1930 Cadillac Series 452A V16 All Weather Phaeton Coupe

Cadillac was the first to market a multi-cylinder car at the height of the 'classic era' with the 1930 introduction of its 452 cubic-inch V-16 series. The car was a huge success despite perilous economic times, with over 3,200 V-16s sold in the first production run. This Special Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood is one of the more elegant open examples.

One of the most beautiful bodies mated to the Cadillac V-16 chassis is the Sport Phaeton, body style 4260. An update of the traditional 'dual cowl' phaeton, it has a windshield mounted directly behind the front seat. This windshield could be raised and lowered by means of a small hand crank, eliminating the bulky second cowl. It also has excellent proportions thanks to a very long hood and low beltline.

Only 85 Sport Phaetons were built for the V-16 chassis in 1930 and 1931. Cadillac historians record the existence of seventeen authentic survivors.

This car was originally delivered by the Towell Cadillac Company of Cleveland with the notation 'Tag P.W. Harvey.' Perry Williams Harvey was a multimillionaire leader in Cleveland business and political circles. He died in 1932. As a result, his ownership was unfortunately brief.

The next owner was Bennett Hammond of Brandy Flip Farm in Nicasio, California, who sold it in 1952 to Joseph Runyan (for $25) of Pasadena. Under Mr. Runyan's care, the car received a restoration which reportedly cost $2,500. The car remained with Mr. Runyan for the remainder of his life. A fresh restoration began in the early 1990s, completed shortly before his passing in 1995, with the color changed to the shade of Bottle Green. The car was sold by Mr. Runyan's estate to Classic collector Otis Chandler, and a complete restoration soon followed. Upon completion, the car earned a 95.25 score and 2nd in Class at the Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic in July 1997. It was later invited to be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, appearing in 1998 and receiving 3rd in Class.

After Mr. Chandler's passing, the car was purchased by Keith Crain in 2006, with whom it remained for 14 years.

This Cadillac's V-16 Sport Phaeton, style 4260, features a windshield mounted directly behind the front seat and is lowered and raised via a hand crank. A total of eighty-five examples of the Sport Phaetons were built for the V-16 chassis in 1930 and 1931 and it is believed that 17 authentic examples remain in modern times, including the one that resides in General Motors' corporate Heritage Collection.

This particular example was delivered by the Towell Cadillac Company of Cleveland to Perry Williams Harvey, a multimillionaire leader in Cleveland business and political circles. His ownership of this Cadillac was brief as he passed away in 1932. The car's next owner was Bennett Hammond of Brandy Flip Farm in Nicasio, California, from whom Joseph Runyan of Pasadena purchased it in 1952 for $25. The car had been abandoned on the Hammond property, so the seller was thrilled to have it gone.

After entering the care of Mr. Runyan, a restoration began and cost approximately $2,500. After completion, the car won numerous prizes in West Coast competition. The Cadillac remained with Mr. Runyan for the remainder of his life, and a fresh restoration began in the early 1990s and was completed shortly before his passing in 1995. When it was completed, it wore a new color scheme - a subtle shade of Bottle Green.

The car's next owner was Otis Chandler who completed a careful refreshing of the restoration, resulting in a 95.25 score and 2nd in Class at the Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic in July 1997. The following year, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won 3rd in Class. The car returned to Pebble Beach in 2009 under different ownership.

In 2006 the Cadillac was purchased by Keith Crain and in 2020 it entered new ownership. The new owner gave the Cadillac a mechanical service, a new top, and six new tires. A professional engine and exterior detailing were performed before it was shown in 2021 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. After the show, it was purchased by its current caretaker.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022