1930 Cadillac Series 353 Eight Trans. All Weather Phaeton

This 1930 Cadillac V-8 wears All-Weather Phaeton coachwork by Fleetwood, finished in a color scheme of Duco Maroon with Vermillion pinstriping over Crockett Brown, and trimmed with Taupe Bedford cord weatherproof upholstery. There is a matching Duco Maroon-painted frame and fenders, painted wire wheels, and dual side-mounted spares.

This Cadillac was dispatched upon completion to the Inglis M. Uppercu Cadillac Corporation in Newark, New Jersey, for export. It was sent to France, where it is believed that it was chauffeur-driven, as evidenced by enhanced wear on the front driver's-side running board and the rear passenger-side running board.

An Allentown, Pennsylvania-based collector named Leonard Pool purchased it in 1960 from France and after his passing in 1976, the car was acquired from his widow by another Allentown resident, Bernie Berman. A few years later, Mr. Berman shipped the Cadillac back to France to show and drive it in European rallies. The 1988 GP de Suresnes Concours d'Elegance was one of the events where it was shown and where it earned a first-place award. It ran two FIVA rallies during the late 1990s, including participation in the 1998 Parade of the Century through Paris.

Around 2011, the car was acquired by a collector of American classics, and returned it to the United States. It has been fastidiously maintained and regularly toured since that time. The All-Weather Phaeton is believed to be completely original and retains the majority of its factory-original paintwork.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024