Paul and Al Schinnerer acquired “Old Red” back in 1949 near Edwards Airforce Base from John W. Meyer, a test pilot for Northrop Aircraft.  Mr. Meyer had used “Old Red” to tow his glider as part of the Flying Wing Program.   Al Schinnerer paid $75 for the V16 and by 1950 he sold it to his brother Paul for $150.  Paul retained ownership of “Old Red” for over 70 years and was commonly seen throughout the Southern California classic car scene driving her.  He was founding members of the Southern California regions of both the Classic Car Club of America and the Cadillac LaSalle Club.  As a young man, Paul initially hot rodded the V16.  A photo in the photo gallery shows it in the early 1950’s with Edelbrock intake manifolds and four updraft carbs when “Old Red” was in its Hot Rod configuration.  With these, Paul learned to shoot five-foot-tall flames to impress his friends and to gather crowds!  “Old Red” was an important part of the Southern California hot rod and classic car culture for over 70 years!  Part of her story and additional historical photos document her in Cummunigs book Cadillac V-16s Lost and Found.

“Old Red” has a two-tone Maroon and Burgundy livery complimented by red coachstripes.  The paint looks very nice throughout.  It has several small touched up chips, which make it approachable and, importantly, drivable.  The chrome is all in very nice condition throughout, and the wheels are correctly painted with stainless spokes.  It simply looks fantastic!  The convertible top mechanisms are all present and in good condition, but without canvas.  We decided to keep it this way, as Paul had enjoyed her for decades.  We had a new top boot made in black canvas with red piping- and it looks terrific!!

The interior is a nice grade of dark brown leatherette, likely 100 years old, but still quite nice today.  It is complimented by equally old brown carpeting that is very worn.  We chose to keep this as it has been, because it just looks terrific to us.  Having 100-point cars ourselves, we all LOVE the fact that this is a car you can just jump in and drive!  And how often do you see a V16 being enjoyed on the road?

The engine compartment is well detailed for touring and can be shown.  It is overall quite proper in its appearance and finishes.  The chassis is also an older restoration that is in overall nice condition and can also be shown.

“Old Red” runs great.  We’ve had her tuned up and fully serviced.  She is an absolute pleasure to drive.  The steering is fairly light for such a massive car.  It also has the V16’s ability to travel from 2 mph to 100 mph in third gear.  The lights and instruments work well.  The clock and the fuel gauge are not functioning.

Cadillac V-16s sported an overhead-valve, 452-cubic-inch engine, which produced 175 horsepower with a displacement of 452.3 cu inches.  The engine’s sole purpose was to be the smoothest and quietest luxury experience of the era, and Cadillac succeeded overwhelmingly.  “Old Red” drives smoothly in part due to her 148-inch wheelbase.

“Old Red” comes complete with a significant historical file, including its factory build sheet authenticating the Body No. and Engine No. as correct, and recent service records.  On our website you can see many historical photos and a terrific story written by Paul (a MUST read!).  She really needs nothing to be enjoyed as she is, or she can be taken to the next level without any difficulty.

For more information and details, please call, text or email Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or sales@classicpromenade.com.  “Old Red” is available for viewing in our Phoenix showroom.

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The livery is simply stunning in Silver and Black two-tone with twin red coach stripes perfectly sweeping the length of the body.   Perfect chrome adorns the entirely of this roadster.  We love the black painted wheels complimented with stainless spokes, giving it an elegant but sporty look.  The quality of the paint, chrome and finish are superb in every way.  Absolutely perfect and understandable why so many 100-point victories have been earned.  The original Goddess hood-ornament is beautiful and bears her correct serial number 91303.

