Voiture Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe 1936 a vendre

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To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Arizona Auction event, 28 - 29 January 2027.
$1,600,000 - $2,000,000 USD

One of only 52 Cadillac V-16s produced for 1936
A rare factory Fleetwood body style with exceptional road presence
Special-order example with opera seats deleted; custom-specified with a rumble seat
Sold new through Druck Cadillac in Trenton, New Jersey
Part of The Groendyke Collection since 2014
Stunning restoration completed in 2018 by Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations, Inc. overseen by Cadillac V-16 expert Christopher Cummings
First in class award-winner at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
A Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic

In the competitive luxury car arms race of the 1930s, Cadillac’s development of the V-16 stands as a milestone. A masterclass in Classic Era automotive engineering, it was designed specifically to be the smoothest-running engine on the market, aiming to eclipse its fiercest rivals: Packard’s Twelve and Duesenberg’s Straight Eight. While Cadillac initially hoped to produce 400 examples of the V-16 annually between 1934 and 1937, the Great Depression severely cut into those expectations. In 1936, just 52 examples of Cadillac’s V-16 were built.

This Cadillac was ordered on 13 February 1936, specified as a Series 90 Convertible Coupe. It left the factory with the body, fenders, and chassis—and even the wheels—all finished in Thessalon Green. It was further specified with a Haartz Jonarts 5000 convertible top, molding in chrome, six wheels with chrome discs with Royal whitewall tires (two of which were side-mounted spares with color-matched covers), and Cadillac’s Goddess ornament finished in silver. This example was special-ordered with a rumble seat, with the traditional small “opera seats” which faced each other behind the driver and passenger seats “eliminated,” as noted on its Cadillac factory build record. Upon completion it was shipped to Druck Cadillac in Trenton, New Jersey. This dealership had it pre-sold, though the buyer is not listed on the build record.

While its earliest chapters remain a mystery, by the early 1970s it is believed to have been owned by Leo Gebhart, who is understood to have sold the car to Sam Rodrigue of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, a well-known car dealer on King Street. He sold it to fellow Sherbrooke resident Donat Chartier, who at the time had an impressive collection of cars. Mr. Chartier sold the car to Guy Freniere of Montreal in the mid-to-late 1970s. In 1985 Mr. Freniere sold the car to car collector Jean Boutillier. At the time the car was still green, most likely having been repainted many years prior. Mr. Boutillier commissioned Gilles Lanford’s shop to complete a full restoration of the car, at which point the Cadillac was redone in maroon. The work was completed in approximately 1988.

By early 1989, the Cadillac had been acquired by Tom Barrett, later going through two private collectors in New Jersey. In 2014 the Cadillac was purchased by John Groendyke, who would go on to commission a concours-quality restoration by Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations, Inc. which was completed in 2018. Mr. Groendyke hired V-16 expert Christopher Cummings to oversee the restoration, ensuring the utmost attention was paid to accuracy of the work completed. With the Cadillac freshly returned to its original shade of Thessalon Green, it was shown at the 2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it won The Craftsman/Phil Hill Restorers Award for production cars. Later that year it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it earned an impressive first in class award amidst a competitive field.

Combining exceptional rarity with world-class pedigree, this 1936 Cadillac V-16 represents the pinnacle of pre-war American luxury. As one of only 52 V-16s produced for the model year, this CCCA Full Classic stands out as a unique, special-order example custom-specified with a rumble seat. Benefitting from a spectacular restoration by Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations, Inc., with the high quality craftsmanship recognized with a first in class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Today, this magnificent Cadillac stands on the absolute merit of its breathtaking presentation and mechanical mastery, offering an elite opportunity for the discerning collector.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/az27/.