purchased the coachbuilders Fleetwood Metal Body and Fisher Body to keep all the business in-house. Bare Cadillac chassis could be purchased if a buyer insisted, but the intention was that few would need to do so. One Cadillac dealer in England, namely Lendrum & Hartman, ordered at least two such chassis in even rarer right hand drive (RHD) configuration and had Vanden Plas (Belgium) build first an elegant limousine-landaulet (engine #702297), then a sports sedan with unusual cycle fenders and retractable step plates in lieu of running boards (engine #702298, which was successfully shown in various Concours d'Elegance events in Europe before being bought by the young Nawab of Bahawalpur); both these cars have survived. A third RHD chassis was ordered by the Indian Maharaja of Orccha (Bhopal) and sent to Farina in Italy, in July 1931, for a boat tail body (engine between #703136 and #703152).

It was not until after the stock market crash of 1929 that Cadillac announced to the world the availability of the costliest Cadillac yet, the new V-16. The new vehicle was first displayed at New York City's automobile show on January 4, 1930.

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Wikipedia