A stately Cadillac V16 in the Netherlands

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It was several years ago that I took part in the night rally, the 100 Miles, with my 1909 Jackson single-cylinder speedster, and stopped at the halfway point to find a participant standing next to me with a Cadillac V16. We, exposed to the vicious December chill, stood shivering from the cold. He slipped into his coat with total nonchalance. The difference between cars and crew could not have been greater. Recently, a similar luxury limousine came up for sale and we couldn't resist the urge to find out if it was a good as it looked.

In the motor house of collector Willem G. Wouterse, who likes his cars large and luxurious, the 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V16 Imperial Sedan 4330, to give the car its full title, stands side by side with its British counterpart, a Rolls-Royce Phantom II. Both are sumptuous limousines but the similarities go no further. Under the bonnet, the V16 seems so far ahead of its time. Rolls-Royce is known for its smooth and silent engines; the Cadillac makes some noise, but otherwise you could never sense it revving. Its refinement is a delight.

The Fleetwood-bodied limousine may not be the first car which stands out in a collection filled with pre-war exotics, but once we are alone with it, it impresses me more and more. It moves effortlessly and rides luxuriously and, despite its size, it seems comfortable on the picturesque Dutch streets. Shifting gears happens smoothly and the brakes work well. At first, it smokes a little, perhaps because it has not been used for some time, but once it warmed-up, it is clean and quiet and smoke-free.

The Cadillac's grille is tough, and with 32cm (12½-inch) headlights, it can even be called stately. Sitting in the car, the long and imperious bonnet, with two banks of eight huge cylinders beneath it, is a tremendously satisfying sight. Guiding the way, the famous flying goddess springs forth from the radiator, clearing our path of lesser motorists.

The paint is very likely to be the factory coat supplied in 1930, with touched-up spots here and there but otherwise in good condition. The interior also maintains a large degree of originality. Not everything has survived the test of time, but the historic repairs only add to the character. The original leather front seat has been recovered with fabric and, judging by other worn parts, this would not have happened without good reason. Perhaps I should have sat in the back and looked at the world from there—the feeling will have been very different. With the luxurious bench seat, clock, glass partition and legroom, the successful businessman who chose a Cadillac could have wanted for nothing.

The engine prattles on as it takes us back to the garage; in all respects, the Cadillac was a car for the discerning customer. Sadly, with the Great Depression it came into the world at the wrong time, and perhaps in the future environmental freaks will make a fuss about it, but a car of such high quality deserves to be enjoyed as much as possible. I'm pleased to say that I got no end of enjoyment from it that day.

Words and photos by Laurens Klein

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