Cadillac ushered in the multicylinder rivalry with its 16-cylinder model in 1930 and, four years later, made significant improvements to its top-of-the-line offering for the 1934 model year. A mere 56 examples of the 452-D series were built across all body styles, including this Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood, equipped with unique styling elements for its initial role as a show car.

For 1934, carburetor improvements plus higher compression increased horsepower to 185, and the new 154" wheelbase was the longest offered on an American passenger car – the ideal platform to showcase Fleetwood’s streamlined styling. Pontoon fenders blended smoothly with the body, and integration of exterior components such as Art Deco-style bi-plane bumpers, and single-blade hubcaps resulted in a cohesive, contemporary design that expressed quiet luxury. A copy of the car’s build sheet on file specifies the “Edgewater Beach Hotel (Show)” as its original destination where it was displayed for a Chicago automobile show. Among the six convertible sedans carrying Fleetwood style no. 5780, this car is unique in that it was delivered without side-mounted spares, masterfully increasing its visual length.

An article published by the Classic Car Club of America mentions that this car was later displayed in the General Motors exhibit building, which was part of the 1934 Century of Progress International Exposition where it caught the attention of Charles F. Williams of Cincinnati, Ohio, president of the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company. Mr. Williams took delivery of the car at the conclusion of the exposition and it remained in his family until the late 1940s. It was then sold to Samuel Paelello, also of Cincinnati, and eventually passed to his daughter, Angela Westerman. The car benefited from cosmetic restoration in the mid-1950s and, in 2007, a new convertible top was fitted in preparation for display at the Ault Park Concours d’Elegance. The current owner acquired the car in 2014, and presented it at the 2015 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance as part of the Cadillac feature that year.

The V-16 is finished in black paint with a contrasting light-colored canvas roof. Center-hinged doors provide access to the interior, upholstered in gray leather, with a wind-up glass partition between the front and rear seats. It retains the styling details likely first seen during its show car period including special-plated wheels, body-colored windshield moldings, chromed horizontal hood louvers, and matching-chromed horizontal spears accenting the front fenders. Additionally, it still wears its original 1935 Ohio license plate. Its low production and impressive $8,150 price ensured exclusivity when new. Today, just three other 1934 Convertible Sedan 452-Ds are known to the Cadillac & LaSalle Club. This unique example combines Cadillac’s unmatched mechanicals and rare custom Fleetwood coachwork, only augmented by an early show car history and limited ownership. The sum of these parts is a true automotive icon produced at the height of the Classic Era.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled by its engine number.