1932 Cadillac Series 452-B Sixteen Fleetwood Madame X Sedan

The Cadillac V-16 was available in more than 70 different body styles and became a symbol of status and prestige. The engine was specifically designed and calibrated to produce minimal vibration and noise. It was set at a 45-degree angle between its cylinder banks enabling the engine to slide neatly under the hood.

Over the 11 years of production, Cadillac produced just 4,076 examples, with more than 3,00 built in 1931. The following year, just 300 were built. One of the most exclusive and expensive versions was the 'Madame X,' a four-door, five-passenger divider sedan, named by Cadillac master designer Harley Earl after a 1929 movie by the same name starring actress Ruth Chatterton. The cost exceeded $7,000 when new ($1,000 over the standard 16-cylinder Cadillacs) and was a special body style by Fleetwood featuring slender door and windshield pillars, chrome window-edge moldings, and a raked one-piece windshield.

This 1932 Cadillac V-16 Madame X is one of only four such examples built. It is believed that it was on special display at the 1933 Chicago Auto show and was purchased from the stand by Mr. Rudolf C. Block, son of William H. Block who was the founder of the Block department store in Indianapolis. Rudolf Block gave the car to his *** Amelia as a gift. The car was specially ordered with a painted radiator shell, which still graces the car today. It is believed to have been delivered with double-sided green-wall tires.

Mrs. Block used the car regularly, having it chauffeur driven on the streets of Indianapolis.

In the 1940s the car was put into storage at the Block family mansion. It was later gifted to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. It is believed that the automobile was renewed to factory condition by Block's grandson prior to it being put on display in the museum. It remained in the museum until being acquired by the current owner in 2011.

This Madame X was on display at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car has gold-plated handles and fittings in the rear compartment, German silver pin-striping inlays, and the smoker's companion roof vent which draws cigar smoke out of the passenger compartment while in motion. It is finished in green paint with copious chrome trim.

The car has vacuum-assisted brakes, whitewall tires, dual metal side mounts with rearview mirrors, and a Cadillac radio and clock fitted in the rear compartment.