Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
This 1915 Cadillac Model 51 Four-Door Saloon wears coachwork courtesy of C.P. Kimball & Co. It was commissioned in 1915 by an individual from Caro, Michigan named W.J. Moore, a cousin of the celebrated American inventor Elisha Gray, who invented and patented many electrical devices and founded the company that became Western Electric. At the age of 21, Moore established the Moore Telephone Manufacturing Company and the Moore Telephone System, and in 1892 offered the first telephone service in south-east Michigan.
Within a few years, he had built a thriving telephone network across his local area. His successful ventures meant he became one of the first motorists in Michigan, ordering a 4.5-hp De Dion-Bouton Voiturette from Paris in 1899. It is said that when he drove it to Michigan, it was thoroughly examined by Henry Ford, who was working on one of his early prototypes.
Moore placed his order for the Cadillac Model 51 on March 9th of 1915. Though most of the Cadillac 51's were sold complete with bodywork on the standard 122-inch wheelbase chassis, a long wheelbase version, measuring 145 inches, was available at a cost of $1850.
Two days later, his chassis arrived at the Bay City Auto Company in Bay City, MI. He specifically asked for oversize cylinders, a low final drive ratio, 37x5 tires, and Universal demountable rims.
The coachwork was performed by the well-established firm of C.P. Kimball coachworks in Chicago. It had a history that dated back to 1877 as a buggy builder.
To make the car more comfortable in the winter, Moore equipped his car with a unique heating system concealed in a specially-extended hood cover that funneled warm air from the radiator into the body of the car. Electric fans were positioned above the rear seats to ensure proper circulation of the air within the car.
The car remained in Moore's care his entire life. In 1950, it won a silver trophy at the Wisconsin Centennial in Milwaukee. Upon his death, his widow disposed of the car. It went to a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealership where it became a display car. it was given a modern Cadillac engine, as the original engine had suffered major damage. In 1975 the car was imported into England by the pioneering old car dealership Antique Automobiles Ltd, who completely restored the original V8 engine for the new owner, a major European collector, and re-installed it in the car.
It has been in its present ownership for over 30 years. In 2008, it was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot remained unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Within a few years, he had built a thriving telephone network across his local area. His successful ventures meant he became one of the first motorists in Michigan, ordering a 4.5-hp De Dion-Bouton Voiturette from Paris in 1899. It is said that when he drove it to Michigan, it was thoroughly examined by Henry Ford, who was working on one of his early prototypes.
Moore placed his order for the Cadillac Model 51 on March 9th of 1915. Though most of the Cadillac 51's were sold complete with bodywork on the standard 122-inch wheelbase chassis, a long wheelbase version, measuring 145 inches, was available at a cost of $1850.
Two days later, his chassis arrived at the Bay City Auto Company in Bay City, MI. He specifically asked for oversize cylinders, a low final drive ratio, 37x5 tires, and Universal demountable rims.
The coachwork was performed by the well-established firm of C.P. Kimball coachworks in Chicago. It had a history that dated back to 1877 as a buggy builder.
To make the car more comfortable in the winter, Moore equipped his car with a unique heating system concealed in a specially-extended hood cover that funneled warm air from the radiator into the body of the car. Electric fans were positioned above the rear seats to ensure proper circulation of the air within the car.
The car remained in Moore's care his entire life. In 1950, it won a silver trophy at the Wisconsin Centennial in Milwaukee. Upon his death, his widow disposed of the car. It went to a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealership where it became a display car. it was given a modern Cadillac engine, as the original engine had suffered major damage. In 1975 the car was imported into England by the pioneering old car dealership Antique Automobiles Ltd, who completely restored the original V8 engine for the new owner, a major European collector, and re-installed it in the car.
It has been in its present ownership for over 30 years. In 2008, it was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot remained unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $200,000
Lot was not sold
2008 Bonhams - Vintage New England
Sale Price :
USD $139,000
1915 Cadillac Model 51 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Cadillac Model 51
(Data based on Model Year 1915 sales)
1915 CADILLAC MODEL 51 ROADSTER Sold for USD$51,520 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1915 Cadillac Series 51 Sold for USD$33,000 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1915 Cadillac Model 51 V8 Chassis#: 145WB8C Sold for USD$139,000 2008 Bonhams - Vintage New England | |
1915 Cadillac Model 51 Landaulette Chassis#: A16258 Sold for USD$57,200 2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall | |
1915 Cadillac Model 51 Landaulette Chassis#: A16258 Sold for USD$55,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Cadillac Model 51s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1915 Cadillac Model 51's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1915 Cadillac Touring | 2016 Silverstone Auctions : The Classic Race Aarhus Auction | $103,620 | |||
1915 Cadillac Model 51 | 2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia | $150,000 | $200,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $67,144 range.
2023 Dodge Challenger Swinger Chassis#:2c3cdzfj2ph525982 Sold for $67,100 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1966 Pontiac GTO Chassis#:242176p251435 Sold for $67,100 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1933 Rover 14/6 Speed Pilot Sports Tourer Chassis#:36173 Sold for $67,200 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1981 Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup Chassis#:HJ47000689 Sold for $67,200 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone Chassis#:AR177344 Sold for $67,200 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1979 DUCATI 900 SUPER SPORT Chassis#:DM860SS*089076* Sold for $67,200 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1924 BUCCIALI TYPE B6 RECREATION Chassis#:C2401 Sold for $67,200 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupé Chassis#:SCFEFBAC2AGC14185 Sold for $67,472 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T Chassis#:AZ393359 Sold for $67,100 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:344670M259960 Sold for $67,100 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1966 CADILLAC DE VILLE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:F6177406 Sold for $67,100 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2014 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR Chassis#:SCBEC9ZA9EC091307 Sold for $67,100 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Pickup Chassis#:cce142s183583 Sold for $67,100 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1939 Ford Custom Convertible Chassis#:05f08261 Sold for $67,100 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Chassis#:1d37u2r508300 Sold for $67,100 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Chassis#:vc57s243353 Sold for $67,100 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports Chassis#:scbcu8za0ac064022 Sold for $67,100 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1970 Alfa Romeo 'Autotutto' F11 Minibus Chassis#:AR*990137* Sold for $66,854 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1931 Packard 840 Deluxe Eight Convertible Coupe Sold for $67,100 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1929 Seagrave 6.W.T Fire Pumper Chassis#:60656 Sold for $67,200 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction |
1915 Cadillac Model 51
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Cadillac Model 51 model years