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1931 CADILLAC MODEL 370A SPORT PHAETON V-12 COACHWORK BY FLEETWOOD Chassis No. 1004968 Tan with brown fenders and tan leather upholstery Engine: V-12, 368 cu. in. giving 135bhp at 3,400rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic springs front and rear; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive. Although the US was engulfed in the Great Depression and the public had a desire not to flaunt what little wealth they had manged to keep, Cadillac brought out an absolutely splendid line of cars. They were able to produce such cars with endless financial backing from GM. One of these cars, unveiled at the National Automobile Show in January of 1930, was the world's first production V-16 automobile. The Cadillac V-16 and V-12 engines were designed by the long time head of the engineering division, Ernest Seaholm. Seaholm had brought many innovations to Cadillac's engineering and the V-16 was just one of them. Another of Seaholm's developments was the hydraulically silenced overhead valve which made driving a pleasure. The twin cylinder blocks were at a 45 degree angle, each having its own updraft carburetor system. The V-16 proved very expensive and in October 1930, Cadillac announced the much cheaper V-12 which basically used the same engine as the V-16 with four fewer cylinders. The cars were also not quite so huge and were built on the same 140 inch chassis (sometimes 143 inch) used for the eight-cylinder models, as opposed to the 148 inch used on the Sixteen. While not as fast as the V-16, its engine had a reputation for smooth and even power. Top speed was about 85mph with the standard rear axle ratio, and the car would cruise all day at 70mph. 5,725 Series 370-A V-12s were sold and obviously proved that there was a following for those that found eight cylinders too few and sixteen too many or too expensive. The V-12 also proved in smoothness, reliability and aesthetics to be a major rival to the 12 cylinder Packards. This V-12 Sport Phaeton is an extremely rare example and may be unique in its configuration. Firstly, it was built as a true Dual Cowl with the roll up rear tonneau windshield as found on the V-16 Sport Phaetons. It is believed that only around eight examples were produced in this configuration and that the majority were on V-8s, with only around two on the V-12. Secondly, it is the only example known with a folding front windshield, a factory option called an Export Windshield . With around a 17 degree slant, this car is notably different from the normal V-12 and enables the car to become fully open. The name of the first owner is unknown, however it is known that the family kept the car in Portland, Maine. It was serviced and stored in the winter and the family used it in the summer months at Bar Harbor. In 1962, a senior Cadillac employee in Detroit bought the car from the man we believe to be the second owner from Tuxedo Park, New York who owned the car for around twenty years. At the time, the car had covered relatively low mileage, all black and very complete still with its original tools, rare stainless steel spoke wheels, wind wings, original pilot rays and metal tire covers. This owner meticulously restored the V-12 over a ten year period. The degree of restoration was simply outstanding and through his Cadillac contacts some of the countries top experts were employed. For instance, the car was retrimmed by Elmer (Ed) Hahn, the former head trimmer for Brunn coachworks who later was a top trimmer for Ford Motor Company. Interesting anecdotes include that the leather hides were special ordered through Eagle Hides, the official GM supplier, who were told they were on order for the president of GM! The paintwork was also carried out by a top GM specialist who painted all the show cars for the company. The color chosen, selected by Cadillac chief stylist, Dave Holls, was an original Cadillac scheme known as Sport Color . The painting took some 1 years to complete with painstaking hand sanding b