The interior is striking with authentically tanned black leather seats and door panels.  The leather looks period correct, not like so many recently restored motorcars that look more like the leather from your new Mercedes.  The seats are filled with the correct horsehair for the proper density and responsiveness.  The engine turned dash and instrumentation are all perfectly as-new and work beautifully.  The top frame and piano black painted top bows are all perfect and striking.   The black Haartz canvas convertible top is perfect and tight.  The all-weather side curtains have some fading and do not match the deep rich black Haartz canvas convertible top and appear to have been done years ago.  The black rumble seat leather and finishing are also perfect and as-new.

Affixed to the Cadillac trunk rack is a Cadillac branded low-boy trunk with a beautiful set of fitted luggage.  The exterior is made from matching black canvas and the interior luggage is all leather with a beautiful and tasteful black and silver paisley fabric.

The roadster is accessorized with all of the important and correct optional components, except the quality and attention to detail is second to none.  The dual side mounts benefit from the black painted metal covers and dual mirrors with jewel-like engraving, including the Cadillac logo.  Dual Cadillac logoed Lorraine spotlights are mounted to the chrome windshield frame and dual Pilot Ray driving lamps adorn the front end.  On either side of the grill are the massive 13-inch Guide “Tiltray” headlights, chromed Klaxton horns and the chromed grill guard mounted in front of the grill.

The massive 452 CID V16 is the heart of this Cadillac.  The quality of the finish of this example is spectacular.  The engine and manifolds are beautifully finished in the correct black porcelain and polished and plated elsewhere.  The result is unquestionably one of the most impressive engine compartments of any classic era motorcar.  The 175 hp is smooth and effortless and its three-speed selective syncro-mesh transmission shifts smoothly.  The gearing is tall and quite suitable for driving at modern speeds, with third gear capable of pulling this from 2 mph to 100 mph.

The chassis is beautifully detailed, far exceeding what the V16’s looked like when new.  The finish is in excellent condition and will continue to garner perfect or near perfect judging scores.  This V16 comes complete with the rare original tool roll, jack, hub cap removal wrench, lube gun, tire pressure gauge and engine crank.

The value of this Cadillac has been discussed and reviewed by us and two other valuation experts within the industry.  All three experts agree that given the provenance and quality of this example, a 25-50% discount from the value of a pristine and original roadster is appropriate.  In the past year or so, several comparable roadsters have been sold at public auction ranging from $1.1 to $$1.4 million.  Our pricing is therefore based upon this valuation methodology.

HISTORY of this V16

This 1930 Cadillac V16 was ordered on March 21, 1930 and built new as what is thought to be an Imperial Limousine on April 7, 1930 at the Fleetwood plant in Detroit Michigan.  It is reported that the Cadillac was originally bought new by Mr. Atwater Kent of Philadelphia, PA and arrived at the Philadelphia Cadillac dealer on June 20, 1930.  Mr. Kent was the inventor of the Self-Starter and also operated the world’s largest radio manufacturer.  This helped make him become the richest man in America.

Mr. Kent enjoyed the Cadillac in Philadelphia and eventually transported it to his sprawling mansion in Bel Air, CA.  His estate in Bel Air is now the site of the famous and prestigious Bel Air Hotel.  It stayed at his estate until about 1941.  In the 1960’s the body had been altered to that of a Roadster and by the 1970’s Art Lehner owned it in Scottsville, VA.  Jack Miller acquired it in 1979 and by 1982 it was owned by Jerry Moore in Houston, TX.  Mr. Moore enjoyed the Roadster until 1999, when it was sold to Pete Todo of Hobart, IN.  Mr. Hobart then sold it to its present owner of the last 20 years.

Many of the leading restoration specialists have been involved in the restoration and rebuilding of this Roadster.  This roadster has been painstakingly and perfectly restored to have all the authentic details of one of the most desired classics of all time: the V-16 Roadster.  Details are documented in the attached history detail available on classicpromenade.com.  This Roadster comes complete with its historical documentation, an original dealer sales brochure, Service Manuals, Information Manuals, Instruction Book, Shop Manual and more.

For more details and information, please call, text or email Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com.  The Cadillac is available for viewing at our Phoenix showroom.

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