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1931 Cadillac Series 452A V-16 Coach Sill Convertible Coupe Heads To Auction

In 1925, Lawrence Fisher assumed control of the Cadillac division. One of his goals for the division was to produce a “super car” that would surpass the best that Packard, Pierce-Arrow, Lincoln, and Duesenberg were building. The 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertible Coupe was the result.

Built for the 1930 Chicago Auto Salon, this 1931 Cadillac Coach Sill Convertible Coupe, body number 91, is one of seven known to exist from an original 1930-1931 ninety-four car production run. It has been the subject of a fastidious rotisserie restoration to Chicago Auto Salon configuration by Cadillac experts Jim Pearson and Sonny Elliot.

Coachwork by Fleetwood adorns the 1931 Cadillac, finished in two-tone Soissons Gray and Samaranda Gray with Vermillion pinstriping. A Cadillac Heron hood ornament flies at the leading edge of the hood, above the V-16 ornament in the center of the grille. The Pilot Ray lights turn with the steering wheel. An attractive light green canvas top shields the interior from weather. Both sides of the Cadillac featured golf club compartment doors. Nineteen-inch steel spoke wheels wrapped in wide whitewall tires provide the ride.

Soft tan cloth covers the front seat of the 1931 Cadillac, and tan wool velvet carpets cover the floor. The outboard portions of the dash consist of machine-turned panels, with a centrally located binnacle housing black-faced gauges and chrome controls. The shifter for the transmission is floor mounted, along with the chrome parking brake. The rumble seat is leather-trimmed with built-in armrests.

The engine bay of the 1931 Cadillac is impressive, housing the matching-numbers, dual carb, 452 cubic-inch OHV V-16, finished in beautiful gloss black enamel. Output is 165 horsepower, transmitted to the live rear axle through the three-speed synchromesh transmission. Wires and lines are hidden behind a firewall cover, for a cleaner presentation. The undercarriage of the 1931 Cadillac has been highly detailed. The suspension consists of parallel semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear. Brakes are vacuum-assisted drums.

Included in the sale of this 1931 Cadillac are a set of 1930s-era golf clubs and bag, and an unrestored Cadillac trunk. This  1931 Cadillac Series 452A V-16 Coach Sill Convertible Coupe will offered for sale at the Mecum Auctions Indianapolis event starting on May 14th.

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Comments

  1. Pretty car, but I question the red window sills.
    The “coach sill” is more attractive than the standard straight rocker panel/body interface on most ’30-1 V16s. I’ve never seen it on a coupe, usually on a dual cowl phaeton.

    Reply
  2. This WAS Cadillac, GM your lost your way and most likely gone for good. What a shame !

    Reply
  3. The spiffed up Chevy’s that masquerade as Cadillac’s now will never be classics. Only monuments to short sighted soul less bureaucrats that don’t care.. Way to go GM………….

    Reply
  4. I agree with your comments gentlemen.
    This beautiful model still has the Cadillac swag that turn heads and say “I like to take that for a ride”

    Reply

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