- Original engine and chassis as verified with original sales documentation
- Outstanding workmanship built to old world standards
- Recently serviced and ready for touring or exhibiting
- Very well-appointed and long-time enjoyed
- Highly sought-after and deeply admired
- Recognized as a CCCA Full Classic®

By the mid-1920s, Cadillac had been established as the "Standard of the World" when it came to quality automobiles. Owning a Cadillac proved that you had achieved a social status that elevated you above the common motorist. But Cadillac was not alone in the world of luxury cars with their fiercest competitor being Packard. From 1917 to 1923, Packard produced the Twin-Six series powered by a V-12 engine. As early as 1926, Cadillac was experimenting with their own multi-cylinder engines figuring that more cylinders would provide more power and smoother operations. During the late 1920s, rumors were floating around Detroit that Cadillac was developing a new power plant to which Lawrence Fisher, the General Manager of Cadillac, dropped a few hints that indeed a new V-12 engine was under development. This bit of news caught the press and competitors off-guard when on January 4, 1930, at the New York Auto Show, the new Series 452 was unveiled with a V-16 engine.

As magnificent as the technological advancements were with the mighty V-16, and with handsome coachwork from the studios under Harley Earl's direction, these new Cadillacs were met with market resistance due to the October 1929 crash of the stock market and major hit to America's economy. A few well-heeled customers could still afford these new masters of the road and the majority of those new owners were more interested in comfortable transportation in large sedans or limousines. However, the most popular model of those early V-16 Cadillacs was the Model 4302 Roadster, it might have been the least expensive model, but it was also the sportiest of the lot and for those who could afford such an extravagance, was the height of conspicuous consumption.

In March 1930, this V-16 equipped chassis left the factory fitted with a seven-passenger sedan body and was transported to Nashville, Tennessee where it was sold through the Stockell Motor Company. The Series 452 V-16 Cadillacs did not use a chassis serial number but relied on the engine number for title and registration. Despite this being a fairly early example and having been built and sold in the early part of 1930, it is today registered as a 1931 model. Early ownership of this impressive automobile has been lost to history, but in 1986 it was acquired by well-known classic car enthusiast, Marc S. Ohm from the previous owner in Guilford, Connecticut. By that time, the original body had been altered and was beyond restoration. Using the original firewall, cowl, hood, fenders and lighting, Ohm started a detailed build of the exquisite roadster body presented here. Using drawings and patterns from an actual Fleetwood roadster in a collection of V-16s that he maintained, the accuracy and quality of workmanship was on par with the factory-produced body. Using the skills of Colorado-based restoration expert Stan Francis, no detail was overlooked in the construction. From the wood framing to capturing the smallest detail, this car was not finished until it was perfect. It was finished in a subdued, yet striking, two-tone combination of Graphite Gray and black with red pinstriping highlights and leather interior. Once this mighty Cadillac was completed, it was shown at several CCCA shows including the 1993 Cadillac-LaSalle at Hickory Corners in Michigan where it was presented with the Gilmore Award. It was not just a show car, as Mr. Ohm drove this V-16 on a number of Classic Car Club CARavans including ascending to the 12,000-foot elevation level in the Rocky Mountains. Mechanically, this is one of the best running and best performing V-16s known.

In 1997, this car was sold to a collector in the Wichita, Kansas area where it remained for several years until acquired by Mr. Gaetano Rastelli who had the car shipped to Italy where it was shown at several prestigious events in and around Brescia. It was then acquired by an American collector who returned this magnificent machine to the USA. It was subsequently acquired by the consignor who fell in love with the beauty, performance, and design of this stunning automobile. This well-appointed classic Cadillac is fitted with all the right accessories of the day including dual side-mounted spare tires, each topped off with a rearview mirror, dual horns, twin Pilot Ray driving lights, driver and passenger side spotlights, wind wings, rear-mounted travel trunk and for those nights out with friends, a comfortable fold-down rumble seat. Interior appointments include a full set of factory gauges set in an engine turned panel with no details overlooked including a rare cat's-eye cigarette lighter. Today, it stands ready to be toured or exhibited, presenting a crowning achievement as an example of Cadillac's desire to produce the most impressive cars in the world.