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1903 Cadillac Model A Tonneau

  • Chassis Number: 13
There were three Model A Cadillacs brought to the 1903 New York Auto Show. All were sold. This example is serial number 13, one of the three at the show. It was sold to Mr. Homas, owner of the Thomas Winery in Cucamonga, California. According to factory records, this car was the 6th to be invoiced and the 3rd to be shipped.

The original family retained this car until February 1973 when it was sold to Patrick Herman. In 1985, the car was treated to a restoration.

This car is the oldest known surviving Cadillac in existence. It was offered for sale at the 2007 Bonhams Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club and sold for $300,000 plus Premium and tax.

Henry Leland started the Cadillac Automobile Company in 1902 after resigning as one of the initial investors of Henry Ford's new Ford Motor Company. By late 1902, Henry Leland had built his own automobile which he would aptly name after the French explorer who discovered the city of Detroit - Le Mothe Cadillac.

1903 was the first full year of production for the new Cadillac. It was powered by an eight-horsepower, single-cylinder engine that sat in a metal frame below the front seat. The engine was coupled to a planetary-style transmission with two forward speeds and reverse, driving the rear axle by a chain. The body of the new Cadillac was a single-seat roadster that could be modified into a touring car with the addition of the optional rear tonneau seat attached to the rear of the roadster body. The bodies were produced by outside supplier companies and, ironically, when the new Fords would appear in late 1903, they would look virtually identical to the Cadillacs.

Sales of the new Cadillac were quite successful and Leland would continue producing the single-cylinder models until 1908 when Cadillac became part of the new General Motors Co. Leland would stay with GM for only a few years. In 1920 Leland started a new automobile company called Lincoln. Ironically, Leland's Lincoln Company would be bought by Henry Ford in 1922.

This 1903 Cadillac is believed to be the oldest production Cadillac in existence.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008

2012 RM-Automobiles of Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $250,000 
Sale Price :
USD $134,750

2007 Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $350,000 
Sale Price :
USD $300,000

1903 Cadillac Model A Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Cadillac Model A

(Data based on Model Year 1903 sales)
1903 Cadillac Two-seater Runabout
Sold for USD$67,273
  2022 Bonhams : The Golden Age Of Motoring
 
1903 Cadillac Rear-Entrance Tonneau
Sold for USD$129,250
  2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 Cadillac Rear-Entrance Tonneau
Chassis#: 1070
Sold for USD$190,400
  2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Delivery Wagon
Chassis#: 1019
Sold for USD$123,200
  2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 CADILLAC MODEL A REAR ENTRANCE TONNEAU
Sold for USD$80,940
  2017 Dragone Lime Rock Park
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Tonneau
Chassis#: 644
Sold for USD$178,750
  2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 Cadillac A Rear-Entry Tonneau
Sold for USD$95,000
  2013 Auctions America - Auburn Spring
 
1903 Cadillac Rear Entry Tonneau
Sold for USD$112,750
  2012 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale, Fl
 
1903 Cadillac Rear-Entry Tonneau
Sold for USD$134,750
  2012 RM-Automobiles of Arizona
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout Rear Entrance Tonneau
Sold for USD$109,544
  2011 Coys - A217 True Greats
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Rear-Entry Tonneau
Chassis#: 455
Sold for USD$99,000
  2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout
Chassis#: A122
Sold for USD$68,750
  2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout with Rear-Entry Tonneau
Sold for USD$99,000
  2010 RM Auctions - The Pate Collection
 
1903 Cadillac 6 1/2hp Model A Detachable Tonneau
Chassis#: 1346
Sold for USD$98,395
  2009 Bonhams - Veteran Motor Cars and Related Automobilia
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout
Sold for USD$93,528
  2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
 
1903 Cadillac Model A
Chassis#: 1537
Sold for USD$88,000
  2009 Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey by RM Auctions
1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 Cadillac Model A
Sold for USD$300,000
  2007 Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout Rear Entry Tonneau
Chassis#: NJ1070
Sold for USD$148,500
  2007 RM Auctions - The McMullen Collection
 
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout
Chassis#: 753
Sold for USD$75,350
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
 
1903 Cadillac Model A 10HP Delivery
Chassis#: 1019
Sold for USD$110,000
  2004 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island
1903 Cadillac Model A image  1903 Cadillac Model A image  

Cadillac Model As That Failed To Sell At Auction

1903 Cadillac Model A's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1903 Cadillac Model A Tonneau18452019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction   
1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout Rear Entry Tonneau 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook$75,000$115,000$140,000

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1903 Cadillac Model A

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