Chassis 702103. 1930 Cadillac Series 452A V16 chassis information

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Tourer by Saoutchik
Coachwork: Saoutchik
Chassis Num: 702103

This 1930 Cadillac V16 Madame X Five-Passenger Sedan was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding surpassed the estimates with the final bid settling at $93,500 including buyer's premium.

In 1930 Cadillac introduced its new sixteen cylinder masterpiece which carried a sticker price of $6,900. Up to this point in history, Cadillac had mostly been a mid-priced vehicle, but with the introduction of this new model, Cadillac graduated to the head of the luxury car segment. It shared an honor with only one other marque, Bugatti, who had produced a 'U' shaped sixteen cylinder engine, with Cadillac's being the first true 16 cylinder created from scratch. It was designed by Owen Nacker and featured a 45-degree cylinder bank angle and overhead valve design which kept the engine very narrow. To complement the ingenuity and genius of the V16 powerplant, the engine bay became one of the first to be given proper 'styling.' All of the wiring was hidden and there were a generous use of polished aluminum, shining porcelain, and a pair of valve covers with brushed aluminum rigged surfaces featuring the Cadillac emblem.

What was even more impressive is the era in which it was introduced - the Great Depression. This new technology in one of the largest and most complex packages ever created up to this point, kept the competition struggling to keep up. In their efforts to develop, experiment and test, many over-extended themselves and were forced out of business.

Even though the luxury market was declining, Cadillac was able to survive, thanks in-part to the financial support from General Motors.

It is believed that only 49 examples of the model 4130-S were ever produced. They are commonly known as the 'Madam-X' Cadillac's, and wore series 4100 Fleetwood bodies. Their most unusual and possibly attractive feature was the raked, one-piece flat windshield which had very thin side pillars and fine chrome molding around all side windows.

This particular example was built on July 7th of 1930 and shipped to the Akron Branch of Cadillac. During its trip it was diverted on October 10th to Canton, Ohio where it was sold to its first owner. It has been well cared for throughout its life. It retains many of its original equipment including the correct 13-inch headlights, an eight-inch articulated lower driving lights that turn in sync with the front wheels, chrome pilot fender lights, painted spoke wire wheels, dual hard cover side mounted 19-inch spoke wheels, and painted in a two-tone blue exterior. It is body no 26, bodied by Fleetwood, and one of the few remaining in modern times.

Auction	Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey
Estimated Value:	$100,000-$125,000
Lot was not sold

Event	Group
Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey	1930-1937