Engine - 16 Cylinder V-Type 452 cubic inch
Transmission - Cadillac Synchro-mesh three speed
Horsepower - 175
Production - 105 Roadsters produced for 1930-1931


“The Standard of the World”

For Cadillac, the development of a powerful sixteen cylinder engine started as early as 1926 with GM funding such a project. Executives recognized the demand from the general public and also aimed to compete with Packard Motor Car Company which had recently taken the top spot in luxury automobile production. They wouldn’t unveil the Series 452 V-16 until after the Wall Street crash of 1929. Dealers were notified of the release of the Cadillac V-16 on December 10th, 1929 with the first public appearance at the General Motors Salon within the Hotel Astor. The Cadillac V-16 was an immediate sensation.

Delivered on May 16th 1930 to Floyd Becker of Roseland NJ, this 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Roadster is presented exactly as ordered originally. Mr. Becker ordered this V16 with many rare and unique features including dual rear mounted spare rims and carrier, 20 inch demountable rims with body color matched artillery wood-spoke wheels, Cannon Smoke paint color with Aztec Red double hairline striping, special door pockets, modified seat cushions, and windshield wing windows.

The original purchase price with special order options came to $5,896.40. Mr. Becker would retain the Cadillac roadster until 1948 when he sold it to an employee of his dairy farm operation. The V16 passed through multiple noteworthy collectors before being acquired by Briggs Cunningham in 1980. Upon the sale of the Briggs Cunningham collection to Miles Collier the Cadillac was sold again, not fitting the goals for the Collier Collection. The restoration was completed in 2001. Henry Becker, Floyd Becker's son, was able to provide the restoration shop with original order sheets and correspondence from his father. He remembered the trip to Newark as a little boy to receive the car when it was new.