Description
1931 Cadillac 370A Town Sedan
Engine#: 1000858
Chassis#: 10-875
As the 1920s neared its end, General Motors under Alfred P. Sloan had a leading position in the American automobile market. The Roaring Twenties was a time of opulence and excess, and although America's rich and famous satisfied their needs at Pierce Arrow, Packard and Duesenberg, Cadillac remained the leading manufacturer in the American luxury automobile market. This position was maintained through continued innovation and design excellence. Whether it was the sporting look of a V8 Roadster or the powerful grandeur of a V16 Sport Phaeton, all Cadillac models were "The Standard of the World".
In 1931, Cadillac offered a variety of passenger cars with eight-, twelve- or sixteen-cylinder engines. Despite the decline in sales caused by the Great Depression, Cadillac managed to drive its competitors into the ground and claim the largest share of American luxury car sales. A total of twelve body styles were available, including custom designs executed by renowned American coachbuilders Fleetwood and Fisher. General Motors employed an art and colour styling department headed by one of the most famous automotive designers, Harley J. Earl. Earl and his staff worked on all the 1931 Cadillac models and the results were impressive.
The new Cadillac V12 for 1931 filled the large gap between the V8 and the V16 in Cadillac's product line. The V12 leaned more heavily on its big sister model and adopted many of the features of the V16 cars. It was given a bonnet with flaps instead of louvres, a beautiful dashboard with full instrumentation that resembled that of the V16, and an engine that was almost identical to that of the V16 except for a little length. The associated bodywork was equally impressive, and many designs were shared with the V16 chassis. A total of 30 body styles were offered for the V12, six by Fisher and twenty-four by Fleetwood. Many customers preferred the V12 to the V16 version. It was cheaper to buy and easier and sportier to drive due to the lighter engine.
The vehicle offered is a rare V12 Town Sedan with a body by Fischer. The vehicle appears very sporty and elegant due to its size and low profile. The multiple colour paintwork and the sheer masses of chrome underline the luxurious claim of the upper class vehicle. The vehicle is in excellent concours condition. No matter where you look, you have the feeling of seeing a completely new vehicle. It can be assumed that the Cadillac V12 offered here is one of the best available on the market worldwide. The history of the vehicle is impressive.. The Cadillac was delivered to the Cadillac dealer Don Lee Inc. in San Francisco on 12. 09. 1931. It is not known who owned the car in the following years. In the early 1980s, the car was acquired by a Cadillac collector from Minnesota. According to our research, he acquired several V12 and V16 Cadillacs and restored them without any regard for cost. In this process, he orientated himself one hundred percent on the specifications of the original. This brings out the wonderful combination of the 3 shades of brown. The vehicle has the desirable "matching numbers" of all components. According to the seller, almost 150, 000 US$ were invested in the restoration in addition to the cost of the unrestored car. Looking at the condition of the Cadillac, this seems quite reasonable. All the cars of the collector in Minnesota were kept in an air-conditioned hall and were only shown to friends. After his death in 2002, the collection became the property of his wife. After her death in 2017, the collection was liquidated and acquired by various American individuals and dealers. The current owner acquired the rare Cadillac in 2021 and imported it to Germany.
Due to the long storage time, the vehicle was handed over to a Dutch Cadillac V12 and V16 specialist for recommissioning. In this context, the two carburettors were overhauled and correctly adjusted, the engine was partially disassembled and cleaned, the brake system and fuel system were overhauled and the entire vehicle was checked. The car now starts on the first try and runs silently and imperceptibly. Thanks to its strong V12 engine, it is both powerful and smooth.
You have the unique chance to acquire one of the most beautiful V12 cars from 1931. A time when cars were grand and luxurious. Already in the following year, the shapes became rounder and less opulent. The car is more eye-catching than many comparable Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. The car can be seen by appointment in the German owner's collection near the Dutch border.
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Sales & Valuations
Vintage & Prestige of Northampton Ltd.
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2 Ryehill Ct, Lodge Farm Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 7UA
Viewings & Visits Strictly by appointment only please. We have on site long term storage for over 200 cars with 24 hour security & covered trailer delivery to customers anywhere in Europe.
