1934 Cadillac Model 452D V16 Custom Roadster

In 1934, Fleetwood Coachbuilders, by then a division of Cadillac, published its 'Annual Book of Fleetwood' in which featured three custom designs that could be built on a 16-cylinder chassis by special order. This was an attempt to bolster very weak sales through those depression years, but due to the economic and social woes of that era, none were built.

Thinking this to be one of the great styling achievements in American cars, Sam Mann decided to build this car. He made full-size drawings using a published Fleetwood rendering as a reference and designed all the details, which were not apparent. Starting with a V-16 sedan as a donor car, the body was fabricated in England and then shipped back to Mann for restoration. The five-year project was completed in 1998.