• Formerly part of the Swigart Museum Collection in the USA • Purchased as a 'barn find' in 2007 • Offered from a prominent private collection in Ireland • Re-commissioned by the vendors' mechanics • VCC Dated Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit, Michigan completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA.

In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers.

The company took its name from the great French 17th century explorer who had founded Detroit in 1701.

The first Cadillac automobile was completed and test driven in October 1902, and the following January made a triumphal ...