When RM Sotheby’s consigns a car for one of its various auctions, it’s something special. This 1903 Cadillac Model A certainly fits the bill.
In fact, it comes from the first year of Cadillac production, offered as a runabout with or without a rear tonneau. The car features a single-cylinder 98 cubic-inch engine with 10 horsepower.
The Model A quickly became known for its build quality and performance, which helped establish Cadillac as a maker of luxurious cars. This particular Model A was restored in the 1990s to mimic a delivery wagon chassis that  I.W. Dill Carriage Works of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sold in the early 20th century. The Cadillac-based car was often used as a delivery vehicle for department stores and newspapers.
The restoration includes all time-period-correct components, including 12-spoke wooden wheels wrapped in Firestone white rubber tires, a center-mounted brass headlight and two matching kerosene side lamps.
RM Sotheby’s will offer the Model A at its Monterey outing on August 25. Experts expect the special Cadillac will fetch up to $180,000.
Comments
This is so kool I would love to have one
It would be good to see a Cadillac utility to compete against Mercedes.
Cadillac became a pure passenger car brand, while Mercedes brand is apparently unique in being used for both passenger cars (PC) and trucks, from sub compacts PCs to huge 12-ton (metric) trucks. As far as I can see, all other manufacturers use their passenger brands only for light commercial vehicles, but not real trucks.
So if you look for a competition for Mercedes Sprinter from GM, take the Chevrolet Express, quite aged because it was relieved from evolution by the protective 25% “Chicken Tax”, in force since 1964.
BTW, Mercedes-Bens Vans has begun to build a new plant for the Sprinter in North Charleston, South Carolina, two years ago. Find a little funny element in the photo showing the digging the first spade with current US-ambassador to UNO Nikki Haley as South Carolina governor with the Mercedes logo on her head:
https://www.automobil-produktion.de/maerkte/daimler-beginnt-bau-des-mercedes-crafter-werks-in-usa-103.html