1930 Cadillac Series 452A V16 Sport Phaeton

Cadillac produced just 85 examples of the Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood, with body style 4260, on the V-16 model between 1930 and 1931. They were a modern update of the traditional 'dual cowl' phaeton, which had a second cowl and windshield for the rear occupants. The Sport Phaeton had a windshield mounted directly in the back of the front seat. A small hand crank could be used to raise or lower the windshield.

It is believed that just seventeen authentic survivors of the Sport Phaeton remain in existence.

This particular example was delivered new in New York City. It later made its way to the southwest in April 1958. It was owned in the 1960s by Clarence Stalts, then acquired by the late Russell Strauch of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Strauch had begun a fresh restoration of the car at the time of his untimely passing in 1975. The car was sold by his estate two years later to Richard Gold of Deephaven, Minnesota. While in Mr. Gold's care, the car was given a restoration. It was finished in pewter and black with a black leather interior and equipped with dual side-mounted mirrors, Cadillac Pilot Ray driving lights, a low-profile 'touring trunk,' and original-style wind wings. After the work was completed, the car was taken to the CCCA Annual Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, where it received 100 points, eventually achieving Senior status in CCCA judging. The car also won the AACA's national James Melton Memorial Cup, as the outstanding Senior car in its division.

Mr. Gold sold the Sport Phaeton in 1989 to the Weber Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri. The next owner was Hans Lüscher of Switzerland, with whom it remained for over a decade before joining the current owner's collection.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016