1930 Cadillac Series 452A V16 All Weather Phaeton

In 1926 work began on a new Cadillac engine which was intended to give General Motors Cadillac division the leadership in the American fine car field from Packard. This engine was of course the V16, introduced by Cadillac in December 1929.

The car's original owner, Jay Gilbert Maurer, an orchestra leader, stated the way the car is bodied was because he had a 1928 or 1929 Dual Cowl Phaeton V8, and he wished to buy a V-16. However, he found the standard V-16 Phaeton unacceptable with roll-up windows. Mr. Maurer, because of some contacts at GM, was able to get them to put a special Fisher Sport Phaeton body on the V-16 chassis. Then he purchased the car.

The V-16 had a displacement of 452 cubic inches producing 175 horsepower. This type of car was used extensively by gangsters and bootleggers of the Prohibition era.

In 1954, Max Obie purchased the Phaeton from the original owner, which had languished in a barn since World War 2.

Gaylord R. 'Jim' Pearson, the car's 3rd owner, was a founding member of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, the Classic Car Club Museum, and a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America. The car was restored by Jim Pearson, Kansas City in 1978-1979.

In 2005, the Phaeton was purchased by the present owners.