1930 Cadillac Series 452A V16 Sport Phaeton

This Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood was delivered new via Los Angeles's Don Lee Cadillac to its original owner, believed to have been Richard Arlen. The car came equipped with a disappearing tonneau windshield and a second set of instruments for the rear-seat passengers. The original color scheme was Pastel and Talina Brown.

During the late 1930s, the car was sold to Mr. Brinkerhof of Bishop, California, who largely garaged it except for occasional appearances in the Fourth of July parade. James Brucker Sr. acquired it around twenty years later and had it customized for a role in the 1964 film The Carpetbagger, in which it is driven by Alan Ladd in his last film appearance. For the role, the car was painted bright white and decorated with calfskin seat covers, six guns as door handles, and a pair of longhorns atop the radiator.

Its role earned it the nickname, the 'Bull,' and the Cadillac would remain with the Bruckers at Movieworld until the museum closed, and then was acquired by Don Westerdale. The car was later briefly owned by Jim Pearson, then by Rick Carroll and finally by Donald Mayoras, then of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. While in Mr. Mayoras care, the car was given a restoration by Stone Barn of Vienna, New Jersey, completed in May 1990.

The current owners have cared for the car for nearly two decades. The car has many original components, the correct V-16 instrumentation, engine splash pans, rear-view mirror, and badging, with the interior upholstered to the proper pattern. It has a Satin Red finish and a tan leather interior. The original Fleetwood body-stamping '55' is still visible in the floorboards. It has an original and correct 'low boy' trunk, with three pieces of fitted luggage. Other accessories include a radiator stone shield, metal side-mount covers with mirrors, Pilot Ray driving lights, and dual cowl-mounted spotlights.

This Cadillac has won a Classic Car Club of America National Senior First Prize, and Antique Automobile Club of America Senior First and Preservation honors. It was a class award winner at the Meadowbrook Concours and the Pebble Beach Concours after it had been restored. More recently, it has been shown twice at the Boca Raton Concours.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020